
The following is a narative history of the USS Richard E. Byrd.
At various point there will be links which you can click on which
will allow you to jump to various places in the narative. One
link which I'd like to mention is the Timeline link which is a
timline of the major events and happenings in the Byrd's history.
Stats:
Length: 437 FT.
Beam: 47 FT.
Displacement: 4,500 Tons
Propulsion: Twin steam turbindes, two shafts 70,000 SHP
Speed: 31 KNOTS
Aramament:
MK. 13 TARTAR LAUNCHER
TWO MK. 42 5in./54 GUN MOUNTS
MK. 16 (8) CELL ASROC LAUNCHER
TWIN MK. 32 TRIPLE TORPEDO TUBES
Search Radars:
SPS 10 C/D SURFACE SEARCH RADAR
SPS 40 (2D) AIR SEARCH RADAR
SPS 39 (3D) AIR SEARCH RADAR
Fire Control:
TWO AN/SPG 51C/D FIRE CONTROL RADAR'S
MK. 68 GFCS
SQQ 23 PAIR HULL MOUNTED SONAR
Narative History
The USS Richard E. Byrd, hull number23, was
constructed in the Todd Ship builders in 1961. She was
commisioned on March 7, 1964. She served until April 27, 1990 at
which time she was decomissioned. She was then
sold to Greece in 1992 and was salvaged for parts.
The Byrd was named after the famous explorer and
Navy Admiral Richard E. Byrd. Admiral Byrd had many
accomplishments but is most remembered for being the first man to reach
the North Pole.
The Byrd was the 22nd ship of the famed Adams'
class destroyers. She was equipped with a large assortment of armaments
which allowed her to engage in mulitple platforms of combat.
Whether it be Surface to Air, Ground fire support or Anti-
submarine warfare, the Shooting, Steamin, Richard was up for the task.