USS Restorer (ARS-17)

USS Restorer (ARS-17) was an "Anchor"-class rescue and salvage ship commissioned by the U.S. Navy during World War II. Her task was to come to the aid of stricken vessels.

"Restorer" (ARS-17) was laid down by Snow Shipyards, Inc., Rockland, Maine, 25 March 1942; launched 24 October 1942; sponsored by Mrs. Jessica C. Moore; and commissioned 6 October 1943, Lt. C. M. Boyd, USNR, in command.

World War II service

Following shakedown off the U.S. East Coast, "Restorer" joined a convoy en route to North Africa, mooring at Mers-el-Kebir 22 December. She moved to Algiers on the 31st where, despite several air raids, she assisted in salvage and fire-fighting on "Thomas Stone" (AP-59).

Italy and North Africa operations

"Restorer" got underway 21 February 1944 for Naples, Italy, whence she escorted an LST convoy to Anzio. Arriving off the assault area 28 February, she relieved "Hopi" (ATF-71) as senior salvage vessel and through March was engaged in various salvage and fire-fighting operations. Undamaged by occasional shellfire, bombs, and aerial torpedo attacks, she got underway 14 April for Naples; and, after salvage work on "SS James Guthrie", she continued on back to North Africa. She remained in various Algerian ports from 18 May to 6 July, then got underway for Naples again. At the end of the month she destroyed the sunken hulk of "Portent" (AM-106) off Anzio. The assistant Navigator was Grover H. Roberson of Stokes, N.C. Mr. Roberson had just been recently re-assigned by the U.S. Navy to the Rockland Naval Shipyard, Rockland, Maine to assist in the shakedown cruise for the U.S.S. Restorer. Once the Restorer was commissioned, Mr. Roberson was re-assingned to the U.S. Naval Shipyard at Boston, MA. before he shipped out to Algeria.

Attending to USS Swerve

"Restorer" spent most of August in the Gulf of Calvi, Corsica. Then in September she proceeded to southern France, spending the last of the month in harbor clearance work in Marseilles. Most of October and all of November were devoted to work as salvage and fire-fighting ship at Marseilles. Back in Algeria for December, she returned to Marseille in January 1945 to continue harbor clearance which lasted through February. Returning to Italy, she conducted salvage operations and demolition work on the sunken "Swerve" (AM-121) off Naples during March, then next steamed back to Algeria, whence she got underway for the United States on 7 April. She reached Charleston, South Carolina, on 19 May.

End-of-war operations

On 22 July "Restorer" departed the southeastern coast for Newfoundland and was at Argentia when the war ended. On 1 September she departed Argentia for Bermuda, her base until 10 January 1946. She then got underway for New York with a tow. Arriving on the 14th she moored at Tompkinsville, where she remained until decommissioned 6 March 1946.

Post-war decommissioning

Struck from the Navy list 19 July 1946, she was transferred to W.S.A., 22 April 1947 and sold to Denmark. She was commissioned as a Royal Danish Naval Vessel 27 February 1948 at New Orleans, Louisiana, and named "Vitus Bering".

Military awards and honors

"Restorer" earned two battle stars for World War II service:
* West Coast of Italy operations (Anzio-Nuttuno, 28 February to 1 March 1944)
* Invasion of Southern France (September 1944)Her crew was eligible for the following medals:
* American Campaign Medal
* Europe-Africa-Middle East Campaign Medal (2)
* World War II Victory Medal

References

See also

* List of United States Navy ships
* World War II

External links

* [http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/#Anchor-Editoria-14954 Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships]
* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/09/37/3717.htm NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive - ARS-17 Restorer]