Escape (ARS 6) - Naval Cruise Book

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WELCOME ABCARD USS ESCAPE QARS-65 is a Rescue Salvage Ship, a unit of Service Squadron EIGHT and of the parent command, Service Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet. She is designed to carry out a great variety of salvage operations and to provide innumerable types of Ser- vice to the Fleet. ESCAPE, built by the Basalt Rock Company at Napa, California, was launched in November 1943. At the end of World War II she was decommissioned and moth balled. In early 1950 she once again joined the active fleet. ESCAPE is presently homeported in Mayport, Florida. ESCAPE is 213 feet long, 43 feet wide, and dis- places 2000 tons. She moves through the water at 13 knots pushed by twin propellers generating a total of 3000 shaft horse power. To accomplish her primary mission of rescue and salvage, ESCAPE is outfitted with special machinery both installed and portable. To pull a stranded ship afloat, blocks and falls in a system called beach gear are used. ESCAPE's allowance is 8 sets, which if rigg- ed simultaneously could exert a straight line pull of up to 450 tons. Should the distressed ship be flooded or afire, ESCAPE can provide the means to control either emergency. Pumps both insalled and portable are capable of sucking 20000 gallons of liquid per minute out of a sinking vessel. The fire fighting equip- ment in the hands of the trained crew can effectively overcome the fiercest blaze. For salvage operations beneath the surface of the sea, ESCAPE is equipped to provide extensive diving support. ESCAPE is manned by 8 officers and 92 enlisted men of various specialties and experiences. Among the crew are 4 officers and 10 enlisted men especially trained as Navy divers. From its many successful accomplishments, ESCAPE has not only gained a wealth of know how in salvage and rescue operations, but enjoys an une- qualled reputation for coming through when the occa- sion demands.

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MESSAGE FRCM THE CAPTAIN 153 it W X31 c M.MA.NoiNo CEFFIQIER To every man who served aboard the ESCAPE during this deployment, I extend a highly deserved WELL DONE. First of all, it was through your efforts that ESCAPE not only met all scheduled operational com- mitments, but was fully prepared to complete all contingency requirements. Your personal conduct ashore was of the highest standards, each of you representing the United States with the best possible image to the citizens of the countries that ESCAPE visited. g Each of you will have many memories of this cruise. This Cruise Book has been prepared to refresh those memories of the most important part of the cruise - You and your shipmates. There are many personal friendships developed with your ESCAPE shipmates which will last your lifetime. In just a couple of years when new crew members have relieved us, your memories of ESCAPE will be not of a gray steel hull, but ofthe men you served with aboard ESCAPE. To the families of the men of ESCAPE, your sacrifices, loneliness, and continued moral support of your man on ESCAPE has been recognized. It is hoped that this Cruise Book will help you to regain some of those moments lost to each other. It is also hoped that it will increase your appreciation of why your separation was so vital toward maintaining the peace keeping objectives of the United States Navy. In closing, I am looking forward to continued service with you on ESCAPE. To each and every one of you, my best wishes for a bright and prosperous future. Smooth Sailing and Godspeed. EUGENE B. MCPHAIL Lieutenant Commander United States Navy Commanding Officer USS ESCAPECARS-GD