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NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive

Rescuer (ARS-18)


International Radio Call Sign:
November - India - Xray - Alpha
 NIXA
Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons

Precedence of awards is from top to bottom, left to right
American Campaign Medal - Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal - World War II Victory Medal
Rescuer Class Rescue and Salvage Ship:
  • Built in 1904 as the tug Casper at United Engine Works
  • Acquired for the Navy, 6 February 1942
  • Converted for Naval service at Seattle
  • Placed in service circa October 1942
  • Final Disposition, grounded and holed, 31 December 1942 near Scotch Cap, Aleutian Islands
  • Struck from the Naval Register, 22 December 1944
    Specifications:
    Displacement 738t
    Length 175' 6"
    Beam 34'
    Speed 10kts
    Armament four .30 cal. machine guns
    Propulsion unknown
    Click On Image
    For Full Size Image    		 Size Image Description Contributed
    By
    Rescuer
    US National Archives, RG-19-LCM, Photo # 19-N-36315    		 108k Rescuer (ARS-18) under way probably shown upon completion of conversion at Seattle, WA., in October 1942
    US National Archives, RG-19-LCM, Photo #'s 19-N-36315, 19-N-36312 and 19-N-36313, US Navy Bureau of Ships photos now in the collections of the US National Archives, courtesy Shipscribe.com.    		 Mike Green
    Rescuer
    US National Archives, RG-19-LCM, Photo # 19-N-36312    		 73k
    Rescuer
    US National Archives, RG-19-LCM, Photo # 19-N-36313    		 106k
    Rescuer 101k Rescuer (ARS-18) under way probably upon completion of conversion at Seattle, WA., in October 1942.
    US National Archives, RG-19-LCM. Photo No. 19-N-36314. courtesy Shipscribe.com.    		 Robert Hurst
    Rescuer 365k Rescuer (ARS-18) under way probably upon completion of conversion at Seattle, WA., in October 1942.
    US Naval History and Heritage Command Photo # NH 85731.    		 US Naval History and Heritage Command
    Rescuer 140k The abandoned wreck of Rescuer (ARS-18) and the Soviet merchant ship Turksib at Seal Cape, Alaska, 15 April 1943. Rescuer was trying to salvage Turksib when she was driven onto the beach, 1 January 1943. The freighter has already lost her stern to Alaskan storms.
    US National Archives, RG-80-G, photo # 80-G-72686, a US Navy photo now in the collections of the US National Archives, courtesy Shipscribe.com.    		 Mike Green
    Rescuer 140k Close up view of the abandoned wreck of Rescuer (ARS-18) on the beach at Seal Cape, Alaska, 15 April 1943. Rescuer was trying to salvage the Soviet Turksib when she was driven onto the beach, 1 January 1943.
    US National Archives, RG-80-G, photo # 80-G-72686 (detail), a US Navy photo now in the collections of the US National Archives, courtesy Shipscribe.com.    		 Mike Green
    Rescuer (ARS-18)
    Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships (DANFS)
    Crew Contact And Reunion Information
    U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation - Navy Log
    Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
    National Association of Fleet Tug Sailors
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    This page is created and maintained by Gary P. Priolo
    All pages copyright NavSource Naval History
    Last Updated 26 July 2019