From: Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships

The bluebird is a small North American songbird.

(ASR-19: dp. 1294; l. 205' b. 40'; dr. 16'; s. 16 k.; cpl. 114; a. 1 3'; cl. Penguin)

Yurok (ATF-164), was reclassified ASR-19, 7 November 1945 and renamed Bluebird; launched 3 December 1945 by Charleston Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Co., Charleston, S. C.; sponsored by Mrs. Paul Lambert Borden, and commissioned 28 May 1946, Lieutenant Commander P. R. Hodgson in command.

Bluebird remained at Charleston Navy Yard until 29 August 1946 when she sailed to Pearl Harbor, arriving 12 October. Reporting to Submarine Squadron 5, Pacific Fleet, she remained based at Pearl Harbor until May 1950 engaged in salvage operations, diver training, and exercising with submarines. She also made Far Eastern cruises during May-3 November 1947 and 16 May-13 December 1949. During the second cruise she assisted SS John C. Fremont, aground off Mayango Island, 28 July 1949 and towed the disabled USNS Cache into Yokosuka, Japan 9-10 August 1949.

Bluebird departed Pearl Harbor 20 May 1950 and steamed, via the Panama Canal, to New London, Conn., arriving 16 June. She remained there training Turkish Naval personnel until 15 August 1950 when she was decommissioned and transferred to Turkey. {Transcriber's Note: Bluebird was named Kurtaran in the Turkish Navy.]