From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia USS Pigeon (ASR-6)
USS Pigeon (ASR-6)
(AM-47/ASR-6)
The first USS Pigeon (AM-47/ASR-6) was a Lapwing-class
minesweeper of the United States Navy. She was later
converted to a submarine rescue ship. She was named for
the avian ambassador, the pigeon.
Pigeon was laid down by the Baltimore Dry Dock and
Shipbuilding Co., Baltimore, Maryland; launched on 29
January 1919; sponsored by Mrs. Joseph B. Provance; and
commissioned in the Norfolk Navy Yard on 15 July 1919,
Lieutenant William C. Procknow in command. When hull
classification symbols and numbers were assigned to
AM-47.
ships on 17 July 1920, Pigeon was designated AM-47
Service history
Inter-war period
Career
Pigeon departed Norfolk to serve the Pacific Mine Force
at San Diego, California; transited the Panama Canal on 7
Name: Pigeon December 1919; and reached San Diego on 25 December.
Pearl Harbor became her new base of operations on 18
Laid down: 15 June 1918
June 1920 and she decommissioned there on 25 April
Launched: 29 January 1919 1922. Converted to a gunboat, she recommissioned at
Pearl Harbor on 13 October 1923, Lieutenant Commander
Commissioned: 15 July 1919
Elwin F. Cutts in command.
Reclassified: 12 September 1929
Fate: Sunk in action, 4 May 1942
General characteristics
Class and type: Lapwing-class minesweeper
Displacement: 950 long tons (970 t)
Length: 187 ft 10 in (57.25 m)
Beam: 35 ft 6 in (10.82 m)
Draft: 9 ft 9 in (2.97 m)
Installed 1,400 ihp (1,000 kW)
power: Pigeon in Chinese waters, circa the later 1920s, showing modifi-
cations made to fit her as a gunboat for use on the Yangtze
Propulsion: 1 × Harlan and Hollingsworth, vertical
triple-expansion steam engine River.
1 × screw
Still classified a minesweeper, Pigeon departed Pearl
Speed: 14 kn (16 mph; 26 km/h)
Harbor on 7 November 1923 and joined the Yangtze River
Complement: 72 Patrol Force at Shanghai, China on 26 November. For five
years, she served in the famous patrol protecting Amer-
Armament: As built:
1 × 11-pounder gun ican citizens and commerce during the revolution that
2 × machine guns swept China. She began serving Submarine Division 16
World War II: (SubDiv 16), U.S. Asiatic Fleet in September 1928. After
2 × 3 in (76 mm)/50 cal guns ranging from the Philippines to the China coast, she fit-
2 × 20 mm anti-aircraft autocannons
ted out as a “Submarine Salvage Vessel” at the Cavite
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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia USS Pigeon (ASR-6)
Naval Station April–July 1929. She sailed from Manila Bay service in salvaging S-51 in 1925–1926. He later served in
on 13 July to cruise with Asiatic Fleet Submarines along several "S-boats", at the New London Submarine Base,
the China Coast until returning to Manila on 11 Septem- became a Master Diver, then joined the staff of SubDiv 4.
ber. The following day, she was reclassified a Submarine He commanded submarine salvage ship Falcon from
ASR-6).
Rescue Vessel (ASR-6 1935-1938, served as Officer in Command of the Subma-
As a Submarine Rescue Vessel, Pigeon’s primary mis- rine Escape Training Tank at the Submarine Base in
sion was to salvage and aid submarines in distress. She Hawaii, then took command of Pigeon on 12 February
had a complement of divers and was equipped with deep 1940.
sea diving equipment. There was a McCann rescue cham- Pigeon was moored in a five-ship nest at the Cavite
ber for rescuing men from sunken submarines. Pigeon al- Navy Yard on 10 December 1941 when Japanese bombers
so had a helium mixing tank for aiding divers in making launched massive raids. But Commander Hawes had re-
deep dives. Her recompression chamber was a complete lieving tackles rigged, steam at throttle, and men ready
“divers hospital” to prevent the dreaded “bends” in for action. His foresight saved Pigeon and submarine Sead-
divers subjected to sudden ascents from deep depths. ragon.
Pigeon continued duty with the Submarine Force of Pigeon’s four machine guns—two .50 in (12.7 mm) and
the Asiatic Fleet in waters ranging from the Philippines two .30 in (7.62 mm)—were no match for Japan’s high-
to the coast of China. She departed Shanghai for Manila altitude bombers, but she could outsmart them. She
on 19 August 1940, arriving on the 24th, and remained cleared the dock lashed to Quail then cut loose and both
in the Philippines as the Japanese gained control of the ships maneuvered clear of bombs which fell close astern.
coastal ports of China. Soon Cavite Navy Yard was engulfed in explosions
and flames. In the nest which Pigeon had occupied lay
World War II submarine Sealion—her pressure hull pierced by bomb
hits and beyond salvage—and Seadragon, damaged and
1941 without power to get underway. With them were the
In November 1941, the 4th Marines evacuated Shanghai minesweeper Bittern with a gasoline lighter as well as an-
and ships of the Yangtze River Patrol were withdrawn other lighter moored astern.
from China. Pigeon was one of the ships ordered to escort While Pigeon maneuvered to save Seadragon, Machin-
the American gunboats from Chinese waters. She depart- ist Rollin M. Reed and Watertender Wayne E. Taylor
ed Cavite for Formosa Straits 28–29 November 1941. jumped in a surf boat to haul the burning lighter clear,
Pigeon rendezvoused near midnight of 30 November-1 got the gasoline lighter out of reach of flames, then as-
December 1941 with the gunboats Luzon and Oahu (flag- sisted another small boat in hauling Bittern off from the
ship) and minesweeper Finch. A Japanese seaplane circled dock and to safety.
the formation on the morning of 1 December 1941. For Soon, the flames and explosions reached the torpedo
about eight hours, beginning at noon, seven Japanese overhaul shop exploding torpedo warheads which hurled
warships encircled the American gunboats. One trans- fiery missiles over Pigeon. Nevertheless, Pigeon calmly
port—loaded with troops (apparently bound for the placed her stern across the end piling and ran a line some
Malayan expedition)—held gunnery exercises on the 20 ft (6.1 m) to Seadragon and hauled the submarine clear
gunboat formation. The episode ended about 19:00 when of the dock.
a Japanese transport hoisted an International signal Seadragon’s hull was already scorched from flames
translated: "Enemy escaping on course 180." On 4 Decem- that swept the wharf. Just as Pigeon pulled the submarine
ber, Pigeon sighted Corregidor Light and the convoy en- backward to the channel, a big fuel tank exploded and
tered Manila Bay. spewed a horizontal wave of fire that blistered the hulls
On receiving word of the attack on Pearl Harbor, Lt. of both ships. Once Seadragon reached the channel, her
Comdr. Richard E. Hawes immediately prepared to get Pi- skillful crew worked her out into the Bay. Her leaks were
geon underway and stood by to evacuate the Cavite Navy plugged and her pressure hull was patched by submarine
Yard. While waiting for the enemy to appear, he tender Canopus when she departed for Soerabaja, Java on
crammed the ship with stores and salvage and repair 16 December. Pigeon received the first Presidential Unit
supplies and equipment. Citation awarded a ship of the United States Navy for her
"Spittin’ Dick" Hawes had already become a legend heroism in saving Seadragon.
among submariners. He had a reputation of superb loy- But Pigeon had "not yet begun to fight". By the end of
alty to subordinates and was known for his ingenuity the month, her sailors had earned a second Presidential
with men and the materials at hand. A special act of Unit Citation for fighting ability not expected of men in a
Congress elevated him to officer rank on 18 February little support craft.
1929 in recognition of his salvage feats on submarines Lt. Comdr. Hawes reported: "The courage, spirit, and
S-51 and S-4. He had entered the Navy as a Fireman in efficiency of the Pigeon crew is believed unsurpassed by
1917 and had earned the Navy Cross for distinguished past, present, or any future crews of any vessel of any na-
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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia USS Pigeon (ASR-6)
tion." While the Navy Yard was still in flames, her crew and snatched a barge of submarine mines from under
was attempting to secure heavier armament for their the nose of the enemy. Men armed to the teeth stepped
ship. She armed herself with a 3 in (76 mm) gun from quickly and quietly from a whaleboat, made a towline
fire-damaged Bittern and another from Sealion. Sheets of fast, and returned to Pigeon. As an added act of defiance
boiler plate were fashioned into gun and splinter shields the landing party ignited several barrels of aviation gaso-
for six .50 in (12.7 mm) machine guns which circled the line.
bridge. "The Pigeon is well armed," wrote Hawes, "and is Pigeon kept up her energetic pace of support in the
believed to be the best equipped vessel of her type and Philippines defense. In February 1942, she deprived the
tonnage in existence." enemy of two ammunition lighters and salvaged some
Not content to fend for herself, Pigeon worked tire- 160,000 gallons (605,600 l) of fuel oil from merchantman
lessly to help her sister ships and the other defenders S.S. Don Jose enabling gunboats to stay on patrol. She also
of the Philippines. She replaced the 3 in (76 mm) gun repelled six enemy dive bombers, knocking down one
on minesweeper Tanager. She fed an average of 125 men and crippling another which later crashed on Bataan. She
daily, and salvaged valuable equipment from submarine set up a repair base at Saseaman Dock, using a submarine
Sealion. She also salvaged and transported deck loads of repair barge to tend small craft of the inshore patrol and
torpedoes to "Old Lady" Canopus to keep the Asiatic Fleet for Philippine "Q boats". She also fueled a submarine at
submarines armed. When Manila was declared an "open South Dock, Corregidor.
city", she towed Bittern to Mariveles. She made under- In March 1942, Pigeon salvaged and concealed gaso-
water repairs to submarine Porpoise, supplied submarine line drums ashore in Saseaman Cove, fueled a submarine
S-33 with both fresh and battery water; and, towed all and gunboats, and towed several lighters between Cor-
manner of supply-laden barges and small craft between regidor and Bataan. She also salvaged and repaired S.S.
Manila, Corregidor, Bataan, and Mariveles. She even Floricita and towed her from the beach at Corregidor to
charged air flasks for the torpedoes of PT boats. Mariveles. In April she dueled with enemy artillery at Cab
During a bombing attack on Corregidor, her gunners Cabin and again fought off enemy aircraft.
blasted away at three twin-engined aircraft winging over Bataan fell on 9 April, and—rather than surrender to
the eastern end of the island. One exploded between the enemy—Canopus backed away from the dock and sank
Manja Island light and Corregidor, and the other two at the hands of her own crew. That night, Pigeon made
crashed just beyond the minefield. Pigeon scored again rendezvous with fleet submarine Snapper under the ene-
the following day when an enemy observation plane my guns in the south channel off Corregidor. Snapper had
made the mistake of passing overhead, then turned back brought 46 short tons (42 t) of food and stores for belea-
for a closer look. Shells from Pigeon ripped into the ene- guered Corregidor and Pigeon hurried to load the cargo
my aircraft which sideslipped, lost altitude, and headed before the start of night bombing raids.
out to sea.
By the end of December, Manila Bay was no longer a Fate
suitable area for submarines. Only those just back from After the fall of Bataan, Pigeon’s crew spent the days on
patrol remained. These evacuated highly-trained sub- shore and returned to their ship for night operations
mariners to new Pacific bases in Java and Australia where that included dumping Philippine currency in the chan-
they formed the nucleus maintenance crews that kept nel south of Corregidor. She continued to serve until the
the American submarine forces on patrol. afternoon of 4 May, when a bomb from a dive bomber ex-
ploded on her starboard quarter. She sank in eight min-
1942
utes but her crew was on shore.
On 5 January 1942, Lt. Comdr. Hawes turned over com- The Japanese later captured these brave sailors but
mand of Pigeon to Lt. Comdr. Frank Alfred Davis, USNR, many survived the war.
and became first lieutenant of submarine tender Holland. Lt. Comdr. Frank Alfred Davis carried on the fighting
Under Davis, another leader of heroic stock, Pigeon con- tradition and valor of his command while interned at the
tinued her fearless struggle. infamous prisoner-of-war camp at Cabanatuan, Philip-
Since Japanese warships outside Manila Bay made it pine Islands. He built a powerful underground organiza-
impossible for her to escape, Pigeon remained behind tion to obtain food, medicines and communications of all
with Canopus, a few old gunboats, and small craft to fight kinds. He volunteered for command of a firewood detail,
with the Army of Bataan. and despite the constant surveillance of Japanese guards,
She again fought off enemy aircraft, towed between succeeded in smuggling into camp tremendous amounts
Mariveles and Corregidor; conducted diving operations of food and other necessities to his fellow prisoners. His
for salvage, scuttled equipment and destroyed munitions great personal valor and grave concern for others at a
that might fall to the enemy; and established a lookout great risk to his own life contributed to the welfare and
station at Gorda Point, Bataan. On the night of 5 January, morale of all prisoners on Luzon and saved countless
she slipped off Japanese-occupied Sangley Point, Cavite,
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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia USS Pigeon (ASR-6)
lives before he died on 14 December 1944. Lt. Comdr.
Davis received the Navy Cross for his intrepid fight on
References
Canopus and Pigeon and was posthumously awarded the This article includes text from the public domain Dictionary of
Legion of Merit for his courageous and dedicated service American Naval Fighting Ships.
to fellow prisoners.
External links
Awards • history.navy.mil: USS Pigeon
Pigeon received one battle star and two Presidential Unit • navsource.org: USS Pigeon
Citations for service during World War II. • hazegray.org: USS Pigeon
See also
See USS Pigeon for other ships of the same name.
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=USS_Pigeon_(ASR-6)&oldid=444569518"
Categories:
• Lapwing class minesweepers
• Ships built in Maryland
• 1919 ships
• World War II auxiliary ships of the United States
• World War II shipwrecks in the South China Sea
• Ships sunk by aircraft
• Lapwing class minesweepers converted to submarine rescue ships
• Maritime incidents in 1942
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