Laffey home moored in her new berth next to Yorktown!
World War II destroyer USS Laffey departed her temporary home on Shipyard Creek for her real home at Patriots Point around 7 AM this morning. Below is a series of images showing her approach and lineup for her new berth. The morning was cool, crisp and clear, perfect for bringing the famous warship home. Welcome home Laffey, we are excited to have her back where she belongs and now preparations will begin to get her open for the public once again. Stay tuned for updates and the opening celebration we plan to hold!
Laffey under tow beneath the Ravenel Bridge on the way home!
Patriots Point in the distance as Laffey heads home.
Getting closer!
About to make her final turn out of the channel with Charleston in the background.
Laffey on final approach to Patriots Point with the bridge behind her.
About to pass in front of Yorktown's bow, Laffey crew members on flight deck to welcome her back with air horns and cheers!
Just beneath Yorktown's bow, almost there!
This is a photo destroyer and carrier sailors normally hate to see, as the "tin-can" is cut in half by the larger, faster aircraft carrier. Big no no to turn in front of an aircraft carrier.
Rounding the bend for the home stretch!
Laffey beginning to make her correction for lineup to her new berth!
A little right rudder for lineup!
Ready to thread the needle as Laffey approaches the pier opening.
Halfway through the pier opening, almost home!
Laffey clears the pier opening, entering new berth.
Just a few more yards, almost home!
Check out the Laffey's outboard motor! She does the job!
Laffey's mooring lines are pulled in and "The Ship That Would Not Die" is home!
Here is the Post and Courier story by Warren Wise on Laffey’s return.
And here are the photos from Post and Courier!
AP story by Bruce Smith in USA Today on Laffey’s return and in the Washington Post!
WCBD Channel 2 Video and story
Link to more pictures of Laffey from the Channel 4 WCIV news photographer…
WCSC Channel 5 video and story here.
Great video from Mount Pleasant Patch with Laffey Association President Sonny Walker…
Yahoo News article and pictures…
Welcome Home!!
Welcome Home you beautiful Lady!!
Welcome Home! You look as proud and beautiful as ever.
Thanks for all the hard work and Monetary funds that have gone into this Project. I too served on a Sumner Class Destroyer the USS Strong DD-758 70-71. I first came to Patriots Point in 2005, Met President Sonny Walker, John Hudak to name a few that served on this Great Ship cried like a baby as I entered the Laffey so many memories down to the smell of paint and oil as I had remembered one night in 1971 as I left the USS Strong in Barcelona, Spain to return to the United States to be Discharged from the Navy. I since for several years now have been a proud member of the Laffey Association and will continue as long as Gods will permits. Again I salute all concerned and Thanks,
Sincerely Dale M. Prince
Welcome Home!! I served on the USS Allen M. Sumner DD692 from 1958-1961. This brings back many memories, and I definitely am planning on touring the ship in March 2012.
I also served on a Sumner Class Destroyer, the Uss Purdy, DD734. I can’t wait for Spring or Summer so I can bring my wife down to see Laffey. I served between 1951 and 1955. Purdy was the only Destroyer to make 2 World tours during The Korean War. We did it within 23 months.
So happy to see the Laffey and happy to sse a Sumner Class.
Morris Plummer
QM2
Nice to see the ship back in such good condition. Reminds me of another WW2 Polish Destroyer ORP Blyskawica(Lightning),built in England for the Polish Navy in 1937,along with her sister ship ORP Grom(Thunder),sadly lost due to a bomb in the Norway campaign at thew beginning of WW2.
ORP Blyskawica is now a museum ship too in Gdynia Poland,but is still serving in the Polish Navy.Photoraph below,after end of 2011 refit,in 1942 camouflage:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/ORP-Blyskawica/119366081442333?sk=info#!/photo.php?fbid=301724466536207&set=pu.161966053845383&type=1&theater
In case anyone is interested,here is the history of ORP Blyskawica,also a ship they could not kill! Courtesy Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ORP_B%C5%82yskawica
Welcome Home! Been waiting for Laffey return. I served on a Sumner Class Destroyer, USS Charles S. Sperry-DD697 from 1964-1966. Can’t wait to come aboard and bring my family. It will bring back great memories of a proud time in my life. Thanks goes out to all involved in getting the Laffey refitted and keeping a Sumner Class Destoyer alive for all to see!
Bravo Zulu
Ron Pulizotto
RD3
Thanks to all who served on these Bouncey Little Ladies.
Dale Prince
This little lady is about my same age, but she is in better shape!!!!! Lets all lift a toast the grand old girl. Thank you men that lost your life to protect mine and my loved ones from the wars you were in. makes me very proud of our people in this country.
Served on the U.S.S William M. Wood, DD715 during
the Vietnam War. I am very happy they did not scrap
this destroyer. Also served on the U.S.S Eaton, DD510,
which was scraped or sunk.
What a beautiful site! Welcome home lovely lady.
Welcome, After all you’ve seen and done. After all our boys you carried. Thankyou
welcome home uss laffey.
i was on uss blue dd744 then on uss shelton dd 790, out of long beach
welcome home uss laffey.
i was on uss blue dd744 and shelton dd790
out of long beach .
My dad saw this arrival of “his ship” this morning on television. He called me at work and was so emotional. I just pulled up this site to let him watch it. He was on her during the Korean War for 4 years of his life, 1950-1954. He doesn’t talk about what happened during his time on the water but would love to see her again. He is now 81 and would love to set foot on her again. Anyone know of financial assistance to get him there let me know. Thanks.
Kim Bowman, Please get in touch with the USS Laffey Association. We would love to see your Dad come aboard his ship.
soncher724@verizon.net
Sonny Walker
President
USS Laffey Association
We were lucky enough to be on the Yorktown when our Laffey was brought home. There were a lot of tears and laughs. No one could possibly know our feelings on that beautiful morning. Our thanks go out to all who helped bring her home. It is now our duty to keep her looking her best for the visitors. We pledge our lives to her.
Sonny Walker, President USS Laffey Association
Thanks Sonny, great to see your crew again and looking forward to our April bash!
I Served aboard DD757 USS Putnam from 1967-68. Would have loved to have been there for the Lady’s return home. Please let me know about the grand re-opening and I’ll be there; also, I’d like info on association membership. I belong to Tin Can Sailors and USS Putnam Association.
Welcome Home, LAFFEY!!
What a beautiful ship. My father served aboard the Massey DD-778, during the Korean war.
I served aboard Laffey Jan 1970-April 1972. Some of the greatest years of my life.
1/30/2012.I had a great surprise this evening,The LAFFEY DD 724 IS home,Thank GOD.Why it was a surprise to me.Iam Frank LASKOWSKI(SKI)I am a Plank OWNER OF THE LAFFEY.I WELL BE 90 IN 3/30/2012.I was doing some repair on my Kitchen Sink drain,I was on my Back under the Sink when the Phone range,It was going to take me to long to get up to Answer the phone it keept ringing,so i got up very slow you know why.It was my Niece MARCY Dionisio,said her son Tim from Columbus called my NIECE IN youngstown to call me in Girard,Ohio.I got on the Computer,SEEING the LAFFEY come home again,Ijust could not explaine the Felling that went Through my HEART,WHEN i watched the LAFFEY COMEING HOME WHAT A GREAT SIGHT.I weal never for get.I WOULD LIKE TO THANK ALL WHO TOOK PART IN THIS GREAT JOB.GOD WELLING I HOPE TO SEE YOU ALL AT THE NEXT REUNION.YOUR SHIP MATE Frank LASKOWSKI (SKI)GOD BLESS YOU ALL.
called
Thanks to all of those whose hard work and vision made the return possible. Bravo Zulu. USS Allen M. Sumner DD-692, ’64 – ’65
Glad to see the Laffey home again! Karen, my wife, and I first visted the Laffey and the other ships in 2005 and have since been back to Patriots Point 5 times. We had the pleasure to meet Sonny Walker and Dale Prince on one of those trips. Two great AMERICANS! Visting Patriots Point and meeting all the vetrans has been the biggest history lesson that a single ticket could buy. Thanks to all that had a hand in the restoration. We can’t wait to come back out and walk aboard the Laffey again.
Welcome home USS Laffey. I served on the USS Charles S. Sperry DD-697 ’67-’68. Looking forward to a visit.
My ship was the USS English (DD696). On board from Dec 1953-April 1957. Take good care of “LAFFEY” guys. As I understand it, she’s the last one of the Sumner class still afloat. All the rest have gone to “TIN Can” heaven.