the Mediterranean. After suffering extensive damage en route, Avenge reached Rota, Spain, on 2 September and remained there for repairs until sailing on 25 September for Izmir, Turkey, where she rejoined her division. She participated in exercises off Dikili, Turkey, with British and Turkish ships from 16 through 25 October. Avenge moved to Naples in early November for a tender availability and then visited La Spezia, Italy; Ajaccio and Lovo Santo, Corsica; and Toulon, France, before closing the year at Naples undergoing upkeep. An amphibious exercise took place at Porto Scudo, Sardinia, on 3 January 1968, 10 days before Avenge began her journey home on 13 January. She reached Charleston on 3 February and entered a leave and upkeep status. The minesweeper got underway on 15 April to take part in mine tests and returned to port on 26 May for a standdown period in preparation for her forthcoming modernization. Severely damaged in a fire Avenge was taken in tow on 26 August for the voyage to Baltimore, Maryland, where she entered the Bethlehem Steel Corporation's Key Highway Shipyard on 30 August. The yardwork continued into 1969. On 27 September, she was drydocked at Bethlehem's Fort McHenry Shipyard in Baltimore. A fire of unknown origin broke out on 6 October and caused extensive damage to the midships section of the vessel. Decommissioning A subsequent survey found that it would not be economically feasible to restore the vessel, and Avenge was decommissioned on 31 January 1970. Her name was struck from the Navy list on 1 February 1970. References External links Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships NavSource Online: Mine Warfare Vessel Photo Archive - Avenge (MSO 423) - ex-AM-423 Category:Agile-class minesweepers Category:Ships built in Stamford, Connecticut Category:1953 ships