USS Pigeon, a 950-ton (normal displacement) Lapwing class minesweeper built at Baltimore, Maryland, was commissioned in mid-July 1919. Late in that year she went to the Pacific, where she served until placed out of commission at Pearl Harbor in April 1922. Following conversion to a gunboat (though still classified as a minesweeper, with hull number AM-47), Pigeon recommissioned in October 1923 and several weeks later arrived at Shanghai, China to join the Yangtze River Patrol Force. That duty lasted until late in the decade, when she was refitted as a submarine salvage ship and, in September 1929, redesignated ASR-6. Pigeon remained in the Asiatic Fleet throughout the 1930s and into the early 1940s, primarily serving in Chinese and Philippines waters.
As tensions with Japan became increasingly critical in late November and early December 1941, Pigeon escorted a pair of shallow-draft river gunboats to the Philippines. War began on 8 December (local time) and two days later, as the Japanese bombed the Cavite Navy Yard, Pigeon helped save the damaged submarine Seadragon (SS-194), an act for which she was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation, the first of two she was to receive. Using guns salvaged from other ships, she was soon able to operate as a gunboat, as well as serving as a salvage ship, tender and tug. Pigeon played all these roles well during the bitter struggle to defend Bataan and Corregidor. On 5 January 1942 she recovered a barge full of mines from enemy-occupied territory. During the campaign, she also salvaged badly needed fuel, fought off Japanese aircraft and engaged enemy artillery. Based at Corregidor after Bataan was captured in April, Pigeon kept up her heroic work until 4 May 1942, when she was hit by a dive bombing attack and sank. Her crew subsequently became prisoners of war, with many of them losing their lives during their captivity.
This page features all the views we have concerning USS Pigeon (Minesweeper # 47, later AM-47 and ASR-6).
If you want higher resolution reproductions than the digital images presented here, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions." |
Click on the small photograph to prompt a larger view of the same image.
Photo #: 19-N-2260 USS Pigeon (AM-47) In port, 7 July 1919, at about the time she was delivered to the Navy. Photograph from the Bureau of Ships Collection in the U.S. National Archives. Online Image: 80KB; 600 x 765 pixels Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system. |
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Photo #: NH 85732 USS Pigeon (AM-47) In Chinese waters, circa the later 1920s, showing modifications made to fit her as a gunboat for use on the Yangtze River. Courtesy of Alfred Cellier, 1977. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 74KB; 740 x 505 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 68209 USS Pigeon (AM-47) In a Chinese port, circa the later 1920s, after she had been modified for use as a gunboat on the lower Yangtze River. Courtesy of the U.S. Naval Institute, Annapolis, Maryland, 1969. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 65KB; 740 x 405 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 51815 USS S-40 (SS-145) Alongside USS Pigeon (ASR-6), at Shanghai, China, 1932. Photographed by Gustave J. Freret, Jr., USN U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 82KB; 740 x 585 pixels |
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Photo #: 306-NT-508E USS Pigeon (ASR-6) In the vicinity of where the Phenix sank, in Cam Ranh Bay, Indochina, July 1939. Note the Submarine Force "fish" insignia painted on her bow. Photograph from the New York Times Paris Bureau collection in the U.S. National Archives. Online Image: 114KB; 740 x 620 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 99696 USS Pigeon (ASR-6) Undergoing refloating operations after she ran aground during a typhoon at Tsingtao, China, September 1939. Note the short range battle targets hung amidships. Collection of Chief Torpedoman John Vieira, USN (Retired). U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 68KB; 740 x 585 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 99698 USS Pigeon (ASR-6) Photographed during salvage operations, after she ran aground during a typhoon at Tsingtao, China, September 1939. Collection of Chief Torpedoman John Vieira, USN (Retired). U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 87KB; 740 x 585 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 99697 USS Pigeon (ASR-6) On the beach after she ran aground during a typhoon at Tsingtao, China, September 1939. Collection of Chief Torpedoman John Vieira, USN (Retired). U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 89KB; 740 x 590 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 99674 USS Pigeon (ASR-6) "High and dry", after she ran aground during a typhoon at Tsingtao, China, September 1939. Collection of Jack L. Wheat. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 66KB; 740 x 535 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 99675 USS Pigeon (ASR-6) "High and dry", after she ran aground during a typhoon at Tsingtao, China, September 1939. Collection of Jack L. Wheat. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 65KB; 505 x 765 pixels |
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USS Pigeon (AM-47) is partially visible behind another ship in the left half of the following views:
Photo #: NH 45243-A Minesweepers laid up at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii Territory View taken circa 1922 or somewhat later, showing several minesweepers laid up in reserve at the end of 1010 Dock. Identifiable ships at left include USS Oriole (AM-7) outboard, with USS Pigeon (AM-47) inboard of her. USS Pelican (AM-27) is the outboard ship in the center. Cropped from Photo # NH 45243. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 84KB; 740 x 585 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 45242-A Minesweepers laid up at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii Territory View taken circa 1922 or somewhat later, showing several minesweepers laid up in reserve at the end of 1010 Dock. Identifiable ships at left include USS Oriole (AM-7), with USS Pigeon (AM-47) inboard of her. USS Pelican (AM-27) is the outboard ship in the center. Cropped from Photo # NH 45242. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 67KB; 740 x 585 pixels |
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If you want higher resolution reproductions than the digital images presented here, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions." |
Page made 7 November 2004