The+USS+Tidewater

The USS //Tidewater//

Built in the Charleston Naval Shipyard at a cost of $10 million, the USS //Tidewater// was created. It was named after the Tidewater region in the Southeastern US. The ship was launched on June 30, 1945. It was a destroyer along with being a supply ship. It had machine shops and carpentry and pipe shops. It has been called by Mr. Weiser a "big factory". It is a Hamul Class Destroyer Tender. When fully loaded, it weighs a monsterous 14,900 tons. It's 492 feet in length and geared with turbine engines which are 8,500 horse power. Its maximum width, or beam, is 69 feet and 6 inches. The boat can reach to speeds up to 18 knots. Its draft, the vertical distance from the bottom of the hull to the waterline at the lowest part of the ship, is 25 feet. It is equipped with a 5"/38 Dual Purpose gun, four 3'/50 Dual Pupose guns, a 2 by 2 400mm, and eight 22/20 mm. It was a well equipped and very productive ship that will serve in the US Navy throught the Korean and Vietnam Wars. Being commissioned to the Atlantic Reserve Fleet on her first assignment, the //Tidewater// was part of the nation's insurance for survival. It readied itself for early activiation in the Korean Conflict. She did not, however, get assigned to Korea. In February of 1954, she departed on her first of many Mediterranean Cruise. She went to the ports of Naples, Leghorn, Barcelona, Algeria, Palermo, and Hyeres. It returned to Norfolk in july of 1954 to maintain destroyers in peak condition. At the start of 1955, she once again sail the Mediterranean designated as a Flagship. She returned in July of 1956 and tended to destroyers. For her work throughout 1957, the coveted Navy "E" was awarded to her. She went to the Meditarranean once again in October of 1957 and returned in February 1958. She was awarded the Engineering "E" in 1959 for winning the Battle Readiness Competition. On September 5, 1959, she departed for Guantanamo Bay, Cuba for refresher training. She returned in October 1959. For her fourth time, she left for Europe in March 14, 1960. She was visited by the Greek queen, Queen Fredricka. After another Meditarranean trip, she was oveerhauled. The new addtitions to the boat were a helicopter platform and equipment to expand her logistical support capabilities. She was again warded the Engineering "E" in 1962. After five more cruises to the Meditarranean (making ten), the United States Navy agreed to lease her in January 4. The USS //Tidewater// was sold to the Indonesian Navy. She was placed out of comission at Norfolk on February 20 1971. The fate of the vessel is unkown.