The 75th anniversary of D-Day is fast approaching. So on our drive from Houston through Lake Charles, Louisiana, it seemed natural to stop to see the USS Orleck Naval Museum. This Destroyer was commissioned in 1945 in the shipyard in nearby Orange, Texas. It saw duty in Korea and Vietnam before being given to the Turkish navy. They donated it back to a non-profit organization to display. The entry to the parking area is primitive, but worth traversing. I was greeted by Ron, the organization’s director. He filled me in on the history of the ship and what to look for.
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- In the radio room.
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- Radar room.
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- Universal arm drafting machine similar to the one I used way back when. This one used for course plotting.
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- We think drones are new. This drone dates back to 1963.
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- “Modern” teletype communications.
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- Swimming nonchalantly right beside the ship. A reminder not to swim in the rivers in the South!
