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NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive

Rescuer (ARS-18)


International Radio Call Sign:
November - India - Xray - Alpha
 NIXA
Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons

Precedence of awards is from top to bottom, left to right
American Campaign Medal - Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal - World War II Victory Medal
Rescuer Class Rescue and Salvage Ship:
  • Built in 1904 as a steel-hull steam schooner at United Engineering Co., Alameda CA.
  • Launched, 11 February 1904
  • Completed in May 1904 for Alaska Packers' Association, San Francisco, CA, as steam schooner Nushagak for use as cannery tender/cargo carrier
  • Sold in 1925 to Remco SS Co., San Francisco, renamed Caspar
  • Sold in 1938 to Caspar Lumber Co., San Francisco CA
  • Laid up in 1939
  • Acquired by the US Navy, 6 February 1942
  • Converted for Naval service by Associated Shipbuilding, Lake Union, Seattle, WA., completed 7 October 1942
  • Placed in service, 7 October 1942, as Rescuer (ARS-18)
  • Final Disposition, grounded and holed, 31 December 1942 near Scotch Cap, Aleutian Islands
  • Struck from the Naval Register, 22 December 1944
    Specifications:
    Displacement 739 gross tons, 479 net tons
    Length 185'
    Beam 34'
    Speed 10kts
    Armament four .30 cal. machine guns
    Propulsion
    one triple expansion (14" 22" 38" x 30") 118nhp
    single propeller
    Click On Image
    For Full Size Image    		 Size Image Description Contributed
    By
    Rescuer
    US National Archives, RG-19-LCM, Photo # 19-N-36315    		 108k Rescuer (ARS-18) under way probably shown upon completion of conversion at Seattle, WA., in October 1942
    US National Archives, RG-19-LCM, Photo #'s 19-N-36315, 19-N-36312 and 19-N-36313, US Navy Bureau of Ships photos now in the collections of the US National Archives, courtesy Shipscribe.com.    		 Mike Green
    Rescuer
    US National Archives, RG-19-LCM, Photo # 19-N-36312    		 73k
    Rescuer
    US National Archives, RG-19-LCM, Photo # 19-N-36313    		 106k
    Rescuer 101k Rescuer (ARS-18) under way probably upon completion of conversion at Seattle, WA., in October 1942.
    US National Archives, RG-19-LCM. Photo No. 19-N-36314. courtesy Shipscribe.com.    		 Robert Hurst
    Rescuer 365k Rescuer (ARS-18) under way probably upon completion of conversion at Seattle, WA., in October 1942.
    US Naval History and Heritage Command Photo # NH 85731.    		 US Naval History and Heritage Command
    Rescuer 140k The abandoned wreck of Rescuer (ARS-18) and the Soviet merchant ship Turksib at Seal Cape, Alaska, 15 April 1943. Rescuer was trying to salvage Turksib when she was driven onto the beach, 1 January 1943. The freighter has already lost her stern to Alaskan storms.
    US National Archives, RG-80-G, photo # 80-G-72686, a US Navy photo now in the collections of the US National Archives, courtesy Shipscribe.com.    		 Mike Green
    Rescuer 140k Close up view of the abandoned wreck of Rescuer (ARS-18) on the beach at Seal Cape, Alaska, 15 April 1943. Rescuer was trying to salvage the Soviet Turksib when she was driven onto the beach, 1 January 1943.
    US National Archives, RG-80-G, photo # 80-G-72686 (detail), a US Navy photo now in the collections of the US National Archives, courtesy Shipscribe.com.    		 Mike Green
    Rescuer (ARS-18)
    Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships (DANFS)
    Crew Contact And Reunion Information
    U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation - Navy Log
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    This page is created and maintained by Gary P. Priolo
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    Last Updated 14 March 2025