From: Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships

Valor, and skill.

Prowess (AM-280) was laid down 15 September 1943 by Gulf Shipbuilding Corp., Chickasaw, Ala.; launched 17 February 1944; sponsored by Mrs. Thomas W. Rubottom; and commissioned 27 September 1944, Lt. Comdr. J. W. Meire in command.

Following shakedown out of Little Creek, Va., Prowess (AM-280) escorted Pontiac (AF-20) from Boston to Bermuda, departing Boston 14 December 1944. Upon returning to Little Creek, she trained minesweeper personnel from 1 January 1945 to 31 August. Departing-Little Creek 3 October, she participated in festivities honoring Admiral Nimitz at Washington, D.C., in early October. After a visit to Wilrnington, Del., she returned to Norfolk.

Prowess entered the Atlantic Reserve Fleet in December 1945. She was reclassified MSF-280 on 7 February 1955. Assigned a homeport of Buffalo, N.Y., from 1 September 1965 and reclassified IX-305 on 1 March 1966, she has served as a naval reserve training ship from February 1962 into 1970.