USS Harkness (AMCU-12/YMS-242) was a YMS-1-class minesweeper of the YMS-135 subclass acquired by the U.S. Navy for the task of removing mines that had been placed in the water to prevent ships from passing. Harkness was laid down as YMS-242 by Tacoma Boatbuilding Company, Tacoma, Washington, 1 June 1942; launched 10 October 1942; commissioned 27 March 1943.