USS Extractor

USS Extractor ARS-15 was an Anchor-class rescue and salvage ship of the United States Navy in World War II.

History
United States
NameUSS Extractor
BuilderColberg Boat Works, Stockton, California
Launched15 June 1943
Commissioned3 March 1944
FateSunk, 24 January 1945
General characteristics
TypeAnchor-class rescue and salvage ship
Displacement1,089 long tons (1,106 t)
Length183 ft 3 in (55.85 m)
Beam37 ft (11 m)
Draft14 ft 8 in (4.47 m)
Speed12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph)
Complement65 officers and enlisted
Armament

Extractor was launched by Colberg Boat Works, Stockton, California, on 15 June 1943 (sponsored by Mrs. Lowden Jessup), and commissioned on 3 March 1944.

Service history

Extractor sailed from San Francisco on 8 May 1944 en route to Eniwetok where she reported to Commander Service Squadron 2 (ServRon 2) for salvage and rescue duty. During the summer of 1944 she executed repairs, diving, and towing as well as salvage operations from Pearl Harbor to Eniwetok and Ulithi. On 20 November while at Ulithi she fought futilely against fire on board USS Mississinewa (AO-59) which capsized and sank.

On 3 December 1944 she steamed to Guam, reporting for duty with Service Squadron 12 (ServRon 12), with which she served until 21 January 1945 when she departed unescorted for the Philippine area. She was underway on the morning of 24 January when, through mistaken identification by USS Guardfish (SS-217), the latter fired a torpedo which struck Extractor's starboard side. The salvage ship capsized and sank at 15°44′N 135°29′E, within five minutes. Six people died and the remainder rescued by Guardfish.

References

This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. The entry can be found here.

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