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Went down to tour the USS Kidd (WWII Fletcher Class Destroyers) and the USS Alabama (WWII South Dakota Class Battleship). Both ships are in their WWII configurations. The Mississippi river was so low the Kidd was out of the water.
I've been to both ships before, but I just can't get enough of these old historic warships. My hat goes off to the dedicated individuals that dedicate their time to preserving these great historical artifacts.
Mis-spelled Baton Rouge
Do you have any pictures?
Hope to post pictures on my profile soon. I'll post here after I put them up.
Photos are uploaded.
Thanks for the excellent photos. Very dramatic to see the Kidd completely out of the water. The Alabama was probably one of the first plastic model kits I built as a child. Great stuff.
Thanky you for sharing this pictures and impressions with us, Bob. :hatsoff:
Impressive pictures.
Hard to believe that a single torped could sink such a warmachine like an US Fletcher class destroyer.
9 Officers
264 crew
5 gun turrets
10 AA guns
10 torpedo tubes
waterbombs
Displacement: 2,050 tons (standard)
2,500 tons (full load)
Length: 376.5 ft (114.8 m)
Beam: 39.5 ft (12.0 m)
Draft: 17.5 ft (5.3 m)
That reminds me how we judge some sea battles, sometimes.
Lost a few destroyers...? Nothing serious. Where are the carriers? :question:
Sven and Jim,
Thanks for the comments. The Fletcher class was not our most heavily armed destroyer of WWII, but it's profile is iconic. When I think of a WWII destroyer the Fletcher class is what comes to mind. This was the first class of US Destroyers that all the 5" guns had fully enclosed turrets, although some of the last built Benson/Gleaves had them, the Fletcher's were designed with them.
Bob
Happy memories, visited these (plus New Orleans, Ship Island, Biloxi, Memphis, Port Gibson and Vicksburg) for an NWS wargaming holiday in 1997. Lovely times :)Quote:
Originally Posted by HMS Lydia
David, you definitely got you monies worth on that trip!
I think the Japanese at Samar *might* disagree with you there.... ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by Comte de Brueys
http://www.amazon.com/The-Last-Stand.../dp/0553381482
Man I have yet to convince the wife that a gaming holiday is a good idea! :girlieangry:Quote:
Originally Posted by David Manley
Although not strictly speaking a gaming holiday I am working on Belgium in June 2015! :swordright:
[QUOTE=DeRuyter;19316 Although not strictly speaking a gaming holiday I am working on Belgium in June 2015! :swordright:[/QUOTE]
Going for the 200th anniversary of Waterloo? That sounds like something for me to think about.
That's the plan!Quote:
Originally Posted by Gunner