USS Venture (AM-496/MSO-496) was an Aggressive-class minesweeper acquired by the U.S. Navy for the task of removing mines that had been placed in the water to prevent the safe passage of ships. The third ship to be named Venture by the Navy, MSO-496 was laid down on 11 January 1955 at Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, by Broward Marine Inc. as AM-496; redesignated MSO-496 on 7 February 1955; launched on 27 November 1956; sponsored by Mrs. Leroy Williams, wife of the Governor of Florida; and commissioned on 3 February 1958, Lt. Comdr. James H. Agles in command.