USS Lucid, Military museum in Stockton, US
The USS Lucid is a preserved minesweeper serving as a museum ship open to visitors in Stockton. The wooden vessel with its original oak framing and compartments displays the equipment and design typical of a Cold War-era naval vessel.
The ship was built in 1953 at a New Orleans shipyard and belonged to the Aggressive-class of minesweepers. After multiple deployments in Asia, including missions during the Vietnam War, it was later preserved and made accessible to the public.
The ship demonstrates how crucial minesweeping was to naval operations, and visitors can see the spaces where the crew worked during deployments. The preserved compartments give a sense of how tight and functional life aboard was for sailors.
Visitors should arrange a tour in advance, as access requires prior booking. The vessel is easily spotted from the water, but stepping aboard requires a confirmed reservation.
It is the last floating example of its ship class in the United States, offering a rare look at postwar minesweeper design. Volunteers regularly work on restoration to keep the vessel intact for future generations.
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