Donald Beary (FF 1085) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 4 text:

I I SKlf2K£ ' ' PllE3 ' ' »!r fS «K ■

Page 3 text:

■Mf ■ ' -- ■ —

Page 5 text:

USS DONALD B.BEARY is named in honor of Vice Admiral Donald B. Beary, USN, whose genius was largely re- sponsible for the revolutionary success of mobile underway replenishment leading to victory in the Pacific during World War II. She is the eighth ship of the JOSEPH HEWES class of frigate specially designed for detecting and destroying ene- my submarines, but also capable of effective performance of missions of search and rescue, patrol, evacuation, blockade, surveillance, shore bombardment, and anti-air warfare. DONALD B. BEARY is equipped with the most recent advances in underwater sound detection equipment (SO- NAR), communications, and radar equipment. The ship fea- tures an integral bow-mounted long range sonar, variable depth sonar, a tactical towed array and active gyro-stabiliza- tion which provides DONALD B. BEARY with increased sea-worthiness and anti-submarine warfare capability over previous classes of frigates. The principle armament is the homing torpedo, which can be delivered at long range by the anti-submarine rocket (ASROC) or launched from torpedo tubes on the ship. The HARPOON missile system is installed for anti-ship warfare. The 5-inch 54 caliber gun mounted for- ward provides for anti-aircraft defense. It is also effective for shore bombardment in support of forces many miles inland and against surface targets. The ship has a flight deck and hangar facility for an anti-submarine configured LAMPS (Light Airborne Multipurpose Systems) helicopter. DONALD B. BEARY is powered by a single five-bladed propeller, driven by a 35,000 shaft horsepower steam turbine and is capable of speeds in excess of 27 knots. Two boilers provide superheated steam at 1200 pounds per square inch pressure. DONALD B. BEARY was built by Avondale Shipyards, Incorporated, at Westwego, Louisiana. Her keel was laid on 24 July 1970, and she was launched 22 May 1971. Mrs. Mary L. Beary, widow of Admiral Beary, is the ship ' s sponsor. Since commissioning the DONALD B. BEARY has par- ticipated in numerous major overseas deployments. Several were to the Sixth Fleet in the Mediterranean and some were to the Middle East and Indian Ocean. DONALD B. BEARY operates out of her home port of Norfolk, Virginia where she conducts fleet operations as part of Destroyer Squadron Ten within Cruiser-Destroyer Group Eight, Naval Service Force, United States Atlantic Fleet.