About this Unit
The USS Pigeon (ASR-21) was a Chanticleer-class submarine rescue ship commissioned by the United States Navy in 1968. Designed specifically to support deep-sea submarine rescue operations, she featured advanced diving and salvage equipment, including a twin-hull catamaran design that provided enhanced stability. USS Pigeon played a crucial role in supporting the Navy’s deep submergence rescue vehicles (DSRV), particularly during the Cold War era. She was decommissioned in 1992 after over two decades of service, having contributed significantly to submarine safety and rescue capabilities.
Historical Facts
• Commissioning and Naming: USS Pigeon (ASR-21) was the third United States Navy ship to bear the name "Pigeon," honoring a bird known for its reliability as a messenger, reflecting the ship's crucial support role.
• Unique Design: USS Pigeon was the lead ship of her class and was specifically designed as a submarine rescue ship, featuring a catamaran (twin-hull) structure for enhanced stability during rescue operations.
• Submarine Rescue Capabilities: The ship was equipped with advanced submarine rescue equipment, including the McCann Rescue Chamber and the Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle (DSRV), allowing it to assist submarines in distress at significant depths.
• First Purpose-Built Catamaran: USS Pigeon was the first ship in the US Navy to be purpose-built as a catamaran, a design chosen to provide stability for submarine rescue missions and heavy-lift operations.
• Cold War Service: Commissioned in 1973, USS Pigeon played a vital role during the Cold War, participating in numerous exercises and being on standby to support the US submarine fleet in the Pacific.
• Homeport: The ship was homeported in San Diego, California, serving as a hub for submarine rescue operations on the West Coast and in the Pacific Ocean.
• Decommissioning and Fate: USS Pigeon was decommissioned in 1992 after nearly two decades of service. She was later sold for scrapping in 1999, marking the end of her unique chapter in Navy history.
• DSRV Mother Ship: USS Pigeon was one of only two ships capable of transporting and deploying the Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle (DSRV), a mini-submarine designed to rescue trapped submariners.
• Training and Exercises: The ship regularly participated in joint training exercises with allied navies, honing international submarine rescue techniques and fostering cooperation during emergencies.
• Legacy: USS Pigeon’s innovative design and operational accomplishments influenced future submarine rescue technologies and procedures, leaving a lasting impact on naval rescue operations worldwide.
