Naval History and Heritage Command

That which restrains or subdues.

Curb (ARS-21) was launched 24 April 1943 by Basalt Rock Co., Napa, Calif.; sponsored by Mrs. H. Peterson; and commissioned 12 May 1944, Lieutenant C. Peterson, USNR, in command.

Curb sailed from San Diego 22 June 1944, delivered a battle raft to Eglin Field, Fla., and arrived at Norfolk 26 July for war duty in the Atlantic. On 26 August she sailed for Argentia, Newfoundland, arriving 25 August for towing and salvage duties until she returned to Boston 16 November. She had similar duty at Bermuda from 27 November 1944 to 12 January 1945, serving the great number of ships training or assembling for convoys there.

After a brief overhaul at Norfolk, Curb sailed on towing duty to San Francisco, arriving 3 April. On 16 April 1945 she departed San Francisco to operate in Alaskan waters until putting in to Seattle 14 March 1946. On 9 August she arrived at San Pedro, Calif., for towing duty, voyaging twice to Bremerton, Wash., until 28 October when she cleared for Orange, Tex., arriving 23 November. Curb was decommissioned 20 December 1946 and loaned to a private salvage firm 10 May 1947.