USS Edson At Wirt's Stone Dock, Essexville Photo by Josh Sharrow

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USS Edson Arrives In Bay City

August 7, 2012       Leave a Comment
By: Stephen Kent

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Bright and early on the morning of August 7, 2012 the USS Edson completed a voyage that ended a long journey.

The Saginaw Valley Naval Ship Museum, a non-profit organized to bring an historic ship to Bay City, started searching for a ship many years ago. At least nine years ago, members found and toured the Edson. The ship was available and efforts were made to bring it the Bay City.

The USS Edson, a Forrest Sherman class destroyer, was built at the Bath Iron Works in Bath, Maine. The ship, named for Major General Merritt Austin Edson, was launched on January, 4 1958 and christened by General Edson's widow. The ship sailed through the Panama Canal and served in the Pacific Fleet.

After service in Viet Nam the ship moved to a new home port in Newport, RI. She was decommissioned in 1988 then served for years at the Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum in New York City. She was eventually returned to the Navy, which then assigned her to the Bay City Group.

On Tuesday the ship finished its 2,000 mile tow from Philadelphia to Bay City. The tug Colonel towed the ship and the Manitou tended the ship's stern. In Bay City numerous boats, and a tour on the Princess Wenonah, escorted the ship up the river. It will be docked at Wirt's Stone Dock until its permanent home is ready near the Independence Bridge.

Today the ship shows it's age and the signs of retirement. The museum plans to preserve and restore the decommissioned destroyer and have it open to the public for display and educational use.

The following pictures were provided by Andy Rogers of Rogers Projects. Other photos were taken by Josh Sharow of MyBayCity.com.

For more information visit ussedson.org .

For other USS Edson articles see:

More USS Edson Photos -- by Dave Rogers
USS Edson Arrives In Bay City
EDSON ARRIVES! 418 Foot Destroyer Nudged Into Tie-Up at Wirt Stone Dock

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Photo shot through one of the bridges the ship had to negotiate Photo by Andy Rogers

Edson making her way up the Saginaw River Photo by Andy Rogers

Approaching her temporary dock location Photo by Andy Rogers

Close view of the ship. Photo by Andy Rogers

Princess Wenonah tour escorts the Edson into port Photo by Andy Rogers

Early morning view Photo by Andy Rogers

Getting a push to the shore and docking location. Photo by Andy Rogers

An observer from shore checks his new neighbor. Photo by Andy Rogers

Front view of ship at shore Photo by Andy Rogers

Visitors and volunteers on deck by front gun. Photo by Josh Sharrow

Afternoon view with storm clouds rolling in from the Bay Photo by Josh Sharrow

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Stephen Kent
Steve Kent and his family have lived in Bay City for 40 years. He is VP of Technical Services at MMCC which produces MyBayCity.Com. Kent is active in many Bay City civic organizations. More from Stephen Kent

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