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By Ed Zajkowski
The past few issues of TCS have been devoted to ships
of the WW II era. It cannot be denied that 1939 to 1950 was indeed rich
in destroyer history. However, honor, duty and heroism have been part of
Tin Can service for 80 years. Let’s take a look at a ship that
followed the WW II generation, a ship that serves to this day.
THE NAMESAKES
NICOLAS BIDDLE 1750-1778
Born in Philadelphia and appointed Captain in the Navy
at age 25, he commanded the 14-gun brig Andrew Doria and the Randolph.
He was killed while engaging the HMS Yarmouth on 7 March 1778.
CLAUDE V. RICKETTS
Claude Ricketts had a distinguished naval career from
the 1930’s to 1964. In 1939 he was executive officer of the destroyer
SICARD (DD-346). Adm. Ricketts had a firm belief in the Navy’s role in
international affairs and was the leader in the development of the
multilateral force concept. He was Vice Chief of Naval Operations from
Nov. 1961 to July 1964.
THE SHIP
USS C. V. RICKETTS has a full load of displacement of
4,500 tons, is 437 feet long and 47 feet wide at the extreme beam. Her
highest point is 112 feet above waterline. The crew consists of 25
officers, 21 chiefs and 308 enlisted men. The power plant is 4 boilers,
1200 lb. steam, and 2 geared turbines capable of over 70,000 shaft
horsepower. Weapons are ASROC (eight nuclear capable missiles), six
conventional torpedo tubes, two 5"-54 rapid fire gun mounts. Rapid
fire means firing 35 78 lb. shells per minute (any four-stacker men care
to challenge that?). TARTAR missile launchers are also part of the ship.
HISTORY
DDG-5 was commissioned USS BIDDLE on 5 May 1962 at the
Philadelphia Navy Yard after being built at the New York Shipbuilding
Co. in Camden, New Jersey. The ship became a member of the Second Fleet
and was a part of the 1962 Cuban Blockade. Late 1963 to March 1964 saw
BIDDLE make her first Med cruise. She was then designated the
demonstration ship for the mixed-manning concept. Men from seven
countries manned the ship. The countries and number of men on board from
each follow: USA-174, U. Kingdom-26, W. Germany-49, Netherlands-18,
Italy-32, Greece-26 and Turkey-11.
On 28 July 1964, the ship was renamed CLAUDE V.
RICKETTS for the deceased admiral who so strongly advanced the mixed-man
crew. All men had to speak English. The menu was diversified to try and
please all. British sailors were unhappy because they couldn’t have
their daily rum ration. RICKETTS visited ports in each country
represented aboard during the 18-month test.
From 1966 to 1973 duty was routine with many Med
cruises. She made a Northern European cruise in 1972. A ten-month
overhaul took up most of 1974. July of 1975 saw RICKETTS underway for
yet another Med cruise. 22 November 1975 found the ship three miles from
the disastrous collision of the USS BELKNAP and USS J. F. KENNEDY. Half
of the BELKNAP was in flames as the RICKETTS approached to assist
moments after the accident. RICKETTS moved in with 20 hoses while ammo
was exploding. She persisted in fighting the fire to prevent further
large caliber explosions. Three hours directly alongside saw the fires
out. Through the RICKETTS determined efforts, a Navy ship was saved.
Many of her crewmembers received medals while the ship itself earned the
Navy Unit Commendation, the highest peacetime award.
1976 found DDG-5 in Kenya for the country's
independence anniversary. She entered the Philadelphia Navy Yard for a
one year overhaul in Sept. 1977. Returning to her homeport of Norfolk in
April 1979, the ship was sent on another of the endless string of Med
cruises. With the start of the Iranian problem last Fall, the ship went
to the Mid-East. She performed the tedious but important duty of
screening escort for the USS LaSALLE, an 8,000 ton command ship. The USS
LaSALLE was the Flagship for the commander of the Middle East Force. She
performed this duty for 72 straight days without seeing port. This ship
then had an upkeep period in Sardinia and is expected to return to the
States March 29th. RICKETTS has just been awarded the Navy,
Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal for her role in the Iranian crises. Her
current Commanding Officer is Commander T. A. York. My sincere thanks to
Ensign R. H. Mitchell of the USS RICKETTS for assisting me with this
article.
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