Gearing FRAM

The Gearing class destroyers were converted into the FRAM I and/or FRAM II ASW variants in the cold war, all but three of the 98 commissioned in WW2, unlike the previous Allen M. Sumner, and Fletcher DDE and FRAM I that had a shorter carrer. These conversions proved instrumental to not only give legacy destroyers some relevance at the age of missiles, but fill an urgent stopgap to deal with new Generation Soviet Submarines on all seas, and keep carrier battle groups safe before a new Generation of ASW Frigates and destroyers arrived en masse, the Knox and Perry class frigate, as well as the Spruance class destroyer. That’s when these Gearing FRAM, were removed from USN service, and under MDAP soldiered on under new flags well after the end of the cold war in many cases. The last of the Gearing still in active service was ROCS Shao Yang, decommissioned in 2004. The Taiwanese Navy had the largest fleet of Gearing FRAM destroyers outside the US, fifteen total, after Fletcher DDE/FRAM, the Lo Yang and An Yang class.

⚠ Note: Since this post is massive, with 95 destroyers and a deep dive into the FRAM conversions, it will be split between the FRAM I and FRAM II in February and March.

USS Wlliam C. Lawe (DD-793) Atlantic 1967.

The Gearing were a fantastic class of US Navy Destroyers. They arrived in 1944, in an attempt to improve on the Allen M. Sumner, which themselves were a radical immprovement over the Fletchers that took the brunt of naval operations in the Pacific and Atlantic. The core idea of the Gearing class was to remedy to the range problem of the Sumners, by including an extra hull section where the fuel tanks were located, and it was enough to give them “legs” for extended operations in the Pacific, avoiding emergency solutions like being refuelled at sea by battleships and aircraft carriers.

Otherwise, they retained at their core the Sumner design, that introduced a triple twin turret arrangement with the excellent 5-in/38 dual purpose, absolutely deadly with its modern radar assisted fire control and proximity fuses in 1944. This armament added an extra sixth gun but the twin turrets needed larger rings and thus obliged to adopt a greater beam. However in the end, Because the 369-foot Sumners did not have sufficient hull length, they did not receive the ASROC system, and thus were not part of the more extensive FRAM I program applied to the longer and slightly younger 380-foot Gearing-class destroyers, relatively untapped by the rigors of WW2 operations. Indeed, if many were completed before V-Day, they still needed internesive months-long training and most saw the tail end of TF 38 operations off the Japanese shores themselves, Tokyo Bay Surrender ceremonies, and postwar Occupation duties, being back home in 1946 or even 1947 in some cases.

Many were also mothballed as surplus in peacetime, but less in proportion to the Sumners and especially battle-worn Fletchers, as again, they were sparkling new and relatively untapped. They would share the bulk of postwar training operations, including deployments in still “hot” areas of the Med, like the Adriatic, but entered gradually a routine between west and east coast… Before the starte of the Korean war in 1950. Many were thus back into action until 1954, making great use of their artillery to the point of barrel changes, but it was nothing intensive as the final months of combat in 1945. The first DDR modernization (picket radar) started aftwerwards as radar tech was not up to the task and the US realized it needed more detection range around its home waters, especially to track incoming Soviet bombers.

But after this coverage was done, a new threat emerged, that of the latest Soviet subs, leading to two conversion standards from 1958 onwards, the Fleet Rehabilitation and Modernization (FRAM), FRAM I being the full conversion with ASROC and Dash, and FRAM II the more auster conversion, applied to the Sumners as well as to the Gearings, albeit the majority of the latter underwent the “full monty”, making them quite useful on the long run, being decommissioned in the 1980s for many, not including the ship that went on under other flags. This program was perhaps one of the best taxpayer’s money enterprise as far as the Navy was concerned. This gave essentially WW2 built ships a career of up 30+ years, staying relevant and being useful against the latest Soviet SSNs on all seas as well as making the bulk of allied nation’s destroyer fleets under MDAP across Europe and Asia, or South America, even in some cases long after the end of the cold war.

General Design (Common)

The difference between the Sumners and Gearing in a nutshell.

The Gearings were essentially a minor modification of the Allen M. Sumner class, in contrast to the latter being a major evolution compared to the Fletchers. The Gearing class had its hull lengthened by 14 ft (4.3 m) amidships creating a larger fuel storage space. Internally the “extended-hull variant” was also called the “2,200-tonners” and some in the Navy also called them “short hulls” and “long hulls”. Internal subdivision was also improved for some details but the remainder stayed identical, that that yards building the Sumners to swap on the new design.

The Gearing class originally displacing 2,616 long tons standard and 3,460 long tons full load, one of the largest among allied destroyers. Dimensions will not change, they were originally 390 ft 5 in long for 40 ft 9 in wide, and 14 ft 3 in draught (119 x 12.5 x 4.4 meters). Only the displacement draft increased a bit, to 2,406 tonnes light but 3,493 tonnes fully loaded, with a length (116.6 meters between parallel) and beam unchanged but a draught of 4.4 meters or 14 ft 4 inches. Propulsion was unchanged, still two shaft GE turbines, four Babcock & Wilcox boilers for 60,000 hp. However they were comprehensively ovehauled due to their age, wear and tear (see below). The top speed, originally of 36.8 knots (68.2 km/h; 42.3 mph) on trials, was now of 32 knots but range increased (see below).

USS Frank Knox as completed

The greatest changes were in their armaments and sensors, which also dictated the completely new outlook after conversion. Originally carrying three twin 5-in/38, two quadruple and two twin 40mm Bofors, eleven single 20mm AA (twins in many cases in 1945), were partly changed, and their two quintuple 21-inches or 533 mm torpedo tubes, depht charge launchers and racks were removed. The Gearing class also had a true protection, not just an afterthought, ant it seems it was kept, like their 0.5 in (13mm) thick deck over the machinery and bridge, 0.7 inches for the belt (18 mm). The original sensor suite like the Mark 37 gun director, SC radar, SG sonar and Mark 12.22 fire radar were modified as well. Originally the Gearings carroed each a generous crew of 336 men, and this was deflated to 310 after conversion, despite the more complex sensors with displays for multiple operators, like the sonar suite and radars. However the ships were not much more stable, albeit all the AA guns removed, due to the presence of heavier radars and sensors, with new tripod masts, and in the case of the FRAM I, the elevated DASH helideck and ASROC amidship.

USS Keppler DD-765 FRAM conversion plane

Apart the new tripod masts to carry beefier sensors, the ships had new bridges as well. Instead of a combo of open and enclosed bridge with portholes, not the best for all around vibility the new FRAM bridges were completely enclosed, and with new peripheric windows. The poop was modified on the FRAM II to accept a VDS (vertical dipping sonar) and its full gear. Of course the FRAM I and II diverged, the second being a more “austere” conversion keeping all three turrets, not the case of the FRAM I, which ASROC amidship betwen funnels, where a large free space was created, and the small hangar and snesor mast aft of the second funnel, plus the DASH drone helideck occupying the whole quarterdeck made for a singular appearance. In both conversion, the absence of AA guns made them look “bare”.

Powerplant

The Gearing class started with the same as the Sumner class, four General Electric steam turbines composed of a high pressure and low pressure unit, and fed by four boilers in separate room for each. Total output originally was 60,000 shp (45,000 kW). Shafts, struts, propellers, rudder were a copy-pasted of the Sumners and borrowed largely from the Fletcher class. Top speed 36.8 kn (68.2 km/h; 42.3 mph) instead of 38 knots, but at that stage in the war, when naval duels were unlikely, this was less of an issue. This was amply compensated by the added fuel: 740 tonnes instead of 379 tonnes, giving the Gearings a total of 4,500 nmi (8,300 km; 5,200 mi) at 20 knots (37 km/h; 23 mph) instead of 3,300 nm at 20 knots, so a good 1/3 improvement. In many ways, there are strong parallels between the Wickes-Clemsons of WWI and the Sumner-Gearing of WW2, they were both wartime design twins modified for the sake of more range.

Gearing FRAM I conversion (1952)

Conway’s depiction of USS Charles F. Roan after conversion

The Fleet Rehabilitation And Modernization program was a 1950s and 60s effort by the US navy to turn wartime and immediately postwar gun destroyers into effective anti-submarine escorts in order to counter a (later discovered to be fictional) Soviet submarine mass construction program. The rebuilds, while fairly austere compared to some proposals like the one prototyped with the USS Gyatt, were still comprehensive and thorough modifications, reconditioning the machinery, replacing one or multiple turrets with combination of ASROC, QH-50 DASH anti-submarine drones, a towed array sonar, and the massive SQS-26 bow sonar.

Sub-variants of the FRAM I, USS Eugene E Green 1962 and FRAM II Lloyd Thomas in 1966.

One of the major project of the era, the DASH drone, proved a failure, and before the Garcia class Frigates which had an in-house helicopter capabilities, as had the Knox later. The DASH idea was a good one to fit on small helidecks due to the limited size of the Gearing class destroyer, but probably that very early drone was still ahead of its time and of technology. Image

Gearing FRAM II conversion (1960)

Conway’s depiction of USS Ernest G. Small after post-DDR, FRAM II conversion

Ships of the Allen M. Sumner class received only armament modifications under FRAM II, so only partial FRAM upgrades. The rear deck was converted as a flight deck for the DASH but the 12.75-in triple surfaced TTs were placed where older 21-inch ones were, no ASROC. Typically all three 5-inch/38 twin mounts retained, making them more useful on the gunline in Korea and Vietnam. Two new fixed 21-inch torpedo tubes for the Mark 37 ASW homing torpedo were there however, plus a valuable variable depth sonar (VDS). But in our case, sixteen Gearings were also converted under FRAM II, notably the six radar previously converted picket destroyers (DDRs) plus six former Gearing escort destroyers (DDEs) retaining their radar or trainable Hedgehog, plus four former DDRs converted as near-twins of the Allen M. Sumner-class FRAM II. None had the ASROC either. The former DDRs retained all six main guns but their DASH hangar was smaller, the landing pad had no markings so it remained unused. These modernizations started in about 1959, with the ship rotated out of service, complete by 1965, and most remained active until 1969. More to come in April.

Armament

Main

On the FRAM II, two turrets superfiring forward (the N°2 caused stability concerns) and a single on the deck aft. On the FRAM I, just “A” kept forward and “X” aft. “B” mount was replaced by a platform, notably for the two triple 324 mm Mark 32 torpedo tube banks. The Mark 12 turrets were tall due to their high angle reload system for a great rate of fire. Well completed by a state of the art fire control system these became arguably the best dual purpose guns of WW2, using proximity fuses was another enormous advantage. They were used also by Spain, Italy, France and West Germany, but also Greece Turkey, the Netherlands, etc. with ammunition aplenty. Each turret had two Mark 12 guns, on a Mark 38 Mod 2 cradle, weighting in excess of 90,000 lbs (45 tonnes) as much as a heavy tank. They were primary stability concern and ate a lot of crew (27 for the FRAM II, 18 for the FRAM I).

⚙ specifications Mark 38 DP

Weight 170,653 lb (77,407 kg) full turret and pannier
Barrel lenght 190 in (4.83 m) bore, 157.2 in (3.99 m) rifling
Elevation/traverse: −15° to +85°, 328.5 degrees
Loading system: Vertical sliding-wedge, Recoil 15 in (38 cm)
Muzzle velocity: 2,600 ft/s (790 m/s)
Range: 17,392 yards (15,903 m), Ceiling 37,200 feet (11,300 m)
Guidance Radar; guided, Mark 37, SPG-34
Crew: 12
Round 127×680mmR 55 lb (25 kg)
Rate of Fire : 15 rpm

RUR-5 ASROC

The RUR-5 ASROC (“Anti-Submarine ROCket”) is the proverbial all-weather, all sea-conditions anti-submarine missile developed for the USN in the 1950s, as a natural evolution of the Hedgehog of WW2n then the Weapon alpha and British ASW mortars such as a the Squid. It offered the possibility to not send a depht charge but a far more potent acoustic torpedo on target, with a low-speed, moderate-range missile carrier. Australia developed such a weapon also with the Ikara. ASROC was deployed in the 1960s, was updated in the 1990s, and installed on over 200 USN surface ships from cruisers, to frigates and was of course all-important for the FRAM II program. It was at its core.

Specs

Missile Mass: 1,073 pounds (487 kg), length 14.75 ft (4.50 m), diam. 16.6 inches (420 mm), Wingspan 26+7⁄8 inches (680 mm)
Warhead: Mark 46 torpedo, 96.8 pounds (43.9 kg) of PBXN-103 high explosive, 10 kt (42 TJ) W44 nuclear warhead
Detonation mechanism: Payload specific
Engine: Solid propellant rocket motor, range 6 mi (9.7 km) subsonic.

Torpedo Tubes: 12.75 inches Mark 32 ASW TTs

The 324 mm Mark 32 Surface Vessel Torpedo Tubes are ASW triple torpedo launchers installed forward amidship on the upper deck. Developed in the early 1960 they were installed at completion. The entire launcher weights 2,230 lb (1,010 kg) in fiberglass-metal, enabling an installation practically anywhere, added to its compact size. It was able to fire at first the 12.75-inch (324 mm) Mark 44. In later upgrades the Mark 46, 50 or 54 could be fitted. The Mark 44 is the “universal” cold war acoustic ASW torpedo. It was designed to be airbone as well as shipborne. Weighting 432 pounds (196 kg) for just 8.2 feet (2.5 m) and a diameter of 12.75 inches (32.4 cm) it had a 123 metres per second (400 ft/s) initial velocity, with electric drive 30 hp (22 kW) up to 30 knots (56 km/h; 35 mph).

Specs

The Mark 44 carries a Mk 101 Mod 0, HBX-3 75 pounds (34 kg) warhead with a Mk 19 type Mod 12 contact exploder. It is an active guidance model using Helix search from 123 metres (135 yd) to 3.4 miles (5.5 km) and down to 1,000 yards (910 m) mas depth.

3-in/50 Mk 33 (DDR conversions)

The 3-inch/50 was used in the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard from 1900 through to 1990. The Mark 33 was its last AA iteration, on a twin mount sported by early cold war ships. It was initially intended as a one-for-one replacement for the 40 mm mounts, but was found too heavy (32,400 lbs. (14,696 kg)). DDEs had to of these on the quartedeck house aft, both open. They had a common power drive that to train at a rate of 30 degrees/second and elevate from 15 degrees to 85 degrees at a rate of 24 degrees/second. They were fed automatically from an on-mount magazine replenished by two loaders on each side and rounds had proximity fuze and fire-control radar for 50 rpm per barrel, 100 rpm for the mount total. The latter were 13 lbs. (5.9 kg) Shell with MV 2,700 fps (823 mps) and range at 85° max at 29,800 feet (9,083 m).

Weapon Alpha

Weapon Alpha, RUR-4 in USN ordnance, was inn service from 1951 to 1969 only within the United States Navy and Japan for a time. Designed by Naval Ordnance Test Station in 1946–1949 it only existed as the Mark 1. Specs are as follows:
Mass 525 pounds (238 kg) for a Length of 8 feet 6 inches (2.6 m) and diameter of 12.75 inches (324 mm)
Warhead: High explosive, 250 pounds (110 kg), with depth charge settings
Engine: 5.25 in (133 mm) rocket with solid fuel for a 800 yards (730 m) range at 190 miles per hour (310 km/h).

Depth Charge Racks and Launchers

Kept as a backup of a backup (If the Weapon Alpha failed, the Hedgehogs were the backup), these did not changed much since WW2. Early depth-charges still in use were 1944-designed Mark 16 models, in service by 1946. They still used set proxmity fuses. Total Weight was 435 lbs. (197 kg), Explosive Charge 295 lbs. (134 kg) of Torpex, and sink rate/Terminal Velocity was about 31 fps (9.4 mps). Maximal setting was 2,500 feet (762 m). These models were thrown in standard racks (stern) or mortars/projectors (side) like for WW2 ships.

Mark 23 ASW 21-in Torpedo tubes (FRAM I/II)

The Mk.23 torpedo tubes were a common new generation ASW torpedoes in service, called in naval nomenclature Surface Vessel Torpedo Tubes (Mk 32 SVTT). They were tailored to fire relatively small homing torpedoes of the 12.75-inch (324 mm) caliber but the base 533 mm tubes had cradles to fire these in order to swap back to standard 21-inches A/S toropedoes if needed. These torpedoes were modernized in successive lines, the Mark 44, 46, 50 and 54. They were light enough to be manned by the crew without the intervention of a crane or pulleys. This universal standard used by other navies of NATO also allowed the use of Australian MU90 Impact models and British Sting Ray torpedoes.

Mark 44 12.75 inches torpedo (FRAM II)

The standard was the Mark 44 ASW homing torpedo, the most common NATO model also used and built under licence by Canada, France, Italy, Japan and the United Kingdom. About 10,500 has been made for the U.S. Navy alone, with a production starting in 1957 and spanning until 1967. Designed by Naval Ordnance Test Station Pasadena (GE), it weighted 432 pounds (196 kg) for 8.2 feet (2.5 m) by 12.75 inches (32.4 cm). Projected at 400 ft/s its payload was a Mk 101 Mod 0, HBX-3 75 pounds (34 kg) torpex charge, explosing on contact. Operating depht was 1,000 yards (910 m), at a speed of 30 knots (56 km/h; 35 mph), thanks to a 30 hp (22 kW) eletric engine and operational range of 3.4 miles (5.5 km). The Helix was a vacuum tube-based guidance system with a range of settings, driving the active sonar. The torpedo searched a target until exhausting its 6-min endurance. The Mark 44 was replaced in the 1970s for those still in service by the Mark 46.

DASH Drone (FRAM II)

The Gyrodyne QH-50 DASH (Drone Anti-Submarine Helicopter) was one of the first recorded naval drones. By eliminating the human factor, it was possible to design a much smaller craft, available to be used on smaller USN ships, such as frigates and patrol boats. It was not tasked of the same duties as regular helicopters, usually performing SAR missions much often than ASW hunting or communication relay for OTH missile guidance. The system was created to boost ASW capabilities of existing ships -new and converted- at a time the Soviet Navy was building submarines faster than the USN could build ASW frigates.

Tests began in the late 1950s already and the first operational model was introduced in 1962. The intermediate, and most current model Mark II was propelled by a pair of Porsche YO-95-6 engines and carried a single Mk 43 homing torpedo. It used a contrarotary drive to stay compact. The idea came from the attempted USMC scouting RON Rotorcycle. But in the end the DASH was considered expendable and used extensively cheap off-the-shelf industrial electronics with no back-ups and multi-channel analog FM. In action, the attrition rate was enormous, with 80% losses due to system failures and malfunctions. So much so that the whole program was scrapped in 1969, when the USN was focused on Vietnam and ASW was no longer a priority, at least officially.

USS HAZELWOOD (DD 531) which did not receive FRAM, was the first DASH Ship, prototype carrier fitted with flight deck for DASH trials in 1958, while maintaining her DD status. She remaine otherwise as any “stock” 1945 Fletcher. By the year 1963 alone, USS HAZELWOOD recorded over 1,000 DASH landings…

USS Taylor escorting USS Yorktown (CVS-10) in 1966.

Sensors

SPS-6 radar (1948)

2D radar manufactured by Bendix and Westinghouse, 1st-generation air-search radar after WW2, widely exported to allies. The improved AN/SPS-12 was its main derivative types developed in other countries. Under the Joint Electronics Type Designation System (JETDS) its designation represents the 6th design of an Army-Navy electronic device for a surface search radar. This is a L-Band 1.25–1.35 GHz(24.0–22.2 cm) with a range of 70–140 nmi (81–161 mi; 130–260 km) and peak power of 500 kW.

SG radar

Introduced in 1942 this classic among classics 220 kW Air/Surface-search radar worked on VHF band: PRF 60 Hz, Beamwidth 10–25°, Pulsewidth 4–5 μs, Range 48–120 km (30–75 mi), Precision 90–180 m (98–197 yd). Originally it was coupled with the Mark IV FE Fire Control Radar for the main guns and Mark 12.22 FE FCS Radar.

Mk 25 radar

Operating in the X band, this is an automatic tracking fire-control radar equipment coupled with the Fletcher’s above bridge Gun Director Mark 37 to control the main caliber. Provides data in train, elevation and range of targets. Stayed relevant until the end of their career. It is a paraboloid reflector type of 62 inch with vertical polarization. frequency: 8500 to 9000 MHz. PRF 2000 Hz, pulsewidth 0.2 µs, peak power 50 kW, range 24 NM (45 km -resolution 36 m), beamwidth 1.3°.

Mk 34 radar

Small dish-type, solid symmetric parabolic reflektor has a diameter of 30 inches with conical scan antenna was coupled with the 40 mm Bofors AA guns mounts. Operating in the X band or I band (NATO) for fire-control, coupled with the gun-director Mark 63, improved version of the radar Mark 28 with higher frequency, better angular resolution and accuracy and better low-angle pointing. Frequency 8815 ±75 MHz, PRF 1800 Hz, pulsewidth 0.5 µs P.power 32 kW (average 287 W), range 19.8 NM (36.5 km at 180 m resolution), beamwidth 2.25°.

QHB sonar

Scanning sonar equipment, ultrasonic, magnetostrictive, echo-ranging-listening for a video presentation of acoustic reception from all directions and audio presentation of reception on any selected bearing. It transmits a pulse of sound power in all directions, and scans/samples all echoes to produce on the screens of associated cathode-ray tubes a plan-position indication of all echoes received. The audio-channel sensitivity pattern may be trained in any desired direction for aural recognition of the echoes, determination of range with a range recorder. More

USS Taylor (DD-468) underway off Oahu 8 March 1963 (AI colorized)

SQS-4 VDS (FRAM)

Long-range active/passive, search and attack sonar. First major long-range sonar designed after World War II, basis for later USN sonars with an operating frequency of 14 KHz, with selectable pulse lengths of 6, 30, or 80 milliseconds with corresponding power outputs of 50, 30, and 10 kW. Range up to 15,000 yards (13,716 m). Used in a vertical dipping configuration it remained more useful than directly in the hull.

SQG-1 sonar (FRAM)

This set is an attack sonar, working with the SQS-4. It provided the UBFC system with accurate target angles relative to bearing and depression, well used for the hedgehogs and Weapon Alpha. Visual indicators shows the figures to appy and a searchlight type transducers maintains contact with the target when computer assisted, with tracking and stabilizing equipment. Used both on the DDE and FRAM. Replacing the CKLP in the Navy. 440v, 3 phades, 60 cycles. FRQ 45-55 Kcycles, operating FRQ 45, 47.5, 50, 52.5, 55 Kc.
Output 10 Kw at 5 microseconds pulse widths, emission CW (AO.1), pulse lenghts 5, 12, 36 and 60 microseconds. 1

Active Protection

WLR-1:

Early ECM system, for countermeasures, passive, to receive electromagnetic radiatons in the frequency range of 50 mc to 10,750 mc. The receiver is a high-sensitivity superheterodyne capable of distinguishing between close spaced signals, and the FRQ range is covered by 9 RF converter tuners overlapping in frequency coverage. More.

ULQ-6 ECM suite:

Deception repeater deployed on destroyers or frigates, in combination with the AN/WLR-1 receiver and later replaced by the AN/SLQ-32 (V)3. Still used for long on the Canadia IROQUOIS class guided-missile destroyer as well. More data to come.

Mk 28 decoy RL:

Early type or decoy launcher, distant ancestor of the Mark 36 SRBOC. This target flare is used to provide an infrared source on the missile target to enhance survivability of the target during missile firings.

The case of USS Gyatt

USS Gyatt in LIFE Magazine, December 1956, the world’s first guided missile destroper.

USS Gyatt was laid down on 7 September 1944, launched on 15 April 1945 and commissioned on 2 July 1945. After a shakedown cruise in the Caribbean she remained stationed in Norfolk for patrols along the East Coast, too late for the Pacific. She also took part in training exercises in the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean and visited several South American ports but by 1946, she was reassigned to the 6th Fleet, Mediterranean, making several dpeloyments along with the North Atlantic for years, until she was chosen as a carrier for the RIM-2 Terrier, still unproven on small destroyers. She was to be a proof-of-concept for the upcoming Farragut-class destroyers. Indeed, a weakness of early American guided missiles was slow reaction time and near impossibility of engaging multiple targets at once. So more hulls with SAMs were a good idea and the Gearing class seemed the best suited of all three WW2 types.

For her new role, Gyatt entered Boston Naval Shipyard on 26 September, to be decommissioned on 31 Octobe 1955 for a conversion as the world’s first guided missile destroyer (DDG) (Albeit the Sweded might object, having SSNs on board before that). Her entire aft section, including her twin 5″/38 aft mount, parts of the superstructure and upper deck were removed and in place a Terrier launcher with its 14-missile magazine was installed. To fire, the launcher needed to return to the centerline just in front and right angle with the magazine deckhouse. Inside two cylindrical magazines rotated the next missile so that they could be moved to the loading arm on each arm via rail, push into place via the blast door at a rate of 2 missiles a minute. The magazine took up the entire width of the ship, fir just 7 missiles per each arm so a Gearing seems ill-suite for any long missile engagement. Missiles of the time however, especially the Terrier, were powerful and sensitive so there was a concern of an accidental detonation inside the exposed magazine, so she had blowout ducts and pipes in addition to a poweful air-conditioning system. Each launch produced 3,000 °F (1,650 °C) on the superstructure and deck so they all had to received Heat-resistant Special Treatment Steel (STS).

She was fitted a variation of the Mark 37 Gun Fire Control System for the Terrier, able to identify incoming aircraft, and was the first USN ship fitted woth the AN/SPS-49 search radar. Once the target was identified, her MK 25 gun director tracked it via a radar beam so that the Terrier could home in. She was able to fire the early RIM-2A and RIM-2B Terriers, still immature models with a laughable 10 miles (16 km) range, flight ceiling of 40,000 feet (12,000 m), but top speed of Mach 2. The hull was also made more stable for missile launches, so she received another first in the US, fixed stabilizer fins. The two 45 square foot (4m2) retractable fins extended out from midship, below the waterline mitigated the pitching and rolling. To compensate her last two Bofors were removed and replaced by a single twin 3″/50 Mark 33, torpedo tubes removed. She also had the most modern anti-submarine weaponat the time, two MK 32 triple torpedo tubes, plus two Hedgehog depth charge projectors

On Janes 1960 edition
She was recommissioned in December 1956, assigned the hull number DDG-712 as a guided missile destroyer (DDG, the first), while still a destroyer in the Gearing serie. This practice was kept for other conversions, like the Forrest Sherman class. For the next three years, she tested her launcher along the Atlantic coast, until her hull number was altered to DDG-1, making her truly the first guided missile destroyer. Next she operated woth the 6th Fleet from January 1960, as the first DDG overseas. In 1961 she wa stasked to recovered nose-cones from Project Mercury. With the Berlin Crisis she returned to the 6th Fleet. Back home she was homeported to Charleston.

In the end, her Terrier SAM proved to be too large and heavy for her hull, also placing an enormous strain on her original, untouched electrical grid, and little room was left for other systems or modifications due to tonnage abnd stability issues. Plus that conversion seems overly complicated and costly. Instead the Navy opted to convert the rest of her class under the FRAM program. She showed also the need for a smaller surface-to-air missile system, leading to the development of the more compact RIM-24 Tartar which became standard on next guided missile destroyers, and its successor the Standard SM-1 and 2 still with us. Thanks to her, issues of the Terrier were also rectified and the larger Farragut-class inherited it, being designed and built from the keel-up as DDGs. USS Gyatt proved that carrier vessels needed to have at least two launchers and three times as many missiles.

She was later retrofitted for service with the Operational Test and Evaluation Force in 1962, starting on 29 June at the Charleston Naval Shipyard to have her Terriers removedn a mast fitted on top of the old missile magazine to carry electronics and other experimental equipment. As a radar test ship she was renamed DD-712. On 1 January 1963 she started tests along the US East Coast and Caribbean. However after a few years it was realized (perhaps after her missiles tests) that her hull started cracking and insted of ficing this problem it was juged more cost-effective to have hger disposed of. She was transferred to the reserve fleet in Washington, D.C. from 1968, stricken on 22 October, sunk as a target off Virginia, on 11 June 1970.

Non-FRAM conversions

Eugene A. Greene was decommissionned from 1 April 1952 to 1 December 1952 and converted to a radar picket destroyer, DDR-711 on 18 July 1952. Then DD-711 on 15 March 1963. On 18 June 1970 she collided with the oiler Waccamaw (AO-109) in the eastern Mediterranea while refueling. Decommissioned on 31 August 1972 at Norfolk she was loaned to Spain 1972–1991 as a Churruca-class destroyer. Decommissioned on 15 September 1989, target on 12 December 199, sunk by 76 mm naval gunfire, Harpoon and Standard SAR, laser guided bombs from F-18 and AV-8B Harrier II from Principe de Asturias.

Exports

SNS Gravina at sea in the 1980s. credits: 11a Escuadrilla de Escoltas via hazegray (http://www.destructorchurruca.es.vg/)

Churruca was the ex-Eugene A. Greene transferred in 1972, but also Gravina, Méndez Núñez, Lángara and Blas de Lezo. When transferred in 1972-73, these Gearing class had been modernized to the FRAM I standards. Blas de Lezo kept bth turrets forward and had no ASROC and used the Hugues 500 helicopter, while the otjers had turrets in A and Y positions. No modernization was ever done afterwards, they stayed in their ogiginal configuration until stricken in 1989 (Churruca) and 1991-92 for the others. As FRAM I but 2×2 5-in/38, ASROC, 2×3 12.75 in TTs, 1 helicopter, Radar SPS-10, SPS-37/40, FCR Mk.25/28, SQS-28 sonar and crew: 274.

ROKS Jeongbuk (DD916) in Auckland in the 1980s – src navsource.org
ROKS leased two bath Iron Works destroyers in 1972: Two Gearing FRAM II, former radar picket converted, USS Chevalier and E.F. Larson. They were acquired in July and October 1972. Armament was similar to to the FRAM II standard, and comprised the same as FRAM II, but in 1976, a 20 mm Vulcan-Phalanx CIWS was installed on Chungbuk’s hangar roof, a twin 30/75 Emerlec-30 on her sister-ship and the next year, both were purchased. In 1979, Chungbuk and Jeongbuk were modernized, with two quadruple Harpoon SSM (8 RGM-84) canisters fitted with a small hangar and reinforced, enlarged flight deck for a light Alouette III helicopter (formerly it was a DASH drone). From 1986 to the late 1980s, both ships were fitted with an ULQ-6 ECM and T-Mk 6 Fanfare torpedo decoy, and a triple 20/76 Sea Vulcan and later Jeonbuk had a twin 30/75 and two triple 20/76 Sea Vulcan systems. Both were still in service in the late 1990s and Chungbuk was sold for scrap and dismantled in December 2000 while Jeongbuk was preserved and converted as a museum ship.

Certainly the best remembered destroyers of the ROKN in the cold war were the five Kwangwon class destroyers, former Gearing FRAM I conversions. They were the former W.R. Rush, R.E. Kraus, New, Rogers, and N.M. Perry, transferred respectively in 1974, 1977, and 1981, and renamed (pennant 919-925) Kwangwon, Kwangju, Taejon, Jeongju and Kyongkai. As FRAM I ships they had been comprehensively rebuilt with a new bridge and superstructures, new electronics suite, revised armament, and a LAMPS helicopter.

Armament as transferred comprised on Taejon, kwangwon and Kwangju two twin 127/38 Mk 38, two triple 324 ASW TT, two Hedgehog Mk 11 ASWRL and a 1 DCR with the SPS-10, SPS-40, Mk 25 radars, SQS-23 sonar, WLR-1, ULQ-6 ECM suites and two decoy RL, while Jeongju and KyongKai, the 1981 batch, were armed with an octuple ASROC ASuR (17 RUR-5) in central position and their electronic suite included also the SPS-29 radar. In 1979 the first three were armed with two quadruple Harpoon SSM (8 RGM-84C) canisters, and in the early 1980s they all received the ULQ-6 ECM suite, and on the first three a twin 40 mm/60 Mk 1, and two triple 20/76 Sea Vulcan systems plus an Alouette III helicopter with an enlarged hangar and strenghtened, widened flight deck.

In the 1980s other changes comprised the adoption of the T-Mk 6 Fanfare torpedo decoy and in the mid-1990s on Taejon and Kwang Ju the SPS-40 and DA-08 radars and on Kwang won the SPS-29 and DA-08 radar, SQS-23 sonar and DE 1191 sonar for Tae Jon, Kwang Ju, Kwang Won. All were listed extant in the later 1990s and were later stored at the National Security Experience Park, Jeongdongjin, Gangwon-Do. They had been scrapped in the 2000s. Previously Korea received also two modernized Allen M Sumner class destroyers, ex-Wallace L. Lind and De Haven, and

Both USS Kenneth D. Bailey and USS Bordelon were transferred on 13 January 1975 to Iran but never renamed nor receiving official numeral. They were only used for spare parts and BU.

The ex-USS Frank Knox DD-742 as Themistoklis, USS Gurke (as Tombazis (D215)), USS Corry as Kriezis, USS Charles P. Cecil as Apostolis (D216), USS Arnold J. Isbell as Sachtouris, USS Stickell as HS Kanaris, and there was also USS Rupertus, on loan as Kountouriotis and then purchased. USS Myles C. Fox and USS Dyess were also purchased for spares (unammed, BU). The Gearing class destroyers originally built in 1944-46 were modernized before transfer to the FRAM I standard, except Themistocles, which had the FRAM II standard radar picket conversion. Transferred first in 1971 she received a modernization in 1976-77, fitted with a aft flight deck operating an Alouette III ASW helicopter in place of the radar picket facilities. In 1980 she received two twin 30 mm superfast cannons in place of her 20 mm Oerlikon guns, and in 1987 received upgraded helicopter facilities, as for Miaoulis. The other ships were transferred in 1972 (Kanaris), 1973 (Kontouriotis, Sachtouris) and 1977 for Tombazis, and a remaining two in 1980-81. Apostolis was initially planned to be used for cannibalisation. They were all upgraded in 1987-88 with a 76 mm OTO-Melara gun, helicopter deck aft, and the 1970s batch received two twin canisters for Harpoon SSNs. The 1980 batch received a single 40 mm Bofors fwd of the bridge. Two more Gearing, the unnamed DD 817 and 880 ex Cory and Dyess were acquired for spares.

In addition, the Hellenic navy acquired the ex-USS Ingraham of the Allen M Sumner class in July 1971, renamed D 211 Miaoulis. She had received a FRAM II modernization and had an Aerospatiale Alouette III helicopter hoperating from her DASH platform. She was taken in hands in 1986 at the Eleusis shipyard for modernization, with a larger platform, and telecopic hangar for a AB-212 helicopter. These destroyers were retired when the new four Charles F. Adams class arrived, in 1992-94.

ROCS Hsiang Yang, date unknown (src navsource).
Certainly a great technological leap, Taiwan was granted the more modern (but still WW2 stock) Sumber class destroyers.
The class included the following:
DD876 HENG YANG Bethlehem Feb 1970 Stricken (ex-Samuel N Moore) stricken 1993
DD986 HSIANG YANG Bethlehem, 9.12.69 Stricken (ex-Brush) Staten Island 1984
DD988 HUA YANG Bethlehem, San 9.12.69 Stricken (ex-Bristol) Pedro 1993
DD972 HUEI YANG Federal, Kearny 11.8.70 Extant (ex-English) 1995
DD949 LO YANG Bethlehem, 6.5.74 Stricken (ex-Taussig) Staten Island 1994
DD954 NAN YANG Bethlehem, San 6.5.74 Extant (ex-Fohn W Francisco 1995 Thomason)
DD928 PO YANG Bath Iron Wks 67.72 Stricken (ex-Maddox) 1985
DD944 YUEN YANG Federal, 1250 Stricken (ex-Haynsworth) Keamey 1993

These ex-USN Sumner class units had been modified with the 1950s with 76mm guns, ASW TTs, and improved sensors. Lo Yang and Nan Yang were converted to FRAM II configuration in September 1962 and January 1961 respectively, giving improved ASW capability. They had been equipped with Hughes 500 ASW helicopters small enough to use the existing DASH ASW drone helicopter landing pad and hangar. In 1985, they were further modified with 1-76mm OTO Melara replacing “B” turret, and five Hsiung Feng I SSM in a triple arrangement replacing “X” 127mm turret, two being placed on after superstructure, and a quadruple Sea Chaparral SAM launcher right aft. Their hull-mounted sonar in 1995 was a Krupp Adas DSQS-21CZ. Radars were the SPS-58A and SPS-29. The other six ships were transferred with the weapons and equipment below:

Huey Yang had “B” 5-in turret later replaced by a 76mm OTO Melara and fitted with five Hsiung Feng I SSM and a Sea Chaparral SAM, but retained her after turret as the SAM launcher was mounted atop the aft superstructure. The remaining five ships all received the “Tien Shi” modernisation programme with two triple IAI Gabriel and later Hstung Feng I SSM were mounted, plus Sea Chaparral aft, replacing the 76mm OTO and after 5-in turret. They also retained their Hedgehog Mk 2, had two triple 324mm Mk 32 ASW TT and DCs. Sensors comprised the ECM WLR-1, 4 chaff RL, Radar SPS-10, SPS-6C, Mk 25 and Sonar SQS-29.

ROCS Te Yang 11.06.1969 (Coll. Van Ginderen via Conways)
ROCS Fa Yong bad been converted as a radar picket in 1952 and with a FRAM II conversion in August 1961. Her SPS-30 radar was removed prior to transfer. On arrival in Taiwan she was fitted with eigt bofors and four cal 0.5 M2HB, and later further with triple Gabriel SSM, and “Y” turret became a 76mm OTO Melara, while Hsung Feng SSM replaces later the Gabriel and Sea Chaparral SAM. The SPS-10 radar was replaced wrth SPS-58 and she had all her updated equipment fitted, extant by 1995, stricken 1999.

ROCS Dang Yang wa completed as a special ASW destroyer and received the FRAM I mod in 1961, then transfemed to Taiwan m 1972. She had a Hughes 100 ASW helicopter using her DASH dome pad and hanger and later received a 76mm OTO Melara, same SSM as her sister. Her electronics suite was also completely modernized. The remaining twelve ships had been converted to FRAM I. Han Yang however was a NBCW test ship prior transfer.

It’s interesting to note that Chien, Lao and Liao Yang has been first proposed to the Spaniards, which rejected them based on poor condition. They were all extensively modernized. They all operates a Hugue Helicopters and Raytheon DE-1991 sonar. Four had the OTO Melara in B position, five SSMs, two Bofors, two triple ASW TTs. Sui Yang was loke others had ASROC. They also received the Israeli NTICC combat system. (Naval Tactical Command and Control System) as part of the same refit. The remaining seven had thior aft 5-in removed, the 76mm OTO Melara mounted on ‘A’ position.

ROCS Shao Yang in 2003 (navsource)
They are armed with the Standard SM-1 SAM also able to engage surface targets. Two Launchers are mounted forward of the bridge and two more launchers aft with a 20mm Phalanx CIWS between them. Sensors included the rardars SPS-SSA, HSA DAOS 2, HSA STIR-18 missile control system and HW-100 control, sonar. Pennant in were as follow: Chin Yang 912, Han Yang 915, Lao Yang 920, Liao Yang 921, Chao Yang 973, Kai Yang 924, Te Yang 925, Shen Yang 926, Yun Yang 927, Chen Yang 928, Shao Yang 328, Tsu Yang 930. They were discarded between 1999 and 2004. Now the fleet rests on four missiles destroyers, the ex-Kidd.

The Gearing FRAM’s career

Note, this post will not separate the FRAM I and II individual career as many ships were one and the same, going through the two upgrades in succession. Since eventually all but three Gearings received FRAM conversions, this post will receive updates on the long run as all could not be covered at once. Here is a first batch of ten ships, in DD- identifier order:

She returned to Newport in September 1963 for a “FRAM I” overhaul. Following operations in the Caribbean and North Atlantic in the spring and summer of 1964, Gearing entered the Mediterranean on 4 October to rejoin the 6th Fleet. After returning home early in 1965, she continued operating in the Atlantic Fleet into 1967. She was decommissioned in 1973, stricken on 1 July 1973 and sold for scrap on 6 November 1974.

USS Gyatt was commissioned on 2 July 1945, served in the Mediterranean postwar, and was converted as a test missile destroyer at Boston Naval Shipyard from 26 September 1955 with a twin Terrier guided missile launcher installed, DDG-712 from December 1956, active on the Atlantic and Mediterranean, equipment removed in June 1962, not converted, in Reserve at Washington by 1968, stricken 22 October 1969, sunk as target 11 June 1970.

Bailey was commissioned on 31 July 1945. Homeported to Mayport on 16 June 1959 she entered Charleston NyD on 26 January 1960 for her FRAM II overhaul, over 9 months. On 14 November, she sailed to Guatemala-Nicaragua (Cuban blockade before the missile crisis). On 9 February 1961 she made another 6th fleet deployment over six months and made five others until 26 October 1966. Next year she was in Charleston for her last overhaul. She was decommissioned on 20 January 1970, stricken 1 February 1974, sold to Iran 13 January 1975 for spares.

Full Career to Come.

Full Career to Come.

Full Career to Come.

Full Career to Come.

Full Career to Come.

Full Career to Come.

USS Frank Knox was built at Bath, Maine, Commissioned in December 1944, seeing action with TF 38 at Okinawa as radar picket. She became a radar picket, DDR-742 by March 1949, was active in the Korean war in July 1950-1951, 1952 and 1953 and 7th Fleet assignments until 1959. Back home in 1960–1961 she was modernized under FRAM II, with updated radars and new bridge. From 1961 to mid-1964 she returned to the Pacific for more deployments, including a tour of Australia. By June 1965, she made a brief Vietnam tour of duty, for naval gunfire support, coastal patrol. After transitioning from Tsoying Naval Base in Taiwan while to the South China Sea she ran aground on 18 July on Pratas Reef. Salvage was difficult, and was repaired at Yokosuka in 1966. She was back in action by November 1966, detached for Vietnam combat several times and redesignated DD-742 by 1969, making her final tour by November 1970, decommissioned when back home in January 1971. However, she was transferred to the Greek Navy as Themistoklis (D210), making two more decades until decommissioned in the early 1990s, expended as torpedo target by the submarine Nireus (S-111) on 12 September 2001.

Back home from the Korean War and postwar 7th fleet service, she was converted to FRAM I in 1963–1964. She was ordered to Vietnam soon after October 1964, back as DD-743 in April. She joined TF 77 in the South China Sea, plane guard, then “Operation Market Time” (trawler surveillance duty) and gunfire on the I Corps area. She was back to San Diego and returned 9 months later. She started operation on 8 July 1966 with USS Intrepid near the Mekong Delta, detached on 19 July for fire support. She also operated on the Tonkin Gulf with USS Franklin D. Roosevelt. Back home she became ASW School Ship and, Engineering School Ship, had a new overhaul and departed on 28 December for Vietnam. Her next tour was until 28 June 1968, then another from 18 March to 3 July 1969. She was back home at San Diego on December. In 1971, she served with Composite Unit Training Exercises off southern California and returned in the summer for the western Pacific until 5 December, notably with USS Enterprise. For her Vietnam service she won 10 battle stars.

By June 1972, she entered Long Beach Naval for a last overhaul until 9 November with her main propulsion plant converted to use navy distillate fuel. Operations (local) went on until mid-June 1973. She trained reservists from Seattle, Washington, took part in Operation “Charger SurfPac 1-73” and stayed off San Diego to Pearl Harbor for joint exercises with the RN in 1974. Until late 1980 she kept her training ship routine for reservists but had a reduced crew. In the fall of 1980 she took part in the last naval gunnery exercises off of southern San Clemente Island, and was decommissioned on 26 February 1981. Stricken on 26 February 1981 she was planned for tansfer to the Ecuadoran Navy but ended as target on 2 August 1997.

On 12 November, William C. Lawe departed Mayport for Charlesto for her FRAM conversion and on 5 December 1960, she was decommissioned for eleven months, recommissioned on 11 November 1961, leaving Charleston for Mayport and on 4 December for Guantanamo Bay and further post-overhaul training. On 1 January 1962 she joined Desron 16 at Mayport in March, and was deployed with the 6th fleet in the Mediterranean taking part in NATO operations. On 2 October 1962 she was in refit and maintenance after seven months at sea but was recalled for the Cuban Missile Crisis. On 22 October she sailed for the Caribbean, back home port on 6 December. Her sea trials were only complete by February 1963. She became a TS for the Fleet Sonar School, rescue destroyer along the US President flight route for the 1963 Pan-American conference in Puerto Rico. She was back in the Mediterranean on 11 August, and to Mayport on 23 December. After leave and upkeep by February 1964 she was in the Caribbean for Operation “Springboard.” From Annapolis, she was in a midshipmen cruise to northern European ports. She was back at her HP on 25 July.

13-24 September, William C. Lawe saw her in exercises with the RCN for “Canus-Slamex.” In October she joined “Gold Group” to test the new new “Blue and Gold” concept for operational readiness. On 1 she entered Charleston for a 3 month overhaul, completed on 1 April 1965. She had a refresher training on 25 April at Guantanamo and was sent to the Dominican Republic from 28 April to 8 May for the crisis,
back to Mayport on 25 June. She had “Blue-Gold” operations, and returned on 26 August for the Dominican Republic as flagship TF 124, back on 17 September. She headed for the Mediterranean on 14 October and the Middle East, staying at Xmas in Mombasa, Kenya and departing on the 29 December for Djibouti, Ny in 1966, Indian Ocean. She stayed in the area until 29 January and joined the 6th Fleet, back home on 9 March for leave and upkeep. May-June saw her in support of Gemini IX and X. She returned to the Fleet Sonar School at Key West, was present at “Demolex 1-66” off North Carolina, back on 19 November. In February 1967 she was at “Springboard” in the Caribbean. She worked for the Bureau of Commercial Fisheries, Virginia Capes. On 1 May she was back to the Mediterranean and was ordered to the eastern Mediterranean due to the Arab-Israeli War, statying in the area until 31 August. I the fall 1967 she was back at the sonar school Key West.

From January to March 1968 she alternated Caribbean exercises and maintenance at Mayport. After ASW exercises and in May deployed off Cuba, she was sent to Charleston for her last major overhaul until sea trial in October and back to Mayport, Florida, on 5 November, placed “Reduced Operational Status”, prolongated until mid-1969. On 7 July she had fixes at Newport and started her refresher cruise on 19 July in the Caribbean until early October. 7 October to 10 November 1969 saw her back to the Middle East from Dakar on 22 November, Cape of Good Hope, and Lourenço Marques, Mozambique, 11 December, then Massawa in Ethiopia, for NYD. Her deployment ended on 16 May 1970, back to Mayport for leave and upkeep. Next she was sent to Panama City, Florida to test stockpiled ASROCs, followed by a midshipmen cruise and tender availability until 26 July. Aftr ASW exercises at the Virginia Capes in August, until 25 September she shadowed a Soviet task group in the Caribbean, back on 26 September. She was in plane guard duty with Franklin D. Roosevelt CBG until 1971. She became that year as a support ship for Poseidon missile test by Von Steuben at Cape Kennedy, followed by “Springboard” and back home on 25 February. On 21 April 1971 she returned to the Middle East for 5-months and back to Mayport on 20 September. On 8 November 1971 she entered DesRon 16 to shadow the Soviet Navy visiting Cuba, back on 30 November for restricted availability at Jacksonville Shipyard. In 1972, she had her first yard availability, restricted overhaul until dock trials in late March, refresher training in June, upkeep and Operation “Pinklace”.

In October 1972 she was prepared to join Vietnam operations. On 10 December, she saw her first combat action in a daring night raid on North Vietnamese coastal defense, receiving return fire. She remained as gunfire support ship on South Vietnam. In 1973 she remained there after resupply and R&R at Subic Bay until a cease fire intervened on 28 January 1973. She screened the USS Enterprise and Coral Sea CBGs, and was support for US POWs releases and troop withdrawals, keaving the Gulf of Tonkin on 14 May for Pearl Harbor and San Diego, Panama Canal and back to Mayport on 14 June. On 20 August HP was changed for New Orleans. There she hosted over 1,000 visitors. By early 1974, 23 March, she departed for Charlesto and tender availability until 10 May and had exercises off Port Everglades, Charleston-Jacksonville areas. On 15 August 1974 she had a regular overhaul at Todd and Avondale Shipyards until 15 April 1975. On 16 June she trained off Freeport, Bahamas with reservists and was back home on 17 August. On 29 August she had gunnery and missile drills at Roosevelt Roads and refresher training at Guantanamo Bay, back on 7 October 1975. Photos of her were used for recruiting posters and advertisements. She had a restricted availability at Xmas and NYD. On 21 February 1976 she had gunnery exercises and was present in March at Nassau for a Bicentennial port visit. Long story short, she remained in local operations at some point in exercises with French heli-cruiser Jeanne d’Arc and DD Forbin, Bicentennial port visits at Corpus Christi and Brownsville.

Jan-Feb. 1977 saw her prepped in New Orleans for fleet exercises, Operation “Cleansweep” on 10 March. She trained again with the French Navy in the Gulf of Mexico and took part in “Comptuex 1-78” 3-12 November, stopping in the Bahamas and Port Everglades On 17 January 1978 she maintenance availability and restricted availability in June. On the 21th June with USS Davis and Robert A. Owens she off-loaded ammunition at NWS Charleston, and sailed for the Great Lakes visited by over 190,000 visitors from the US and Canada between Ogdensburg, Oswego, Buffalo, Erie, Toledo and Ashtabula, Detroit, Duluth, Montreal, Toronto, Halifax and back to New Orleans on 27 September. From 21 October 1978 she had an intermediate maintenance availability, and after gunnery exercises returned to New Orleans. A recommendation to her her decommissioned and stricken was rescinded on 27 July 1979 and she remained in active service until 1 October 1983. For the last time, WW2 destroyer William C. Lawe was decommissioned and stricken, disposed of as a target… on 14 July 1999, seeing both WW2 and the entire cold war.

Full Career to Come.

Full Career to Come.

On 3 June 1963 she underwent her FRAM I conversion at Philadelphia. Next, she was deployed several times off Vietnam. She provided gunfire support to the Vietnamese Navy Junk Force, Qui Nhon area and “Market Time” patrol. After being back to San Diego she was back by May 1966 to support the IV Corps, alternated with plane guard duty and back home, local operations with the west coast’s 1st Fleet.
In November she was used as ASW Schoolship at San Diego and in December made tests off California followed by an overhaul and back with the 7th Fleet in the IV and II Corps areas/plane guard in the Tonkin Gulf. By April 1968 after exercises in the Sea of Japan she took part in Operation Formation Star, returned home, then back in Vietnam later in 1970 after an overhaul starting in January at Hunter’s Point Naval Shipyard until 15 June. She was back home on 12 March 1971 and returned to Vietnam on 20 October 1971 for an extended deployment until mid-1973. On 27 August 1972 she escorted USS Newport News, USS Providence and USS Robison during a night raid into Haiphong, closing to 2 miles (3.2 km) to shell the harbour until engaged by torpedo boats 27 miles (43 km) southeast of Haiphong. USS Newport News sank one, the other was taken care of by USS Rowan, finish off by an A-7 jet. Next she took part in “Operation Frequent Wind”, 29-30 April 1975, evacuating nationals until the fall of Saigon. USS Rowan was decommissioned back home, at San Diego on 18 December 1975, stricken on 30 January 1976, transferred to the Republic of China on 1 June 1977 as ROCS Chao Yang (DD-16) for many more years of service. She won 4 battle stars for Korea, 11 for Vietnam.

Gurke had her FRAM I overhaul at Puget Sound from July 1963 until 15 May 1964 and on 21 October returned to the Far East, Yokosuka and 7th Fleet operations by November 1964 as plane guard for Task Force 77., then assigned to TG 77.7, South China Sea, for USS Ranger (CVA-61) and USS Hancock (CVA-19). She stayed as escort during the early phase of the Vietnam War by January taking part in the assault of Da Nang. She patrolled to Subic Bay and Hong Kong. On 20 April 1965 she escorted Ranger back to San Diego on 7 May 1965. She trained there up to Seattle, and returned to Hawaii, Japan, and the Philippines, taking her place in the Gulf of Tonkin for SAR missions. On 1 July she detected three NVA PT boats 11 miles (20 km) away, dealt with by planes of USS Constellation (CV-64).

She refueled helicopters by a new in-flight refueling process as well. After rest she was back in the Gulf of Tonkin by September, completing 113 in-flight refuelings and sheling Viet Cong positions (Mekong-Saigon River delta) and was back home on 16 November. In 1967 she trained along the West Coast. By November she returned to Japan, arrived at Yankee Station for SAR and Operation Formation Star. She sailed south for the 1968 Tet Offensive, for Naval Gunfire Support at Hue. After rest at Hong Kong she retuned for Operation Sea Dragon, North Vietnam and back to to San Diego in June 1968. In April 1975 she returned to Saigon to cover Operation Frequent Wind. She was decommissioned, stricken on 30 January 1976, transferred to Greece on 17 March 1977 as Tombazis (D 215), staying active until 1994. She earned 7 battle stars for Korea, unknown for Vietnam.

In February 1964 she was overhauled as FRAM I at Long Beach and by July 1965 back to the 7th Fleet, 4 months of operations with USS Oriskany (CVA-34), South China Sea Attack Carrier Strike Group. During her deployment she fired 1,000 rounds on shore targets.
Back home she took part in “Eager Angler” and Baseline II.” Back in Vietnam she won the “Best Gunnery Ship” award. In November 1966 she was deployed for SAR in the Gulf of Tonkin and setup a record of 100 inflight helicopter refuelings on 30-day. She made also gun line deployments (4,000 rounds) and having some R&R in Australia and New Zealand for Battle of the Coral Sea ceremonies. Next in 1967 she was overhauled at Mare Island.

In March 1968 she returned to Vietnam via Pearl Harbor, Yokosuka and Sasebo, taking part in Operation Formation Star, and took part in the pressure fleet sent to North Korea for the release of the Pueblo’s crew (AGER-2) from 23 January 1968. She returned in the Tonkin Gulf and visited later Hong Kong and Kaohsiung then back to HP Long Beach and WestPac in 1970, visiting Bangkok, Guam, Hong Kong, the Philippines and the gunline off Vietnam. November 1971 saw her in escort of HMS Eagle to the Indian Ocean before joining the 7th Fleet. December 1971 saw her with TF 74 during the Indo-Pakistani War. She also visited New Guinea and was back home in November 1971. May 1972 saw her training reservists with the reserve naval forces and latter based in Seattle. In 1976, she was used in the movie “Midway.” She was stricken on 30 September 1980, decommissioned in October 1981 and sent to Turkey as spare parts reserve, spent as target by Harpoon in July 1987.

she underwent the FRAM I refit at Mare Island until April 1962. She resumed operations from 11 August 1964, with annual cruises to Vietnam for the 7th Fleet, with bombardments missiones and plane guard duties at “Yankee Station”. She was back at Long Beach on 16 December and back in Vietnam by 10 July 1965. She served in the South China Sea and Gulf of Tonkin with USS Oriskany (CV-34), detached to the gun line, notably in the Gulf of Siam, Ca Mau Peninsula. She escorted also USS Bon Homme Richard (CVA-31) and sailed back to Long Beach on 13 January 1966.

She became an ASW school ship in 1966, and by July searched for the missing plane of Brigadier General Joseph Warren Stilwell, Jr., then was back in Vietnam by January 1967 for four months of screening carriers; bombardment duties. By early 1968 she was back to Vietnam, making also visits to Hong Kong, Subic Bay and Japan and back home on 26 September. She screened USS Bon Homme Richard (CVA-31) off North Korea after the Pueblo (AGER-2) affair and Operation Formation Star. She was overhauled in San Francisco.
She was back in the Far East on 18 November, but was damaged by a storm off Midway and was repaired at Yokosuka. After patrolling Korea she returned for three months off Vietnam and notably “Operation Ringmaster I”, rescuing an helicopter crew off Da Nang belonging to USS Constellation (CVA-64).

In January 1971 she was deployed for a sixth Vietnam deployment, gunline on “Yankee Station”, ASW patrols and an exercise, sinking the target sub USS Sailfish (SS-572). In April she trained in gunfire at Tabones range, Philippines, patrolled the Paracel Islands and Taiwan. She stopped at Manus in Papua New Guinea but also Cairns and Sydney or Auckland and Pago Pago.
After a last overhaul at Long Beach she made her last deployment from July 1972, arriving at Da Nang on 14 December and making several naval gunfire support missions, destroeing an enemy battery on Christmas Eve (Combat Action Ribbon) and rescuing the crew of an SH-3 helicopter. She visited Singapore and Hong Kong and took part in “Operation End Sweep” by April 1973, clearing Haiphong harbor and back home by 26 May.
She was placed in the Naval Reserve Fleet, DesRon 27 by October, and converted at Long Beach to Navy distillate fuel. She spent the next six years in reserve training operations with deployments to the Pacific Northwest yearly practice and decommissioned on 30 September 1980, stricken and transferred to Pakistan on 1 October 1980 as PNS Tughril (167), then Nazim when with the MSA from 1998 at Karachi, decommissioned in 2001. For Korea she received eight battle stars, seven for Vietnam, with a Navy Unit Commendation for Inchon.

Full Career to Come.

Full Career to Come.

Full Career to Come.

Full Career to Come.

Full Career to Come.

USS Chevalier was reclassified DDR-805 radar picket in 1949 and from 1950 saw action in the Korean War (9 battle stars), in 1951, 1952 and 1953. She had an overhaul and trained along the west coast, making extra WestPac deployment from 1954 to 1960. Never Converted as FRAM. In 1971, she was deployed in Vietnam shore bombardment. Transferred to South Korea on 5 July 1972 as ROKS Chung Buk, in service until December 2000.

She was modernized as FRAM I in San Francisco from 4 September 1962, recom. June 1963. On 3 January 1964, after some training the returned to HP Yokosuka for her several Vietnam tours of duty. She was present during the Gulf of Tonkin Incident in August, while screening TF 77 in the South China Sea. She covered the 9th Marine Brigade at Da Nang. She was detached for the Gemini recovery also. On 1 September Higbee she rescued the crew of French Tanker Arsinoe grounded off Scarborough Shoals. She patrolled South Vietnam, becale a Station Ship Hong Kong, was overhauled at Subic bay, sighted the Soviet hydrographic ship Gidrifon. 17 June saw her sailing back to Long Beach, new HP by 2 July. November 1966 saw her hosting Bob Hope while offAcapulco, Mexico. 1967 her her overhauled at Mare Island and back in Vietnam . On 19 April 1972 she was bombed by two VPAF MiG-17s from 923rd Fighter Rgt, having a 250 kg (500 lb) bomb destroying her rear 5-inch gun mount. The other bombed the light cruiser USS Oklahoma City, but with light damage. She was repaired in the Philippines. The cruiser USS Sterett allegedly shot down one of the Migs. In peacetime USS Highbee joined DesRon 27 in Long Beach and post May 1975 she entered the Naval Reserve Force, also based at Seattle with DesRon 37. In 1978 she won the trophy for best Naval Gunfire Support in the USN, gaining the cover of Surface Warfare magazine. She was decommissioned, stricken on 15 July 1979, sunk as target on 24 April 1986 off San Diego. She won a single battle star for WW2, 7 for Korea.

She had an overhaul at Long Beach for her FRAM I modernization and resumed operations from April 1965, joined DesDiv 232 to screen USS Hornet (CVS-12) off San Diego and cruised with midshipmen off Puget Sound. She departed on 12 August, for a six-month TOD in Vietnam. She joined TF 77 for naval gunfire support off Quang Ngai, SAR in the Gulf of Tonkin and patrols at Kaohsiung than trained with the ROK Navy and retired to Sasebo for XMas leave. On 3 January 1966 she retruned to the Taiwan Strait. She was soon back home. She made another 3 months Vietnam Tour and back in Hawaiia took part in the “Golden Plunger Award”, sinking USS Plunger (SSN-595) in exercise. Back in Vietnam she took part in “Operation Sea Dragon”.
On 26 February 1967 she joined USS Canberra (CAG-2) and Joseph Strauss (DDG-16) for shelling the North Vietnamese coast, dealing with two counter-battery actions notably at Hon Matt Island. In all she spent 1,281 rounds. She patrolled the Taiwan Strait and was back to Long Beach in May. In 1968 after ASW training she returned to the Far Easter via Yokosuka as gunfire support ship notably in the Vũng Tàu area for “Operation Game Warden” and patrolled the DMZ.

With TF 77 by August, she took part in “Swift Move” and after as top in Japan returned in the Gulf of Tonkin, and left for Long Beach in November.
January 1969 saw her as a tender to submarines Bugara (SS-331), Charr (AGSS-328), Medregal (AGSS-480) and Bluegill (AGSS-242), followed by an overhaul. On 30 July she had a fuel oil fire in her after fireroom, later under control. This was attributed to badly setup electrical cables. She later also lost her remote-controlled DASH at sea.
After inspections, tender availability, she returned to the Far East via Pearl Harbor, Midway, Yokosuka, and bacl at “Yankee Station” on 13 November, used as plane guard, ASW screen during raids on Laos, South Vietnam and Cambodia and escorting USS Long Beach (CGN-9) and USS Ranger (CVA-61).
After Benner returned home on 9 April, she fell victim to the drastic defense infrastructure budget cuts of the time to fund the war in Vietnam. Reporting to the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in She was inactivated at Bremerton on 29 August, decommissioned on 20 November 1970, stricken on 1 February 1974 but not sold to South Korea and sold for scrap to General Metals of Tacoma on 18 April 1975. For her WW2 service she won a single battle star, 5 for Vietnam.

From Bath Iron Works Corp. and commissioned on 2 March 1945. In 1960 she had an overhaul on the west coast FRAM I overhaul, conversion. She served in Vietnam. On 2 July 1973, she was decommissioned, stricken mothballed in the Naval Inactive Ship Maintenance Facility of San Diego. On 29 April 1974 she was sold for scrap.

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From Bath Iron Works Corp. commissioned at Boston on 20 March 1945. In 1964 she was homeported to Boston for her FRAM I overhaul, back to DD-829 in April 1965. By July 1965, she had a catastrophic fire in her Radio Central, was repaired at Boston and sent to quell an insurgency in the Dominican Republic, earning an Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal. 9 August 1965 saw her back to the Mediterranean and she was assigned to Gemini 8 recovery, eastern Atlantic. She helped the Swedish freighter M/V Palma on fire. Back on the east coast she performed DASH qualifications and was sent to the Far East on 4 October via Panama, Hawaii, Japan, Philippines, and to North Vietnam on 7 January 1967 for a serie of fire support missions, also sinking smuggling junks and sampans. She made another round-the-world cruise back to Newport on 25 April 1967.

On 26 September she had an overhaul until January 1968 at Boston, DASH removed. After a Cuban refresher training she was back in the Mediterranean by October. January 1969 saw her in the Apollo 11 program off Virginia. She was deployed in the Indian Ocean and back by September 1969. She was off Cuba by 1970 and UNITAS XI (South America) in extensive training. She was back to Newport on Dec 1970. 12 March 1971 saw her overhauled at Boston and she departed for the Middle East on 7 Jan 1972, 4 months. 2 May 1972 saw her back to Viet Nam for 2 months of naval gunfire support and another Battle Efficiency “E”, back in Newport in August. In June 1973 she was converted to fuel oil distillate and was versed to the Naval Reserve Force, homeported to Brooklyn, NY. 1973–1979 saw her training Naval Reserve and by February 1978 off Cuba. She was assigned various duties for the 2nd fleet until decommissioned on 1 October 1979, sold to Greece in 1980, cannibalized for parts until scrapped in 2003.

Built at Bath Iron Works, Larson was commissioned on 6 April 1945 and only sailed for the Pacific after training on 1 August 1945, learning underway about V-Day. In June 1962 started her overhaul at Long Beach as FRAM II. Back from Radar Picket Destroyer she became an ASW bmarine destroyer, DD-830, recommissioned on December 1962. In April, 1963 she joined DESRON 23 (former Admiral Arleigh Burke unit in WW2) and DESDIV 231 in it. 27 August 1965 saw her in the gunline off North Vietnam, resupplied by USS Bennington (CV-20) and Hassayampa (AO-145) and as plane guard. She had another refit at Long Beach Naval and after local operations into March, including HUKASWEX (Hunter Killer Anti-Submarine Exercise) with group 5 she made another WESTPAC by 9 June 1966. She sailed first to Yokosuka on 14 July 1966. Deployed to “Yankee Station” she patrolled off Kaohsiung and Keelung (Taiwan) and back to “Yankee Station”. She took part in operation “Silver Skate” in September and returned to gunfire support, sending 656 rounds. After upkeep at Subic Bay, she returned to “Yankee Station” until some R&R at Hong Kong by October 1966, then Kaohsiung, Taiwan patrol and back to Yokosuka and back home for Xmas 1966. She was back in 1968 on “Yankee Station”, as plane guard, ASW patrol, and present during the USS Pueblo’s capture with DESRON 23, assigned to TF 71, and in Operation Formation Star. After refit in Sasebo she was back in the Sea of Japan, plane guard with USS Canberra (CA-70) and back home in March-April.

She spent the rest of the year off Southern California for training. May-June had her overhauled at Long Beach, in HOLDEX 4-68 in July and fire tested the MK 46 towed target, hit by a Dash torpedo. After ASW operation with ASW group 1 she departed departed Long Beach in March with DESDIV 231 for deployment off Taiwan, Okinawa, Philippines and gunline off North Vietnam, screening TF 77. In late May 1969, she took part in SEATO Exercise Sea Spirit and assisted HMAS Melbourne but nearly collided with her on 31 May. Frank E. Evans (DD-754) was later rammed and sunk by the carrier and she assisted in the rescue. USS Everett F. Larson was eventually decommissioned in August 1972, transferred to the Korean Navy as ROKS Jeon Buk (DD-916) by October 1972, decommissioned in December 1999, museum ship at Gangneung Park but due to COVID and declining funds she was BU by December 2021.

January 1960, saw her overhauled at Norfolk, FRAM II modernization. She took part in project Mercury recovery in February 1962.
From 24 October to 20 November 1962 she took part in the quarantine of Cuba during the missile crisis. On 22 July 1966 she departed for her 13th Med deployment, training with Turkish, Greek, British, and Italian Navies and back on on 20 December 1966 for upkeep and type training. Reclassified DD-831 on 1 January 1969, she was eventuallty decommissioned on 30 November 1969, staying at Orange, Texas, until stricken on 1 February 1974, sold for BU on 12 September 1977.

From April 1964 DD-832 started conversion to FRAM I at San Francisco Naval Shipyard until 6 December 1964. In 1965 with DesRon 11, she made the first of several deployments in the Vietnam War. July saw her in shore bombardments. She was back for a second tour on 17 July 1966, anchored in the Saigon River on 13 September, and until 6 January 1967. She spent 9,000 rounds at NVA targets, added to her plane guard, patrols, SAR and refuelling helicopters. She had a long overhaul at Long Beach before a 3rd Vietnam tour (March to September 1968) taking part in the “Pueblo crisis” off North Korea, Operation Formation Star. She was also one of the first shelling North Vietnam. Back on San Diego in September she departed for her 4th tour on 23 June 1969 with USS Dennis J. Buckley and Hull, screening for USS Hancock and TU 17.4.2. She joined TG 77.4 at Yankee Station and Naval Gunfire Support. She went to Da Nang Harbor for replenishment and returned to Point Allison.

January 1970 saw her in TU70.0.3. back to San Diego and she had a refit at Hunter’s Point Shipyard in San Francisco however on 21 August 1970 a flooding due to a cracked water main. During her shakedown a fire broke out in a boiler room, the crew battling fire for eight hours and she was repaired in San Diego. After some training she joined TU54.l.l on 18 December. She departed on 5 February 1971 for another 6-month deployment in Vietnam. She was deployed from Da Nang, but also visited Bangkok, Okinawa, and Hong Kong. She spent a week in gunfire support. While off Subic Bay, she stumbled upon Soviet Riga Class Frigate 807.
On 26 April, she sailed to Pusan, later Sasebo but later crossed Soviet fleet tugs towing dry docks and on 6 May 1971, collided with one. A film was made of the international incident, third collision before the Sea Agreement of 1972. She was back in VN for a last TOD, including naval gunfire support, plane guard duty at Yankee station, Tonkin Gulf and observing Soviet vessels before heading for San Diego.
While back she had an extensive electronic upgrade, the SAMID Immediate Package Program. She sailed out for another Vietnam tour on 10 April 1972, which was the most engaging wartime effort. Over the Philippines she was flew over by a Soviet Tupolev Tu-95 “Bear” at low altitude. From Subic Bay, she was moved to Tonkin Gulf with additional M2 Browning HMGs mounted on the bridge wings but also rockets and shoulder-launched Redeye SAM to fend off MIG attacks after the Battle of Đồng Hới on 19 April.

She was back in Tonkin Gulf, sailed to North Vietnam and took part in Operation Freedom Train (“Operation Linebacker”) shellking targets in the Haiphong area on 4-9 May 1972 and Operation Custom Tailor on 9–10 May at Do Son Peninsula in Haiphong. She was joined by USS Providence and Oklahoma City and slicenced shore batteries. Raids went on in June and she took part in Operation Song Thanh (6-72) as well. She took hits near Hon La and Hon Mat islands. 29 June 1972, saw her at Quảng Trị in support of SVA Marines and USMC 9th MAB for Operation Lam Son 72 I. In July she supported the 1st VNMC Division and ARVN 3rd Division.
But she lost her main gyro and steering, sent for repairs at Subic Bay and back on the DMZ. By 8 September she was relieved by USS Hollister and became plane guard for USS Midway but called again on 13 September, at Chu Lai in support of the ARVN, but struck by typhoon Flossie. She earned a Meritorious Unit Commendation. She made another support on 17 September 1972, and later at Mộ Đức her gunfire guided by an OV-10, saving ARVN soldiers. On 1 October, she supported the 11th Ranger group at Mộ Đức and later sailed for more surface raider strikes north of the DMZ.
She had some R&R at Hong Kong and made her journey home with Hull and Dennis J. Buckley via the Philippine, Guam, Pearl Harbor, San Diego in November 1972. Decommissioning preparation started right after. She was stricken on 31 March 1973 but transferred to the Republic of China on 18 April as Liao Yang (DDG-921). She spent an additional …31 years of service before decommission on 1 June 2004 at Kaohsiung, sunk as a target.

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Read More/Src

auer, K. Jack; Roberts, Stephen S. (1991). Register of Ships of the U.S. Navy, 1775–1990: Major Combatants. Westport, Connecticut: Greenwood Press.
Davis, Rick E. & Wright, Christopher C. (2010). “USN Aircraft-Handling Destroyers 1919 to 1943, Part I: 1919–1941”. Warship International. XLVII.
Friedman, Norman (2004). US Destroyers: An Illustrated Design History (Revised ed.). Annapolis: Naval Institute Press.
Gardiner, Robert; Chesneau, Roger (1980). Conway’s All the World’s Fighting Ships 1922–1946. London: Conway Maritime Press.
Gardiner, Robert; Chumbley, Stephen (1995). Conway’s All the World’s Fighting Ships 1947-1995. London: Conway Maritime Press.
Silverstone, Paul H. (1965). U.S. Warships of World War II. London: Ian Allan Ltd.
Toby, A. Steven (2015). “Note on High Speed Destroyers’ Maneuverability”. Warship International. LII (1): 24–27.
Vinock, Eli, CAPT USN “FRAM Fixes the Fleet” United States Naval Institute Proceedings August 1984 pp.70-73
Gyrodyne Helicopter Historical Foundation (12 July 2007). “FRAM”.
Gearing-class destroyer USS Keppler DD-765, FRAM-II US Navy Booklet of General Plans, Boston Naval Shipyard
Cooney, David M., RADM USN Ships, Aircraft and Weapons of the United States Navy (January 1980) U.S. Government Printing Office p.42

Links

navypedia.org
destroyers.org/Class/c-Gearing.htm
destroyersonline.com/
destroyers.org (portal)
gyrodynehelicopters.com: DASH on fletchers
navyaviation.tpub.com
navweaps.com
navweaps.com
FRAM program
wiki Gearing-class_destroyer
Sunmer FRAM II
Hosted DD765 FRAM II plans

Video

Gearing class Destroyers : What exactly is a FRAM Destroyer and their importance? Battleship Cove – America’s Fleet Museum.

Model Kits

All kits on scalemates
modelwarships.com/reviews
klueser.de

3D

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Robin models DD930 Gearing-class FRAM I 3D by Hanchang Kuo