USS Pigeon (ASR-6)

The first USS "Pigeon" (AM-47/ASR-6) was a "Lapwing"-class minesweeper of the United States Navy. She was later converted to a submarine rescue ship. She was named for the avian ambassador, the pigeon.

"Pigeon" was laid down by the Baltimore Dry Dock and Shipbuilding Co., Baltimore, Maryland; launched 29 January 1919; sponsored by Mrs. Joseph B. Provance; and commissioned in the Norfolk Navy Yard 15 July 1919, Lieutenant William C. Procknow in command. When hull classification symbols and numbers were assigned to ships on 17 July 1920, "Pigeon" was designated AM-47.

1919 – 1941

"Pigeon" departed Norfolk to serve the Pacific Mine Force at San Diego, Calif.; transited the Panama Canal 7 December 1919; and reached San Diego Christmas Eve. Pearl Harbor became her new base of operations 18 June 1920 and she decommissioned there 25 April 1922. Converted to a gunboat, she recommissioned at Pearl Harbor on 13 October 1923, Lieutenant Commander Elwin F. Cutts in command.

Still classified a minesweeper, "Pigeon" departed Pearl Harbor 7 November 1923 and joined the Yangtze River Patrol Force at Shanghai, China, 26 November 1923. For half a decade she served in the famous patrol protecting American citizens and commerce during the revolution that swept China. She began serving Submarine Division 16, U.S. Asiatic Fleet in September 1928. After ranging from the Philippines to the China coast, she fitted out as a “Submarine Salvage Vessel” at the Cavite Naval Station April–July 1929. She sailed from Manila Bay 13 July to cruise with Asiatic Fleet Submarines along the China Coast until returning to Manila 11 September. The following day she was reclassified a Submarine Rescue Vessel (ASR-6).

As a Submarine Rescue Vessel, "Pigeon"’s primary mission was to salvage and aid submarines in distress. She had a complement of divers and was equipped with deep sea diving equipment. There was a McCann rescue chamber for rescuing men from sunken submarines. "Pigeon" also had a helium mixing tank for aiding divers in making deep dives. Her recompression chamber was a complete “divers hospital” to prevent the dreaded “bends” in divers subjected to sudden ascents from deep depths.

"Pigeon" continued duty with the Submarine Force of the Asiatic Fleet in waters ranging from the Philippines to the coast of China. She departed Shanghai for Manila 19 August 1940, arriving on the 24th, and remained in the Philippines as the Japanese gained control of the coastal ports of China.

World War II

1941

In November 1941 the 4th Marines evacuated Shanghai and ships of the Yangtze River Patrol were withdrawn from China. "Pigeon" was one of the ships ordered to escort the American gunboats from Chinese waters. She departed Cavite for Formosa Straits 28–29 November 1941.

"Pigeon" rendezvoused near midnight of 30 November – 1 December 1941 with gunboats "USS Luzon" (PR-7), flagship gunboat "Oahu" (PR-6) and minesweeper "Finch" (AM-9). A Japanese seaplane circled the formation the morning of 1 December 1941. For about 8 hours, beginning at noon, seven Japanese warships encircled the American gunboats. One transport, loaded with troops (apparently bound for the Malayan expedition), held gunnery exercises on the gunboat formation. The episode ended about 19:00 when a Japanese transport hoisted an International signal translated: “Enemy escaping on course 180.” On 4 December 1941 "Pigeon" sighted Corregidor Light and the convoy entered Manila Bay.

On receiving word of the attack on Pearl Harbor, Lt. Comdr. Richard E. Hawes immediately prepared to get "Pigeon" underway and stood by to evacuate the Cavite Navy Yard. While waiting for the enemy to appear, he crammed the ship with stores and salvage and repair supplies and equipment.

“Spittin’ Dick” Hawes had already become a legend among submariners. He had a reputation of superb loyalty to subordinates and was known for his ingenuity with men and the materials at hand. A special act of Congress elevated him to officer rank 18 February 1929 in recognition of his salvage feats on submarines "S-51" and "S-4". He had entered the Navy as a Fireman in 1917 and had earned the Navy Cross for distinguished service in salvaging "S-51" during 1925–1926. He later served in several “S-boats,” at the New London Submarine Base, became a Master Diver, then joined the staff of Submarine Division 4. He commanded submarine salvage ship "Falcon" (ASR-2) from 1935 to 1938, served as Officer in Command of the Submarine Escape Training Tank at the Submarine Base in Hawaii, then took command of "Pigeon" 12 February 1940.

"Pigeon" was moored in a five-ship nest at the Cavite Navy Yard 10 December 1941 when Japanese bombers launched massive raids. But Commander Hawes had relieving tackles rigged, steam at throttle, and men ready for action. His foresight saved "Pigeon" and submarine "Seadragon" (SS-194) — soon to become a tonnage champion of World War II.

"Pigeon"’s four machine guns — two .50 and two .30 caliber were no match for Japan’s high-altitude bombers, but she could outsmart them. She cleared the dock lashed to "Quail" (AM-15) then cut loose and both ships maneuvered clear of bombs which fell close astern.

Soon Cavite Navy Yard was engulfed in explosions and flames. In the nest which "Pigeon" had occupied lay submarine "Sealion" (SS-195) — her pressure hull pierced by bomb hits and beyond salvage; and "Seadragon" — damaged and without power to get underway. With them were minesweeper "Bittern" (AM-36) with a gasoline lighter as well as another lighter moored astern.

While "Pigeon" maneuvered to save "Seadragon", Machinist Rollin M. Reed and Watertender Wayne E. Taylor jumped in a surf boat to haul the burning lighter clear, got the gasoline lighter out of reach of flames, then assisted another small boat in hauling "Bittern" off from the dock and to safety.

Soon the flames and explosions reached the torpedo overhaul shop exploding torpedo warheads which hurled fiery missiles over "Pigeon". Nevertheless, "Pigeon" calmly placed her stern across the end piling and ran a line some 20 feet to "Seadragon" and hauled the submarine clear of the dock.

"Seadragon"’s hull was already scorched from flames that swept the wharf. Just as "Pigeon" pulled the submarine backward to the channel, a big fuel tank exploded and spewed a horizontal wave of fire that blistered the hulls of both ships. Once "Seadragon" reached the channel, her skillful crew worked her out into the Bay. Her leaks were plugged and her pressure hull was patched by submarine tender "Canopus" (AS-9) when she departed for Soerabaja, Java, 16 December. "Pigeon" received the first Presidential Unit Citation awarded a ship of the United States Navy for her heroism in saving "Seadragon".

But "Pigeon" had “not yet begun to fight.” By the end of the month her sailors had earned a second Presidential Unit Citation for fighting ability not expected of men in a little support craft.

Lt. Comdr. Hawes reported: “The courage, spirit, and efficiency of the "Pigeon" crew is believed unsurpassed by past, present, or any future crews of any vessel of any nation.” While the Navy Yard was still in flames, her crew was attempting to secure heavier armament for their ship. She armed herself with a 3-inch gun from fire-damaged "Bittern" and another from "Sealion" (SS-195). Sheets of boiler plate were fashioned into gun and splinter shields for six .50 caliber machine guns which circled the bridge. “The "Pigeon" is well armed,” wrote Hawes, “and is believed to be the best equipped vessel of her type and tonnage in existence.”

Not content to fend for herself, "Pigeon" worked tirelessly to help her sister ships and the other defenders of the Philippines. She replaced the 3-inch gun on minesweeper "Tanager" (AM-5). She fed an average of 125 men daily, and salvaged valuable equipment from submarine "Sealion". She also salvaged and transported deck loads of torpedoes to “Old Lady” "Canopus" to keep the Asiatic Fleet submarines armed. When Manila was declared an “open city,” she towed "Bittern" to Mariveles. She made underwater repairs to submarine "Porpoise", supplied submarine "S-36" with both fresh and battery water; and, towed all manner of supply-laden barges and small craft between Manila, Corregidor, Bataan, and Mariveles. She even charged air flasks for the torpedoes of PT boats.

During a bombing attack on Corregidor, her gunners blasted away at three twin-engined aircraft winging over the eastern end of the island. One exploded between Manja Island light and Corregidor, and the other two crashed just beyond the minefield. "Pigeon" scored again the following day when an enemy observation plane made the mistake of passing overhead, then turned back for a closer look. Shells from "Pigeon" ripped into the enemy aircraft which sideslipped, lost altitude, and headed out to sea.

By the end of December, Manila Bay was no longer a suitable area for submarines. Only those just back from patrol remained. These evacuated highly-trained submariners to new Pacific bases in Java and Australia where they formed the nucleus maintenance crews that kept the American submarine forces on patrol.

1942

On 5 January 1942, Lt. Comdr. Hawes turned over command of "Pigeon" to Lt. Comdr. Frank Alfred Davis, USNR, and became first lieutenant of submarine tender "Holland" (AS-3). Under Davis, another leader of heroic stock, "Pigeon" continued her fearless struggle.

Since Japanese warships outside Manila Bay made it impossible for her to escape, "Pigeon" remained behind with "Canopus", a few old gunboats, and small craft to fight with the Army of Bataan.

She again fought off enemy aircraft, towed between Mariveles and Corregidor; conducted diving operations for salvage, scuttled equipment and destroyed munitions that might fall to the enemy; and established a lookout station at Gorda Point, Bataan. On the night of 5 January 1942, she slipped off Japanese-occupied Sangley Point, Cavite, and snatched a barge of submarine mines from under the nose of the enemy. Men armed to the teeth stepped quickly and quietly from a whaleboat, made a towline fast, and returned to "Pigeon". As an added act of defiance the landing party ignited several barrels of aviation gasoline.

"Pigeon" kept up her energetic pace of support in the Philippines defense. In February 1942 she deprived the enemy of two ammunition lighters and salvaged some 160,000 gallons (600 m³) of fuel oil from merchantman S.S. "Don Jose" enabling gunboats to stay on patrol. She also repelled 6 enemy dive bombers, knocking down one and crippling another which later crashed on Bataan. She set up a repair base at Saseaman Dock, using a submarine repair barge to tend small craft of the inshore patrol and for Philippine “Q boats”. She also fueled a submarine at South Dock, Corregidor.

In March 1942, "Pigeon" salvaged and concealed gasoline drums ashore in Saseaman Cove, fueled a submarine and gunboats, and towed several lighters between Corregidor and Bataan. She also salvaged and repaired S.S. "Floricita" and towed her from the beach at Corregidor to Mariveles. In April she dueled with enemy artillery at Cab Cabin and again fought off enemy aircraft.

Bataan fell on 9 April 1942 and, rather than surrender to the enemy, "Canopus" backed away from the dock and sank at the hands of her own crew. That night "Pigeon" made rendezvous with fleet submarine "Snapper" (SS-185) under the enemy guns in the south channel off Corregidor. "Snapper" had brought 46 tons of food and stores for beleaguered Corregidor and "Pigeon" hurried to load the cargo before the start of night bombing raids.

Fate

After the fall of Bataan, "Pigeon"’s crew spent the days on shore and returned to their ship for night operations that included dumping Philippine currency in the channel south of Corregidor. She continued to serve until the afternoon of 4 May 1942 when a bomb from a dive bomber exploded on her starboard quarter. She sank in eight minutes but her crew was on shore.

The Japanese later captured these brave sailors but many survived the war.

Lt. Comdr. Frank Alfred Davis carried on the fighting tradition and valor of his command while interned at the infamous prisoner-of-war camp at Cabanatuan, Philippine Islands. He built a powerful underground organization to obtain food, medicines and communications of all kinds. He volunteered for command of a firewood detail, and despite the constant surveillance of Japanese guards, succeeded in smuggling into camp tremendous amounts of food and other necessities to his fellow prisoners. His great personal valor and grave concern for others at a great risk to his own life contributed to the welfare and morale of all prisoners on Luzon and saved countless lives before he died 14 December 1944. Lt. Comdr. Davis received the Navy Cross for his intrepid fight on "Canopus" and "Pigeon" and was posthumously awarded the Legion of Merit for his courageous and dedicated service to fellow prisoners.

Awards

"Pigeon" received one battle star and two Presidential Unit Citations for service during World War II.

See also

See USS "Pigeon" for other ships of the same name.

References

External links

* [http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/p6/pigeon-i.htm history.navy.mil: USS "Pigeon"]
* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/11/02047.htm navsource.org: USS "Pigeon"]
* [http://www.hazegray.org/danfs/mine/am47.htm hazegray.org: USS "Pigeon"]