Third USN Rescue/Salvage Ship Launched At Peterson Builders

Peterson Builders, Inc. (PBI) of Sturgeon Bay, Wise., recently launched the third ARS Class rescue/ salvage vessel in a series it is building for the U.S. Navy. A perfect side launch (photo) was executed as sponsor Mrs. Diana M.

Walters christened the ship Salvor (ARS-52). Assisting as matron of honor was Mrs. Marion F. Maclin, wife of Capt. Charles Maclin, director of ocean engineering, Naval Sea Systems Command.

Dignitaries assembled for the launching were introduced by PBI president Ellsworth Peterson and Capt. Paul M. Robinson, USN, Sturgeon Bay Supervisor of Shipbuilding. Keynote guest speaker was Vice Adm. Robert L. Walters, husband of the sponsor. He is Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (Surface Warfare).

Launching ceremony speakers highlighted the unique mission demands that the rescue/salvage ships are called upon to perform. With their rough and ready ability, the ARS ships are known for their "can do" in getting things done with great strength as well as with great precision. Mission duties include open ocean rescue, raising sunken ships, towing, and firefighting services at advanced bases and in U.S.

ports.

Retrieval of space capsules is an additional task within the vessels' capabilities. These ships can support extensive diving operations, possessing the finest diver life support air systems in the Navy. They are fitted with a 500-hp bow thruster, 40-ton boom aft, and 71/2-ton boom forward. Each ship can accommodate a complement of 87, with habitability spaces, medical facilities, and storeroom areas all designed to satisfy new updated standards.

The Salvor has an overall length of 255 feet, beam of 51 feet, and draft of 16 feet 10 inches. Four main propulsion diesel engines furnish a total of 4,200 bhp; electrical requirements are provided by three 750-kw diesel-driven generators.

One former U.S. Navy ship has borne the name Salvor, a vessel that performed salvage duties in Boston and New London, Conn., during World War I. ARS-52 joins her sister ships that are under construction at PBI—Safeguard (ARS-50) and Grasp (ARS-51). The fourth ship of the series is scheduled for launching in December this year.

The four ARS auxiliary rescue/salvage ships are a new Safeguard Class designed to replace the Navy's aged and diminished vessels of this type; they will join forces with three Edenton Class salvage ships.

In addition to the ARS construction program under way at PBI, Navy contracts are also held for three 224-foot Mine Countermeasure (MCM) ships and seven 108- foot Yard Patrol (YP) craft. These two contracts are for wood construction, an area in which the yard has special expertise.

The contracts won for these 14 vessels are testimony to PBI's experience and competitive edge. Keels have been laid for 10 of these ships, and since November 1983 five have been launched.

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