Due to the historically low levels of the Mississippi River recently, the famous USS Kidd Navy Destroyer on display in Baton Rouge, Louisiana is left high and dry out of the water. The ship is 376 ft, 5 in long.
UPDATE: “On 25 April 2024, Kidd began her journey to a shipyard in Houma, Louisiana, for her first major preservation project since her arrival in Baton Rouge. The work will be undertaken by maritime construction firm Thoma-Sea, and include measures to preserve her hull and superstructure.”
Once again I will say, NOW with the Mississippi River being as low as it is this would be the perfect time and opportunity to do some "drydock work" to the hull without having to pay to tow her and pay for actual drydock time. The entire hull at and below the waterline is there for any needed repairs and painting. Once the River rises and she's floating again that window will close
climate change ? ... what climate change ? ... and you're worried about the cost of dry docking ? ... try living in the real world please ... you might achieve something useful for humanity
@@brucedeane8 Ummm, I re-read what I posted and NO WHERE did I say anything about "climate change" I simply pointed out for ALL those people out in "Inter-Web World" the need for and perfect opportunity for whoever is in charge (the Curators) of the USS Kidd Exhibit. There are other Warships on display and even have visited a couple of them and the entrance fee money could help pay for the work I mentioned, THAT is part of being and living in a "real world". I've been taking care of MY corner of the World for years and am now retired Thank You Oh and LOL
@@brucedeane8 Bruce, Im sure Wooky chew can defend himself but his there something wrong with you? He mentioned nothing about climate change but even if he did..... what's with the abuse? What is wrong with you and your life that your alleviating it through the abuse of others? This is a comment section on a bloody ship and nothing more. With respect Bruce, because it appears no one has ever told you this in your life but.......Grow bloody up!
@@brucedeane8 Haha you're a smart one... What do you mean "what climate change"? Thought people weren't uneducated enough to still not believe in this. Climate change is very real. Or maybe it's just a conspiracy and 99% of all serious scientists in the world are payed to lie about this, right?
The fact that they built a support cradle underneath the ship is a pretty good sign that they understood that the ship could occasionally be left high and dry.
It's not occasional. It does this every year. In the Summer and Fall months the river is low and the Kidd rests on its cradle in dry dock. In the Spring when the snow melts up north and eventually drains into the Mississippi River, the river rises and The Kidd will float off of its cradle.
@@Tigermarshall The propagandists don't want people to know this. Now, lake Mead and Powell are different stories. And they keep kicking that can down the road.There is even talk of a canal/pipeline FROM the Mississippi.🤦♂
@@jakerazmataz852 The solution to that is either: A. process sea water. Yes its expensive, but you don't really have a choice, or B. Don't live in a desert.
@@holdenthompson1235 Yes, definitely. What I mean is that even as a museum ship, I am impressed that they planned for the water level to drop so low. Do they do that for all museum ships, or only the ones on rivers? For example, the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) has an old diesel submarine moored in the river. I wonder if there are dry-dock supports under it as well?
The USS Kidd brings back some great memories. The ship is a Just over forty years ago I had the privilege of being one of the Marine Surveyors who represented various entities when the USS Kidd was moved into its current position. We rode on the Kidd as it was very carefully moved over the concrete saddles that prevented it from tipping over in the event of low water on the Mississippi River. There is a sonar dome near the front of the vessel and there was a great deal of concern that the sonar dome might be cracked, and the ship might sink. When all we Marine Surveyors signed off on the USS Kidd being located properly, they needed a surveyor to go into the bilges at different locations along the keel to verify there were no leaks, and the sonar dome was intact. I was thirty-three years old, the youngest and smallest of the surveyors, so guess who was nominated to do the inspection of the internals? Great historical vessel.
You can't paint it on the beach can you imagine the insurance you would need to do that especially where that's considered some national area cuz the ships there what alone the pollutant that you would inevitably cause plus the department of environmental protection would be so far up your ass you can't disturb start torch and stuff on the beach and cutting metal up and using gases and all that on the beach
@@outdoorlifemaine6691 unfortunately you are probably right. These woke so called environmentalists are running the world. Now, let us for a moment think of if she develops a hole and fills up with water. What impact would that have on the effort to save the world.
I can see the Kidd from my office every day and it's easily one of the best parts of my view. Appreciate you taking the time to walk under her and getting this footage, I didn't take the opportunity.
Thanks for the in person up-close! At my age it's doubtful I'll ever get down there to see it myself, always have a deep respect for those who served and especially WWII naval personnel. This vessel has a unique history,, USS Kidd (DD-661), a Fletcher-class destroyer, was the first ship of the United States Navy to be named after Rear Admiral Isaac C. Kidd, who died on the bridge of his flagship USS Arizona during the 1941 Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Admiral Kidd was the first US flag officer to die during World War II.
You could put 9 of those on the deck of the ship I built and served on when I was in the US Navy. From Wikipedia: "Kidd's special mooring in the Mississippi River is designed to cope with the annual change in river depth, which can be up to forty feet. Half the year, she floats as the river rises; the other half, she sits on keel blocks, and her entire hull can be visible as the water is so low." I hope the museum commission has the funds to put some locals to work doing maintenance and preservation on the typically underwater portions of her hull during this period. It would be an excellent opportunity.
Yep, good video saved me from a return visit to BR to see the river that low. I left BR in 1984 after a job change and go back occasionally to visit but have not been to the river in over 20 years, thanks for the video of the boat,ship,destroyer whatever it it.
William Edward Young served on the Kidd as the Korean War was ending. He died December, 2021. Thank you for posting this. He loved the Navy, his time on the Kidd with Captain Ensy. Looks like a good time for maintenance before the water rises. I don't see when this video was taken. Thank you for this post!!
I believe the Kidd was used as the primary Fletcher Class Destroyer in the Tom Hanks movie Greyhound. Of course a great deal of CGI was used to simulate operational conditions. A pretty good movie.
She was. She is the only remaining Fletcher class destroyer that is still in her World War II configuration. Most of the Fletcher class were heavily modernized as they continued to serve in the US Navy and other Navies.
Looks very rusty under there. I can’t believe they don’t take the opportunity of free dry dock to do some repairs bcs i bet it needs repairs in some places
If one looks at the Texas in drydock, one can see that it's not just a matter of slapping on a few hull plates with a Lincoln Electric in a few hours. One flash flood and that area will be underwater again, possibly with gaping holes in the hull. I wouldn't risk it without building a coffer dam at the very least, which would be expensive by itself.
@@RamblerReb its on concrete anyway so its not like its gonna sink anywhere. And regardless, texas is about undoing the damage control that was done decades ago with foam whovh was crapy. And texas actually sank already because of disrepair so preventing that from happening with this one would be great and just stripping the rust off and painting over it could be enough.
Costs A LOT of money (millions of dollars) to keep a ship in good shape. Museum ships don't make that much money in the first place and since the government isn't paying for their upkeep it all comes out of the few dollars that tourists pay to visit them. Sure some receive money from the states, such as the battleship USS New Jersey and USS Texas, but even then it doesn't cover everything.
All they need is plastic membrane and scaffolding to contain the blast media and wala rust free and ready for coating. Just can’t get where the keel blocks are.
The fact that this is just a small destroyer is mind blowing. I have been onboard the USS Yorktown, USS Alabama, and USS North Carolina and those all tower over this ship.
My Dad served on a couple destroyers in the Radio room. He stayed stateside mothballing them up the Mississippi. He turns 96 this year. His ship was sold to the Netherlands coastguard until the late 70's.
As far as ships, this is a tiny ship. It's a destroyer and they're smaller. If you think that is large you should sit beside an aircraft carrier out of the water.
Always thought the USS Kidd was awesome until I went on the USS Alabama. A battleship is such a massive difference. Cool video. Never seen the ship without water at least touching the bottom.
We did a self tour of the USS North Carolina a few years back, "massive" ship is an understatement, as is the Alabama but it's one of those "you have to see it to believe it" on their size
Was I Baton Rouge about a year ago and toured the Kidd, and to see how low the water levels have dropped is unreal. Very interesting vessel, well worth the time to walk through and learn a little history.
My step father served on the USS GREINER in WWII,she was a destroyer like the KIDD. They didn't see land for 2 years as they escorted other ships. These were brave men!
I’m thinking about going over to the USS Kidd. I was born and raised in New Orleans and live part time in Baton Rouge because of my job. I can’t believe with how much I love history that I’ve never actually been to the USS Kidd before. I’m thinking that since I’m off of work for the next few days that I’ll have to go and change that
Native LoUiSiAnian here… the level of the Mississippi River being so low is actually a common occurrence (it doesn’t happen every year), but the river’s level will go back up with the winter thaw up north. BTW, it’s a ship NOT a boat. Also, you board the ship using a gangway.
Wow. I’m 58 years old living in Baton Rouge all my life been on that boat several times I’ve never seen the water that low. I’m gonna have to mosey down there and check it out. It’s only about 20 or 30 minutes away from where I live. that is a piece of history. If anybody gets a chance to go on it, it will give you an appreciation of what people 😊had to go through to protect this country.
I was in the Marines in the mud 70s and recently I toured the Kidd and was amazed at how tough the living conditions were on the ship! I could not imagine being in rough seas on it! The men who sailed and fought on it were true warriors! Semper Fi my naval brothers Semper Fi!
Thanks for the tour. I live in central LA and have nevwr toured the Kidd. This was a nice look at it during a drought event like this. Thanks for sharing. And as far as banter about Boat vs Ship, I'm with ya. I knew someone who was an officer on the Ticondaroga in WWII. He would get so angry with me when Id ask about "the boat." He would correct me and insist I ask about "the Ship." It was out of respect for his vessel and his service. He said boats are for fisherman, warships are for soldiers.
- Global warming alarmists trying say something is changing when it isn't. >>> Half the year, she floats as the river rises; the other half, she sits on keel blocks, and her entire hull can be visible as the water is so low.
Not quite! A boat launches from a ship, and a ship launches from a pier. Submarines and Destroyers are traditionally called "Boats" because 100+ years ago when they were new, they were too small to carry a useful amount of fuel and ammunition, so they'd travel around in packs with a central "Mothership" called a "Tender" that theyd resupply from and "Launch" from. So they were boats. When they grew in size and didnt need to travel around with this mothership, the name stuck.
@@nateoutdoors4899I love Fletcher class destroyers thanks to my dad who served aboard the Sproston. I do not mind one bit that you call her a boat. Thanks for the video and do not let the nit pickers get you down.
Great video! The kidd is known as a destroyer escort. It's main mission was to protect the main fleet from submarine attacks by firing torpedoes launched from its deck and dropping depth charges in the water. Thank you for sharing. 😊
Cool ship. A destroyer is considered small in the Navy though. I was on a destroyer for a family day cruise when they fired off the 5 inch gun. Shakes you to your bones... real loud. Real awesome. I cant imagine what it would be like on a Battleship.
I worked with a man who was on that ship in WWII his name was Louis Godreau... he died on Sept 11 2017, told me some stories, he was one of the head gunners and told me the captain was French, his son always wanted to take him down there but he never wanted to...Lou was 92 years old...they don`t make guys like that anymore... he taught me a lot he was from Ft Kent Maine picking potatoes since he was 3 years old. Yes it is a destroyer and he also told me he used to sleep on the deck.
Pretty heavy corrosion at the water line and propeller stern tubes. If they had the money, now would be the time to fix it with the ship essentially drydocked. Very cool to be able to walk around it.
I've seen this as I passed by on the river. I myself am a inland waterways worker and saw this ship while the MS river was at its lowest stage. Very cool to go past LSU Tiger Stadium and see this from the waters view.
It is a Fletcher class destroyer featured in the movie “Greyhound”. My father in law served on it’s sister ship the USS Kimberly The Kimberly was hit by kamikazes while in battle. Great ships with great men aboard!!
1/2 year it's in water the other 1/2 on dry land. It's been that way since they put it there in 1982. The sky is not falling. River depths vary depending on time of year.
For a ship that sits she’s actually in great condition. And from the looks of it she’s out of the water quite a bit hence all the cribbing. Still looks great!
This one is on the designers of that dock. They anticipated there could be low water at some point. They built that outer dock perfectly. The ship is sitting even keel...very cool. It probably cost them a million dollars to design that whole thing.
Hi Nate, I know its increible how low is old man river. I live in Walker, Louisiana. Usually the Kidd its usually pretty much floating in water, I've been to the Kidd's tours. Thanks for the video, I haven't been down there in some time but I saw a similar video in Ch. 9 (WAFB). It is pretty crazy because I've always seen it covered in water. 👍
USS Kidd, designation DD-661, is a Fletcher Class destroyer. Shes named after Rear Admiral Isaac Kidd, who died on the bridge of the USS Arizona during the Peral Harbor attack. She served through WW2, both in Atlantic and Pacific fleets, was recommissioned for Korea, then served until 1962 where she was decomissioned for the last time. It was also the set for the movie Greyhound. USS Kidd, DDG-100, an Arliegh Burke class guided missile destroyer, is still currently serving in the US Navy as the 3rd ship to carry the name, so her legacy lives on. The USS Kidd, from WW2 to its modern version, is also the only US ship allowed to fly the Jolly Roger "pirate flag", a nod to famous pirate captain William Kidd. This is a tradition carried on from the first crew ti serve on the ship.
Years ago when my son was in cub scouts, he and his pack were able to spend a night on the Kidd. Enjoyed the video but with a somber feeling trying to imagine just how low the river really is at the moment. Peace
We Air Wing sailors called anything that is not an Aircraft Carrier a BOAT. 😂. Never will forget the look on the faces of those Sailors on the ship (boat) alongside during CONREP (UNREP) gazing at us gliding along steadily through the seas while they were pitching and rolling heavily when delivering ordnance, fuel and groceries to us.
It nuts seeing the river that low. The lowest I’ve seen it was on the lowest step of the levy just to the north of there, but also so high that sand bags and barriers were placed along the top of the levy.
Coolio. New subscriber here. I live within walking distance of the Kidd. I recall in 1986, I believe, the water level of the ole Miss was so low that it was actually blue under the I10 bridge
Great video. Just slow down your camera work a little and you will have a winner. You have good content and a good delivery. This is the best video I have seen regarding the Kidd.
@@randycoolbaugh1408 yup, get what you’re saying. I’m imagining it has / had better then most acceleration, depending what the engine torque available is. Thinking acceleration would be a major plus when maneuvering in battle scenarios.
I'm always amazed when a ship like this is out of the water how narrow the beam is. The perspective from the bow lengthwise down the keel of the hull is awesome. You would think the ship would capsize as soon as it was launched. Of course ballast and careful engineering keeps that from happening. The idea of drydock work while the river level is low makes sense to me unless there are environmental laws that prevent it being done where the ship is sitting now.
They should take advantage of the low water and give the hull a paint job. Hell of a lot cheaper than floating it to a marina dry dock. The USS Kidd was named after Rear Admiral Isaac Kidd who was killed while standing on the bridge of the USS Arizona during the Pearl Harbor attack
It's a 376ft Fletcher class destroyer originally commissioned in 1943 and decommissioned in 1946 but was re-commissioned again in 1951 and decommissioned for the final time in 1964
Love your footing good stuff keep it up pall thanks for showing the past in its glory I love the last of time with American people and the English people at war with the evil monsters of the world 🌎 thanks again for the time you have taken to do this I ham stone by the size of a ship like this I did not no that they keep ships still of the past most were scraped by the government at the end of the war
The beam is pretty narrow compared to larger ships. Makes even a career Navy guy sea sick when in the North Atlantic in winter. I saw one of the Iowa class alongside a pier in Long Beach, CA. Went on to tell a friend that she had battleship hips after her first child was born. Years later that caught up to me. We're still friends but there for a minute I thought I was getting killed next time we meet.
Cool but as big as she is, she's dwarfed by an Iowa Class battleship. I just watched a video of the USS New Jersey drydocked in Long Beach California for maintenance when it was still in service, it is HUGE. The plus side to such a low water level for the USS Kidd is that they can do hull inspections and maybe some maintenance.
If I look at a map of where this is, it is about 45-60 miles up from the gulf. We are told the oceans are rising. I live on the water off the Chesapeake Bay about 45 miles up from Norfolk and my water level is normal. Anyone care to explain how this happens? Skeptical to think someone is getting played.
