A bird of stout body; short legs; and smooth compact plumage.
(ASR–21: dp. 3,411 (f.); l. 251’; b. 86’; dr. 19’; s. 15 k.;
cpl. 135; a. 2 3”, 4 .50 cal. mg.; cl. Pigeon) The third Pigeon
(ASR–21) was laid down 17 July 1968 by the Alabama Dry Dock and
Shipbuilding Co., Mobile, Ala.; launched 13 August 1969;
sponsored by Mrs. Allen M. Shinn, wife of Vice Admiral Shinn,
Commander Naval Air Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet. Leader of a new
class of submarine rescue ships designed to operate with the
Navy’s new deep submergence rescue vehicles, Pigeon will be the
first seagoing catamaran warship built for the Navy since Robert
Fulton’s twin-hulled steam warship Fulton was built at the close
of the War of 1812. Her twin hull gives great stability for deep
water operations and provides ample deck working space. She will
be able to carry two deep submergence vehicles on her main deck.
These craft will be capable of docking to a disabled submarine
on the sea bottom, removing survivors and transporting them to
the surface. Pi