Destroyer Escort Historical Museum, USS Slater (DE-766)

**NavyDoc** · 11 Feb 12,, 18:51

I am going to enlist everyone here on this "treasure hunt"! The more people you ask, the better the chance!
Our engineers are diving into the rebuilds of the ship's 4 main engines. Yes, we will have her "haze gray and underway". It has been quietly and covertly in the unwritten plan. Now, it is coming to the surface. Even the curator has figured it out! This little excerpt is from the latest news letter:
"Down in the aft diesel space, B-3, the engineers have started on the cosmetic restoration of their first main engine, number 4. I say cosmetic, but they are also on the hunt for a complete gasket replacement set for a Cleveland 16-278A. Who knows what those engineers have in mind."
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Hehe

So, if anyone has "any" ideas where to look for or find gaskets sets for GM 16-278A's, PLEASE shout out!

**USSWisconsin** · 11 Feb 12,, 19:53

I've made gaskets out of soft copper sheets or gasket material (sometimes using a peice of soft copper wire as an oring for a cylinders or a regular oring for oil or water passages - I've seen cutters used to make a recieving groove for these rings) - there are also companies which will make them to order (you could coat the head with ink and "print" it on a peice of paper as a pattern) - it has been too long since I did this kind of work, I've lost track of the sources, but with the internet - they should be more easily located these days.

**NavyDoc** · 11 Feb 12,, 21:09

Originally Posted by USSWisconsin

I've made gaskets out of soft copper sheets or gasket material (sometimes using a peice of soft copper wire as an oring for a cylinders or a regular oring for oil or water passages - I've seen cutters used to make a recieving groove for these rings) - there are also companies which will make them to order (you could coat the head with ink and "print" it on a peice of paper as a pattern) - it has been too long since I did this kind of work, I've lost track of the sources, but with the internet - they should be more easily located these days.

Thanks Wis! That is Plan B. Since the engineers have a couple of complete sets, I am sure we could find a company to custom make them. But, I am also sure at quite a cost! So, Plan A is to ravage and pillage the countryside for them first! Plan AA will be to pillage the foreign soils for them! Maybe we can consider them from "some" as war reparations.

**qaz14595** · 12 Feb 12,, 02:11

For those of you who are interested; here is the link to the full newsletter (Im even mentioned in it with a picture of me sanding the passageway bulkhead) - SLATER SIGNALS

**ATF83** · 16 Feb 12,, 03:02

Way to go Thomas!!! Kudos to your father as well!

**qaz14595** · 19 Feb 12,, 20:20

@ ATF83 - Thank you, thank you!

Was there yesterday & here are the pictures - 2012 USS Slater Feb 18th pictures by qaz14595 - Photobucket

A summary of what I did was work on the Hedgehogs; went around the two seams with a hacksaw blade to clean them up to be bondoed later (that way the seams are hopefully not noticeble once they are painted) Then once I got done with that I sanded the main body of them.

Also included are two pictures of the Hedgehog locker on the main deck with real Hedgehogs (That are filled with concrete) in it. That space is unrestored so visitors can get an idea on how bad the ship looked when it originality came back from Greece. Along with a few picutres of replacement steel that has been put in.

Along with a link so you can see how the steel looked prior to the repalcement - USS Slater Dec 10th 2011 pictures by qaz14595 - Photobucket

Lastly will be there again tomorrow - So more pictures soon!

**JRT** · 19 Feb 12,, 22:19

Originally Posted by NavyDoc

Our engineers are diving into the rebuilds of the ship's 4 main engines...
...on the hunt for a complete gasket replacement set for a Cleveland 16-278A...
So, if anyone has "any" ideas where to look for or find gaskets sets for GM 16-278A's, PLEASE shout out!

Google found a parts supply house on the Henry Hudson in Riverdale.
(Here is the link.)
email:mike@maritime-deck-pros.com
1.201.805.1441

I don't know them, have never done any business with them, etc. Looking at their site, they also had some used Cleveland engine parts and some various watertight doors.

edit: Google also found a link to a Thai Navy webpage showing some interesting dead stock.
http://www.navy.mi.th/dockyard/ESCenter/deadstock_k.htm

edit: Found a parts catalog for the 16-278A on ebay.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/HK-Replaceme...-/200632815578

**RustyBattleship** · 20 Feb 12,, 01:27

Well, considering the military cutbacks recently, at the rate you guys are going don't be surprised if CNO comes down, makes all of you raise your right hands to "reinlist" and put that baby back on patrol.

WELL DONE!

**NavyDoc** · 20 Feb 12,, 03:56

Originally Posted by RustyBattleship

Well, considering the military cutbacks recently, at the rate you guys are going don't be surprised if CNO comes down, makes all of you raise your right hands to "reinlist" and put that baby back on patrol.

WELL DONE!

It might be time to establish the US Navy Auxiliary! I know every vet on board would jump at the moment to raise that hand again! Whether 17 years old or 90, each would be impossible to stop! It might have one condition though! We would have to be allowed to take her into the area just off Somalia to show the powers that be that those 50cals, 20mm and 40mm still have a good use!
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**qaz14595** · 21 Feb 12,, 14:41

Was there once again yesterday becuase I did not have school due to presidents day.

Here are the picutres - 2012 USS Slater Feb 20th pictures by qaz14595 - Photobucket

I did basicaly the same work as I did on saturday, except I also sanded some of the Hedge hogs that where bondoed on the two seams.

Also included are a few picutres that show how much the tide varies throughout the day, along with a picture of the oldest active volunteer @ 90 welding.

**qaz14595** · 26 Feb 12,, 02:18

Was there today & here the picutres for the intrested - 2012 USS Slater Feb 25th pictures by qaz14595 - Photobucket

What I did for the day was vacuumed the pilot house, passageway behind it & the chart room!

P.S Theres also some very intresting picutres (Such as the one I included) of a short snow storm/squall? That lasted for about 20 minutes - That made it look as if it might be in the North Atlanic minus everything being covered in ice

vs

**qaz14595** · 05 Mar 12,, 20:02

Some great news! - http://www.gillibrand.senate.gov/new...ric-landmark--

USS Slater to become historic landmark - Local News - Albany, NY - msnbc.com

I was also there staturday; The thing i did was paint Hedgehog's! 2012 USS Slater March 3rd pictures by qaz14595 - Photobucket

**NavyDoc** · 06 Mar 12,, 15:38

Another milestone met!

"It's official. We just heard from Washington D. C. that Secretary of the Interior Salazar will be signing the designation memo for the USS Slater this afternoon. This will officially make the Slater a National Historic Landmark."

Now. on to "Haze Gray and Underway"!

**qaz14595** · 11 Mar 12,, 20:14

Was there yesterday...Did the second coat of paint on the Hedgehogs!2012 USS Slater March 10th pictures by qaz14595 - Photobucket

Also a neat picutre which makes it look as if she is preparing to get underway(look at the stack

) -

P.S More picutres up in the next hour or so of the move a mile back upriver which started at 5:30 am today!

**DonBelt** · 11 Mar 12,, 23:12

Great pictures- its a bit of a drive for me, around 150 miles, but I'll get the kids out there one of these days. Love to see the old ships. We have the Cassin Young, Salem, and Battleship Cove in our area and I've gone with my kids and the scouts to all of them. Big change from the spruance class I was on, but it doesn't look like any of those made it to museum ship status. I'd still like to see a place where all these museum ships could get together for a group photo. ;-)