Assault Support Patrol Boat (ASPB) (Alpha Boat)

History of Assault Support Patrol Boat (ASPB) (Alpha Boat)

The

Assault Support Patrol Boat (ASPB) - also known as the "Alpha Boat" - was a dedicated destroyer and minesweeper of the U.S. Navy's fleet on the "Brown River" River in South Vietnam during the Vietnam conflict.

However, until the Alpha Ship was officially developed and delivered to Vietnamese waters, the Tango Ship (ATC) was the versatile workhorse of the river fleet. Tangos are vessels specifically designed as platoon-level troop transports, but can also be used for resupply and fire support operations. Unfortunately, the kind of deadly work that Tango ships are involved inespecially minesweepingis often subject to mission constraints, often resulting in loss of crew or troops.

After-action reports for assault and mine clearance missions, and the growing mission requirements contained within them, were sent to Gunderson Brothers Engineering in Portland, Oregon. Engineers there developed a new boat specifically for assault and minesweeping operations on the Brown River, eventually known as the ASPB, or simply the "Alpha Boat."

The Alpha boat displaces 36.5 tons, has a barrel length of 50 feet 1.5 inches, and a beam (or "width" in ship parlance) of 15 feet 2.5 inches. A typical quality of this riverboat is its shallow draft, and the Alpha is capable of traversing 4 feet 3 inches of water. To get there, Alpha Boat designers used 2 GM 12V71 diesel engines, each producing 430 horsepower, which, at least on paper, could propel itself at 16 knots in perfect conditions.

To keep the boat going, it carries about 650 gallons of diesel and travels 130 nautical miles at 10 knots. The crew of five consisted of a captain/helmsman, a radio operator, an engineer/gunner and a .50 caliber machine gunner and 20mm machine gunner.

Each boat costs US taxpayers $325,000 and is all constructed of steel for maximum durability under pressure.

On October 25, 1966, the first batch of 36 ships was ordered from GBEC, and the first ASPB arrived in Vung Tau on September 20, 1967. A further 50 ships were ordered on January 24, 1968, following these ships. Crews receive specialized training on the ins and outs of the U.S. Navy's new ships, which are equipped with turrets for primary weapons and gunners.

It also comes with new mine-resistant chain brakes that can get close to river banks and clamp (and eventually detonate) any unseen enemy booby-trapped wires. Two Alpha ships would normally lead a column of US Navy ships while streaming their minesweeping equipment, and the other Alpha would normally stay aft of the column to form the stern.

Alpha ships proved to be lighter and faster than their previous monitors - or "river battleships" - but the Alpha ships carried a 2x array. 50 caliber heavy machine gun and 2 x 20 mm cannons in two turret positions - one on the bow and the other on top of the superstructure. Aft is an 81mm multipurpose indirect fire mortar.

In addition, 2 Mark 20 automatic grenade launchers were installed, each with a rate of fire of 250 rounds per minute and a range of up to 400 meters. Of course, any personal weapons operated by the crew can also be deployed if desired.

All in all, when asked to support other naval ships or ground forces near the river, Alpha Boats certainly has something to offer.

The Alpha ships eventually helped to contain Viet Cong activity along the Mekong Delta and fighting around Vinh Long. The ship series also helped the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) units, which themselves were under pressure to wage war on rivers - the Alpha ships played a key role in blocking the VC line to some extent. These river forces caused more than 600 Viet Cong casualties in the Vinh Long area alone. Alpha Boats helped gain momentum in these key areas and also helped reduce enemy attacks on friendly forces along major river waterways.

General Westmoreland, the U.S. commander in Vietnam, even commented on the maneuvers of the Mobile River Force, saying they helped "save the delta." During 1968, Vietnamization was accelerating, which included some members of the Brown Water Navy handing over their ships to ARVN forces. The ships continued their missions under Vietnamese control, while U.S. naval forces focused on training new crews.

The Vietnam War ended on April 30, 1975, and Saigon finally fell to the North, ending a dark military chapter in American history. As a result, many riverboats were captured by North Vietnam and served with their new owners, many of whom remained in service until the late 1990sthat's what these mighty U.S.

Navy riverboats and mighty Alpha ships were worth in that part of the world.

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