USS Chanticleer (ASR-7)

The third USS "Chanticleer" (ASR-7) was the lead ship of her class of submarine rescue ships in the United States Navy during World War II.

"Chanticleer" was launched 29 May 1942 by Moore Shipbuilding and Drydock Co., Oakland, California; sponsored by Mrs. W. K. Kilpatrick; commissioned 20 November 1942, Lieutenant Commander R. E. Hawes in command; and reported to the Pacific Fleet.

Calling en route at Pearl Harbor, island bases, and Australian ports, "Chanticleer" arrived at Fremantle, Australia, 8 May 1943. With her primary assignment the support of the submarines based at Fremantle, Chanticleer provided tender services to the submarines as they came in to refit between war patrols, trained divers, cared for small craft, repaired anti-torpedo nets, and carried out salvage operations. In October 1944, "Chanticleer" moved north to provide similar services at Port Darwin, Australia, returning to Fremantle in January 1945.

"Chanticleer" arrived in Subic Bay, Luzon, Philippines from 19 March 1945 to take part in the enormous task of clearing Philippine waters by salvaging United States and Japanese ships, and locating sunken vessels which hazarded navigation. A voyage to Fremantle for salvage operations in September was followed by a resumption of her Philippine duty until January 1946, when she cleared for the east coast of the United States.

Arriving at Key West, Florida, 18 February 1946, "Chanticleer" operated to Cuba, and along the east coast until June 1950, when she was transferred to the Pacific Fleet. [cite journal |author=Molumphy, GG |title=Report of Diving Training in USS CHANTICLEER off Key West, Florida During the Period 19 October to 8 December 1948. |journal=US Naval Experimental Diving Unit Technical Report |volume=NEDU-1-49 |date=1949 |url=http://archive.rubicon-foundation.org/3794 |accessdate=2008-08-06 ] Homeported at San Diego, she alternated local operations and exercises with tours of duty in the Far East at intervals of about a year. In the Far East, she sailed with the guardian 7th Fleet, and carried out numerous salvage and diving assignments. This duty continued through 1963.

"Chanticleer" was struck from the Naval Vessel Register on 1 June 1973 and sold for scrap on 1 June 1974.

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