USS Kittiwake (ASR-13)

• Commissioning and Purpose: USS Kittiwake (ASR-13) was commissioned on 18 July 1945 as a Chanticleer-class submarine rescue ship, designed to assist distressed submarines and perform rescue operations. • Name Origin: The ship was named after the kittiwake, a type of gull, following the US Navy tradition of naming submarine rescue ships after birds. • World War II Service: Although commissioned just after World War II ended, Kittiwake was quickly integrated into peacetime submarine support and training operations in the Atlantic Fleet. • Thresher Disaster Response: Kittiwake played a key role in the search and recovery efforts following the tragic loss of USS Thresher (SSN-593) in 1963, one of the worst submarine disasters in US Navy history. • Space Program Support: The ship supported NASA’s Mercury and Gemini space programs by serving as a recovery vessel for returning astronauts and their capsules in the Atlantic Ocean. • Submarine Rescue Training: Kittiwake was a frequent participant in submarine rescue exercises, helping to develop and perfect deep-sea rescue techniques and equipment, including the use of the McCann Rescue Chamber. • International Deployments: The vessel took part in joint exercises and goodwill visits to various countries, strengthening ties with allied navies and showcasing American submarine rescue capabilities. • Decommissioning: USS Kittiwake was decommissioned in 1994 after nearly 50 years of continuous service to the US Navy. • Artificial Reef: In January 2011, the ship was intentionally sunk off Seven Mile Beach, Grand Cayman, to serve as an artificial reef and diving attraction, quickly becoming a popular site for divers worldwide. • Storm Incident: In 2017, the wreck was moved by Hurricane Nate, shifting the once-upright ship onto her starboard side, creating a new and dynamic underwater experience for divers.