PICTURE REVISED, 2004
(TAPS NOW PLAYING)
As Our Beloved Tortuga vanishes slowly beneath the suface, we salute you and you will live forever in our memories. You were home to all of us that served on you.On the morning of 21 August 1988 the helicopter arrived at 0814 and began lifting the compressors off the wreckage, completing the equipment lift off. At 0850a rubber Zodiac was dispatched from the ARCTIC SALVOR to come alongside the wreck. Two persons left the TORTUGA at this time and two remained aboard, one positioned at the bow and the other at the stern. At 0910, lines from the tug to the TORTUGA were released, moving rapidly toward the middle of the vessel, the two remaining salvage personnel opened the valves to let the air bleed off from the tanks. As soon as all valves were open the final two salvors boarded the Zodiac and pulled away from the wreck.
At 0925, 21 August 1988 the USS TORTUGA (LSD 26) disappeared below
the surface of the Pacific Ocean Forever...
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