[3] As a result of experiences during the Korean War, the United States Navy undertook a large scale construction of a new series of minesweepers.

The ships were equipped with the UQS-1 mine-locating sonar and were capable of sweeping moored, bottom contact, magnetic and acoustic mines.

The modernization cost between 700,000 and $1,500,000 per ship and should enable them to operate for another ten years.

The ships received new aluminum block Waukesha diesel engines and the superstructure was enlarged aft.

Also, two 40 hp zodiacs were carried for the purpose of mooring the new sonar reflectors.