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

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  • Be sure to see the few new post's on the prior page too!

    2015 USS Slater Feb 28th - an album on Flickr Ice Issue per say we had what at first we thought was in issue; we came aboard in the morning to a two-degree list to starboard that resulted in us checking all the starboard tanks & void for leakage. Thankfully as the day progressed we came back to an even keel and it in turn turned out to be a daily event with the tide & ice pressure on the hull. Then some welding went on in aft steering, and work in the shipfitters shop, originally carpenters shop started by clearing out under the work bench..including finding a Greek shoe.

    2015 USS Slater March 21st - an album on Flickr Among other things some old insulation was removed in the shopfitters shop revealing some builders marks ? (I assume), a section of fire main got cleaned out...was onto B-4 with that project, was guide refresher day, plus a Very Unique method for patching a hole was discovered; burying two dogs in concrete.

    2015 USS Slater March 23rd - an album on Flickr Among other various things; a close up of the hole that was pluged with dogs and concrete, a crap run was done, taking up the coco mats, uncovering guns and Greek finds galore that can be seen in the link including an old Kola can, match book, cartoons, phenegran creme, parts order sheet, letter envelope and cigarette paper envelope.

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    • Last one for tonight, more to come soon...I'll start adding pictures to the post's with the next set of updates. Hope everyone's been well!

      2015 USS Slater April 4th - an album on Flickr Day of firsts First of all was the first Saturday open to the public for the season, we had a group of little leaguers helping with spring cleaning, and the **MAJOR** thing; for the first time in nearly 25 years we pumped water though the opened sea chest!

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      • Clark's special day

        April 11th was a day that deserves it's own post! - Full set of my pictures are available here - 2015 USS Slater April 11th - an album on Flickr

        Per SLATER SIGNALS "We held a special ceremony recognizing our eldest active volunteer. The local chapter of the American Welding Society recognized Clark Farnsworth for his lifetime of service to his country, and his deep-rooted passion for his craft. At 93 years old, Chief Farnsworth’s naval career began as an aviation metalsmith at Norfolk Naval Air Station in World War II. Following that assignment, he reported aboard the aircraft carrier USS LEYTE CV-32 until his discharge from active duty after World War II. He remained in the Naval Reserves and served a total of 39 years, retiring with the rank of Chief Hull Maintenance Technician. The crew turned out in force to honor this man who has become a legend to us. Following his active duty Navy service, he went to work for General Electric Corporation in their Waterford, New York plant, working as a welder until his retirement. He has been an active member of the Capital District Chief Petty Officers Association for over 20 years. When USS SLATER first came to Albany, Clark was one of the first volunteers to report on board with the statement, “I’m not here to sit around and drink coffee. I’m here to work.” And, work he has, for the past 18 years. A weekly volunteer, he has done welding repairs all over the ship, and been an essential part of our maintenance crew. He dons his dress uniform for ceremonial occasions, and has been a member of our color guard ever since reporting aboard, as well.
        In addition to his volunteer service aboard the USS SLATER, Clark has been a member of the Schenectady Yacht Club, where he has been the Club’s primary welder for the past forty years. He also owns and maintains a vintage 1911 cabin cruiser at the Club. For many years, he was also a boating safety instructor. And, he remains an active member of the USS LEYTE Former Crewmembers Association, serving as their President for many years. With his welding hood and stinger, Clark Farnsworth has left a true mark on New York’s Capital Region."




        The news clip...& it was the first time I've ever been interviewed on TV! Was an interesting first. TWCN - Capital Region - At 93, Navy Vet and Expert Welder Honored For Lifetime Service

        Some great photos from one of the many local papers that showed up - DailyGazette Photo Gallery Veteran Welder Honored

        Receiving his award from the Local Chapter of the American Welding Society -

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        Fancy Candle -

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        Now everyone pretend you like each other -

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        Cutting the cake! -

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        Being interviewed -

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        • Another noteworthy day to mention while catching the thread up is April 25th...

          The primary highlight of the day was running the #3 diesel powered Ship's Service Electrical Generator (GM / Cleveland Diesel 8-268a) for the first time in over a year & very first time in over 20 years with sea water (river) cooling thanks to the 5" sea chest we had opened last year while in the yards.

          The video includes turning it over, blowing the lines (forgot the proper? term!) at 0:42 with the air valves open, starting at 0:57, then various perspectives while running.



          Full set of photos from the day - 2015 USS Slater April 25th - an album on Flickr

          Final preparations for startup -

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          If you may remember there was that pesky leak back aft under the #3 gun...well we found how it was getting in. Turned out to be from the stuffing tubes. So work under way to create a patch over them. -

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          A perfect sight, minimal light smoke from the stack -

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          The deck gang dying some line to look more like manila. -

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          Oh the things I let them talk me into doing.....using a wet vac to dry up the bilges post generator run -

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          Last edited by qaz14595; 12 Aug 15,, 03:19.

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          • Thanks for sharing Thomas!
            RIP Charles "Bob" Spence. 1936-2014.

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            • Another day with some noteworthy going on's was May 2nd -


              Full set of photos from May 2nd - 2015 USS Slater May 2nd - an album on Flickr
              Some final work on the davit itself was completed -

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              Earlier in the the year we had managed to locate and get two bathythermograph probes donated. These were used by the sonarmen to locate thermal layers in the water that subs can hide under. They found these on Ebay, bought them, and donated them to the ship. We have the BT boom and winch, and all that was needed was the probe to make our display complete. One of the probes is very complete, so it will be placed on inside display while the other hung from the boom later in the summer.
              Sooo, that weekend the "Michigan" work week crew started to arrive for there work week aboard ship & Ed, who had acquired the very complete one drove on up to drop it off. His probe even came with the very expensive custom built aluminum case. The case held everything needed, from slides to eyepiece magnifier, tow links, and reader slide with scale, etc.

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              If you may remember; Our old 25 man life rafts had been to a paint where there condition negated the need for new replacements. Well we completed the rigging on the 1st of 3 rafts -

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              I decided to stay the night as a chance to get to meet some more of the Michigan crew that was due to arrive the next day, so a neat night shot -

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              I got invited to there annual big dinner Sunday turkey dinner so for the full set of photos from that day the link is here - 2015 USS Slater May 3rd - an album on Flickr

              Group picture prior to dinner -

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              • So I had enjoyed the comradery so much among the Michigan crew I decided to head up on Tuesday evening May 5th after my last class for the day at and also stayed the first part of Wednesday the 6th till I had to leave in time to get to my class at college.

                Full set from the 5th 2015 USS Slater May 5th - an album on Flickr

                Evening movie time in the classroom -

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                Two neat night shots....Couldn't decide between the two on which to post

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                Full set from the morning of the 6th available here - 2015 USS Slater May 6th - an album on Flickr

                Our regular Cook Smitty volunteered to be there cook for three square meals a day for there work week...His mess cook was one of there WWII guys who served on DE 422 Douglas A Munro

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                The deck rot on the port side by the aft cross passageway was cut out and the new was welded in -

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                • One more from the 6th..some corrosealing was done under the gun 3 tub -

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                  Plus the last for tonight the full set of pictures from May 9th including the entire operation to move & rig one of those 25 man lift rafts - 2015 USS Slater May 9th - an album on Flickr

                  Hoist away! -

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                  Cutting one of the old rafts into bits -

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                  Oh the things that could happen when walking past the Galley when Tanner is subbing for Smitty & you say you don't have anything going on at the moment! -

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                  Preparing to take down one of the old rafts...as you can see a replacement definitely was needed -

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                  More to come tomorrow - Stay tuned!

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                  • More updates!

                    The 3rd week of May was the HUSE work week crew. Full set of pictures from Monday the 18th - 2015 USS Slater May 18th - an album on Flickr

                    There group shot -

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                    Most of the work done by there work week focused on spot chipping, priming then repainting the entire 01 deck; with Super Dave photobombing on that activity -

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                    Even getting the tight spots in the corners! -

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                    Okay so the Davit project wasn't quite done..Super Dave, Chief Clark & Dan work on creating the template for the davit pedestal collar to keep water out. -

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                    In addition to the chipping/painting on the 01 deck the other project was spot chip and prime all the K Guns & roller loaders -

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                    • I decided to come up mid week in the afternoon of the 20th and stayed the night plus helped with the paiting on the 01 deck till I had to leave around noon. For the rest of the picutres, including more great night shots here's the link for the full set -2015 USS Slater May 20th - an album on Flickr

                      One of the folks from the HUSE Work week was showing around a father & son who came up all the way from the Baltimore, MD area just for the ship. I ended up being there tour guide since who was showing them around had to go back to prepping dinner. It turned out the father had served aboard a DE in WWII -

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                      Can't resit sharing a few neat night shots I got that evening -

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                      Plus forward berthing at night -

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                      The Deck Blue was started that morning...I had just finished the tight spots under those four ammo lockers -

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                      • The full set of photos from the 23rd - 2015 USS Slater May 23rd - an album on Flickr

                        The deck force organized the wood locker... (Right after the deck had been freshly painted too) we even found a old transmitter or transformer (forgot which it was!) sitting among all the woods. We ended up moving that HEAVY sucker into B2...basically where we store everything we don't know where else to put -

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                        Lowering it to the main deck prior to putting it into B2 (That Oval hatch you see) -

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                        ...additional photos from the 23rd include the neighborhood peregrine falcon atop the Bed spring radar, Interview before Memorial Day, Radio gang prepping for the then upcoming Museum Ships Weekend and it's all about the fine details...

                        Memorial Day the 25th, Full set available here - 2015 USS Slater May 25th - an album on Flickr

                        So during the HUSE work week, we wanted to get simple thing done....paint a little rusty spot that was on the RDF platform, turned out there was major rot. So adjusting the scaffolding that was set up during the work week to a more proper height but first covering some things in welding blankets -

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                        Had to change from two full size sections to one Full size & a small one -

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                        For the past couple weeks at that point I had seen cars stopped on the side of the road looking at some tree while on my way home...Well I decided to stop and see what was so special. Turned out to be a Bald Eagle, how fitting of a sight on Memorial Day -

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                        • Full set of pictures - 2015 USS Slater May 30th - an album on Flickr

                          On his way down to the ship Benner did a detour to pickup the final 2 replacement 25 man liferafts...Manhandling the 1st one aboard -

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                          Benner with the other raft still on his trailer -

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                          Paul lending a hand to a shipmate that had a bit tooo much to drink on liberty the night before -

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                          Examining the scope of the work on the RDF platform.... you can clearly see the rot -

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                          A view from above on the platform -

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                          Last edited by qaz14595; 13 Aug 15,, 02:34.

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                          • We're up to June Already...this is going a lot quicker than I thought! As usal full set of phots are in the link & if you have any questions in the slightest always feel free to ask! 2015 USS Slater June 1st - an album on Flickr

                            On a rainy/dizzily morning Earl and I needle gunned sections of the RDF platform to see if we could located other sections of rot -

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                            Mid day a reenlistment was held in the engine room...in the full album you can see the group picture with the family & friends -

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                            Then the engineers went about test running the 3 Cyl Emergency Diesel Generator in B4

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                            A section of firemain with a a big curve in it was loaded up for the tip to Colonie H.S for rehab work (Aka getting rid of the coral) -

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                            Final preparations for Museum Ships Weekend -

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                            • Final one for the night..

                              On to June 6th - 2015 USS Slater June 6th - an album on Flickr


                              Radio men work on temporarily connect one of there long wire antennas in preparation for broadcasting -

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                              We got one of the 2 rebuilt blocks re rigged to the boat davit -

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                              Radio Central well manned -

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                              Chipping has slowly but surely continued in Aft Steering despite the heat -

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                              Lastly someone donated a absolutely PRISTINE 1944 Sextant down to stilling having the original Collimation Certificate from the U.S. Naval Observatory -

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                              More to come tomorrow for those interested

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                              • *Total of 9 parts for Today's update; June 8th - July 4th*

                                Part 1 of 9 for Today's update -

                                Full set of photos from the 8th are available here as always - 2015 USS Slater June 8th - an album on Flickr

                                Aboard SLATER we have a total of 9 dual 20 MM's. So on the tour 20 (Only thing that makes it different than the 8 others is it has the gunners belt attached & the bag for empty casings to be collected) Well, the condition on the spent shell bag on that 20MM was quite decrepit, had a few holes, was stiff, had bit of moss growing on it. Sooo our volunteer parachute rigger who does all of the sewing with our 1940's era SINGER when it comes to any type of canvas cover etc etc. started the process of not just creating one spent casing bag; but started the process of creating the spent casing bag for all 9 of our Dual 20's.
                                Here you can get an idea on what shape the old bag was in while the new canvas is being measured -

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                                Tanner has the Davit Pedestal collar fabricated based upon original blueprints and was getting the final test fitting prior to painting -

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                                In the shop 93 year old Chief Clark worked on welding up the dummy stuffing tube nest that will in due time go on the #3 gun. (The one that had the leaking stuffing tubes) -

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                                The Deck gang with our 86 year old Bosun "Boats" Haggart & Walt continue work on another of the life rafts with attaching some of the straps -

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                                More planning on the RDF platform -

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