The USS Slater is a World War II Destroyer Escort being restored in Albany, New York.

She went to the Greek Navy in the 1950s and returned to the United States about 12 years ago. She has a very dedicated team of volunteers working aboard.

The ship has a fine web site at ussslater.org

What makes it special is the monthly newsletter which on the net version has color pictures of the people and work going on aboard. All the back issues are available

With all the stories of ships that have failed lately, it is good to see one going right!

Ted Miles

The USS John Rodgers was recently donated back to a US company by the Mexican Government/Navy. The Rodgers is the last operational Fletcher class destroyer. You can read more about this project at:

http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/cat_ ... ahuac.html

From what I have read the Rodgers will be returned to operational status.

Even more impressive is she has all five of her 5-inch'ers. Many of these boats were converted late in life, so she's already pretty much in WWII configuration.

Bob

I frequently mention the USS SLATER to friends in the railroad preservation community, because this not only is a first class restoration job, but their organization provides many valuable examples to learn from, that could be applied to other preservation projects.

In addition to their superb use of the internet with an attractive website that features an informative and up to date electronic newsletter, they also have a section of the website that lists all the materials they are looking for and provides pictures of them. They have a group of salvage specialists who are in close touch with the Navy when vessels are to be sent for scrapping, they look for material on those ships that is appropriate for the USS SLATER in the applicable time period represented by their restoration of the vessel. They travel to the ships in groups to remove the material and bring it home.

They also have travel and vacation pooling set up with several groups of veterans who come halfway across the country in teams to work on the ship for a week or two at a time. Some of these teams are from as far away as the midwest.

And they give the salvage team and the traveling teams prominent billing in the electronic newsletter, to let them know that their efforts are appreciated. This is a much better and more valuable use of their newsletter space than is done by many organizations that just fill their communications with items culled from newpapers and magazines. There are a lot of valuable lessons to be learned from their organization, if anyone cares to do so.

Oh yes, by the way, Gus has another of the ship's diesels overhauled and about ready to operate.

PC