USS Protector (ARS-14)

USS Protector (ARS-14) was a Diver-class rescue and salvage ship commissioned by the U.S. Navy during World War II. Her task was to come to the aid of stricken vessels.

For other ships with the same name, see USS Protector.
History
United States
BuilderColberg Boat Works
Laid down30 April 1942
Launched27 April 1943
Commissioned28 December 1943
Decommissioned15 May 1946
Stricken8 October 1946
FateSold, 16 December 1946
General characteristics
Displacement1,650 tons
Length213 ft 6 in (65.07 m)
Beam39 ft (12 m)
Draught14 ft 8 in (4.47 m)
Propulsiondiesel-electric, twin screws, 2,780 hp (2,070 kW)
Speed15 knots
Complement65
Armamentone single 3 in (76 mm) gun mount

Protector (ARS-14) was laid down by Colberg Boat Works, Stockton, California, 30 April 1942, launched 27 April 1943 sponsored by Mrs. F. S. M. Harris, and commissioned 28 December 1943.

World War II service

After training and conducting salvage operations off the U.S. West Coast, Protector sailed from Seattle, Washington, for Alaskan waters, arriving 25 June. Attached to the Alaskan Sea Frontier Protector performed salvage and diving operations at various Alaskan stations until April 1945. She then returned to California, whence she sailed for the Marshalls, arriving at Eniwetok Atoll 2 August.

Protector was engaged in salvage of a sunken aircraft off Parry Island until 15 September when she sailed for Yokosuka, arriving 26 September. She conducted salvage operations at Yokosuka until 11 November, then assisted SS Drecel Victory, aground in the vicinity of Fort No.2, Tokyo Bay.

On 7 January 1946, Protector departed Yokosuka, sailing via Pearl Harbor to San Francisco as escort and tow for USS Seekonk (AOG-20).

Post-war decommissioning

On 24 February 1946 she arrived at San Francisco, California, where she decommissioned 15 May. She was struck from the List of Navy Vessels 8 October 1946, transferred to the Maritime Commission; and sold 30 December 1946 to Mr. Glen R. Butt of Cambridge, Massachusetts. She was later resold, in 1952, to Pakistani interests. Her current fate is unknown.

References

This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.

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