Upstate NY Chapter meets USS Slater

[JohnD1956]

The UNY Chapter toured the restoration of the USS Slater, a destroyer escort from WWII. Purportedly the last one afloat in the USA, the ship was built in 1945, saw no real war action in the remaining years of the war, was given to Greece where it was used as a training vessel for 40 years. It has been under restoration for 10 years now, by a team of all volunteers most of which are former naval seaman. It was raining hard when we visited, which prevented me from standing back for some shots of the exterior, but here's a few I got anyway.

Obviously the Bow

Towards the stern, with purportedly the only such whaleboat that still operates under it's own power.

Officers Mess Hall

Which doubles as an operating table.

[JohnD1956]

Here's a few more.

Part of the crews luxurious accomodations.

Forward radio room.

Aft radio room with the direction finder.

As explained on the tour, this device is credited with helping to shorten the war. If a U-boat was transmitting a signal, this would give the XO the direction of the transmission. If two ships in the convoy had this operating, they would both get straight lines and when plotting the cross points, this showed the most likely position of the enemy ship.

Anyway, The tour was great. Many of the areas are not yet restored and set up for viewing, but the ship is being restored to its original condition, with all bulkheads intact. A worthwhile two hours if you are ever in Albany NY looking for something to do.

JD

[Guest ZondaC12]

wow.

thanks for posting the picutres! i will have to go and see it myself sometime. thats really neat. i cant believe the dining table "and it doubles as an operating table"

[Guest imported_Thriller]

Very cool...these are great, aren't they?

In Toronto about 15 years ago, I was on the HMCS Haida, a tribal-class (if memory serves) destroyer. At the time at least, they kept the harbour heated in winter to keep the hull in shape as there was a possibility it could be returned to active duty Then again, the Canadian naval forces aren't quite those of the U.S. either.

[JohnD1956]

Wow, I have heard of using compressed air to keep the water moving around the hull but not heating the water. That sounds awful expensive.

Anyone from Buffalo on here? What are the two ships in restoration there? One is a cruiser, the other a destroyer. Isn't one the USS Sullivan? I remember being on these back in 1984 or 85. I remember thinking that cruiser is mamoth compared to the Destroyer. And according to our guide the destroyer is at least double the size of this Destroyer Escort.

I remember as a kid riding up route 9w to West point and passing the mothballed fleet of naval ships in the Hudson. So much metal, so much history, all gone now though.

JD

[serb]

The Buffalo Naval Park is the largest inland Naval Park in the US. It has the guided missile cruiser, USS Little Rock, the destroyer, USS The Sullivans, and a submarine, The Croaker. In addition to the ships, there are military aircraft, tanks, and other military exhibits. It is located at the foot of Main Street near the hockey arena, the original western terminus of the Erie Barge Canal. Bass Pro is suppose to locate a store in the old auditorium in the near future (or so they say). The Seneca Nation of Indians broke ground last month for a new casino in this area which is known as the Cobblestone District.

OK, that is enough of that. I do not work for the visitors and convention bureau. Come to Buffalo, there is a lot more than just snow and the Bills.

Stevo

[BUICK RACER]

Hey, John thanks for posting those pics, especially of the radios! My mom sends me your emails, she hails from Catskill and my dad from Hudson. Is that tour available year round? Been to Catskill last two years for a few days before thanksgiving, probably will do again this year!

Stevo, Hi been to the submarine in Buffalo, back in '89 during the BCA Nationals in Batavia, way cool. I think my brother has taken his kids at least once, they are 4 and 5 and into anything that moves(or did move!)

Thanks again. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

[JohnD1956]

Hi roberta, as far as I know the tour is available year round. The boat is usually moored right in Albany, but when they get to the potential for ice, they move it across the river into a protected harbor. I do think it is available at Albany right up to the end of October though Here is their Web site: http://www.ussslater.org/index.html

JD

PS: Hope Mom finds the Chapter worthwhile. I know she is far away from us on a daily basis. Maybe her and Dad will drive up to Norwich in June and meet up with us?

[Guest norb]

My son was on the bridge of the Little Rock when the orders came in to decomission the ship.He had been on it about 2 years.

[serb]

http://www.buffalonavalpark.org/

If anymore info is desired, check out the above. Norb,you or your Son may be interested in the info for the Little Rock. If you are going to make the trip to Buffalo, make sure I know.

As you know, Roberta's brother lives in the locality. He works just up the river at the Tonawanda engine plant which is probably called power train. I never pay that much attention to the sign since it has changed about 20 times in the last 20 years or so. I still call it Chevy Tonawanda or the Tonawanda Engine Plant.

The Serbian club is around the corner; I can probably be found there on most Friday nights.

All the best to everyone.

Stevo

[JohnD1956]

That is some display there Stevo. I'd like to see that all again.

JD

[R W Burgess]

Thanks so much for those pictures John. They got my "star". Pictures of ships from past wars swells my chest with pride. Go Navy! <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Wayne

[JohnD1956]

Go NAVY!!

[Guest imported_Thriller]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Wow, I have heard of using compressed air to keep the water moving around the hull but not heating the water. That sounds awful expensive.

</div></div>

I'm working from memory and it was about 15 years ago...they were definitely doing something experimental at the time to keep the ice away from the hull. Toronto doesn't really get cold in the winter anyway