September 2022

Bay City, Michigan.

We visited the Saginaw Valley Naval Ship Museum in Bay City, Michigan, in 2022. So why am I posting these images almost three years later? I’m going to use the “Old Man is Forgetful” excuse. While exploring my gallery in March (PI Day-3.14) to be exact,) I found the folder of images I’d processed featuring our visit to the USS Edson. They were already completed and ready for me to post, or at least so I thought. Looking at the photos, I noticed a lot of noise in the dark areas. Knowing Adobe Lightroom Classic now has an excellent denoise function, I decided to scrap the processed photos and start over with the HDR images to take advantage of some of the new Adobe Lightroom features. Now, on with the story.

The background for this post is gleaned from Google’s search engine, as I’m no expert in naval vessels. The Edson was a Forrest Sherman-class destroyer built by Bath Iron Works in Maine and commissioned in 1958. It represents the last class of all-gun destroyers in the U.S. Navy. The Edson has served as a museum ship since its decommission in 1988, first at the Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum in New York City, and then in 2012, it was moved to its current berth at Bay City, Michigan.

The Edson served in the Western Pacific/Far East during the Vietnam War. She provided naval gunfire support during the Vietnam War, earning the nickname “The Grey Ghost of the Vietnamese Coast.” Significant operations for the ship included the 1975 Phnom Penh and Saigon evacuations (Operation Eagle Pull and Operation Frequent Wind).

The autoloader on the USS Edson’s 5-inch/54 caliber Mark 42 gun mount was designed to deliver a high rate of fire critical for both anti-aircraft and surface engagements. This system automated the shell handling process, allowing for the rapid selection, loading, and ramming of shells into the gun’s breech, achieving approximately 40 rounds per minute. Integrated with a magazine and hoist system, it ensured a continuous supply of ammunition. The Mark 42 gun was a widely used dual-purpose (anti-aircraft and surface) gun mount on US warships from the 1950s to the 1990s.

A detailed look at some of the USS Edson’s superstructure shows the ship’s various fixtures, fittings, and equipment. After the 9/11 attack on New York City, the Edson, then at the Intrepid Air and Space Museum, temporarily became a command center for operations involving the collapse of the twin towers in 2001.

The forward gun defends the bridge. This image was taken at the ship’s bow, looking toward the stern. Two other Mark 42s, one midship and one aft, deliver the ship’s firepower. Other trivia from the tour included a story of how the destroyer got its “Grey Ghost” nickname. In 1967, the USS Edson sustained damage from enemy fire but disappeared quickly under the cover of battle smoke.

Every year at Halloween, a program called “The Edson Incident” is the primary museum fundraiser. Even on our tour date of September 4, we saw evidence that the ship would soon be “haunted” for the upcoming Halloween season’s activities. Even though there were no combat fatalities during her service career, the USS Edson features a resident “ghost.” Fortunately, we did not come upon that apparition during our visit.

The USS Edson has seasonal operating hours. During the winter months, tours are by reservation only, but their summer season starts in April. You can find more information about hours and tours on their website here.

Today, the USS Edson is a tribute to a bygone era of naval power, offering visitors a tangible connection to the Cold War and Vietnam War periods. It is the first Vietnam era vessel we’ve toured. By stepping aboard the “Grey Ghost of the Vietnamese Coast,” you can explore the ship’s intricate workings, learn about the lives of the sailors who served on her, and gain a deeper appreciation for the role of naval vessels in global history.

John Steiner