USS Conserver (ARS 39) "The Connie
Maru"
1964 - 1968
Chief Electrician's Mate - Warrant Machinist
Again home ported at Pearl Harbor. There are fine
ships and crews, then there is the Conserver! She was a Bolster class ARS (Rescue
Salvage Ship). She was 213 ft. LOA, Diesel electric with 2 shafts. 1900 tons,
full load. Cooper Bessemer main engines. Six officers and around 75 crew. The
Rescue Salvage ships did much the same duties as the Fleet Tugs, but carried much more
salvage equipment and hernia portable pumps. ARS's also sported a
decompression chamber for the divers. The most noteworthy salvage operation
(SALVOP), Conserver participated in while I was aboard was the salvaging of the
Frank Knox (DDR 742) which went up on Pratas Reef on 17 July 1965. It was
finally wrested from the reef and towed stern first into Taiwan on 22 August. That
was one tough nightmare of a job. There were no taps or reveille. Everyone
just got in a few winks whenever they could. An all hands 36 day working
party. I'll always remember the Conserver as the best ship I every sailed on.
Probably still be there if I hadn't been promoted to Warrant Officer and
transferred to USS Virgo.
The other noteworthy thing that happened
while I was stationed on the Connie was marrying Charlene Codori of San Francisco on March
15, 1967. I first met 'Charlie', while stationed on USS Rehoboth in 1960. The
wedding was held at the Waipahu County Courthouse in Pearl City. The judge even
recessed a drunk driving case to get the marrying done. Best man was James ( J.
Fred) Frederick, the Chief Engineer. You out there J. Fred??
Footnote:
After rusting away for several years in the Pearl Harbor "Dead Fleet"
The Connie Maru was towed to sea and sunk as a target on 13 November 2004.
God rest here weary rivets.
Footnote #2:
Finally located LCDR C.N. Goodale the excellent officer that was XO on the
Connie in 1964, left, then came back as Skipper in 1967. He is now retired
in Florida. Want his address?? Write me.
The
Vestal Virgin is next!
Ships Registry
