Diver-ARS-5

Diver

One who submerges.

(ARS-5: dp. 1,441; 1. 213'6"; b. 39'; dr. 14'8"; s. 16 k.;
cpl. 120; a. 2 40 mm.; cl. Diver)

Diver (ARS-6) was launched 19 December 1942 by Basalt Rock Co., Napa, Calif.; sponsored by Mrs. F. M. Young; and commissioned 23 October 1943, Lieutenant A, T. Terrio in command.

Diver arrived at Falmouth, England, from Norfolk 16 February 1944. After 3 days of salvage training operations at Rosneath Bay, Scotland, she reported to Portland, England, 27 March, for preparations for the coming invasion of Normandy. On 26 June she got underway for Baie de la Seine, France, where she was attached to the Salvage, Wreck Disposal, Mine Disposal, and Hydrographic Survey Unit. She rescued 30 survivors of the Norwegian freighter Norfalk, sunk by mine while on her way to Cherbourg on 20 and 21 July, then reported for salvage operations at "Utah" and "Omaha" beaches. She arrived at Le Havre 11 November to continue her salvage work. Sailing to aid a torpedoed British transport 28 December Diver struck an unmarked submerged obstacle and returned to Le Havre for emergency repairs. Permanent repairs were made at Dieppe, from 6 to 21 January 1945, after which Diver returned to Le Havre to continue her salvage work.

Diver sailed for Bremerhaven, Germany, 16 June 1945, by way of Ostend, Belgium, and Den Helder, Holland. From her arrival 22 June she served as guard, ready duty, salvage, and local escort vessel. On 23 August she moved to Brake, Germany, to stand by for any damage to shipping in the Weser River. She left Bremerhaven 4 October with 41 naval passengers and arrived at Norfolk 22 October for overhaul.

From 9 to 16 February 1946, Diver was at New York to assist in relieving the harbor congestion caused by a tugboat strike. She served on towing duty between New London and Portsmouth, N.H., from 18 April to 13 May and on 27 May arrived at Orange, Tex., where she was decommissioned, 27 July 1946. Diver was sold 12 April 1949.

Diver received one battle star for World War II service.