USS Beaufort (ATS 2) on 8 July 1979.
Click on this photograph for links to larger images of this class.
Class: EDENTON (ATS 1)
Design: SCB Project No. 719.66 and SAIP Project No. 719.71
Displacement (tons): 2,592 light, 3,484 full
Dimensions (feet): 283' oa, 264'wl x 50' x 17' max nav
Armament: (1) 2-20mmT; (2-3) none; (2-3: 1976) 2-20mmS
Accommodations: 9 officers and 108 enlisted
Speed (kts.): 16
Propulsion (HP): 6,000
Machinery: Diesel, 2 screws
Construction:
| ATS | Name | Ord | Builder | Keel | Launch | Comm |
| 1 | EDENTON | 19 Aug 1966 | Brooke Marine, UK | 28 Mar 1967 | 15 May 1968 | 23 Jan 1971 |
| 2 | BEAUFORT | 26 Sep 1967 | Brooke Marine, UK | 19 Feb 1968 | 20 Dec 1968 | 22 Jan 1972 |
| 3 | BRUNSWICK | 26 Sep 1967 | Brooke Marine, UK | 27 May 1968 | 14 Oct 1969 | 19 Dec 1972 |
| 4 | unnamed | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 5 | unnamed | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 6 | unnamed | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
Disposition:
| ATS | Name | T | Decomm | Strike | Disposal | Fate | MA Sale |
| 1 | EDENTON | 29 Mar 1996 | 29 Dec 1997 | 18 Nov 1997 | Trf | -- | |
| 2 | BEAUFORT | 8 Mar 1996 | 12 Dec 1996 | 29 Aug 1996 | Trf | -- | |
| 3 | BRUNSWICK | 8 Mar 1996 | 12 Dec 1996 | 29 Aug 1996 | Trf | -- | |
| 4 | unnamed | -- | -- | Mar 1973 | Canc | -- | |
| 5 | unnamed | -- | -- | Mar 1973 | Canc | -- | |
| 6 | unnamed | -- | -- | -- | Not auth | -- |
Class Notes:
On 20 July 1957 COMSERVPAC proposed a new ship type (AST) to replace the ATF, ARS, and (with some modification) ASR type ships. On 11 December 1957 CNO asked BUSHIPS for its comments and recommendations concerning the COMSERVPAC proposals and for comments on the feasibility of designing a new basic hull whose propulsion machinery and compartmentation could be adapted to all three existing ship types (ARS, ASR, and ATF). On 28 November 1958 BUSHIPS reported that the study had been delayed due to its non-priority status and that no early date for completion could then be scheduled.
Files from the Preliminary Design Branch (NARA RG 19 Entry P 26) contain an undated five-page "Design Recommendation for the Proposed AST Replacement for ARS and ATF" that may be the COMSERVPAC proposal. The hull was to be similar to the present ARS hull with modifications to provide storage room for portable salvage equipment and small workshops. The limited draft and high degree of maneuverability of the current ARS were considered essential in salvage work. A small loss in deep sea towing efficiency as compared with the present ATF was expected and could be accepted. The recommended dimensions were a length of 225' to 240', a beam of 45' to 47', and a maximum full load draft of 15'. Diesel electric drive through reduction gears and twin shafts with an increase in horsepower to 4,000-5,000 to obtain increased towing speed and faster responses to incidents were recommended.
On 22 November 1960 CNO requested that BUSHIPS produce a cost and feasibility study for the construction of two new ship types: a Salvage Tug (ATS) to fulfill the combined missions and tasks of the ATF and ARS, and a Submarine Rescue Ship (ASR) utilizing the hull, propulsion plant, and as many other features of the ATS as possible. BUSHIPS forwarded the results of the study on 24 March 1961. The ATS design developed for the study had a length between perpendiculars of 250', beam of 48', draft of 15', displacement of 2,565 tons, sustained speed of 16 knots, 6,000 shaft horsepower, and complement of 8 officers and 95 enlisted. The ASR version was identical with a few exceptions, including the omission of the forward 20-ton boom and the 150-ton bow lifting rollers and the addition of stowage for a rescue chamber on the after deck, port side. The increase to 6,000 SHP (twice that of current towing ship types) was made in recognition of the increase in average size and displacement of naval construction and of the world-wide shortage of towing craft capable of handling heavy displacement ships. It would also reduce mission times. Propulsion consisted of a four-engine, twin screw arrangement using gear driven controllable pitch propellers. The design's large array of winches, capstans, cranes, booms, and lifting gear reflected the best available opinions on salvage operations. The forward 20-ton boom on the ATS was similar to equipment then in use on Coast Guard buoy tenders.
The Preliminary Design Summary Memorandum for a Salvage Tug (ATS), SCB Project No. 719.66, was issued five years later, on 19 March 1965. It recalled that the concept of the ATS had been originated by COMSERVPAC on 20 July 1957 but reported that funding delays had prevented the approval of the ATS until the FY 1966 program. The possible use of the hull and machinery design for ASRs had been excluded by CNO from consideration, although an ASR was then planned for the FY 1967 program. As of March 1965 eleven ATS's were planned in the OSD approved shipbuilding program through 1970 together with nine replacement 3,000 SHP ATF's and FRAM modernizations for the ARS's. Virtually all aspects of the design were dictated by the ship's tow, salvage, and lift functions, and the salvage and lift function of diving. The 300 ton tidal bow lift capability in the characteristics was in response to concern in the operating forces about present insufficient harbor clearance capabilities, although this capability was not to interfere with the towing and salvage capabilities of the ship which remained primary. The 1961 feasibility study had resulted in a hull with a waterline length of 240', beam of 48', and draft of 15', but during this study the length had been increased to 250' to improve the location of the towing bitt and meet volume requirements. During preliminary design the length between perpendiculars was increased again to 260' (285' overall) to provide space for a motor whale boat on the port side for personnel safety and increased potable water tankage. (It probably also included the redesigned heavy lift bow.) The beam remained at 48' throughout and the final preliminary design had a draft of 14.75' and a full load displacement of 2,722 tons. The crew was now 9 officers and 93 enlisted and an armament of four .50 caliber machine guns was included. The bow form ultimately adopted resulted from a requirement to lift 60 tons forward of the bow in a manner that allowed a load with 16' radius to break water without fouling the forefoot of the ship. Configuring the overhang into the hull proper seemed preferable to fitting the bow with horns as on ARSD and some AN types.
Approved characteristics for a Salvage Tug (ATS), SCB Project No. 719.66, were promulgated on 28 December 1964 and updated as revised approved characteristics for a Salvage Tug (ATS) Project 719 on 21 May 1969, for a Salvage Tug (ATS), Project 719.71 on 23 June 1969, and for a Salvage and Rescue Ship (ATS), SAIP Project No. 719.71, on 19 Oct 1972. The one ship requested in the FY 1966 program brochure dated 15 June 1965 was listed as an ATS: Salvage Tug, Project No. 716.66. In late 1965 a decision was made to procure some support ships (ultimately the AGS 29 and ATS 1 classes) in British yards while the British were to reciprocate by procuring some military goods in the U.S., the main initial candidate being the F-111 fighter aircraft. (Subsequently there were difficulties in maintaining the ships of these two classes because of their foreign-manufactured components.) In the FY 1967 brochure dated 15 June 1966 the project number for the two ships requested in that year was duly changed to 719.67. The three ships requested under FY 1966-67 were built as ATS 1-3. The FY 1970 budget as of 15 January 1969 included two more fleet salvage tugs (ATS) that were not proceeded with. The nomenclature for the ATS type was then changed to Ocean-going Rescue and Salvage Ships, and the FY 1972 budget as of 9 March 1971 included three ships of this type including the FY 1970 pair for delivery in mid 1975. They were however proposed in March 1971 for deletion along with the single FY 1972 AOR (AOR 7) to fund long-lead items for CVAN 70. ATS 6 was probably deleted before being authorized (the number was reused in 2019), ATS 4-5 were authorized but cancelled in 1973, while AOR 7 was built as planned. A new class of Towing, Salvage, and Rescue Ships (ATS), the NAVAJO (ATS 6) class with Native American names, was begun in 2019 and had reached ATS 15 by late 2023.
The conversion of EDENTON to a Coast Guard cutter in 1997-99 involved the removal of the stern towing machine, forward crane, bow rollers, and later the forward A-frame, and the installation of a flight deck, retractable hangar, and later an air-search radar. Additionally, the four aging Paxman diesel engines were replaced with four 16-cylinder Caterpillar diesels. In 2022 she was the largest Medium Endurance Cutter in the Coast Guard’s fleet.
Ship Notes:
| ATS | Name | MA | Notes |
| 1 | EDENTON | FY 1966. Trf USCG 1997 as ALEX HALEY (WMEC 42) (comm. 10 Jul 1999). Based at Kodiak, Alaska, in 2022. | |
| 2 | BEAUFORT | FY 1967. Trf South Korea 1996, PYEONGTAEK (ATS 27) (comm. 20 Feb 1997). Decomm. 28 Dec 2016 and transferred to Pyeongtaek City. | |
| 3 | BRUNSWICK | FY 1967. Trf South Korea 1996, GWANGYANG (ATS 28) (comm. 20 Feb 1997). Decomm. Mar 2015, BU at Busan, South Korea, ca. Oct 2016. | |
| 4 | unnamed | FY 1970 and 1972, authorization canc. Mar 1973. | |
| 5 | unnamed | FY 1970 and 1972, authorization canc. Mar 1973. | |
| 6 | unnamed | FY 1972, not authorized, number reused 2019 for NAVAJO (ATS 6). |
Page Notes:
Compiled: 2 Oct 2021
© Stephen S. Roberts, 2021
Special sources: NARA: RG 19 Entry P 26 Box 27.