Kirk (DE 1087) - Naval Cruise Book

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United States Shzp KIRK DE-1087 The thirty-sixth ship of the KNOX class of Destroyer Escort, USS KIRK CDE 10873 is one of the Navy's newest and most versatile ships. As such, she embodies the most advanced weapons for anti-submarine warfare and has added capabilities for helicopter support, anti-air warfare, shore bombardment, high speed escort, search, surveillance, blockade, and patrol. This versatility makes KIRK representative of a significant step forward in our modern Navy. KIRK is the first ship to carry the name of Admiral Alan Goodrich KIRK, a naval leader who distinguished himself during World War II and served his country with honor for over fifty years. The primary mission of KIRK will be detection and destruction of enemy submarines. To fulfill this mission, she is equipped with an underwater fire control system and a long range. variable depth SONAR which extends the area of submarine detections to previously impossible distances. Along with highly sophisticated radar, com- munications, and fire control equipment, KIRK carries an anti-submarine rocket system CASROCY. a 5 inch 54 caliber rapid fire gun, and two anti-submarine homing torpedo launchers. Additionally, the ship has space and weight reservations for a self-defense short range missile system. ' Manned by a crew of 16 officers and 228 men, KIRK does not appear to be a destroyer escort because of her size. Displacing 4200 tons, she is 438 feet long with a beam of 46 feet 9 inches. Living quarters employ the latest concepts in habitability, including air conditioned messing and berthing compartments, a barber shop, ship's store, library, dispensary. and modern, fully equipped galley. USS KIRK is equipped with two boilers in a 1200 PSI steam system which provides 35.000 shaft horsepower to the shaft and single 5 bladed propeller. The boiler combustion is automatically controlled and watches in the tireroom and engine room will be stood in an air conditioned control booth. The fresh water evaporators are capable of providing 24,000 gallons of fresh water per day. In addition, the ship is equipped with two gyro-controlled fin stabilizers that make conditions aboard more comfortable when riding heavy seas. KIR.K's keel was laid 4 December 1970 at Avondale Shipyards, Inc., New Orleans, Louisiana. and launched 25 September 1971 under the ponsorship of Mrs. Alan G. KIRK, Admiral KIRK's wife. On joining the Cruiser- Destroyer Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet, USB KIRK KDE 10871 will be homeported in San Diego, California, as a unit of The Little Beavers of Destroyer Squadron TWENTY-THREE. ' . - ' Y ,- . M .af ' ' J ,, V ,., 1, f A . if -Qffgg .,-fic: ' , . . , . 2 fe .Q ....-..-