by George Degaraff, Special Collections and University Archives Intern
The USS Vulcan was a repair and maintenance ship that saw action in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Mediterranean. She was built in Camden, New Jersey, and commissioned on June 16, 1941. The journey of the USS Vulcan has many memories to share with the rest of the world from heroic rescues to cookouts with the Spanish Navy. She helped repair numerous ships and led merchant vessels to safety during typhoons. The Vulcan was sent to Cuba many times, even during the Cuban missile crisis. She broke new ground for women’s rights in the US Navy, and today, the Vulcan’s name continues to carry that legacy for many women who have built careers serving in the Navy. While the Vulcan has countless stories to tell, here are a few fascinating stories that I learned about from viewing the USS Vulcan Collection in the ODU Libraries Special Collections and University Archives Digital Collections:
The Vulcan helps save the HMS Arrow: On August 4th, 1943, three men from the USS Vulcan jumped in a small boat and raced to the HMS Arrow. The Arrow, a British ship, was on fire and the three Vulcan crewmen put it upon themselves to save the Arrow’s crew. The American men used torches to try cutting the hull open, allowing the English men’s escape. Unfortunately, complications from the fire made it impossible to save the Arrow’s crew. The three Vulcan crewmen were awarded medals from the Navy and Marine Corps, while the British Royal Navy awarded them similar decorations for their bravery.
The Vulcan and the Cuban Missile Crisis: The Vulcan was sent to Cuba to provide repair and support services to the warships that made the quarantine ring blockade around the island. They stayed around Cuba until the Soviet Union backed down and agreed not to ship missiles to the island. The Vulcan stayed in the area for twenty-three days until returning home to Norfolk, Virginia to relieved families on the 30th of November, 1962.
The Vulcan welcomes women officers: During the 1970s, there were mixed thoughts about the military allowing women aboard ships to work beside men. During the integration of women on board the USS Vulcan, Captain Spencer said, “This ship is going to march off and make it work.” The captain also said “I think people make too much of the sex aspect of men and women residing together. It’s going to be the law. We’ll work within the law. We’ve got to make it work. Vulcan has a damn good reputation. There’s no question about it.” The time had come for women to work hand-in-hand with men in the Navy. Things were not perfect by any means, but it sprung open the doors for many women in the Navy.
The USS Vulcan is a reminder that there are many stories just waiting for someone to read in the ODU Special Collections and Archives. The archival material on the USS Vulcan spans close to over one hundred years and this blog only shared a few of the stories from this ship. The many transitions this ship went through are comparable to transitions the United States has gone through, and with every story, the Vulcan and her crew came out stronger. Even though the USS Vulcan is no longer in the fleet, they should be viewed as a symbol of cooperation and hope for our future.
View the entire USS Vulcan Collection in the ODU Libraries’ Digital Collections.
Search the USS Vulcan Collection’s Finding Aid for more information about the USS Vulcan .