Keep your eye on the river as the 418 foot long ship is slated to be maneuvered by a pair of tugboats. (MyBayCity Photo by Josh Sharrow) EDSON AWEIGH! Mid-April Tow to New Dock Has Old Salts Fired Up
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"Big Ed," the destroyer USS Edson, is going home.
The ship's new berth in Bay City, Michigan, awaits only installation of a couple of anchor plates, according to Mike Kegley, retired Navy chief petty officer and president of the Saginaw Valley Naval Ship Museum.
Keep your eye on the river as the 418 foot long ship is slated to be maneuvered by a pair of tugboats.
Events like the Destroyer Escort Sailors Association, an Edson crew reunion and a wedding already are anticipated for the first season of visitation aboard the ship, Chief Kegley announced.
Work is proceeding on a power supply to light the vessel that will be located just east of Independence Bridge in Bangor Township.
"We would like to acknowledge the support of Bay Future, Inc. directed by Magen Samyn. Her efforts to seek support are an example of a community at work for a common cause," said Chief Kegley.
"We also wish to thank Dow Chemical and their 'Dow Community Gives' Program Managers for allowing us to present our mission, and find ways for the great many volunteer employees from their company to assist us with major labor intensive activities."
Kegley also acknowledged Mr. Randy Terry, who has offered a formal agreement for use of adjacent property and a storage facility. "This agreement gives us great flexibility at our permanent mooring site, and enhances our riverfront development plans," he said.
The museum is sponsoring a spaghetti fundraiser with drawings for prizes to benefit the USS Edson. The dinner is scheduled from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, April 7 at Coonan's Irish Pub, 1004 Johnson St.
Adult tickets are $10, children's tickets $8 and children under five free. Those interested in touring the ship can schedule an appointment by calling the museum at 989-684-3946.
After the vessel is settled into its mooring, SVNSM officials will be applying to the Intrepidd Sea-Air-Space Museum in New York City for artifacts from the ship that were removed in 2004 when it left that berth for the Philadelphia Navy Yard.
The ship was decommissioned in 1988 after 30 years at sea, including significant action in South East Asia where sailors dubbed it "the Grey Ghost of the Vietnamese Coast."
The ship is named for Marine Gen. Merritt "Red Mike" Edson, a World War II hero who headed Edson's Raiders in the South Pacific theater.
A number of important artifacts, including the ship's bell from its days patrolling the coast of Viet Nam will be conveyed here by veterans, perhaps including some former crew members.
The first Bay City ringing of the ship's bell will be a momentous event after the items are received from New York, officials said.
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