During WW II, destroyer escort ships protected convoys and defended naval task forces. In 1944-45, the USS Slater DE-766 was first DE assigned to Atlantic convoy duty then went to the Pacific.
The legacy of 563 destroyer escorts lives on through the USS Slater Ship Museum in Albany, NY.
May 2016 – Marilyn Barton, daughter of Lt. C. Robert Barton, USS Kendall C Campbell, and Tim Rizutto, Executive Director, USS Slater Ship Museum
With over 30 years in historic ship restoration, Tim Rizutto, Executive Director, led the 15 year project of making the Slater the most authentically restored ship in the country. Tim maintains a shipboard atmosphere that is safe, productive and fun for everyone who volunteers or visits.
While I cannot thank my father, who died in 1996, nor visit the Campbell because it was sold for scrap in 1973, I can be thankful that a representative of the type of ship my father served aboard still exists.
Slater mast and signal flagsSignal flagsAldis signal lampSpotlightAlan Fox, Volunteer, Tour GuideMarilyn at helm on the bridgeBob Moritz at the helm with AlanAlan in the CIC (Combat Information Center)Maneuvering the plotting board in the CICSurface plotting tableNavigation stationRadio roomRadar station in CICYeoman’s officeNews from the outside world — officers’ ward roomTypical officers’ quartersExecutive officer’s quartersOfficers’ showerAlan with breech of the 3-inch gunGene Berger with forward 3-inch batteryAlan with hedgehogs (ASW) – anti-submarine warfareMarilyn sighting on the 40 mm BoforsMarilyn on the Asmuth station of the Bofors40 mm rounds storageJan Moritz on elevation station of the 40 mm BoforsLesson in how to operate the gunsAft 3-inch gun mount looking forwardTransfer chair to send a crewman to another shipDepth chargesDepth charges in rackBob, Alan, Jan, and Marilyn at stern of Ship looking forward between the roll-off depth charge racksSlater’s galleyGalley
Ship’s ovensMedical autoclave that doubled as a lobster steamerOfficers’ ward room — Alan holding an article about a destroyer escort built in 23 and a half daysFirst aid and medical supplies stored in the officers’ ward roomEnlisted sleeping and living quartersEnlisted sleeping quartersMarilyn in enlisted quartersHammock in enlisted quartersEnlisted quartersCups and trays in enlisted quartersBasic medical supplies used by the ship’s pharmacy mateShip’s sick bay with Stokes stretcher for transporting sick or injuredRed seat designed to be used for infected crewTim with main propulsion control
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Tim in the engine room
Auxiliary generatorsPanoramic view of the engine roomTim, Marilyn, Jan, and Bob debriefing after our tour
