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CS Restorer
by Dirk van Oudenol

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11th Armed Guard Report

Missing Eleventh Naval Armed Guard Report

CONFIDENTIAL                                        3/1/1945

From:                 Chief of Naval Operations.
To:                     Ensign Barnes E. Mauk, USNR
                          CO, Armed Guard Unit, USAT Restorer.
Via:                    Commanding Officer,
                          U. S. Naval Armed Guard Center (Pacific),
                          Treasure Island, San Francisco, California.

SUBJ:                USAT Restorer, 3180 G. T., Voyage Report - Request for.

Refs: (a) Conf. voyage report, USAT Restorer, by CO, Armed Guard Unit, dated 19/4/1944.
(b) General Instructions for Commanding Officers of Naval Armed Guards on Merchant
Ships, 1944, Fourth Edition, paragraph 4301.


1. It is noted that no voyage reports have been received from the subject vessel since receipt of reference (a), dated 19/4/1944.
2. Voyage reports or copies of subsequent voyage reports should be forwarded to the Chief of Naval Operations as required in reference (a) without undue delay.

                                                                                 V. D. CSALPINE,
                                                                                 By direction

CONFIDENTIAL                                                            22/1/1945

From:                Lt. (jg) Barnes E. Mauk, Commanding Officer , Naval Armed Guard
                         (c/o Armed Guard Center (Pacific)
                         U.S.A. Cableship Restorer Gross Tons 3180
To:                    The Chief of Naval Operations.
Via:                   The Port Director, Seattle, Washington.
Subject:             Report of voyage, U.S.A. Cableship Restorer, from 15/6/1944 to 22/1/1945.
Reference:         (a) General Instructions for Commanding Officers of Naval Armed Guards on
                         Merchant Ships, paragraph 4301, 1943.
Enclosure: (A)
1. In accordance with reference (a), the following information is submitted:
NOTE: Only subsections (b) and (d) are of interest here.
(b)Port of departure, Seattle, Wash. Date 15/6/1944. Independently at start and end of voyage, part of the voyage was made in convoy and part was made with only an escort. Average speed 12 knots. The most ships in convoy were two with escort. Port of arrival, Seattle, Washington, date 22/1/1945.
(d)This voyage has been to the South West Pacific for the purpose of repairing and laying deep-sea cable. This voyage has necessarily been longer than the average, the reason for this being the nature of the work done by the ship. The average of the ship during this voyage has been 12 knots, except when actually working cable. When the ship crew is working cable all deck lights are on even though we were working within 13 miles of Jap territory. The vessel did zig-zag in accordance with instructions.

CONFIDENTIAL SERIAL PD 1 - 12                                   30/3/1945

SUPPLEMENTARY REPORT OF SUPPLIES and/or PERSONNEL ISSUED BY PORT
DIRECTOR, TO

CS RESTORER                             GROSS TONS 3180                          CABLE LAYER

ARMED GUARD OR COMMUNICATION LIASON PERSONNEL REMOVED AREA 1A

SURNAME FIRST MIDDLE
RATING
BRANCH
SERVICE NO.
AGC
DATE
ROSENKRANTZ, Duane Nelson
SM3c
 
879 59 99
Pac
26/1/45
KRUGER, David Erick
SM3c
 
680 61 94
Pac
26/1/45
HEWITT, Clifford Erwin
S1c
 
942 28 14
Pac
26/1/45
WERY, Charles Junior
SM3c
 
868 34 53
Pac
26/1/45
CASEY, Conrad Richard
S1c
USN
315 84 45
Pac
26/1/45
BOLTH, Herbert William
S1c
 
853 73 34
Pac
26/1/45
SMITH, Robert Eeward
S1c
 
640 59 35
Pac
26/1/45
MAUK, Barnee Everett
Lt(jg)
(D)L,USNR
275 419
Pac
30/1/45


ARMED GUARD OR COMMUNICATION LIASON PERSONNEL PUT ABOARD

HERMANSON, Oskar Rendolf
S1c
V-6,USNR
730 89 47
Pac
26/1/45
SAHLI, Paul Joseph
S1c
V-6,SV
883 09 13
Pac
26/1/45
JORGENSON, John H.
Lt.(jg)
(D)L,USNR
336 511
Pac
27/1/45
WILSON, Earl Alexander
GM3c(T)
V-6,USNR
655 50 33
Pac
7/2/45
LINDSEY, Harold Lloyd
S1c
V-6,SV
877 21 81
Pac
27/3/45
NUCKLES, Bert Boffet
S1c
V-6,USNR
664 56 28
Pac
27/3/45
STEC, Walter Stanley
S1c
V-6,SV
875 09 27
Pac
27/3/45
SOULES, Gerald John
S1c
V-6,SV
907 48 58
Pac
27/3/45
STIMA, Michael (n)
S1c
V-6,SV
809 81 96
Pac
27/3/45
STONESIFER, Robert Wesley
S1c
V-6,USNR
245 87 26
Pac
27/3/45
THOMPSON, Donald (n)
S2c
V-6,SV
881 75 93
Pac
27/3/45
RIEDEL, Walter Wright
S1c(SM)
V-6,USNR
246 39 06
Pac
27/3/45
DELVIN, Charles Francis
S1c(SM)
V-6,USNR
713 63 64
Pac
27/3/45


MATERIAL FURNISHED: UNDER COGNIZANCE OF THE BUREAU OF SHIPS

                     Misc. Maintenance Material and winter clothing.

                                                                                                                C.N. INGRAM
                                                                                                                Captain, USN
                                                                                                                Routing Officer

Naval Armed Guard Report of the S.S. Horace V. White, 12/5/1945

Here we diverge briefly to give the Trip Log of a Liberty Ship, the S.S. Horace V. White. This ship left Leyte, P.I., on 9/5/1945, and the Trip Log stated it was in a convoy of 41 ships, one of them being the USAT Restorer, arriving in Manila on 12/5/1945. There are obvious interesting comparisons between this Trip Log and the 12th one (immediately following) of USAT Restorer.
It seems reasonable to believe the discrepancy of dates and the stated number of ships between these Trip Logs is due to the reporting. Considering the average convoy speed of 8.6 to 9 knots , it is illogical to consider USAT Restorer made two round trips between Leyte and Manila in such a short time.

Twelfth Naval Armed Guard Report, 19/5/1945

(The usual preamble is omitted.)

Enclosure: (A)
1.In accordance with reference (a), the following information is submitted:
(a) Type of vessel       Cableship       Type of cargo         None, except cable
Owner of vessel         Commercial Pacific Cable Company
Chartered to U. S. Army
(b) 1. Port of Departure - Seattle, Wash. Date 29/3/1945

Convoyed or independent     Independent
Speed (Aver) 10.47
No. of ships in convoy    x
No. of escort vessels or aircraft    x
Port of Arrival - San Francisco, Cal. Date 2/4/1945

2. Port of Departure - San Francisco, Cal. Cargo - cable
Convoyed or independent Convoyed Date 4/4/1945
Speed - 12.64
No. of ships in convoy - 1
No. of escort vessels - 1
Port of Arrival - Honolulu, T. H. Date 11/4/1945

3.Port of Departure - Honolulu, T. H. Date 14/4/1945
Convoyed or independent - independent
Speed 12.79
Port of Arrival - Eniwetok, Marshall Is. Date 23/4/1945
4.Port of Departure - Eniwetok, Marshall Is. Date 24/4/1945
Convoyed or independent - independent
Speed - 11.98
Port of Arrival - Guam, Marianas Islands Date 28/4/1945

5. Port of Departure - Guam, Marianas Islands Date 30/4/1945
Convoyed or independent - independent
Speed - 12.37
Port of Arrival - Ulithi, Caroline Is. Date 1/5/1945

6. Port of Departure - Ulithi, Caroline Is. Date 2/5/1945
Convoyed or independent - independent
Speed - 12.95
Port of Arrival - Leyte, Philippine Is. Date 5/5/1945

7. Port of Departure - Leyte, Philippine Is. Date 15/5/1945
Convoyed or independent - convoyed
No. of ships in convoy - 50
No. of escort vessels - 2
Speed - 8.6
Port of Arrival - Manila, Philippine Is. Date 18/5/1945

(c) No contact was had with the enemy.

(d)The voyage was made under ideal sailing conditions, except for a bad storm with 60 knot winds and high seas, the day before arrival at San Francisco, which delayed arrival about 12 hours. The speed average was about 11.5 knots. The vessel was properly blacked out at night and lights were not used. Zig-zag instructions were followed. A red alert was given the night before departure from Guam, which was probably for practice purposes. A distress message was received by radio shortly before arrival at Ulithi from a ship which had been bombed and strafed60 miles from our ships noon position. At 0320, 4/5/1945, the Armed Guard lookout reported red flashes on the horizon resembling gunfire. G. Q. was called. An object appeared on the radar resembling a ship and the merchant marine lookout reported splashes at about 1500 yards on the port beam. However, the object disappeared on the radar and lightning was observed high in the sky, so it is believed to have been only a rain squall, the gunfire to have been lightning, and splashes the result of an over wrought imagination. Good watches were stood by the Armed Guard and signals were well handled by the Communications Liaison Personnel.

(e) The vessel was delayed in San Pedro Bay Leyte for 9 days. The only reason given was that the ship was required to wait for a convoy.

(f) The radio operators were Army Personnel. Instructions were carried out.

(g) It is believed that the vessel is inadequately armed for the area in which it operates. Two 20 M.M. Oerlikon guns should be installed on the bow, since there is no bow protection. The armament consists of two 20 M.M. on the flying bridge, two 20 M.M. aft and one 3"50 caliber on the centerline at the stern.

(h) The Master carries out Wartime Instructions for Merchant vessels.

(i) There are no recommendations for improvement of the service.
(j) There was no improper procedure on the part of friendly aircraft.

(k) Half hour loading, pointing, training, and sightsetting drills on the 3"50 gun were held at frequent intervals, and short drills were held at general quarters at dawn and dusk. Instruction was given on the cartwheel sights on the 20 M.M. gun by the use of training aids supplied. Tracking drills were held on all guns whenever friendly planes and ships were in the vicinity. Emergency drills were held at least once a week. Progress tests were given all Seamen 1/C (Prob.) and crew member who were studying for a rate. Instructions and lectures were given on the following subjects; Aircraft and Ship Identification, Submarine and Aircraft Tactics, Abandon Ship Procedure; Barrage zones; Lookout Duties; Gas; Security of Information and Censorship Regulations; Proper handling of Small Arms; Safety Precautions Concerning Ammunition, Magazines and all Guns; Spotting Doctrine; Tracer Control and Aim Off; Care of Phones, Binoculars and other equipment.

(l) Personnel list attached.

CREW LIST ARMED GUARD AND COMMUNICATION PERSONNEL PORT:       Manila, P.I.

USAC RESTORER GROSS TONS 3180 FLAG U. S. DATE 19/5/1945

The following list comprises the total Naval Armed Guard and Communication Liaison Personnel at present aboard the above ship.

SURNAME FIRST MIDDLE
RATING
BRANCH
SERVICE NO.
AGC
DATE
GOODMAN, Lowell Howard
BM1/C
V6 USNR
355-98-91
Pac
14/10/1943
WILSON, Earl Alexander
GM3/C
V6 USNR
655-50-33
Pac
7/2/1945
*McCLOSKEY, Charles Edward
SM3/C
V6 USNR
883-23-03
Pac
19/4/1944
OLSON, Ingvald Johnathon
S1c
V6 USNR
664-80-41
Pac
19/8/1943
HERMANSON, Oskar Randolf
S1c
V6 USNR
730-89-47
Pac
26/1/1945
SAHLI, Paul Joseph
S1c
V6 USNR
883-09-13
Pac
26/1/1945
LINDSEY, Harold Lloyd
S1c
V6 SV
877-21-81
Pac
27/3/1945
NUCKLES, Bert Boffet
S1c
V6 USNR
664-56-28
Pac
27/3/1945
STEC, Walter Stanley
S1c
V6 SV
875-09-27
Pac
27/3/1945
SOULES, Gerald John
S1c
V6 SV
907-48-58
Pac
27/3/1945
STIMA, Michael (n)
S1c
V6 USNR
809-81-96
Pac
27/3/1945
STONESIFER, Robert Wesley
S1c
V6 SV
245-87-26
Pac
27/3/1945
THOMPSON, Donald (n)
S2c
V6 SV
881-75-93
Pac
27/3/1945
*RIEDEL, Walter Wright
(SM) S1c
V6 USNR
246-39-06
Pac
27/3/1945
*DELVIN, Charles Francis
(SM) S1c
V6 USNR
713-63-64
Pac
27/3/1945
JORGENSEN, John Harold
Lt.(jg)
D-(L) USNR
336-551
Pac
27/1/1945
*Communication Liaison Personnel          

 

CERTIFIED TO BE CORRECT
                                                                                                           (sgnd.) John H. Jorgensen Lt.(jg) U.S.N.R.
                                                                                                                      ARMED GUARD COMMANDER

RECEIVING STATION, NAVY 3964, Fleet Post Office, San Francisco, California, 25/6/1945
From:           The Commanding Officer.
To:               Lieutenant (junior grade) John Harold JORGENSEN, (D)L, USNR
Subject:        Temporary additional duty, completion of
Reference:    (a) BuPrsLtr Pers 635-NB-P16-5(c) of 29/4/1944
1. Your temporary additional duty as Commanding Officer of the Armed Guard Unit on board the CS RESTORER is completed this date.
2.You reported aboard this Naval Receiving Station this date, for further assignment.
3.Government quarters are available at this station for assignment to you.
FERD. S. MEYER
M. F. TIDWELL
By direction

Thirteenth Naval Armed Guard Report

It has to be assumed this Report is missing, as the ship is not accounted for from the time it arrived in Manila, P. I., on 18/5/1945, until it left Manila on 15/10/1945. It just isn't realistic to believe the ship was tied up for that length of time.

Fourteenth Naval Armed Guard Report, 28/11/1945

This is the final N. A. G. Report, and covers USAT Restorer's trip home from the war zone. The usual preamble and parts (d), and (f), (g), (h), (i), (j), (k) are omitted.

(a) Type of Vessel        Cableship        Type of cargo        Cable
Owner of vessel        Commercial Pacific Cable Company
Chartered to        U.S.A. Signal Corp

(b) Port of Departure Manila, P. I. Date 15/10/1945
Convoyed or independent    Independent
Speed (Aver.) 11.8
No. of ships in convoy 1
No. of escort vessels or aircraft None
Port of Arrival Seattle Date 24/11/1945

(c) Stopped at Guam, Tacloban, and Honolulu.

(e) Were delayed in Honolulu for ten days unloading and loading cable.

Lt. Melvin E. Wainwright
Commanding Officer
Naval Armed Guard
(c/o Armed Guard Center Gulf)

CREW LIST AND ARMED GUARD AND COMMUNICATION PERSONNEL 28/11/1945

SURNAME FIRST MIDDLE
RATING
BRANCH
SERVICE NO.
AGC
DATE
DEVLIN, Charles F
SM3C
USNR
713-63-64
Pac
27/3/1945
HERMANSON, Oskar R.
GM3C
USNR
730-89-47
Pac
26/1/1945
LINDSEY, Harold L.
S1/C
USNR
887-21-81
Pac
27/3/1945
McCLOSKY, Charles E.
SM2/C
USNR
883-23-03
Pac
19/4/1944
OLSON, Ingwald J.
GM3C
USNR
664-80-41
Pac
19/8/1943
RIEDEL, Walter W.
SM3C
USNR
246-39-06
Pac
27/3/1945
SAHLI, Paul J.
S1/C
USNR
883-09-13
Pac
26/1/1945
STEC, Walter S.
S1/C
USNR
875-09-27
Pac
27/3/1945
STIMA, Michael
S1/C
USNR
809-81-96
Pac
27/3/1945
SOULES, Gerald G.
S1/C
USNR
807-48-58
Pac
27/3/1945
STONESIFER, Robert W.
S1/C
USNR
245-87-26
Pac
27/3/1945
THOMPSON, Donald
S1/C
USNR
881-75-93
Pac
27/3/1945
WAINWRIGHT, Melvin E.
LT.
USNR
348837
Gulf
26/6/1945

                                                                                                    CERTIFIED TO BE CORRECT
                                                                                         (sgnd.) Lt. Melvin E. Wainwright
                                                                                                    Armed Guard Commander

ARMED GUARD OR COMMUNICATIONS PERSONNEL REMOVED      11/12/1945

SURNAME FIRST MIDDLE
RATING
BRANCH
SERVICE NO.
AGC
DATE
STONESIFER, Robert W.
S1c
 
245-87-26
Pac
28/11/1945
HERMANSON, Oskar R.
GM3c
 
730-89-47
Pac
28/11/1945
STIMA, Michael
S1c
 
887-21-81
Pac
28/11/1945
DEVLIN, Charles F.
SM3c
 
883-23-03
Pac
28/11/1945
SOULES, Gerald J.
S1c
 
664-80-41
Pac
28/11/1945
SAHLI, Paul J.
S1c
 
246-39-06
Pac
28/11/1945
McCLOSKEY, Charles E.
SM2c
 
883-09-13
Pac
28/11/1945
RIEDEL, Walter W.
GM3c
 
875-09-27
Pac
28/11/1945
OLSON, Ingvald J.
GM3c
USNR
809-81-96
Pac
28/11/1945
STEC, Walter Stanley
S1c
V-6, USNR
807-48-58
Pac
28/11/1945
LINDSEY, Harold Lloyd
S1c
V-6, USNR
245-87-26
Pac
28/11/1945
WAINWRIGHT, Melvin E
Lt.
(D)L, USNR
881-75-93
Pac
28/11/1945


ARMED GUARD OR COMMUNICATION LIAISON PERSONNEL PUT ABOARD

COSNER, Daniel Edgar
GM2c
V-6, USNR
865-55-91
Pac
27/11/1945

                               UNDER COGNIZANCE OF THE BUREAU OF SHIPS

                                     Misc. Maintenance Material and winter clothing.
                                                           

 
 
C. N. INGRAHAM
Captain, USN
Routing Officer

Full List of CPCC Masters of C. S. RESTORER, with Known Dates

Capt. Basil Combe, 1/1/1905 to 1923
Ch. Off. J. L. Thacker, 17/12/1943 to 31/12/1943
Ch. Off.. Dillon, 1923 Capt. James A. Lovering, 31/12/1943 to 1944
Capt. A. V. Sparks, 1924 Capt. W. T. Gagnon, 1944 to 1946
Capt. W. D. Livingston, 1924 to 1926 Capt. J. H. Connelly, 1946 to 1950
Capt. C. M. C. Fleming, May 1927 to 1941 Ch. Off. Thacker, 1950 to 1951
Capt. W. T. Gagnon, 1941 to 1942  
Capt. J. H. Connelly, 1942 to 1943  
Capt. Don B. Cantell, 1943 to 17/12/1943  
Main Menu
| Home | Contact Email | Prologue | 1901 - 1904 | Joint Reports 1903 - 04 | Early Operations | First World War | Peace | Second World War | 3rd Naval Armed Guard Report | Winter Cable Laying | 11th Naval Armed Guard Report | Peace Again | Home And Back To Work | C.S. Restorer's Final Days Part 1 | C.S. Restorer's Final Days Part 2 | Services Rendered by C.S. Restorer | The End For C.S. Restorer|

Copyright © 2006 Dirk van Oudenol

Last revised: 22 July, 2006

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