rescue and salvage ship
{{short description|Type of military salvage tug}}
Rescue and salvage ships (hull classification symbol ARS) are a type of military salvage tug.[http://www.nvr.navy.mil/nvrships/s_ARS.htm navy.mil] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140721233328/http://www.nvr.navy.mil/nvrships/s_ARS.htm |date=2014-07-21 }} Naval Vessel Register: "SALVAGE SHIP" They are tasked with coming to the aid of stricken vessels. Their general mission capabilities include combat salvage, lifting, towing, retraction of grounded vessels, off-ship firefighting, and crewed diving operations.{{cite web|url=http://www.history.navy.mil/shiphist/s/ars-52/1986.pdf|title=USS Salvor Command History 1986|access-date=2014-01-30|archive-date=2012-11-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103134624/http://www.history.navy.mil/shiphist/s/ars-52/1986.pdf|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://www.history.navy.mil/shiphist/g/ars-53/2002.pdf|title=USS Grapple Command History 2002|access-date=2014-01-30|archive-date=2012-11-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103141453/http://www.history.navy.mil/shiphist/g/ars-53/2002.pdf|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://www.navy.mil/navydata/fact_display.asp?cid=4625&tid=150&ct=4|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120916081716/http://www.navy.mil/navydata/fact_display.asp?cid=4625&tid=150&ct=4|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 16, 2012|title=The US Navy -- Fact File: Rescue and Salvage Ships T-ARS|first=Dan|last=Petty|website=www.navy.mil}}[http://www.msc.navy.mil/inventory/ships.asp?ship=188 navy.mil] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201231524/http://www.msc.navy.mil/inventory/ships.asp?ship=188 |date=2014-02-01 }} Military Sealift Command Ship Inventory: Rescue Salvage Ships They were common during World War II.
List of rescue and salvage ships of the United States Navy by class
The following ship classes have been designated under the ARS hull classification symbol in United States Navy Service.
=''Lapwing''-class minesweeper conversions=
File:USS Discoverer (ARS-3).jpg c. 1935]]
The earliest designated United States Navy salvage ships (ARS) were converted {{Sclass|Lapwing|minesweeper}}s. Ships of this type were operated by the United States Navy as salvage ships from June 1941 until USS Viking was decommissioned and scrapped in 1953.
- {{USS|Viking|ARS-1}}
- {{USS|Crusader|ARS-2}}
- {{USS|Discoverer|ARS-3}}
- {{USS|Redwing|ARS-4}}
- {{USS|Warbler|ARS-11}}
- {{USS|Willet|ARS-12}}
- {{USS|Brant|ARS-32}}
=''Diver'' class=
File:USS Safeguard (ARS-25).jpg
The United States Navy operated {{Sclass|Diver|rescue and salvage ship|2}}s (ARS) from October 1943 until the last example was decommissioned in July 1979. Several ships of this class were converted to other uses, and USS Shackle remained in service as the 213' United States Coast Guard Cutter {{USCGC|Acushnet|WMEC-167|6}} until March 2011.http://coastguardnews.com/coast-guards-queen-of-the-fleet-shifts-acushnet-being-decommissioned/2011/03/11/ Coast Guard News: "Coast Guard's Queen of the Fleet shifts, Acushnet being decommissioned"
- {{USS|Diver|ARS-5}}
- {{USS|Escape|ARS-6}} (Converted to USCGC Escape (WMEC-6))
- {{USS|Grapple|ARS-7}}
- {{USS|Preserver|ARS-8}}
- {{USS|Shackle|ARS-9}} (Converted to {{USCGC|Acushnet|WMEC-167}})
- {{USS|Cable|ARS-19}}
- {{USS|Chain|ARS-20}} (Converted to USNS Chain (T-AGOR-17))
- {{USS|Curb|ARS-21}}
- {{USS|Current|ARS-22}}
- {{USS|Deliver|ARS-23}}
- {{USS|Grasp|ARS-24}}
- {{USS|Safeguard|ARS-25}}
- {{USS|Seize|ARS-26}} (Converted to USCGC Yocona (WAT-168))
- {{USS|Snatch|ARS-27}} (Converted to USNS Argo (T-AGOR-18))
- {{USS|Valve|ARS-28}}
- {{USS|Vent|ARS-29}}
- {{USS|Clamp|ARS-33}}
- {{USS|Gear|ARS-34}}
=Miscellaneous civilian vessel conversions=
Several ships were converted and redesignated as salvage ships (ARS) during World War II.
- {{USS|Assistance|ARS-10}} (canceled)http://www.navsource.net/archives/09/37/37idx.htm NavSource Photo Archives: Rescue and Salvage Ship (ARS)
=''Anchor'' class=
File:USS Restorer (ARS-17).jpg
The United States Navy operated {{Sclass|Anchor|rescue and salvage ship|2}}s (ARS) from October 1943 until March 1946.
- {{USS|Anchor|ARS-13}}
- {{USS|Protector|ARS-14}}
- {{USS|Extractor|ARS-15}}
- {{USS|Extricate|ARS-16}}
- {{USS|Restorer|ARS-17}}
=''Weight'' class=
The United States Navy operated {{Sclass|Weight|rescue and salvage ship|2}}s (ARS) from August 1943 until the last example was decommissioned in June 1946. The Weight-class ships were originally intended for delivery to the Royal Navy under different names, as part of the Lend-Lease program. However, they were instead delivered to and operated by the United States Navy.
- {{USS|Weight|ARS-35}}
- {{USS|Swivel|ARS-36}}
=''Bolster'' class=
File:USS Opportune (ARS-41) underway on 1 November 1983 (6430328).jpg
{{Sclass|Bolster|rescue and salvage ship|2}}
- {{USS|Bolster|ARS-38}}
- {{USS|Conserver|ARS-39}}
- {{USS|Hoist|ARS-40}}
- {{USS|Opportune|ARS-41}}
- {{USS|Reclaimer|ARS-42}}
- {{USS|Recovery|ARS-43}}
- {{USS|Retriever|ARS-44}} (canceled)
- {{USS|Skillful|ARS-45}} (canceled)
- {{USS|Support|ARS-46}} (canceled)
- {{USS|Toiler|ARS-47}} (canceled)
- {{USS|Urgent|ARS-48}} (canceled)
- {{USS|Willing|ARS-49}} (canceled)
=''Safeguard'' class=
{{Sclass|Safeguard|salvage ship|2}}
See also
- {{annotated link|Da Wu-class rescue and salvage ship}}