USS McKean DD-784
"Rancher"
PAGE UPDATED August 11, 2008
USS McKEAN (DD-784) was a United States destroyer of the Gearing Class. She was built by the Todd Pacific Shipbuilding Company of Seattle, Washington and was first commissioned on June 9, 1945. USS McKEAN is named after Commodore William Wister McKEAN, the union squadron commander of the American Civil War. She was the second ship of the fleet to bear the name.
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New Aug 11, 2008: See three photos of the McKean from the 1967 visit to Auckland, New Zealand
(Photographs courtesy of Mr. Colin Hunter.)
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Click on the outline drawing to see enlarged drawing of USS McKean at 1000 pixels wide.
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Welcome Aboard - circa 1968
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The 4-page booklet (above; click to view the popup windows)
was given to visitors durign the Vietnam War years.
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[Below] Postcard, circa 1972 (?)
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An e-mail from April 16, 2007
I was on the McKean when we got the message that the Turner Joy was hit by ememy fire July 1965 I was a 3rd class mm in the after engine room and only had about 45 day untill I got out, so they gave me an early discharge because I didn't have enough time to make the trip over to take up the station for the Turner Joy went back to school met my wife and have been married for over 41 years with two girl and three grandkids god bless all those who serve nwo and in the past.
regards,
dave clark mm3
An e-mail from January 18, 2007
I just discovered your USS McKean site and you wikopedia entry.
I was the McKEAN's ASROC Gunners' Mate from 1976~1980. I have very fond memories of her and I have written extensively about her for TIN CAN SAILOR.
I would like to point out a couple of small errors that you might wish to correct-
The McKEAN was decommisioned in Oct 1981. She was transferred to Turkey as "spares." She was Harpooned in July 1987 and now lies at the bottom of Antalya Bay.
Hashomer
An e-mail from January 10, 2007:
Hi Erik:
Just found your webpage on the USS McKean DD 784. I served on the "Mighty Mac" 1950-53 during the Korean War era.
Your page is excellent and Thank You for putting it together, if those are the correct words.
Us old timers really appreciate what you are doing.
Best regards,
Richard Shaw
FT 3
USS McKean DD 784
1950-53
Thank you for the e-mail! My dad served on the McKean from the mid to late 1960s. I remember the McKean from doing onboard visits, walking around and climbing the ladders between decks, which to a 6 year old seemed impossibly steep and long. I hope to add more about the McKean. Thank you for writing! - Erik |
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[Below] The McKean pulling into Long Beach around 1969.
Your web designer is in the foreground.
Usually he was trying to fling a rock far enough out to hit the ships coming into the channel.
See the Wikipedia article I contributed some history to on the McKean here.
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[Below late 2007]
I have heard that the decommissioned USS ORLECK, which is a Gearing class
destroyer at a retirement berthing in Texas, is fighting scrapping.
From an e-mail:
"...we have perhaps 2-3 weeks to make arrangements for a new temporary or permanent berth -- something we have been unable to do thus far despite extensive efforts by many people. If at the end of that period, we have no options, that will give us barely enough time to make arrangements to salvage anything off the ship that can be used by the KENNEDY or any other DD or DE or other group that has a legitimate need for the many useful items and artifacts on the ship. In the meantime, discussions will need to take place with a scrap yard to see under what terms they can take the ship. If the ship must be scrapped, in addition to saving any items for other ships, we would try to make arrangements for retention and preservation of one of the ship's screws, which could be melted down and made into medallions, etc.
I realize this is not a pleasant situation to contemplate. We have all tried very hard to save the ship. She is in critical condition. " |
Outside pages on the Orleck are here and here.
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Site by:
erik@eeweems.com
Online Contact Page
http://www.eeweems.com
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