USS Neptune (ARC 2) Class: Photographs

USACS Albert J Myer

The Army Signal Corps brought this ship out of MARAD reserve on 7 Feb 1952 to maintain the submarine cables of the Alaskan Communications System. In 1955 the Signal Corps and the Bell Telephone System laid a new 1,250-mile underwater cable system between Port Angeles, Washington, and Skagway, Alaska. Here Albert J Myer is making the initial cable landing at Skagway beach in September 1955, assisted by the Army cable barge Basil Lenoir, sister to USS Nashawena (YAG 35).

Photo No. APS-56-5956 (detail)
Source: U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command (L-file, Army)

USS Neptune (ARC 2)

In Chesapeake Bay on 11 June 1953 just after commissioning into the Navy out of MARAD reserve.

Photo No. BUSHIPS 143032
Source: NARA RG-19-LCM

USS Neptune (ARC 2)

Photographed before beginning modifications for Project CAESAR circa 1953-54.

Photo No. BUSHIPS 143164, NAID 7575626
Source: U.S. National Archives (RG-19-NN, negatives)

USS Neptune (ARC 2)

After modifications for Project CAESAR circa 1954. SS Clove Hitch, a C1-M-AV1 that was operated for MARAD by the American Mail Line between 1951 until layup at Olympia, Wash., on 5 March 1954, is on the left. The Liberty ship is Thunderbird, ex Charles H. Lanham, so named between 1951 and 1961. The C2 freighter in the floating drydock is wearing the stack markings of the American Mail Line.

Photo No. BUSHIPS 145432, NAID 7575639
Source: U.S. National Archives (RG-19-NN, negatives)

USS Neptune (ARC 2)

View of new cable handling gear on deck forward after modifications for Project CAESAR circa 1954.

Photo No. BUSHIPS 145428, NAID 7575635
Source: U.S. National Archives (RG-19-NN, negatives)

USS Neptune (ARC 2)

Bow view with new cable sheaves after modifications for Project CAESAR circa 1954.

Photo No. NAID 7575645
Source: U.S. National Archives (RG-19-NN, negatives)

USS Neptune (ARC 2)

Photographed after modifications for Project CAESAR.

Photo No. NARA 80-G-664974
Source: Source: U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command (L-file)

USS Neptune (ARC 2)

Off Oahu, Hawaii, on 4 November 1967 after further modifications. These included a helicopter deck aft for vertical replenishments, a deck over the well forward of the bridge, and changes to her cable handling gear forward.

Photo No. KN-15602 reissued as DN-ST-90-11493
Source: U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command (MSC) and NARA RG-330

USNS Albert J Myer (T-ARC 6)

In MSTS service circa the late 1960s. She still has her small original bow sheaves.

Photo No. Unknown
Source: U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command (UA-164)

USNS Albert J Myer (T-ARC 6)

In MSC service circa the 1970s with the MSC insignia on her stack and with her small well deck plated in.

Photo No. Unknown
Source: U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command (MSC)

USNS Neptune (T-ARC 2)

After her 1980-82 modernization.

Photo No. Unknown
Source: U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command (L-file)

USNS Albert J Myer (T-ARC 6)

Underway in 1984 after her 1978-80 modernization.

Photo No. DN-SC-85-08565
Source: U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command (L-file)

USACS Albert J Myer The Army Signal Corps brought this ship out of MARAD reserve on 7 Feb 1952 to maintain the submarine cables of the Alaskan Communications System. In 1955 the Signal Corps and the Bell Telephone System laid a new 1,250-mile underwater cable system between Port Angeles, Washington, and Skagway, Alaska. Here Albert J Myer is making the initial cable landing at Skagway beach in September 1955, assisted by the Army cable barge Basil Lenoir, sister to USS Nashawena (YAG 35). Photo No. APS-56-5956 (detail) Source: U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command (L-file, Army)
USS Neptune (ARC 2) In Chesapeake Bay on 11 June 1953 just after commissioning into the Navy out of MARAD reserve. Photo No. BUSHIPS 143032 Source: NARA RG-19-LCM
USS Neptune (ARC 2) Photographed before beginning modifications for Project CAESAR circa 1953-54. Photo No. BUSHIPS 143164, NAID 7575626 Source: U.S. National Archives (RG-19-NN, negatives)
USS Neptune (ARC 2) After modifications for Project CAESAR circa 1954. SS Clove Hitch, a C1-M-AV1 that was operated for MARAD by the American Mail Line between 1951 until layup at Olympia, Wash., on 5 March 1954, is on the left. The Liberty ship is Thunderbird, ex Charles H. Lanham, so named between 1951 and 1961. The C2 freighter in the floating drydock is wearing the stack markings of the American Mail Line. Photo No. BUSHIPS 145432, NAID 7575639 Source: U.S. National Archives (RG-19-NN, negatives)
USS Neptune (ARC 2) View of new cable handling gear on deck forward after modifications for Project CAESAR circa 1954. Photo No. BUSHIPS 145428, NAID 7575635 Source: U.S. National Archives (RG-19-NN, negatives)
USS Neptune (ARC 2) Bow view with new cable sheaves after modifications for Project CAESAR circa 1954. Photo No. NAID 7575645 Source: U.S. National Archives (RG-19-NN, negatives)
USS Neptune (ARC 2) Photographed after modifications for Project CAESAR. Photo No. NARA 80-G-664974 Source: Source: U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command (L-file)
USS Neptune (ARC 2) Off Oahu, Hawaii, on 4 November 1967 after further modifications. These included a helicopter deck aft for vertical replenishments, a deck over the well forward of the bridge, and changes to her cable handling gear forward. Photo No. KN-15602 reissued as DN-ST-90-11493 Source: U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command (MSC) and NARA RG-330
USNS Albert J Myer (T-ARC 6) In MSTS service circa the late 1960s. She still has her small original bow sheaves. Photo No. Unknown Source: U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command (UA-164)
USNS Albert J Myer (T-ARC 6) In MSC service circa the 1970s with the MSC insignia on her stack and with her small well deck plated in. Photo No. Unknown Source: U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command (MSC)
USNS Neptune (T-ARC 2) After her 1980-82 modernization. Photo No. Unknown Source: U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command (L-file)
USNS Albert J Myer (T-ARC 6) Underway in 1984 after her 1978-80 modernization. Photo No. DN-SC-85-08565 Source: U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command (L-file)