USS Scuffle

History
United States
Name	USS Scuffle (AM-298)
Builder	Winslow Marine Railway & Shipbuilding Company, Seattle
Laid down	4 May 1943
Launched	8 August 1943
Sponsored by	Miss Marianne Baron
Commissioned	2 May 1944
Decommissioned	19 June 1946
Reclassified	MSF-298, 7 February 1955
Stricken	1 May 1962
Fate	Transferred to Mexican Navy, 1 October 1962
Mexico
Name	ARM DM-05
Acquired	1 October 1962
Renamed	ARM General Felipe Xicoténcatl (C53), 1994
Namesake	Felipe Xicoténcatl
Stricken	2000
Fate	Sunk as an artificial reef
General characteristics
Class and type	Admirable-class minesweeper
Displacement	650 long tons (660 t)
Length	184 ft 6 in (56.24 m)
Beam	33 ft (10 m)
Draft	9 ft 9 in (2.97 m)
Propulsion	2 × ALCO 539 kW); Farrel-Birmingham single reduction gear; 2 shafts;
Speed	15 knots (28 km/h)
Complement	104
Armament	1 × DP gun; 2 × twin Bofors 40 mm guns; 1 × Hedgehog anti-submarine mortar; 2 × Depth charge tracks;
Service record
Part of:	U.S. Pacific Fleet (1944–1946); Atlantic Reserve Fleet (1946–1962); Mexican Navy (1962–2000);
Operations:	Philippines campaign (1944–45)
Awards:	Presidential Unit Citation; 5 Battle stars;

USS Scuffle (AM-298) was an

battle stars for service in the Pacific during World War II. She was decommissioned in June 1946 and placed in reserve. While remaining in reserve, Scuffle was reclassified as MSF-298 in February 1955, but never reactivated. In October 1962, she was sold to the Mexican Navy and renamed ARM DM-05. In 1994, she was renamed ARM General Felipe Xicoténcatl (C53). She was sunk as an artificial reef and dive attraction off of Cozumel

in 1999, and was stricken from the rolls of the Mexican Navy in 2000.

U.S. Navy career

Scuffle was laid down on 4 May 1943 by

Eniwetok, and carried out various tests and training operations. She arrived at San Pedro Bay, Leyte

, on 31 December 1944 and joined Mine Division 34.

With her division, Scuffle participated in the pre-invasion sweeps at

antiaircraft

protection for the transports.

On 13 February, her division began pre-invasion sweeps in

Netherlands East Indies

.

On 2 June, Scuffle sailed from

YMS's performing the pre-invasion sweep. She left Balikpapan on 8 July and returned to Subic Bay for a month of overhaul. Scuffle's task group received a Presidential Unit Citation

for its service off Balikpapan.

The minesweeper left the

battle stars

for her World War II service.

While she remained in reserve, Scuffle was reclassified MSF-298 effective 7 February 1955. She was struck from the

Navy list

on 1 May 1962 and transferred to Mexico on 1 October 1962.

Mexican Navy career

In October 1962, the former Scuffle was acquired by the Mexican Navy and renamed ARM DM-05. In 1994, she was renamed ARM General Felipe Xicoténcatl (C53). In 1999, she was reportedly sunk off Cozumel, then, in 2000, was stricken from the rolls of the Mexican Navy.^[1]

Underwater Scuba Park and artificial reef

After 55 years of service C-53 was decommissioned and later donated to Cozumel underwater park. C-53 was sunk in 1999 in 82' of water just off shore from Chankanaab Park. ^[2]^[3] The C-53 was stabilized and anchored by a series of massive concrete blocks and became home to an abundance of soft corals, sponges and tropical fish. A common inhabitant of the C-53 are the Glassy Sweepers. On October 22, 2005, a Category 5 hurricane named "Wilma", pushed the C-53 from its original position North approximately 100 feet. However the ship remains vertical and is stable for continued diving and exploration. As of this update, the C-53 is home to a wide array of corals, soft corals, sponges and marine life. It is one of the most popular dives of the region among suitably certified divers. Due to its depth, it is not a dive for beginners.

Notes

^
OCLC 140283156
.

References

This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. The entry can be found here.
"Scuffle". Mine Warfare Vessel Photo Archive. NavSource Online. Retrieved 2008-02-18.

[Wertheim-1] 
OCLC 140283156
.

[2] "C53 Wreck of the Felipe Xicotencatl in Cozumel".

[3] "Cozumel's Wreck – the Felipe Xicotencatl | Eco Divers Blog".

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