REPAIRS, NEW PROGRAMS ARE COMING FOR THE USS KIDD


By bblouin
Sailors man a phone-and-distance line during a replenishment-at-sea (RAS) aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Kidd (DDG 100) with the Military Sealift Command fleet replenishment oiler USNS Yukon (T-AO 202) Nov. 25, 2019.

One of the most unique ships to ever be a part of the U.S. Navy is getting a $11 million repair to help it extend its life. The USS Kidd (DD-661) is usually in Baton Rouge, LA. Now it is in Houma receiving repairs as the museum works to create new programs and attractions for visitors while everyone awaits its return.

The History of the USS Kidd (DD-661)

The USS Kidd is a Fletcher-class destroyer that began its service during World War II. It also provided military muscle during the Korean War and the Cold War. Named after Rear Admiral Isaac C. Kidd, who died during Pearl Harbor while defending the USS Arizona, the USS Kidd provided plenty of help in the Pacific Theater. This includes fighting to defend and invade multiple islands throughout the area. Most notably, during the Battle of Okinawa, the ship survived a kamikaze attack. However, 38 crew members were killed as a result. The ship was fixed and recommissioned in 1951 where the USS Kidd would begin supporting and patrolling in the Pacific once more as the Navy put pressure on North Korea during the Korean War. Although the Cold War didn’t generally involve direct conflicts with the United States, there were still military operations that the Navy did support. The USS Kidd was a part of such operations until its decommissioning in 1964. Today, it serves as a museum ship calling Baton Rouge home.

What Navy Ship Can Fly the Jolly Roger?

The USS Kidd is the only ship that can fly the Jolly Roger in the U.S. Navy—sort of. You see, technically, multiple ships have, and will, be considered a USS Kidd. So, each of these ships is granted the honor of doing so. The reason for this comes down to the ship’s maiden voyage as it entered New York Harbor on its way to deliver supplies to the Brooklyn Naval Shipyards. Cdr. Allan B. Roby decided to hoist the iconic skull and crossbones on high while moving through and TIME magazine snapped a photo. In the publication, TIME mentioned that this was the first time in a century since the New York Harbor had the Jolly Roger flying. The crew of the USS Kidd loved it and decided to idolize Captain Kidd, a famous pirate from New York, making him the ship’s mascot. Mrs. Kidd had approved the nickname and worked to gain permission through official channels within the Navy to paint a stack with a pirate and fly the Jolly Roger. The rest as they say is history. The only part of the Navy’s fleet to fly the infamous pirate flag remains the USS Kidd.

Rejuvenation for the USS Kidd

If you’re looking to go to the USS Kidd, you’ll need to wait a bit. As of this writing, Baton Rouge’s biggest tourist attraction is dry-docked 107 miles south in Houma, LA, for repairs. Since 1982, the ship has been in BR. It remains the only Fletcher-class destroyer from WWII that maintains its wartime configuration. Visitors can get up close and personal with engaging tours of the ship and on some occasions, groups can even sleep overnight just like real Sailors. Thoma-Sea Marine Constructors (TMC) shipyard is taking on the task of restoring the ship after a drought in 2023, keeping the ship stuck in Baton Rouge until finally making its trip down south in April 2024. In mid-August 2024, 30 workers moved the ship into position to receive much-needed repairs that could not wait. The Mississippi River fluctuates in its height, which can take a toll on the cradle of the ship. With $11 million in state funding, the hull of the USS Kidd along with its paint, sewage system, and steward's quarters are all getting an update. It’s worth noting that the original living space was taken from the ship when segregation was banned. The steward’s quarters are where Black Sailors would stay. Part of this update will tell more of the stories of the Black Sailors who served on the ship. A collaboration between the USS Kidd Museum and the Baton Rouge African American Museum is going to help provide new exhibits and efforts toward preserving this history. While it may not make sense to fix the sewage system of a ship no longer going to war, keep in mind that there are still groups who stay overnight. Many of which are children. The USS Kidd offers overnight field trips and other arrangements for groups. This requires facilities to make it all happen. If all goes according to plan, the ship will be ready to go by February 2025; however, it’s likely it won’t return to Baton Rouge until May 2025. This is due to the levels of the Mississippi River. There are also plans for the ship to stop in New Orleans when passing through before making it home. In the meantime, the USS Kidd Museum continues to advocate for and maintain the histories of our Veterans going forward. Without the ship, there has already been a dip in traffic; however, if you do visit, there are still plenty of attractions and exhibits available all at a discounted rate. Baton Rouge is full of historical sites and culinary delights. The USS Kidd is a place you can’t miss whenever you’re in town. Suggested reads:


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