USS Lucid (AM-458/MSO-458) was an Aggressive-classminesweeper acquired by the U.S. Navy for the task of removing mines that had been placed in the water to prevent the safe passage of ships.
The second warship to be named Lucid by the Navy, AM-458 was laid down by Higgins Inc. Shipyard, New Orleans, Louisiana, 16 March 1953; launched 14 November 1953; sponsored by Mrs. Mary J. Barrow; reclassified MSO-458 on 7 February 1955; and commissioned 4 May 1955, Lt. J. H. Graham in command.
During the period 1956 to 5 November 1963, Lucid sailed on fourWestPaccruises and while there performed operations with the mighty U.S. 7th Fleet. This bastion of strength in the Far East served notice to the Communists that America would not tolerate threats to the peace and stability of the free countries of Asia. In addition to exercises with the 7th Fleet, the minesweeper participated in good will programs in the countries she visited. The time between WestPac cruises was spent in mine countermeasure exercises off the southernCalifornia coast
Throughout 1964 Lucid continued training exercises off the U.S. West Coast, then departed Long Beach 5 April 1965 on her fifth WestPaccruise. Arriving Subic Bay, Philippine Islands. 24 May, she prepared for Operation Market Time off the coast of Vietnam. From June to October the minesweeper continued patrol and surveillance of Vietnamese Junk traffic. She boarded a total of 186 Junks and steel-hulled ships, and contributed to a reduction of enemy infiltration of men and supplies by sea. Lucid returned to Long Beach 14 December and operated off the southern California coast until May 1966 when she commenced overhaul at Harbor Boat Building Co., San Pedro, California.
Lucid was struck from the Navy List on 15 May 1976 and sold for $40,250 for scrap in a Navy sale in November. The scrap yard removed valuable metals and equipment and resold her. After passing through numerous civilian owners,Lucid was acquired for use as a museum. She is currently being restored at Bradford Island, California.
In November 2011 it was announced that the Lucid will be moving to Stockton California for further restoration, she will be moored at a pier of the former naval reserve center on Monte Diablo Ave. and plans are being made to move it to downtown Stockton.
On March 15th 2012, the USS Lucid was dedicated at a ribbon cutting ceremony presented by the Stockton Historical Maritime Museum and The San Joaquin Building Futures Academy. The Lucid currently is berthed at the "Building Futures Academy" site where SJCOE students will be directly involved in all phases of this exciting project. Opportunities to learn and practice skills developed from woodworking preservation and finishing, drafting, electrical, plumbing and metal fabrication, to historical research will all be presented.
Upon return to it's original appearance, the Lucid will be moved to become a representative part of the historic downtown waterfront area near Weber point, where over a thousand boats and ships were built beginning in the 1850's ending in the 1980's. There, the Museum Lucid will become a permanent icon, open to the public for tours and special events. She will serve to honor Stockton's maritime and shipbuilding history, the men and women who labored there, Former/Active Duty Navy and those who served aboard the small vessels that were such a big part of the United States Navy.
