Current (ARS 22) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 29 text:

fc SFM2 ACFA1 I E, SFM3 FULUWOOD AND SFM3 STEFAN FABRICATE A METAL. PATCH. WITH THE DAMAGED AREA ABOVE WATER THE PATCH IS BEING REMOVED, AMASTRA MASTER AND l l OYDS OF UONDON INSURANCE AGENT OBSERVE, 7 fii U ' MR3 THOMAS AIDS IN REMOVING INTERNAL SHORING FROM HOUE CAUSED BY EXPLOSION. PATCH IN PLACE.

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A 12 X 12 FOOT SOFT PATCH WAS ASSEMBLED AND SALVAGE PUMPS AND COMPRESSORS RIGGED FOR TRANSFER TO THE AMASTRA. CURRENT TEMPORARILY MOORED ALONGSIDE AND TRANSFERRED ALL THE SALVAGE EQUIPMENT. WHEN DIVERS HAD SECURED THE PATCH, THE PUMPS WERE ni |T OFF AND THE AMASTRA BEGAN TO SHOW FREEBOARD. THE SPACES WHICH HAD BEEN FLOODED WERE CLEARED WITH THE HELP OF 30 TO 40 VIETNAMESE AND FILIPINO STEVEDORES UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF EN3 HIGHTOWER AND FA CLARK, AN ESTIMATED 6000 LBS OF SPOILED MEAT AND VEGETABLES WERE REMOVED TO A BARGE ALONGSIDE AND THEN DUMPED AT SEA. WITH THE DAMAGED SECTION OF THE SHIP OUT OF WATER A PERMANENT METAL PATCH WAS FABRICATED. THIS PATCH WAS WELDED IN PLACE AND AMASTRA WAS MADE READY FOR TOW TO SINGAPORE. SALVAGE EQUIPMENT IS REMOVED FROM AFTER SALVAGE HOLD AND PLACED ON DECK TEMPORARY PATCH IS BEING PREPARED IN BACKGROUND. BY THE I9TH, ALL SALVAGE MACHINERY HAD BEEN DISMANTLED A ND RESTORED ABOARD THE CURRENT — THE AMASTRA HAD BEEN SUCCESSFULLY SALVAGED. If PUMPS IN OPERATION .... ORIGINAL LEVEL OF THE SHIP IS MARKED BY OILY LINE. BMC DOOLEY AND CREW TRANSFER NEEDED EQUIPMENT ABOARD THE AMASTRA.

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COMMANDER SERVICE GROUPTHREE COMMANDER SERVICE SQUADRON THREE COMMANDER TASK FORCE SEVENTY- THREE FLEET POST OFFICE SAN FRANCISCO 96601 Ser70.1-iUCl 9 MAY 1967 From: Commander Service Group THREE To: Commanding Officer, U3S CURRENT (AR3 22) Sub j : AM TRA 3ALV0P3 1. I wish to extend to you, the officers, and men of US3 CURRENT (liRS 22) a Well Done for your efforts in the salvage of the Shell Oil tanker AMA3TRA. Working long hours under difficult conditions CURRENT ' S crew rapidly and efficiently patched the mine damage, dewatered the ship, and installed a permanent patch preparing the ship for tow. 2. The efforts of CURRENT made a direct contribution to the saving of a valuable ship and cargo needed to support our forces in VietNara. AFTER THE SUCCESSFUL SALVAGE OF THE AMASTRA CURRENT DEPARTS THE AREA ENROUTE CAM RANH BAY, RVN FOR C14I SAUVOPS. FROM: COMNAVFORV TO: USS CURRENT CONGRATULATORY MSG AMASTRA SALVOPS ALL HANDS PARTICIPATING IN THE DEWATERING AND PATCHING OF AMASTRA ARE TO BE COMMENDED FOR AN EXPEDITIOUS AND EXEMPLARY JOB. YOUR OUTSTANDING ENTHUSIASM AND PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE HAVE BEEN RESPONSIBLE FOR AVERTING THE LOSS OF A VALUABLE FREE WORLD ASSET, WELL DONE. RADM WARD.