This is the front third of the "destroyer leader" USS Norfolk, the lead ship in a new class of post-World War II destroyers. She was a great experiment. She new types of guns, a new type of anti-submarine warfare weapon (called "Weapon Alpha"), and a new hull design. For a destroyer, she was a large vessel (5,700 tons vs. 2,100 tons) as she was built on the hull lines of a light cruiser. Despite the size, her design is very pleasing on the eye and almost has a science fiction like feel to it.
However, like many experimental warships throughout the history of the Navy, Norfolk had many problems and was not a tremendous success. However, the lessons learned served the Fleet well in developing other future destroyer types.
I was aboard from June 15 1960 to June 12 1962. No one has mentioned that the Norfolk was the first shipactually put up after the war and opperated on 1200 lb. steam Was a great ship, however every time we made a full power run the EMs had to replace all the light bulbs. Also I want to tell you it was tough replaceing the running light on the mast, I did it. I could tell you about cleaning the search light, but that is another story. Bless the Navy and all who serve.
ReplyDeleteI was on board from Dec 1960 to Oct. 1962 which included the trip around South America where I served as interperter for the shore patrol in Montevideo and Rio, and was also on the high line crew with the Admirals five piece band playing "Anchors Away" on deck while we transferred old movies from ship to ship. Although we do it at night once to transfer a sick guy to our ship.
ReplyDeleteI also was abroad the USS Norfolk at the same time. I was a Seaman in the 1st division. I used a lot of “BRASSO” on the ships bell.
Deleteps: The USS Norfolk DL-1 also had the highest and prettyist bow in the fleet.
ReplyDeleteMy name is Leonid. I am from Russia. I am a navy engineer. My hobby is ships 50-ies. This is a very interesting period, when all the fleets were looking for new types of ships. USS Norfolk is one of the most beautiful ships of the transition period and I always wanted to make his model, but I cannot find good ship plans. Please, help me how to find such ship plans of USS Norfolk as part of the picture? Thank you.
ReplyDeleteMany public ship plans can be found at the National Archives (www.archives.gov).
ReplyDeleteMy father was Timothy Russell and served on this ship. I am hugely grateful to anyone who served in the Navy, even though I was not even a blip on the radar. If anyone knew my dad, a real hardass, I would love to hear from you. His son, Cameron: cruss6666@gmail.com. Thank you
ReplyDeleteMy name is Richard Foreman. i served on this ship from 1957 to August 1959. it was a good ship and fully air conditioned which was good for me as I had asthma before going on this ship. It did spend a lot of time in dry dock getting upgrades of new sonar and ASROK weapons.
ReplyDeleteI served as a radarman aboard the Norfolk from June 63 to Aug. 66. I was the Captain's driver for most of that time as well. To Leonid above, concerning the model of the ship. I have a model of the Norfolk that I'm working on. 1/700 scale so it's tiny. Look around on the internet, you might find one. They're very rare.
ReplyDeleteI’ve bought old model of USS Norfolk DL-1 about two years ago and now trying to reconstruct it. Model is quite big (ca. 1,6 m, 1:100 scale) and very detailed. Hull and all other parts was completely made from metal. Now I need detailed USS Norfolk DL-1 blueprints. Does anybody know how to get it? If anybody interested in, I will send a few pictures of my model (present state).
ReplyDeletehttps://photos.app.goo.gl/dLhakfx8fnJdLWmi1
Pawel, do you know where I might find one of the models like you have?
ReplyDeleteYou might be able to find a set of blueprints from someone on the Norfolk Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/groups/52859684301/
Also, I have a friend that might have a set of prints. He bought them somewhere, I think.
The ships bell is mounted on a stand in a park in downtown Norfolk. I have a video of the ceremony and the last captain I ever drove for is in it. His name was Captain Dunham. The video is form 2003. I wish I'd gone to that ceremony and seen him again.
ReplyDelete