History of the Atlantic Cable & Undersea Communications
from the first submarine cable of 1850 to the worldwide fiber optic network

CS Restorer
by Dirk van Oudenol

3rd Naval Armed Guard Report  6/11/1942        CONFIDENTIAL

From:                Commanding Officer, Armed Guard Unit, Cableship RESTORER
To:                    Vice Chief of Naval Operations, Navy Department, Washington, D.C.
Via:                   Port Director N.T.S., Thirteenth Naval District, Seattle, Washington
Subject:            Report of voyage of Cableship RESTORER from Seattle to Dutch Harbor and return
Reference:        (a) General instructions for Commanding Officers of Naval Armed Guards on Merchant Ships, Paragraph 436.

1. Name of vessel:         Cableship RESTORER
Type of vessel:               Cableship
Gross tonnage:               5500 tons !!! (NOTE: Correct tonnage was 3180)
Type of cargo:               Cable
Owner of vessel:            Commercial Pacific Cable Company
Chartered by:                Alaska Communications System, U. S. Army Signal Corps

2. Left Seattle at 2230 on 6/9/1942 sailing singly.
Left Cape Spencer at 1443 on 12/9/1942 escorted by USS PC-571 and USS PC-572.
Arrived at Kodiak at 1055 on 14/9/1942. Left Kodiak with one other ship at 1600 on 15/9/1942, escorted by H.M.C.S. Prince Robert.
Arrived at Dutch Harbor at 0818 on 26/9/1942 escorted by USS PC485.
Arrived at Chernofski at 1414 on 26/9/1942. Left Chernofski at 0645 on 1/10/1942 escorted by USS PC485.
Arrived at Dutch Harbor at 1219 on 1/10/1942. Left Dutch Harbor at 1025 on 28/10/1942 escorted by USS PC486.
Arrived at Kodiak at 1037 on 30/10/1942. Left Kodiak at 0742 on 31/10/1942 accompanied by one other ship and escorted by H.M.C.S. Prince Robert Arrived in Seattle at 1800 on 4/11/1942.
3. There was no contact with the enemy.
4. There were no incidents out of the routine. The speed of the vessel while in the war zone was between 10 and 13 knots; while laying and repairing cable, 3 knots. No lights were shown while in the war zone, as the ship was completely darkened at night. No fog signals were used. Vessel did not zigzag.
5. No written or radio orders were received by the vessel from foreign government officials.
6. The radio operator carried out wartime radio instructions.
7. No defects in equipment were noted.
8. The master and officers carried out "Instructions for Naval Transportation and U. S. Merchant Vessels in Time of War".
9. No recommendations tending to the improvement or greater efficiency of this service.
10. No improper procedure on the part of friendly aircraft approaching the ship was noted.

                                                                                                                Maurice H. Evans
                                                                                                                Lieut. (jg) USNR

The Fourth Naval Armed Guard Report, 8/1/1943                              CONFIDENTIAL

(The usual preamble up to and including Part 1 is now omitted.)

2. Departed Seattle at 0150 12/11/1942, sailing singly via the Inside Passage to Pleasant Island, Alaska. Departed from there in a convoy of six other ships and were escorted to a position just off Kodiak where the other ships left the convoy. The RESTORER and one escort vessel then proceeded at ten knots to Whittier arriving at 1620 23/11/1942. At 0903 25/11/1942 the vessel and one escort departed Whittier at a speed of twelve knots and arrived Kodiak at 1052 28/11/1942. Departed Kodiak at 1233 10/12/1942 escorted by a cutter for Sitka, arriving there at 0115 13/12/1942. Departed Sitka at 1042 22/12/1942. Repaired cables between Juneau and Petersburg and arrived in Seattle at 1623 5/1/1943.

(The usual standard Parts, numbered 3 to 10 inclusive, are omitted.)
SUPPLEMENTARY-REPORT OF SUPPLIES AND/OR PERSONNEL ISSUED BY PORT
DIRECTOR , TO: C.S.RESTORER, ARRIVED FROM, ALASKA

                                                  DATE: 15/2/1943

                                ARMED GUARD PERSONNEL REMOVED

                               ARMED GUARD PERSONNEL PUT ABOARD

                      COMMUNICATION LIAISON PERSONNEL REMOVED

                    COMMUNICATION LIAISON PERSONNEL PUT ABOARD

MATERIAL FURNISHED: UNDER COGNIZANCE OF THE BUREAU OF ORDNANCE

Removed: Two 30 Cal. MG and appurtenances, spare parts, ammunition, covers mounted.

                          UNDER COGNIZANCE OF THE BUREAU OF SHIPS

Serious Health Problems Among Senior Officers

All the time while on cable work in the Alaskan war zone the Chief Engineer, Frank M. Jupp, had the strain of knowing great demands might suddenly be placed on the engines. Chief Engineer Jupp had been on the Restorer since 1916, and lavished an Edinburgh trained man's conscientious care on machinery, and of the entire crew, was most aware of its aged condition. In mid-Feb. 1943, came the moment of crisis. This was during the time covered by the Fifth Naval Armed Guard Report. The very real danger of submarine attack was so imminent, that their escort dropped depth charges, and the engine room got the instruction for full speed ahead. The old engines held out, but shortly after, Chief Engineer Jupp was found collapsed with a stroke. Captain Don Cantell had earlier left the ship due to illness, after having taken command from Captain J. H. Connelly. Captain Cantell died at age 46, as had Captain Fleming less than two years earlier. Temporary successor to Captain Cantell was Chief Officer J. L. Thacker. Later Captains took over this spot and Mr. Thacker became Cable Superintendent.

Loss of C.S. Dellwood

The C.S. Dellwood worked the Alaska cable from Jan. 1943, until she sank at Attu on 19/7/1943.
Immediately after the loss of C.S. Dellwood, the C.S. Silverado, built in 1918, was quickly fitted out with new cable gear and pressed into service in August to fill the gap. At this time, Captain J. H. Connelly of the C.S. Restorer was called south to take charge of the C.S. Silverado. The new cable gear fitted on the C.S. Silverado was originally intended for the C.S. Glassford which was currently building, so urgent was the need for another cable ship. The C.S. Silverado worked the Alaska cable with the C.S. Restorer for the balance of 1943, and well into 1944 with the new C.S. Glassford, after which C.S. Silverado and C.S. Glassford stayed in the area..

New Cable Ships

The C.S. Glassford, built in the summer of 1943, promptly went into Alaska service, and its sister ship, C.S. Basil O. Lenoir, launched in April 1944, also promptly went into Alaska service. This very clearly means the lineup of cable ships on Alaska service during 1941-45 was like this:

More on Naval Armed Guard Reports or Trip Logs

The Ninth Trip Log is a very long one, and will be blended with the excellent private Trip Log kept by a crew member, Ira Flare Fredricksen. Due to layout requirements, the 1943 Christmas Dinner Menu will appear immediately before the Ninth Trip Log, after which will appear the remaining almost two pages of Flare's notes. These offer a very rare window into what wartime winter cable laying in the Aleutians was like. More thought provoking perhaps, is the clearly implied great loss to history of so much information. After all, if one crew member's high quality notes are the only ones that surface more than fifty years later, only because of dogged determination to research all possible sources, they are all the more valuable due to their rarity.

The Fifth Naval Armed Guard Report, 10/3/43

(The usual preamble and Parts 1 and 3 to 10 are omitted.)

2. Departed Seattle, Washington, at 1225, 22/1/1943, sailing singly to Cape Spencer; convoyed from Cape Spencer by one Coast Guard ship. Arrived Chernofski 1737 19/2/1943. Departed 28/2/1943 at 0800 for Cape Spencer, convoyed by one Coast Guard vessel. Arrived Seattle, Washington 10/3/1943 at 1709.

The Sixth Naval Armed Guard Report, 9/5/1943

(The usual preamble and Parts 1 and 3 to 10 are omitted.)

2. Departed Seattle Washington, at 1100, 19/3/1943, sailing singly to Cape Spencer; convoyed from Cape Spencer by one Coast Guard vessel to Dutch Harbor. Convoyed from Dutch Harbor to Adak by one destroyer and one gunboat. Arrived Adak 1020 10/4/1943. Departed 21/4/1943 at 0818 for Cape Spencer, convoyed by one Coast Guard vessel. Arrived Seattle, Washington, 9/5/1943 at 1850.

The Seventh Naval Armed Guard Report, 22/6/1943

(The usual preamble and Parts 1 and 3 to 10 are omitted.)

2. Departed Seattle, Washington, at 0955 16/5/1943 sailing singly to Icy Strait arriving there at 0600 19/5/1943. Departed Icy Strait at 1126 24/5/1943 convoyed by one Coast Guard Cutter. Arrived Cable Grounds at 0400 and arrived at Seward at 1700 1/6/1943. Departed Seward at 0500 2/6/1943 and arrived at Cable Grounds at 1800 2/6/1943. Departed Cable Grounds at 0955 11/6/1943 and arrived Seward at 1745 11/6/1943. Departed at 0400 12/6/1943 and arrived Cold Bay at 0600 14/6/1943. Departed Cold Bay at 1900 14/6/1943 and arrived Seward at 1715 16/6/1943. Departed Seward at 1805 18/6/1943 and arrived at Icy Straits at 0900 20/6/1943, still convoyed by the same Coast Guard Cutter. Departed Icy Strait at 0910 20/6/1943 sailing singly and arrived Seattle 0725 24/6/1943.

The Eighth Naval Armed Guard Report, 10/10/1943

(The usual preamble and Parts 1 and 3 to 10 are omitted.)

2. Departed Seattle, Washington at 1000, 22/8/1943, sailing in convoy with one other ship and one escort vessel. Arrived in Dutch Harbor at 2000 28/8/1943. Departed Dutch Harbor at 1700 29/8/1943sailing in convoy with two other ships and one escort vessel. Arrived Adak at 0945 31/8/1943. Departed Adak at2030 31/8/1943 sailing singly with one escort vessel. Arrived Amchitka at 1430 1/9/1943. Departed Amchitka on Cable operations at 4/9/1943 sailing with one escort Arrived Kiska at 1600 5/9/1943 and departed Kiska at 1530 6/9/1943 still with one escort and still on cable operations. Arrived in Attu at 1000 8/9/1943. Departed Attu at 0900 10/9/1943 with one escort and arrived in Adak at 1700 12/9/1943. Departed Adak at 0715 23/9/1943 with one escort and arrived in Dutch Harbor at 1130 25/9/1943. Departed Dutch Harbor at o635 27/9/1943 with one escort and arrived in Cold Bay at 1955 27/9/1943. Departed Cold Bay at 0630 29/9/1943 with one escort and arrived at Whittier at 1250 2/10/1943. Departed Whittier at 1540 5/10/1943, picked up one escort at Montague Island and proceeded to Seattle. Arrived Seattle at 2230 10/10/1943.

1943 Christmas Dinner

A maximum effort was made to give the crew a touch of home, and a dinner with all the trimmings was had by all. Here's the menu:

The Ninth Naval Armed Guard Report, 18/1/1944

(With this Report, the number of sections increases from 10 to 12, but there is still only one of interest, Part 2.

26/10/1943 Departed from Seattle, Washington at 1710, escorted by PC1081.
2/11/1943 Arrived at Dutch Harbor at 1515.
3/11/1943 Departed from Dutch Harbor at 0810, convoyed by destroyer KING.
7/11/1943 Arrived at Kiska Island at 0800.
8/11/1943 Departed from Kiska Island at 1730, convoyed by destroyer KING.
9/11/1943 Arrived at Schmeya Island at 1710.
10/11/1943 Departed from Schmeya Island at 0935, convoyed by destroyer KING.
10/11/1943 Arrived at Attu Island at 1240.
12/11/1943 Departed from Attu Island at 0943, convoyed by destroyer KING.
14/11/1943 Arrived at Otter Point 1710, and started cable operations.
15/11/1943 Departed from Otter Point at 0630, laying cable westward and convoyed by destroyer KING.
17/11/1943 Arrived at Atka Island at 2030.
21/11/1943 Departed from Atka Island at 2230, convoyed by PC 587.
22/11/1943 Arrived at Adak at 1520.
23/11/1943 Departed from Adak at 1555, convoyed by Coast Guard Cutter ONONDAGA.
23/11/1943 Arrived at Sand Bay on Great Sitkin Island at 1720.
24/11/1943 Departed from Sand Bay at 0851, convoyed by ONONDAGA.
24/11/1943 Arrived at Shelter Cove at Igitkin Island at 1046.
25/11/1943 Departed from Shelter Cove at 0630, convoyed by ONONDAGA.
25/11/1943 Arrived at cable grounds at 0835 and started work, convoyed by ONONDAGA.
26/11/1943 Arrived at Korovin Bay on Atka Island at 0530.
26/11/1943 Departed from Korovin Bay at 1320, convoyed by ONONDAGA.
29/11/1943 Arrived at Nayan Bay on Atka Island at 1827.
30/11/1943 Departed from Nayan Bay 0607, convoyed by ONONDAGA.
1/12/1943 Arrived at Dutch Harbor at 0833.
3/12/1943 Departed from Dutch Harbor at 1000, convoyed by ONONDAGA.
6/12/1943 Arrived at Attu Island at 1053.
7/12/1943 Departed from Attu Island at 1130, convoyed by ONONDAGA.
7/12/1943 Arrived at cable grounds at 1423.
7/12/1943 Departed from cable grounds at 1446, convoyed by ONONDAGA.
7/12/1943 Arrived at Attu at 1773 (?).
8/12/1943 Departed from Attu at 0936, convoyed by ONONDAGA.
8/12/1943 Arrived at cable grounds at 1230.
9/12/1943 Departed from cable grounds at 1525, convoyed by ONONDAGA.
9/12/1943 Arrived at Attu 1815.
11/12/1943 Departed from Attu at 1050, convoyed by ONONDAGA.
11/12/1943 Arrived at cable grounds at 1405.
12/12/1943 Departed from cable grounds at 2100, convoyed by ONONDAGA.
14/12/1943 Arrived at Adak at 1530.
14/12/1943 Departed from Adak at 1800, convoyed by ONONDAGA.
17/12/1943 Arrived at Dutch Harbor at 1645.
28/12/1943 Departed from Dutch Harbor at 1150, convoyed by PC600.
29/12/1943 Arrived at Cold Bay at 1000.
29/12/1943 Departed from Cold Bay at 1245, convoyed by PC600.
31/12/1943 Arrived at Seward at 1305 and tied up at dock.
3/1/1944 Departed from Seward at 0900, convoyed by PC600.
3/1/1944 Arrived at cable grounds at 1030.
6/1/1944 Departed from cable grounds at 0930.
6/1/1944 Arrived at Seward at 1115.
7/1/1944 Departed from Seward at 1215, convoyed by PC600.
11/1/1944 Arrived at Pleasant Island 1445.
11/1/1944 Departed from Pleasant Island for Seattle at 1530, convoyed by PC600.
15/1/1944 Arrived at Ames Terminal, Seattle, Washington at 0522.