USS Lucid (MSO-458): A Model of Wooden Watercraft

Since 2011, the Stockton Maritime Museum has put all efforts into restoring the last minesweeper in the United States, the USS Lucid (MSO-458), a Vietnam-era, oceangoing aggressive class US Navy minesweeper. After 24 years of active service, Lucid was decommissioned, stripped of any valuable hardware, and in the end, left to decay. That’s when the Stockton Maritime Museum stepped in with a vision to restore her to her former glory. Once restoration is complete, the ship will demonstrate to the public the type of watercraft that Stocktonians once produced. Lucid serves as a tangible link to our naval and shipbuilding heritage.

Restoration has been carried out without any government funding, relying on ships plans, sweep sailor knowledge & donations, and manual labor by community volunteers from across the country, as well as San Joaquin County Office of Education students being trained in woodworking preservation and finishing, drafting, electrical, plumbing and metal fabrication directly on the ship.

Starting in 2020, the Stockton Maritime Museum has made yearly video updates to document the restoration progress of the USS Lucid, as well as development of the permanent museum site on the Downtown Stockton Waterfront. We hope you enjoy the following videos and appreciate all the blood, sweat, and tears we’ve put into this amazing artifact!

Curious about her restoration?

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