Details
On Sat, 6 Nov 1999
Craig Alexander Rothhammer Email address wrote:
The USS GRAPLE is (ARS-7), a Diver class rescue/salvage ship. I served
on her sister ships, USS GRASP (ARS-24) & USS BOLSTER (ARS-38).
The salvage navy was heavily engaged in the Korean War, close in, and
often under fire. They provided salvage support to the Army, Navy,
Air Force & Marines, Search & Rescue, UDT & special ops operations,
towing, interdiction/patroling, Humanitarian and many other tasks.
I have listed below the records of the eight Diver Class ARS's that I
have certain knowledge of their participation in the Korean War. Many
of them were also WWII and Vietnam veterans.
In the Salvage Navy, we understood ARS not to mean Auxiliary Rescue &
Salvage, but rather "Always Ready Ships". If there was a dirty job to
do, we were the one's to call upon. We paid for this respect in sweat
and blood.
See: Ship History
USS SAFEGUARD (ARS-25)
Displacement 1,630 Length 213'6" Beam 39' Draw 14'8" Speed 15 k
Complement 120 Armament 4 40mm Class Diver
After the outbreak of war in Korea, Safeguard was ordered activated.
Recommissioned on 13 February 1952, she proceeded to Pearl Harbor for a
post-commissioning overhaul that took her into mid-August. She arrived
at Sasebo, Japan, on 3 September 1952 and again commenced salvage and
towing operations in Japanese and Korean waters. She delivered urgently
needed cargo to Consolation (AH-15) at Inchon on 28 December; and, on 6
January 1953, she stood by Missouri (BB-63) during shore bombardment.
Safeguard received one battle star for World War II service, the
Presidential Unit Citation and five battle stars for Korean service,
and nine battle stars for Vietnam service.
Respectfull Submitted,
Craig Rothhammer craigr@cnmnetwork.com
Go to Top
