Vesole (DDR 878) - Naval Cruise Book

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SHIP'S HISTORY if Vesole prior to FRAM modernization in 1964 The USS VESOLE QDD-8785 was built in Orange, Texas by the Consolidated Steel Corporation and was launched 29 December 1944. IVlrs. K. K. Vesole, widow of the ship's namesake, was the ship's spon- sor. Ensign VESOLE was Officer-in-Charge of the armed guard aboard the USS JOHN BASCON. He was post- humously awarded the Navy Cross for extraordinary heroism while helping his men to safety after the sinking of his ship off the enemy beaches of Bari, Italy, 2 December 1943. VESOLE was modified for radar picket duty in the Pacific soon after her commissioning. The mod- ification, however, took just long enough to cost VESOLE her first' taste of combat as World War ll ended while the ship was enroute to the Pacific. VESOLE continued to the Pacific -and operated for a year in the Far Fast before returning to the Atlantic Fleetin 1947. Since 1947, VESOLE has made frequent tripsto the European area to serve with the Sixth Fleet or as a Midshipman cruise ship. In 1953, she was among the ships reviewed by Queen Elizabeth ll at the Coronation Naval Review. VESOLE also operated with the Atlantic, Fleet Amphibious Forces in the Caribbean Sea and took part in the Cuban Quarantine. ln 1962, she participated in the Presidential Review. Also in 1962, VESOLE was the recipient of the first Arleigh' Burke Fleet Trophy for the greatest improve- ment in battle efficiency. From January to September 1964, VESOLEunder- went Fleet ,Rehabilitationand Modernization QFRAIVIJ overhaul at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard. Selected for a complete refitting, VESOLE received internal and external' modifications. In addition to the installation of improv-ed underwater detection equipment, radar, and electronic warfare systems, internal improvements were made in living compartments, office spaces, I, pilot house and Combat information Center. Externally, she received a signal bridge, DASH Hanger and flight deck, and ASROC launcher. This armament brought VESOLE up to the standards of a modern fighting ship. VESOLE now carries ASROC and torpedo tubes to fulfill her primary mission in Anti-Submarine Warfare, and mounts two 5 f 38 twin gun batteries. From November 1965 to April 1966, VESOLE deployed to Vietnam and took part in numerous coastal patrol and gunfire support missions. VESOLE departed for the Middle East in November 1966 where she visited many ports including lVlassawa, Ethiopia. There the crew enjoyed a week of festivities climaxed by the graduation ceremonies of the Ethiopian Naval Academy and a royal visit by his Majesty Haile Selassie. In June 1967, VESOLE was part of the U. S. exhibit at EXPO '67 in Nlontreal, Canada. The ship entered Boston Naval Shipyard for her regular over- haul period in April 1968, after which she underwent refreshertraining at GUANTANAIVIO Bay, Cuba. From January to July 1969, VESOLE wasthe U. S. Representative in Standing Naval Force Atlantic-the multinational NATO squadron. While a member of STANAVFORLANT, VESOLE participated in several major NATO exercises and visited North Atlantic ports. At the 20th Anniversary NATO Review in May 1969, the ship had the honor of again being one of the ships reviewed by Queen Elizabeth ll. U When not deployed overseas, VESOLE operates with units of the Second Fleet in local ASW exercises. In August 1969, VESOLE will change homeports form.Newport, Rhode Island to Charleston South Carolinag assigned to Cruiser-Destroyer Flotilla SIX, Destroyer Squadron 6. VESOLE is manned by approximately 17 officers and 250 enlisted personnel.

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HMS DIDO, a Leander Class general-purpose frigate, was built at Scotstoun, Glasgow, Scotland, and was first commissioned on September 18, 1963. Although her primary role in war. is the de- tection and destruction of submarines, DIDO is armed with a triple-barrelled antisubmarine mor- tar which is automatically controlled by sonar equipment. DIDO also carries a Wasp helicopter, armed with homing torpedoes, to deal with enemy submarines detected at long range. The Wasp has a range of 288 miles, a one-man crew, and can carry three passengers. DlD0's main gun armament is a twin 4.5 inch turret, mounted forward. This is directed by radar when fired automatically and is capable of engaging targets travelling at the speed of sound. The ship also has two 40 millimeter anti-aircraft guns. The distinctive hull shape of the Leander Class ensures stability and high maneuverability. DIDO has a standard displacement of 2,300 tons, a length of 372 feet and a beam of 41 feet. Her turbines develop 30,000 shaft horsepower, giving her a speed of more than 30 -knots. The ship has a complement of 16 officers and 236 enlisted men. THE SHIPS OF The Dutch frigate HNLMS VAN NES ,was built in Flushing, Holland, and commissioned on August 9, 1967. On October 5, 1967, after a trial cruise inthe seas surrounding the British Isles, VAN NES was assigned to The Netherlands Training Squadron Five. The fourth ship to bear the name, VAN NES was named after The Royal Netherlands Navy Admiral Aert van Nes, who lived from 1620 to 1693. The third VAN NES, a destroyer, served in The Netherlands East Indies during the Japan- ese invasion of 1942. She was sunk in February 1942 while escorting an evacuation convoy in the Java Sea. VAN NES has a standard displacement of 2200 tons. She is 360 feet long and has a beam of 41 feet and an average draught of 15 feet. VAN NES reaches a maximum speed of 28.5 knots and carries a complement of 254 officers and enlisted men. The frigate's armament includes two 4.5 inch twin turret guns, one three-barrelled depth charge mortar, two Seacat missile launchers, and a Wasp helicopter with homing torpedoes, 7 74, ix . 1 - X The Royal Netherlands Navy destroyer HNLMS LIMBURG is named after the most southern pro- vince of The Netherlands. Built in Flushing, Holland, LlMBURG's keel was laid in 1953. She was commissioned on Oct- ober 31, 1956. On her trial cruise she visited Portland, England, Free Town, Sierra Leone, and Las Palmas, in the Canary Islands. From March 1957 to March 1959, LIMBURG was assigned to The Netherlands Training Squad- ron I. From May to December 1960 LIMBURG made a world cruise with her sister ship, the destroyer GRONINGEN, and the Royal Netherlands aircraft carrier KAREL DOORMAN. F After serving in the New Guinea area during 1962, LIMBURG was put into a reserve fleet until April 1966. Since then she has operated with the Fifth Netherlands Training Squadron. From .lan- uaryto March 1967 LIMBURG was part ofNATO's Match Maker Ill Squadron, the forerunner of the presentStanding Naval Force Atlantic. LIMBURG displaces 2497t3ons, is 380 feet long, has a beam of 38 and onehalf feet and can reach a speed in excess of 36 knots. Her armament includes four 4.7 inch guns, four 20 millimeter anti-aircraft guns and two four-barrelled anti-submarine rocket th rowers.