Trying to get another class of ship through the system? I honestly don't think that'd work so well.
Now, that said, how about grabbing the old steamers hiding on the other side of the harbour, putting a couple AMOS turrets on them (fore/aft, replace the 3" forward, and the ASROC aft) add an MLRS in the mortar wells, get a skeleton crew, and off you go?
Ideal platform. Completely expendable!
NS