USS Turner Joy (DD-951) - The USN's Last Gunfighter

We take a look at one of the first museums I visited in the US in September 2023, USS Turner Joy in Bremerton, visit the ship here:
ussturnerjoy.org/
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'Legionnaire' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

[@Drachinifel]

Pinned post for Q&A :)

[@bkjeong4302]

Has there ever been an incident where seabirds have affected the outcome of a naval operation?

[@Cbabilon675]

If they had had the 5-inch 54s back during World War ii, do you think they would have eventually replaced all the twin mounts on carriers, destroyers and other lighter vessels ? Perhaps even on the battleships?

[@themanformerlyknownascomme777]

since we are talking about post-1950s here I might as well ask this question: if they had been completed how would the Malta class have affected the CVA-01(/design 30)’s development? Would the Malta’s existence show that Britain really needed more Fleet Carriers or would they have been used as a slightly less asinine justification for the project’s cancellation?

[@Wee_Langside]

Did the Ram Bow of warships last seen on RN ships in RN R and Queen Elizabeth classes actually perform a similar function as modern bulbous bows even if not as effectively. Then was the technology originally invented by the Greeks on their Triremes?

[@brendonbewersdorf986]

The us navy converted two old paddle steamers on the great lakes into training carriers during WW2 but if you were placed in charge of building a pair of training carriers on the great lakes what two ships would you purchase and convert given a generous budget?

[@lancerevell5979]

During my US Navy frigate's 1983 deployment, we had her sistership the USS Mullinix DD-944 in our battlegroup. She was on her final cruise before being decommissioned. Her Captain had her kicking up her heals, racing around showing her speed. She was literally sailing circles around us. Sadly she is gone to the scrappers.

[@IamJunius]

I was on the same deployment on the USS Dale CG-19. Unfortunately a British Frigate decided to ram us on that cruise in the IO.

[@chrisanderson8207]

@@IamJunius We're still a little salty about the ruined tea incident.

[@TheHelp14]

My grandfather served on the USS Mullinix

[@Blipvertus]

My father served on the USS Mullinix in the late 60s. As a kid I remember touring the ship when she was opened to the public.

[@edl617]

Marvelous vessels. The surface fleet should have built new ones with gas turbines instead of the aviation sponsor ships such as the Spruance class DDG or Perry FFG

[@BHuang92]

"I'll let the seagulls calm down a bit" *Seagulls cawing intensifies*

[@bkjeong4302]

As someone who lived on the other side (across border) of the Great Lakes area….they’re fucking everywhere.

[@hawkeye5955]

*pointing at seagull* "Is this a torpedo boat?"

[@questionmark05]

They are special seagulls trained by the USN for mine detection. Mine! mine! Mine! Mine! They must have been trying to warn Drach.

[@khaelamensha3624]

​@@questionmark05Just brilliant 🤣

[@jimtalbott9535]

They’re convinced he has snacks. That’s probably my kids fault, a tiny bit. My kids….when we were there…..lol.

[@almondsnackbar4969]

My neighbor is a "plank owner" of the Turner Joy. A navigator that is 83 yrs old. I can not wait to show him this video.

[@bull614]

Will you please let us know his response and maybe see if he would like to talk to Drach. Drach willing of course

[@guaporeturns9472]

Record /tape your conversation

[@wlewisiii]

@@guaporeturns9472THIS!!!!

[@KarldorisLambley]

i loathe the expression "years young". it logically makes no sense.

[@guaporeturns9472]

@@KarldorisLambley I love that a commonly used phrase triggers loathing in you. I’m 57 years young.

[@snipe1066]

served on USS Turner Joy 1976-78 as a machinist’s mate , been back to tour her. The volunteers have done a superb job maintaining her

[@00kt86]

I wonder if the reduction gears are working? Remember all the trouble we had with them? I was in Fox Division '76-'78. Fox was ASW on the TJ.

[@brucelytle1144]

Curious you mention that. I worked in shop 92a at DATC/FMAG PAC from 76-78. I remember going down to look at the reduction gear problem. We would have had to go to sea to check it out. If I recall, the problem (it was VERY common) was tin oxide on the surface of the bearings. This was very common, as many people that should know, knew nothing about lube oil purifiers. Worst yet, was the attitude that they weren't "that" important! Water in the lube oil would allow the formation of tin oxide, which is very hard, compared to the babbitt base material, causing damage to turbine shafting, etc. Add that to the affinity to replacing labyrinth seals on the turbines led to the layers of tin oxide on the bearings. I was in the Navy for 8 Years 2 months and 5 days. I was an MM1 for over 3 years of that. I spent a total of 5 years of that, in repair facilities. You get to see alot when you see what goes on in various commands. You see patterns, and try and do your best to correct them when they are bad. I've seen many MMC's go from ship to ship, and behind them are two things, failed main engine (reduction gear) bearing failures, and a non-oprerative lube oil purifier. Scores of them!

[@jimfrazier8611]

Do you know if the TJ ever suffered a steam line rupture in the engine room they have open, near the cross-connect to the other machinery spaces?

[@brucelytle1144]

As a PS to my other post, I wanted to add, that one of the reasons that I remember going aboard the TJ was thinking "I wish I could read the logbook from that "day of infamy" (my thoughts at the time!). Did we meet? 92a is the vibration analysis lab, in case you were wondering.

[@00kt86]

@@jimfrazier8611I think I'm having a false memory moment. I vaguely remember someone getting hurt by a steam line, but maybe not.

[@connormclernon26]

“Will you quiet down?” Thank you

[@jimtalbott9535]

They just thought that he was about to start tossing French fries.

[@crazypetec-130fe7]

@@jimtalbott9535 Last time I did that, a gull bit my finger. Guess I wasn't tossing fast enough.

[@tonyromano6220]

@@jimtalbott9535😂😂

[@jimtalbott9535]

@@crazypetec-130fe7 Well naturally.

[@WyvernYT]

It's only a 45 minute video. Seagulls will screech for longer than that.

[@Echowhiskeyone]

I was stationed in Bremerton for 4-1/2 years, minus 3 deployments and many training cruises. Took the ferry many times. Saw Turner Joy more times than I can count. But I never visited her. It was 'I'll visit her tomorrow" and tomorrow did not happen. My loss. If I ever get back, I will definitely visit.

[@kevinoviatt3958]

Funny when stationed there in Bremerton we never looked around Missouri New Jersey Canberra St Paul all there never hardly gave a passing glance.

[@Echowhiskeyone]

@@kevinoviatt3958I had the opportunity to attend reenlistments, one on New Jersey and one on Missouri. While there we got aboard Midway and IIRC Ranger. I tried to get a ride on Missouri down to Oregon before heading to Pearl Harbor. I was too "vital" to the ship, Since I was too "vital", ship was on stand down and I had leave approved over the same period. The Navy seems to contradict itself at times, too vital my butt.

[@alanperry8676]

I visited the Turner Joy in the mid-90s, before I moved to the area and hadn't been back since until I went there to meet Drach and watch him shoot this video.

[@user-nc3pt7zc3c]

I went to Bremerton in 1962 as part of the New Crew of the Columbus CG12. I visited the USS Missouri while there. Awesome sight, I could feel the Spirits of the Sailors who had served on Her. As I walked on Her Teak Wood Decks.

[@RenegadeADV]

You know what is funny is I was at the Bremerton Marina the day you filmed this. I saw you up on Turners bow, didn't have any idea it was you. If I had I would have offered to get you out on the water and get some shots of her, she shows very well from the water side of things.

[@williamgoin139]

Just staring at the Collision Alarm near the end. I was on an Ammo ship in the early 1980's. In the Indian Ocean in 1982, Captain's talker for UNREP. Aircraft carrier on the port side, other ships on the starboard side. Mother nature decided to have fun with a frigate, all the wave patterns did their thing at the same time. Supposed to level off 125-150 feet away. Not today. We're watching it and the Captain tells me to bring the starboard UNREP teams inside the skin of the ship (I think they were glad to get that order). Then words you NEVER want to hear - "Bos'n, stand by the collision alarm" Finally - about 50 to 75 feet away they stop closing. BUT, although we were all concerned (because with an aircraft carrier on the other side we couldn't turn away) no sign of panic, just doing our jobs.

[@MrDgwphotos]

It's probably disabled because you don't want visitors setting the collision alarm off in the middle of an active harbor right next to an active ferry dock.

[@marvindebot3264]

@@MrDgwphotos I would assume there is a cutout for the action stations one as well, the locals would (understandably) get a bit tired of hearing that 40 times a day.

[@Grimmwoldds]

Gonna be honest. Served on a DDG. General quarters? Been there done that more times than I can count. Collision alarm? OMFG NO NO NO NO NO! Yes, I've heard THAT one exactly once sounded outside a system test/drill. The collision alarm is the one with serious pucker factor.

[@michaelcartwright306]

My good friend Lee Miles was a snipe on Turner Joy. He worked for awhile with the restoration crew and introduced me to the Tin Can Sailors Association. They would have gatherings and I was fresh off active duty in 1993 and went to "The Great Northwest Bull Session" that year, Got a door prize for being the youngest veteran there and the oldest was a "4-stacker" from WW1. The stories that fly at one of these gatherings are EPIC! They played an audio recording of the bridge during a firefight from a tin can during on of the Pacific brawls. Can't remember which one or where, (I've slept since then) but was completely captivated by it at the time. Sadly Lee sailed over the horizon about 12 years ago. Awesome guy who served on an awesome class of ship. Thank you for keeping memories alive.

[@todd.r.5990]

Looking forward to Drachs new wildlife YT channel since he gets along with the birds so well… David Attenborough would be proud of you sir!

[@tcpratt1660]

A visit to Midway would be on the cards for Drach, then, to see the gooney birds (Layton's albatrosses)...oh, a Drydock question idea...brb!

[@davidnadeau6441]

In the 80's i was in the reserves in Newport. We had the USS Edson and the had me remove and replace the plexiglass spotters dome as it was all cracked from years of recoil. They had me trash the old one and the dumpster was full. So i took it home and used it for a hot house. Got so hot inside i had tomatos into November. 😅

[@seafodder6129]

I was in Newport in the 80's as well. I was an engineering instructor at Surface Warfare Officers School (SWOS) and we took a group of our ensigns out for a couple of days on Edson for some "real world" training.

[@eddie9027]

I was on the Edson from 68 to 71 (2 cruises) did not know it came East til 1 Sunday in the 80's saw it was "open House Day" in Providence, Snatched up my nephews and took them for a tour, Many, happy days on that ship and of the 5 ships I served on it was the Best of all of them. All the times through REFTRA paid off on her. Best crew ever!!!, As a TM2 was the 1JA talker, sea and anchor detail, unrep too., lookin for BT2 Jake and Putnam, both got out in Dec.70 and Doc. McDonald too!

[@AugmentedGravity]

These classes of ship just have the sexiest lines, like my god they are beautiful ships.

[@tonymanero5544]

The Forrest Sherman hull be became the basis of the hull for the succeeding class, Charles F Adams.

[@VintageCarHistory]

I know that radar above... SPG53. It was one of the radars I was trained on as a US Navy fire control technician. Riding in that radar during firing was always fun as it was gyro controlled to keep it level- which meant that you stayed level while the rest of the ship pitched and rolled. It took a bit to get used to.

[@mojorasin653]

Specifically on the Forrest Sherman class it was an AN SPG53A. Mostly tube technology. There was an early version of the RSPE added in the 70's. It worked pretty good, solid and robust.

[@stephenmathewes5159]

Yes, a broom handle is a good leak detector. The problem is that you have to have an indication that there is a leak first. We had a similar 1200 psi plant on DE 1056. We didn't know we had a crack on the back of the port main steam stop valve until the paint on the interior of the hull outboard of the valve started turning black. There was nothing to hear, nothing to feel, and no measureable pressure drop.

[@marvindebot3264]

That's the stuff of nightmares. I've seen what steam at 1/5th of that pressure can do, 1200 PSI is just insane.

[@bullnukeoldman3794]

The seagulls of Bremerton...I lived there during 3 overhauls at PSNS. The seagulls were always there looking for handouts. A couple of my fellow sailors would chum them in with bread; once interested and coming back for more my friends would soak the bread with good old US Navy messdecks hot sauce for these lovely birds. The effect was pretty funny - the gulls would gobble the pieces of bread, begin flying a bit erratically, drop the bread out of their mouths, and fly away never to return to the "offerings". I did notice the typical "Bremerton Sunshine" in your video - at least it wasn't drooling rain that occurs along with it 90% of the time...

[@DamianMaisano]

I wonder what type of hot sauce it was, since Capsaicin doesn’t work on birds, being the whole point of the chemical

[@stanislavczebinski994]

@@DamianMaisanoSome garlic maybe?!? Just guessing here....

[@bebo4807]

Animal abuse is always so hilarious.

[@MrDgwphotos]

@@bebo4807Feeding wild birds bread is probably much more harmful.

[@Geno-xj9vt]

​My first homeport. And decommissioned first ship I served on there. Good memories.

[@user-mz7gx3kn5u]

i served aboard the uss forrest sherman DD 931 from 1977 to1981 as a GMG2 on gun mounts 51 and52, we still had both omc units mounted on the guns the omc or one man control positions , the left one was for both air and surface manual control of the gun , while the right hand omc was for a officer to sit to verify safe firing and had a dead mans switch to stop the gun from firing. i loved being on board that ship only wish i could have been saved and not used as target practice. the gun mounts were also named { mount 53 was the judge, 52 was the jury, 51 was the executioner }

[@phantomblott1]

Didn't serve on any DD's but was on old school amphib's, USS Oglethorpe AKA 100, ship to shore landings, built in 44 and cut up for scrap in 1969. I served on her right up till she was done in 1969. really sad to have seen her end. Was in the boat group as an EN3 on LCM's with twin Gray Marine 6-71's. Ear deafening roar from them diesels with no ear protection in those days. We were a great and proud ship.

[@joby10095]

My Father In Law was on the Forest Sherman in the late 70s. He was a hull tech I think. Tells some fascinating stories

[@nomar5spaulding]

I'm at 1:43 where you just said the view from your hotel room doesn't get much better. I completely understand that feeling. In 2010 I was a midshipman at Maine Maritime Academy. Academy mids go on a training cruise at the end of freshman and junior years, and 2010 was the year of my junior cruise. The training ship, called TS State of Maine (formerly USNS Tanner) made a port call in Portsmouth, in the UK. We tied up directly across from the drydock housing HMS Victory. That was a hell of a view out my stateroom porthole.

[@robgfaulkner]

My first ship out of Machinist Mate Advanced Propulsion school in Great Lakes was the USS Forrest Sherman (DD-931). Great to see this video, brings back a lot of memories when I wasn't even 20 years old. I worked in 1 engine. Your comment about steam leaks and brooms was quite astute, but I guarantee, you would hear a 1200 psi steam leak. You just couldn't see it. Hence the broom handle to identify its location. I was on the Sherman's decommissioning crew and actually rode her out in Nov 82 to the sea going tug hand off. They took her from Charleston Naval Station, and I believe towed her up to the Philadelphia grave yard.

[@se4g4e]

I can confirm you definitely hear a 1200 psi steam leak. I was a main engine room hole snipe on USS Ranger in the early 80's. We had the bonnet blow off a 1200 psi aux steam valve. Damn that was loud. All but one of us got out of the space before it filled with steam. It killed the one guy who couldn't get out quick enough. Lucky it wasn't main steam or none of us would have survived.

[@nomorenames7323]

I’ve got a dull job, but we’re at least allowed to listen to stuff on our headphones. Drach’s videos have been a godsend for the last three weeks straight. There’s so much high quality longform content, and it just keeps coming out. Thanks Drach!

[@nomorenames7323]

Update: Another week, another 40 hours of Drachinifel, and there’s still so much of a backlog there’s no end in sight.

[@KPen3750]

Some interesting thing about Turner Joys boilers: they are D-type non-controlled superheat boilers. So they have an integral superheater so all of the steam produced is superheated, BUT some systems still use saturated steam. So those U-tubes we saw in the steam drum (35:55) were the De-Superheater tubes. Essentially siphoning part of the superheated steam back through the water inside the steam drum to make it saturated again. Im not too well versed in the “why” of these particular boilers, but i suspect this was an effort to make the machinery much more compact for the pressure rating

[@bull614]

Thanks for that. I love reading the comments exactly for this kind of stuff. Drach is great at providing info, but you can always find great little details like this in the comments.

[@michaelimbesi2314]

They’re built like that because it’s easier, and especially because the steam flowing through the superheater banks are the only thing that prevents the boiler fire from melting them. Desuperheating previously superheated steam means that even if you’re in port only using auxiliaries, you still have steam flowing through the tubes in the superheater bank, so you don’t melt parts of your boiler.

[@KPen3750]

@@michaelimbesi2314 Oh that makes perfect sense! Especially going from the double firebox M-types to the single firebox D-types, thank you for the insight

[@josephpadula2283]

On merchant ships when lighting Off we have to have The superheater vents to atmosphere Wide so there is always flow of steam cooling before putting them on line getting normal flow .& I was a MM before that and remember there was a Superheat Protection System that did that job but I don’t know how it worked not being a BT.

[@charlespfaff6585]

Thank-you. I served on her sister ship, the USS Barry (DD-933), an ASROC conversion of the Forest Sherman, until her decommissioning. She was in the Washington Naval Yard for several years. Sadly she was in the way of a new bridge being built so... she's gone now.

[@kevinpresley3136]

The Forrest Sherman class destroyers were beautiful and graceful ships.During my younger days I assembled a few of the Sherman class model kits.Thanks for the video.

[@jeremymardlin5381]

We have DD 946 USS Edson (another Forest Sherman) as a museum near me in Bay City Michigan USA. It's a pretty awesome sight. We also have The USS Silversides (a submarine) on the other side of the state near Muskegon.

[@jeffholloway3882]

Wow, it been 40 years since i have seen a berthing compartment on a 900 class, i was on one of the missile conversations, somers, 947, then DDG 34. This was special Drach, thank you

[@kqc7011]

Around 1975, we were in San Francisco and got those box racks from a decommissioned ship and replaced our stretched canvas racks with boxes. We appreciated the extra storage but for some of us the canvas racks were more comfortable.

[@car296rd]

Hull 945 was also an all gun ship out of San Diego she was the last of the modified Hull class destroyers she was at pier one while we where on pier 5 back in the 80's

[@jeffholloway3882]

@@kqc7011 hull was built with Edson and somers at bath iron, I have a postcard somewhere has the 3 beside the pier, tell by their waterline how far along they were fitting out

[@user-yd7qt8cb3m]

Thanks for the trip down memory lane… I was Gunnery Officer on the USS Forrest Sherman DD-931 in the early 70s, and spent a good bit of time climbing around the gun turrets and the gunfire control directors, as well as dealing with the cranky analog (gears!) computer that controlled them. The Forrest Sherman still had its 3”/50, which was a real pain to maintain, since it was always exposed to the elements. We rarely fired the cantankerous 3”, but we had several opportunities to fire the 5” guns during Naval Gun Fire Support (NGFS) exercises. Firing a broadside was a rare treat that would displace the whole ship several feet to the opposite side!

[@DK-gy7ll]

When I first moved to Seattle in the late 1970s we had both the USS Missouri and New Jersey at PSNS. In more recent years we had a few carriers. Alas, the Turner Joy is the only thing left that we can climb on. Had WA state been more forward-thinking in the 1960s they would've saved USS Washington and parked her in Bremerton as a museum ship.

[@richardbennett1856]

Yes. Next to Enterprise!! After 40 years in Seattle, I gave up. Washington is beautiful, Seagull capital of USA. The leaders are bird brains. But that state government doesn't think like Texas or SC in preserving our naval heritage. Spend it on stupid things.

[@dda774]

Enjoyed your tour, brought back a lot of memories. I served for two years (66-67) on the USS Davis DD937. I was a gunners mate and mount captain of Mount 51. The Davis also armed with 2 dual mount 3"-50. We spent 46 days supplying gunfire support of the cost of Viet Nam and fired over 6,000 rounds of 5" & 3" at inland targets.

[@nardgames]

I will say it did take a while for the new intro theme to grow on me, but now I love it. It sounds like something that would be up for a show on the History channel back when the History channel was good.

[@jeepingwiththelazyturtle1388]

I was a EM2 stationed on a sister ship to the Turner Joy, The DD 950 Richard S. Edwards stationed in Pearl from 76 to 78. Made a West Pack Cruise in 77. I saw the Turner Joy a couple of times during that time. The most memorable was when they tied up next to us in Pearl, one of their Electricians made a Midnight raid on on our Forward Emergency Diesel for parts!. We returned the favor the next night, they got underway the next morning, The Joy made a Big stink about the parts. But i covered myself with the Division Officer because the day before the Joy came along side he witnessed us do a test light off of the Forward Emergency Diesel. Thanks for a Look back in time. 24yrs USN, Chief Electricians Mate (SW) ret.

[@Tundraviper41]

I once visited the sistership of the Turner, USS Edson in Bay City, in my home state of Michigan. She also acts as a memorial to a gearing class destroyer lost in Veitnam from being rammed by an Australian aircraft carrier outside the action zone.

[@slipknottin]

Weren’t Edson and the Evans Sumner class destroyers?

[@logansylvester8093]

​@@slipknottinthe Evans was a Sumner class yes. The Edson however is the Turner's only surviving sister

[@DeepseaSteve]

The Frank E Evan’s is the destroyer you’re thinking of she was rammed byHMAS Melbourne in 67

[@ahughes1171]

I had the honor of touring that fine lady in 1995 while I was stationed on board USS Arkansas CGN-41.

[@adamshepard3146]

Thank you for sharing the Turner Joy's story. I volunteer aboard the ship and I love it when Historians share the story of our ship abroad.

[@giovannideventuri4506]

It is a great pleasure to see this presentation. I served aboard the TJ from Dec 23, 1962 until Feb 11, 1966. Unfortunately the gentleman didn't go to my space, Interior Comm Room, which is 1 deck below F.C. Central which he did show. This has been a moving experience because I have not been back to the ship since I left in '66 and this is her best clip on KZbin.

[@celestedestiny]

I’ve been on the TJ many time since is became a museum . The interior comm room is open and part of the self guided tour. In fact something like 85% of the ship is open for self guided touring . Except the lowest engine room deck and fuel bunkers and some storage areas .

[@tkeune]

In 1978 as a middie I participated in VERTREP drills off Gitmo with the Sherman Forrest. We were cooking along as fast as my ship (USD Iwo Jima. LPH-2) could go when the Sherman Forrest blew a boiler and dropped to 10 kts - too slow for a VERTREP. The reservist CO of the Sherman Forrest asked us standby while they restarted their boiler but it would have taken so long that everyone would have been stuck onboard no liberty so our CO (then the Senior O-6 in the Atlantic Fleet) put Johnny Paycheck s hit song "Take this job and shove it" on the 1MC and we headed back to port. My part in the drill has occurred several days beforehand when we unracked the fuel hoses and attached the probe a smooth 300# metal device with no handles. We Middies were then working in Deck Div as BM ready labor. A third class is about trying all the scummy jobs or at least that's how it worked on the Iwo in 1978. Cheers

[@Johnnycdrums]

GITMO was no big prize for liberty in those days, but I guess anything is better than staying aboard and at GQ with the airconditioning turned off.

[@tkeune]

​@@Johnnycdrums Truly. The weekend Liberty in Port au Prince wasn't all that much better though the free rum samples at the Juan Barbancort distillery were worth the trip.

[@airplanemaster1]

Local Washingtonian here. Unfortunate scheduling conflict prevented my seeing you at the Joy Drach, but I'm glad you still visited my state. Next time you're here, I sincerely suggest visiting the Museum of Flight, despite its lack of nautical topics.

[@yakhooves]

How did I miss your visit to Washington?!?! I hope you enjoyed my home state and our proud naval heritage! =-)

[@slotcarfan]

In 1977 I trained on John Paul Jones for a summer midshipman cruise - sister ship that had been converted to DDG. This video brought back memories. Wish you had shown more of the mess deck, etc. but thank you for the tour.

[@imbored6440]

Drach I want to let you know that you are the one that has turned my existing love of history into a love of Naval history. I recently moved to Seattle and having grown up and lived over 1,000 Miles from any coastline it's the first warship of any kind that I ever laid eyes on or walked on. I never would have cared without you. Thanks

[@johnnydeville5701]

So cool to see a video on the Turner Joy! I've visited the ship many times and am proud of her. I know a sailor who "bunked" on the Turner Joy (when she was in reserve status), while his ship (USS Belleau Wood) was being overhauled at PSNS. Also a neat fact, the city of Bremerton helps fund her preservation, because she's not only a historic tourist spot, but she's also a break water for the marina!

[@scottjackson5173]

After the 1982 cruise, it was a real shock when the Navy chose to decommission the Turner Joy after less than 30 years of service. I remember working with her crew members during her last deployment earlier in 1982. There were a lot of sad faces on my ship. When she was decommissioned. Next cruise we deployed with USS Fife and USS Fletcher. I still remember working with the Lynde McCormick and Turner Joy. Fair winds and following seas.

[@davidlewis9068]

I remember Turner Joy she was still commisioned while i was in my early Navy career. Nicely done video.

[@mojorasin653]

Thank you for this wonderful trip down Memeory Lane Drach. I remember the TJ well having done much steaming with her while aboard her sister ship the USS Morton DD948 being stationed at Pearl Harbor. I have traipsed those decks several times as in those days as we knew most each other from previous ships or commands. We shared knowledge and spare parts.. You could get quite a lot of cooperation with a can of coffee in those days. the two ships shared Fire Control systems, the Mk 68 and the MK 56, all tube tech from the good old days. Although the Morton had gone through an upgrade that deleted Mount 52 and had an ASROC launcher in its place, TJ never received that system for some reason. My berthing compartment was just below the main deck and directly aft of Mount 51. Also just aft of the chain locker for the anchors- now that was a racket! So many memories and stories to tell. Thank you again for this one.

[@boydgrandy5769]

The value of a 5 pound can of coffee in the world of comshaw was still alive and well in 1975-1976 when my submarine was in overhaul at MINSY in California. For the price of two such cans, we got all sorts of stuff from the shipyard yardbirds, including new manuevering room chairs for the watchstanders and a brand new coffee maker for the engine room. Coffee. The perfect substance. Fuel for the crew and worth its weight in gold for getting stuff that the Navy doesn't budget.

[@uncreativename826]

Hey this boat resides 20 minutes from me. Never been aboard, may go next weekend because I’ve been intending to and the weather is nice

[@MrHws5mp]

Turner Joy isn't the only Forrest Sherman that's preserved as a museum ship: the USS Edson is preserved at Bay City, Michigan. She's still a three-gunner too. Four Sherman's were conbverted to carry Tartar SAMs, becoming the Decatur class, and eight more had their X turret replaced by an ASROC launcher. Turner Joy, Edson and four others were due to get the same conversion, but their's was cancelled due to Vietnam War budget pressures.

[@davidmurphy8190]

The BARRY (DD-933) was the only 931 ASW modification that survived at the Washington NY for a long time. Not sure where she is now.

[@impacking]

@@davidmurphy8190Barry was towed to Philly for scrapping.

[@impacking]

I believe they sent it when they started rebuilding the South Capitol Street bridge.

[@joebutterman3084]

I served on the USS Jonas Ingram DD 938. I was a Fire Controlman and I worked on the Mk 56 system which was primarily AA but was also a navigation aid always in use when entering port for accurate range and bearing.. The 5" 54's were sensitive. They liked to be used. They gave the gunners nightmares when they';d been idle for awhile: switches wouldn't switch; stuff came loose, the usual. But once they'd recovered their sea legs - so to speak- they were awesome. I stood bridge watches before I made rate and I actually liked it. The best part would be coming off the mid watch. Charlie Rigel was the ships baker and he'd always give us fresh bread and butter. It was wonderful. These were beautiful ships. Some of the poor things were 'framed' which destroyed their lines. If the Navy has produced a beautgiful ship since these, I haven't noticed it. We were fast, as one of the commentors below mentioned. We did the required full power runs after a yard period and she put up quite the rooster tail. Thanks for this video.

[@glennrishton5679]

I used to see this class of DD around San Diego and Long beach in the early 70s and always thought them the most beautiful ships since the age of sail that the Navy had. I see several other former Fire Controlmen commented here. I was as well but went missiles FTM on the the Tartar SPG 51 C radar.

[@albertmcmichael9110]

Served abord her sister. USS Parsons DDG 33 from 76' to 78'. Learned my rating in #2 boiler room. Found out years later she was sunk in a sink x. I'm still mad as hell about it. Miss the old girl.

[@hemeoncn]

Worked with the USS Truner Joy in the early 70s when I was in the Royal Canadian Navy on HMCS Gatineau. We would travel from Esquimalt, BC to San Diego (second home port) for exercises. She was a great ship to work with.

[@peterl3282]

My late father served as CO of DD-931 in the early 70s right before she left Newport for Norfolk. I was little then so my memory is a little foggy. But I recall his consternation over those 1200 psi boilers. He feared the Propulsion Examining Board (PEB) more than any Russian submarine. I didn't realize that OPPE was not actually the kid on the Andy Griffith Show.

[@ericksoderquist8612]

I served on the TJ from Feb 1970 thru July 72. Best years of my time in the Navy.

[@jamesdewer]

I was aboard Blandy. My GQ station was Mt. 51. I'll never forget before SLEP and Norshipco ammo offload and then onload, huge amounts of 5" at least we got to shoot lots during NGFS. We would stay in the magazine loading drums full. We'd sleep until they started with no warning to fire. Lol.

[@warrenpeace0]

A fine looking ship. I'm also glad you left in some of the commentary from your avian co-presenters.

[@stephenlee3390]

Was a Sonar Tech on Wm. H, Standley CG 32. Was surprised to see the TMK 6 noise maker . Spent many an hour scraping and painting it,

[@bermea]

That is awesome, I am from Bremerton and my old man was in the Navy. Hope you enjoyed the city!

[@stevekeen8528]

Those gear reductions for the turbines have Falk logos on them. My grandpa worked at Falk. He made a lot of parts for those and a lot of the parts for the space shuttle Crawler-Transporters. A neat reminder.

[@TheIcyWizard705]

Oh man like no joke I just got back from a trip where I saw that ship, such a great ship to explore and i'll definitely be going back for another trip

[@Multheman02]

What a beautiful looking warship! Love the look of these ships

[@elliotdonuhue8952]

As someone who grew up in Seattle, it brings me much joy to see a video about a beloved (we don't talk about it's part fabricating the pretense for US involvement in Vietnam) ship built and permanently on display in our area!

[@SeattlePioneer]

The Bremerton Naval Shipyard is part of history that deserves to be remembered. She got FLEETS of damaged warships back in the fight during WWII. For many years the Battleship Missouri was tied up and available for the public to tour. I remember in the early 1990s seeing forty odd nuclear submarines tied u, presumably to be decommissioned. And the Turner Joy has been open for tours at Bremerton for a couple of decades or so. Nice ferry boat ride to Bremerton from Seattle, too.

[@boydgrandy5769]

That must have been the majority of the old FBM fleet and some of the older fast attack boats. All those reactor plants ended up in Hanford in the burial ground, and I assume the rest are razor blades by now. I served on at least two of the boats that ended up there, the latest being the USS Philadelphia SSN-690, third boat of the Los Angeles class, which was decommissioned in June, 2005 on her 33rd commissioning anniversary. That was 23 years after I spent my last year in the Navy aboard her.

[@SeattlePioneer]

@@boydgrandy5769 At the time I was cruising in my boat along the Bremerton Naval Shipyard. To that point I had never actually seen a nuclear submarine of any kind. And then ----there were forty or so, tied up together in a bunch! And I've never seen one since.

[@AlanLambert-ui9vy]

I served in TJ from 1979 to decommissioning. I was a Fire Controlman and seeing Gun Plot again almost brings me to tears. Great ship 4 cruises and great friends and shipmates.

[@ramal5708]

I always love post Gearing class USN destroyers starting from the Mitscher, Farragut then the Forrest Sherman and Chuck Adams classes. That 5"/54cal gun was one of the best rapid fire gun for its size at the time, some say the gun could equal the rate of fire of the twin 5"/38cal mount, for a single mount that's good enough.

[@billbrockman779]

The Forrest Sherman and C. F. Adams classes were such beautiful ships. I got to spend my middie cruise on DDG-19.

[@maynardcarmer3148]

@billbrockman779 I agree; I spent two years on DDG-11.

[@tomjes5602]

USS Semmes DDG-18 here. Worked on the 39A radar and WDE.

[@ramal5708]

Shame that the only preserved Chuck Adams DDG class only exists in Germany. But at least we have the Turner Joy

[@brian6898]

It was less the alarms as just that ever present hum that brought me back to my navy days. Great as always Drach

[@richardburns1698]

Great video! I used to live in the apartments on the left when the camera is facing the bow and saw the Turner Joy everyday.

[@robertjames6131]

Visited her often, a great tour of a smaller ship.

[@00kt86]

18:58 Fanfare towed array. I was a Sonarman on the TJ, and Fanfare was one of my jobs.

[@davidmurphy8190]

T-Mk 6 FANFARE was the towed acoustic countermeasure system to defend against acoustic homing torpedoes in service with Soviet bloc navies. The Soviets copied several torpedo designs from their version of Project Paperclip. The U-boat service had developed acoustic homing torpedoes and pattern-running torpedoes. All of these weapons turned up in Soviet client state navies for use from PT boats, destroyers, and submarines supplied to those nations. A company I worked for provided training to a few navies that used Soviet naval weapons and sensors. Small world…

[@cadkoger]

Drach, you were in the Puget Sound?!?!? Would have been cool to have met you. One of the most amazing views I'd ever seen was about 12 years ago. There were four aircraft carriers awaiting disposal tied up at Bremerton, and you drove right by them. It was incredible. You can still see them on Google Street View if you use the timeline.

[@Tkdmaster1991]

I just toured this destroyer over in Bremerton last week! You're able to go into the aft turret, most spaces inside are accessable, it's an overall great experience!

[@billballbuster7186]

I know a crewman that served on the USS Turner Joy during the Gulf of Tonkin incident which took place in August 1964. Turner Joy was with the USS Maddox when the ships were attacked by North Vietnamese torpedo boats. Turner Joy fired over 200 rounds, unfortunately my friend was climbing down a ladder when the ship opened fire and he fell hurting his back. The Gulf of Tonkin Incident gave President Johnson the power to escalate the War in Vietnam, eventually sending in US troops.

[@giovannideventuri4506]

Gulf of Tonkin incident didn't give Johnson the power. It gave him the excuse. The power came from Congress.

[@thomasalpert6465]

Very cool! I stay at that same hotel when I go to PSNS for work. Been on the Turner Joy several times.

[@gudnisnaer8171]

i used to work at a foundry and apparently we had a General quarters alarm when someone spilled the molten metal. The two alarms sound identical

[@hyper_pie6306]

Thank you for doing this ship my grandfather served on her and it’s nice to understand its history.

[@paulsmodels]

Thanks for the tour! That was awesome!

[@kpdubbs7117]

In my home town we have the USS Edson (DD-946), also a Forrest Sherman class, as a museum ship. I may have to take another tour sometime, this time, seeing how closely I can follow your tour on The Edson. And yes, that rise as you go forward on the bow get really steep.

[@mpersad]

I love these museum ship visits. You really get a feel for the size of the vessels, even a WW2 destroyer, and the incredible complexity of all the weapons systems and the engine rooms etc.Terrific video, thank you Drach!

[@theawickward2255]

I was there at that trip! Did you get the book on USS California?

[@russelljohnson6267]

I was able to visit this ship back in September while on the us west coast for my brother's change of command ceremony when he took command of his company at Joint Base Lewis-McChord which is in the area.

[@jlivewell]

A great tour as usual Drach! She is a beautiful ship.

[@Muinko]

Wildlife is Drac's biggest enemy

[@richardminer1863]

Kudos to those who maintain her, looks better than any current active duty ship!

[@TannithVQ]

That was marvelous Drach. Thank you so much.

[@celestedestiny]

Great presentation. I’ve been in this ship many times ( local) I’m surprised there was no mention of the gulf of Tolkien incident or combat service history . … just a mention of a patch where a shell hit . Most of these videos have great lengths about ships histories and battles 🤷🏻‍♀️ And there is sooo much to see . Something like 85 % of the ship is open to self guided touring . Only a few places like storage rooms and the lower engine room is closed off. ( as was noted in the video) if I remember correctly there is a bit of sealed asbestos down there that couldn’t be removed without significantly dismantling engine components so it remains closed . They have done a great job turning the ship into a museum while preserving its look. I remember going the week it opened . There was no permanent dock. Just a gangway and they had literally pulled her out of mothballs , roped off a few areas put up a couple of cork boards with information pinned to them and opened the hatches and said “have at it” . 😂 it was like walking around a working ship. The oils and the smells 🤣 For at least a decade they had to keep her fully ready to reactivate and everything in working order so there was no viewing into the turbines or boilers . I see they have made viewing ports now and I believe they cut thru a couple bull heads to create a nicer stairway to the lower decks . Last time I was there is was all the narrow service stairs or ladders. It’s been many years . I don’t know if they still use it but for years the local new channels had connections with the ships weather radar and they also were using the ships radar as a VOR navigation point for aircraft. I think Bremerton national airport had some connections with the ships radar as well. I’m not versed in all that I just remember the newspaper reporting on how certain aspects of the ships radar would be used by local agency’s for weather and navigational aides when she first came to be a museum.🤷🏻‍♀️ the arrival was titled something like. Turners joys last mission as museum and radar station🤷🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️ I don’t know if that’s still a thing tho?

[@Me2Lancer]

Thanks for your post on the USS Turner Joy (DD-951). In early August 1964 my ship, USS Brister (DER-327) was moored in Apra Harbor, Guam. That afternoon we received a radio telephone message reporting the attack by North Vietnamese torpedo boats in the Tonkin Gulf against U.S.S. Maddox (DD 731) and USS Turner Joy (DD-951). At the time, my ship was under the command of COMNAVMAR, commander naval forces Marianas. Our role was to patrol the Trust Territories of the Pacific mandated by the UN to the US. Brister carried armament consisting of two sets of 3 torpedo mounts, on port and one starboard. Main battery included 2, 3"/50 caliber guns. After the attack we were outfitted with 4, 50 caliber machine guns. We also had a hedgehog mount and 2, racks of depth charges on the fantail. Six months after the Gulf of Tonkin incident we were given orders to patrol the coast of Vietnam.

[@razor6888]

First rate Drach, the detail of your videos is simply amazing ! 🙂I learn alot.. and I am grateful.

[@CrzyHavvk]

I'm looking forward to the look at the Naval Museum. I grew up in Bremerton, and I when I went fishing downtown, I stopped by and spent a lot of time in the naval museum as well. I'm interested to see how it's changed since the late 80s

[@dennyjack3rd]

I toured this ship less than a month ago. Super awesome place. highly recommend a trip over.

[@kenkahre9262]

Thanks for the tour, Drach. I saw her many times while off Viet Nam. She was a fine looking ship and am glad to see that she still is.

[@igotno_username1739]

So glad I found this chan. Big ups from a nav arch. Love this stuff

[@erdi950]

You could make a whole video about that General Quarters alarm sound. Thanks for helping us understand that aspect of being on a warship sailing into harms way.

[@yes_head]

Thanks, Drach. This is just a half hour up the road from where I live, so it's definitely on my bucket list.

[@Stabberinde]

Grew up right next to her. I left Ford college a couple weeks before your visit up there, would have been great to meet but glad to see you're doing her Justice.

[@bebo4807]

I’ve never been to Washington but I was in a swimming bath as a youngster when I lived in the Dakotas.

[@kevinh2955]

Was great to meet you on your visit last year. Happy to see the result of your tour of the TJ. Looking forward to the video on the PSNM as well.

[@ddrennon]

Such great lines. Thanks for the video.

[@tonymiller8826]

A friend of mine was part of the crew of Turner Joy during Vietnam, Gulf of Tonkin and all that. His last name also happens to be Turner. I grew up in WA... The Seagulls Never calm down.

[@tracygallaway36]

That was awesome, thanks Drach!!

[@KJAkk]

One of my dad's life long friends served on the Turner Joy during the Vietnam War. One of her sister ships is in Bay City, Michigan.

[@jchrystsheigh]

I very much enjoyed the GQ alert, thank you Drach! It took me back to happier, simpler times.

[@dlfendel2844]

Those boilers look so familiar to me because my family had a business that needed steam and we had two boilers of a VERY similar type that had been removed from a Liberty Ship when it was decommissioned! BTW, my father served aboard CVE-111 out of Bremerton in WWII, so a nostalgic visit indeed.

[@mikebrase5161]

Nice! A profile of a ship ive actually been on. Its berthed not too far from the Ferry terminal. When you go across from Seattle its within walking distance.

[@trekkie1701c]

Turner Joy is probably honestly my favorite museum in the area. I don't think I've ever left it without wishing I had time to see more. Need to start with the bridge next time, I always leave it for the end of the day and then have to bail due to them closing for the day. (Also the aquarium across the Sound just north of the ferry terminal is a great place to learn about all those interrupting birds)

[@trains4ourkids]

Very cool. Took the kids to see the other Forrest Sherman-class remaining, USS Edson (DD-946) a few years ago. Beautiful ship!