USS EDSON HOME: Historic Destroyer Finally Reaches Home Berth Here
May 7, 2013
By: Dave Rogers
A small crew of volunteers rode the vessel to its dock. (Photo by Dave Rogers)
The 418 foot long USS Edson, DD 946, was pushed to its new home berth. (Photo by Dave Rogers)
Excitement reigned.
Cannon-type salutes were shot.
Photographers snapped dozens of pictures.
The 418 foot long USS Edson, DD 946, was towed to its new home berth about 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 7, 2013.
Pushed up the river from a temporary station at the Wirt Stone Dock last Friday, the massive warship completed its journey under power of the same tug, the 142-foot long Gregory J. Busch, out of Saginaw.
The widest smiles among onlookers were from Mike Kegley and Dick Janke, leaders of the 15-year fund drive that raised about $1.5 million to obtain the ship from the U.S. Navy and have it towed through the ocean and the St. lawrence Seaway into Lake Huron nine months ago.
A small crew of volunteers rode the vessel to its dock, waving and cheering as she settled in. People in cars crossing Independence Bridge could see the huge vessel and some even honked welcomes.