With the removal of the mines in peace, the sweepers came into prominence, which gives occasion to mention an inconspicuous part of the Mine Force work, too easily overlooked. There were four large seagoing tugs in the mine squadron, _Patuxent_, Lieutenant J. B. Hupp; _Patapsco_, Lieutenant W. E. Benson; _Sonoma_, Lieutenant J. S. Thayer; and _Ontario_, Lieutenant E. J. Delavy. These, as fleet tenders had towed targets, carried passengers, mail, stores, and the like. All this continued after they were assigned to the original Mine Force, yet, by a more systematic apportionment of their former duties, time was gained for training in mining and sweeping, enough to arouse a keen interest and foster the Mine Force spirit. In the fleet’s tactical and strategical exercises the tugs took part, and upon our entering the war, the anti-submarine net tasks and the experimenting that were assigned to the Mine Force were possible of accomplishment only by the use of these tugs, together with our mine carrier vessel, the _Lebanon_, Lieutenant H. N. Huxford. In seaworthiness, power, and equipment, these vessels had what was needed, but their chief value lay in the resourcefulness and energy of their personnel. Lieutenant E. S. R. Brandt, U.S.N., was their division leader, commanding the _Sonoma_, during their first 18 months in the Mine Force. Night and day, they were always ready, and it seemed as if their power and seaworthiness would take them anywhere. Well equipped for salvaging, they played an important part in saving the U.S.S. _Olympia_ and afterwards the _Texas_, when they grounded, in 1917. Often they had long hours of hard duty, but could always be counted on. Service in them gave excellent experience for both officers and men, and many were the capable petty officers turned out. The question “Can you do it?” was never asked, nor “Are you ready?” It was necessary only to say go and do, and whether foggy or clear, the tug that was sent would nose her way through somehow. These tugs were not properly equipped for mine sweeping, lacking the special type of winch needed for that purpose, but their 18 months’ experience with improvised arrangements yielded information of great value for the new design of a combined seagoing tug and mine-sweeper type, of the _Bird_ Class, contracted for during the summer of 1917. By the original plan for the Northern Mine Barrage, the first 12 to be completed of these new sweeping vessels were assigned to the mine squadron, and continued efforts were made to expedite their completion, but without success so far as concerned their joining the mine squadron.