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NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive

USS Diver (ARS-5)


International Radio Call Sign:
November - Quebec - Mike - Yankee
 NQMY
Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons


Precedence of awards is from top to bottom, left to right
Top Row - American Campaign Medal
Bottom Row - Europe-Africa-Middle East Campaign Medal (1) - World War II Victory Medal - Navy Occupation Service Medal (with Europe clasp)
Diver Class Rescue and Salvage Ship
  • Laid down, 6 April 1942, at Basalt Rock Co., Napa, CA.
  • Launched, 19 December 1942
  • Commissioned USS Diver (ARS-5), 23 October 1943, LT. A. T. Terrio in command
  • During World War II USS Diver was assigned to the Europe-Africa-Middle East Theater and participated in the following campaign:
    Europe-Africa-Middle East Campaign
    Campaign and Dates
    Invasion of Normandy, 6 to 25 June 1944
    Task Group 122.3 - Salvage and Fire Fighting Group (Wreck Dispersal Vessel)
  • Following World War II USS Diver was assigned to Occupation service in the European area from 21 June to 22 August 1945
  • Decommissioned, 27 July 1946, at Orange, TX.
  • Laid up in the Atlantic Reserve Fleet, Texas Group, Orange
  • Struck from the Naval Register, date unknown
  • SECNAV authorized sale of ex-Diver, 2 February 1949
  • Sold, 12 April 1949, delivered to Merritt-Chapman & Scott Corp. for reuse as a salvage vessel
  • Final Disposition, fate unknown
  • USS Diver earned one battle star during World War II
    Specifications:
    Displacement 1,897 t.
    Length 213' 6"
    Beam 39'
    Draft 14' 8"
    Speed 15 kts.
    Complement
    Officers 7
    Enlisted 113
    Largest Boom Capacity 10 t.
    Armament
    two twin 40mm AA gun mounts
    four .50 cal. machine guns
    Fuel Capacities
    Diesel 2,150 Bbls
    Gasoline 2,560 Gals
    Propulsion
    four Cooper Bessemer GSR-8 Diesel-electric engines
    single Fairbanks Morse Main Reduction Gears
    Ship's Service Generators
    two Diesel-drive 200Kw 120V D.C.
    one Diesel-drive 60Kw 120V D.C.
    twin propellers, 3,000shp
    Click On Image
    For Full Size Image    		 Size Image Description Contributed
    By
    Diver 39k USS Diver (ARS-5) underway, date and location unknown. US Navy photo Wayne Boyle
    Diver 90k USS Diver (ARS-5) moored alongside a sunken ship blocking piers in Cherburg Harbor, France. The ship had been sunk by the Germans. Note Divers twin kingposts, twin booms, and stern anchor. The wooden boat alongside was used to detect magnetic mines. Photo from "the Towline" the National Association of Fleet Tug Sailors magazine, 1 September 1996. Stan Svec
    USS Diver (ARS-5)
    DANFS history entry located at the US Naval History and Heritage Command
    Crew Contact And Reunion Information
    U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation - Navy Log
    Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
    USS Diver ARS-5
    National Association of Fleet Tug Sailors
    Back To The Main Photo Index Back To The Service Ship Photo Index Back To The Salvage Ship (ARS) Photo Index
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    This page is created and maintained by Gary P. Priolo
    All pages copyright NavSource Naval History
    Last Updated 1 July 2011