The ASR (Auxilliary Submarine Rescue) was designed for the purpose of rescuing personnel from a diabled submarine, at a depth within her capabilities. In 1939, the rescue of personnel from the USS SQUALIS was the only time that (designed) rescue took place. Although that operation was one of the things that inspired me to become a deep sea diver, It was several years before I became involved with the Submarine Force. That began in 1952, when I graduated from the Deep Sea Diving School in Washington, D. C. My first ASR was the USS CHANTICLEER (ASR-7) A tour of Recruiting Duty from 1954 to 1956, interupted my 'diving duty', but I returned, in late 1956 to the USS FLORIKAN (ASR-9). Since we had submarines operating in the Far East, it behooved us to have an ASR deployed to that area. I've lost track of how many of those I made, but wherever we were, we practiced and drilled, so that we would be prepared when and if another such tragedy occurred. The operation itself, was simple enough. It required, the ASR to position itself over the downed sub, use some type of underwater system to remove the personnel. Salvage of the submarine was NOT in the mission. In 1957, I was assigned to FLORIKAN, which was almost immediately deployed out 'thataway'. I don't recall the month, but it was sometime in the spring or early summer, we were conducting one of our required "Event 1000" practice rescue. The operation started with a submarine, lying on the bottom, sending a message that they were unable to surface and then we went into action. It would take more space than is available to describe the 'mechanics' of the operation, but it required that we lay a "four point moor", (drop buoys, around the submarine, then position the ship over the 'boat' with lines run to the buoys. Everything was going smoothly, when a gale blew up and one, the two of our windward anchors began to drag. Problem with that was, that the rescue chamber (referred to as 'the bell') was on the sub, personnel, including the force Admiral, were taken into the bell and preparing to start to the surface. Fortunately, it was still attached with "holding down rods" and so, we payed out line as we tried to stop the drift. The anchors apparently 'grabbed again' and we stopped drifting. The Skipper of the boat said that he thought he could surface with the bell over the forward hatch...which was about the only choice we had. He did so, beautifully, and I took this picture shortly after she surfaced. The personnel were then taken back into the submarine, and with our operators (divers) were able to disconnect the air, electrical and other cables attached to the bell. We then hauled them (the cables) back aboard and the submarine captain, said he could steam back into Yokosuka (all this took place in Tokyo Bay)so here we go. As we are making our way back into port, we received a three word message from the sub, by light; "Johnny Walker Red". Understood. Yes...a whole case! There were a lot of little things that went on on both ships and in the bell, that are lost in history, but the one that has stuck in my mind all these years, was that one related by the bell operator by the Boatswain's Mate, Diver operator of the bell. At the most critical momment of the whole thing, the Admiral asked him; "Where is your emergency air?". "You're breathing it, Admiral." I don't recall that there was ever any 'accusations', 'finger-pointing' or any other recriminations. There was, however two parties that took place all that Friday night, at both the EM and the Officer's Clubs. Bartender...another round please!
To all you, BM's, SN's, FN's, et cetera (it took the wholed damn crew) who feel left out because you never participated in something like this...forget it! It wasn't all that much fun!
