USS Pelican (MHC-53)

USS Pelican (MHC-53)

The USS Pelican (MHC-53) was a minehunter the United States Navy . She is the third boat in the Osprey class .

On June 6, 1991 the keel of the USS Pelican (MHC-53) was laid. The ship entered service on November 18, 1995. Since January 1, 1997, the ship belonged to the Naval Reserve Force and was used for the training of reservists. On March 16, 2007 the Pelican was decommissioned together with the USS Heron (MHC-52) and handed over to the Greek Navy in "warm condition" . After completing a basic repair and training of the crew, the two ships were moved to Greece . The Pelican was renamed Evniki .

The USS Pelican (MHC-53) was the third ship with this name:

The first USS Pelican (AM-27) was in service from 1918 to 1945 and was used in mine clearance in the North Sea in 1919. After being reclassified to USS Pelican (AVP-6) in 1936, the ship was also used as a convoy escort ship during the Second World War.

The second USS Pelican (AMS-32) was in service from 1947 to 1968 and was awarded nine Battle Stars during the Korean conflict.