USNS Sgt. Jack J. Pendleton (T-AKV-5) - Grounding

Grounding

While sailing from Vietnam and returning to the United States on September 23, 1973 transiting the Paracel Islands, a group of small islands and reefs in the South China Sea Sgt. Jack J. Pendleton ran aground on a reef at Triton Island at 17 1/2 knots. Various attempts were made to salvage her, however, attempts failed, cargo removed, and she was abandoned.

The salvage operation was conducted by the USS Mount Vernon (LSD 39) and USS Duluth (LPD 6). The major items of interest aboard the Sgt Jack Pendleton to the US Government were two large generators. There were cases of old rifles and cases of ammunition on board as well. After many attempts, including an unsuccessful attempt by the embarked UDT/Seals (Underwater Demolition Team)to blow a hole in the reef surrounding Triton Island to facilitate the salvage operation using LCU-8s instead of the CH 53 and CH 46 helicopters from Mount Vernon, members of the Mt. Vernon crew were sent aboard the Pendleton to salvage whatever was felt could be used by Mount Vernon for the rest of her deployment. Many pallets of large caliber shells were lifted by helicopter from the Pendleton and were set down on the flight deck of the Mt. Vernon, whose deck crewmen then moved them via pallet jack to a point where they could be reached by the Mt. Vernon's cranes and lowered into the mezzanine and well deck, a very hazardous operation given the nature of the live ammo and the pitching of the ship in the open ocean.