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The E-mail
Subject: USS Downes (DE-1070) I was a plankowner on the Downes and served on the signal bridge. We built the signal shack up on the flying bridge as it was originally in the Mack and hard to see forward. It was sad to see the last photo of the Downes as she was going to "rest." She served well and had a great crew.
Subject: USS Downes (FF-1070) Great to see someone is preserving information on Downes. Hello Chief Archambeault, hope you're well.
Subject: USS Downes (FF-1070) The best ship I served on, under the best CAPT. CDR John Pine was by far the most unique CO, I have ever worked for.
Subject: USS Downes (DE-1070) Was on commisioning crew. Served in 1st Div. under BM1 lubold. Great crew and an unforgettable experience. I wonder what happened to Bm3 Larry Wimsatt? I was known as "Sandy."
Subject: USS Downes FF-1070 Dear Mark, My name is Robert (Rob-o) Collins, I served on board the Downes in 1984 thru 87. I was a Boatswain Mate 3rd class while on board, and served under Camander Clark (Taz). I was the BMOW for all special evalutions towards the end on my enlistment. If any of my shipmates remember me, please drop me a line. Sincerely, Rob Collins
Subject: USS Downes FF-1070 ETR3 Thomas Sutton, I served aboard the Downes from 1974 to 1977 as an electronics Technician and also as the ships postal clerk for a year and a half. I never had the opportunity to make a wes-pac but we did spend alot of time at sea testing Asroc and Harpoon missle systems. We did make it as far north as Seattle, south to Mazatlan, Mexico, and west to Hawaii. I remember spending time on the Signal Bridge checking out the scenery in San Diego bay through the signalmans big binoculars, the watches on the quarterdeck in the early morning hours in the San Diego fog, and of course losing my dinner on several occassions during heavy seas. I have a lot of fond memories of the Downes and the shipmates I served with. I made lifelong friends with several of them who I still keep in touch with. For all those who came before and after me on the Downes im sure we're all a little richer for the experience.
Subject: USS Downes FF-1070 I served as Disbursing and Sales Officer onboard DOWNES from 6/86 - 1/90. It was a hard job but I remember those years quite fondly thanks to having taken a lot of pictures. I have heard from a couple of DOWNES shipmates since I first wrote to this site, and it has been great hearing how lives have progressed. It was eerie to see our fine ship in mothballs. Looking forward to the rest of OSC Ford's photos. Curtis Culwell
Subject: USS Downes FF-1070 I went on a West Pac with the Downes. The most exciting thing that happened when we were underway was that the Russians sent one of their helo's to photograph us. We sent our helo to intercept. If any one wants to know about Tom Kuyper STG-2, I still am in contact with him. The medic Steve Allison was killed shortly after he got out of the Navy.
Subject: USS Downes FF-1070 I was part of OE Division on the "D" Downer. Through this site I have reunited with a few old shipmates... Jim Handy and Hal Putnam. Jim has lived within 20 miles of me for over 12 years! What sticks with me the most is that we usually steamed Monday thru Friday (had the most at-sea time in the Navy), shot more missiles, but never went further out than 200 miles!!
Subject: USS Downes FF-1070 I was also on the commissioning crew of the Downes. I reported to Downes while she was still at the builders yard (Todd Shipyards in Seattle) in April of 1971 and remained onboard until October of 1976. I am not certain, but I think I was the last plank owner to leave the ship. While we were aboard she was mostly a test platform for a variety of different programs(NATO Sea Sparrow, SPS048 Radar, Harpoon Missile System, MK23 Target Acquisition System, etc.), but after her 1977 overhaul she operated like all the other frigates. She was decomissioned in 1992 and is currently in mothballs at Inactive Ships in Bremertron, Washington. There are rumors about her being sold to various foreign navies, but the Navy Vessel Register (http://www.nvr.navy.mil/) shows that she is to be scrapped. What a sad ending for a fine ship.
Subject: USS Downes FF-1070 I've uploaded several pictures of crew members in the Operations Department, and one of the ship that I took at Port Hueneme. If I find more stuff to scan, I'll place it there, too. In his message of 5/24/99, Mike Megert didn't mention that the "D-Downer" also served as what we called "Duty Show Boat." It seemed that anytime a West Coast city had a celebration, we were chosen (or volunteered) to tie up at a public pier and give civilians tours of her. Those watches weren't bad, but preparing for them - scrubbing, painting, polishing, etc - I don't know how she ever got the "Dirty D" moniker, she was a shiny ship! We showed off in San Diego, San Francisco (twice) and Seattle. Those trips made for good liberty, as did Mazatlan, Mexico and Hawaii. I qualified on the helm for S& A detail and for underway replenishment. Once, one of the J.O.s had the con during a refueling operation, I had the helm. When it was time to break away, I was given a rudder order which would have caused us to ram the carrier. Dutifully, I repeated the order, loud and clear in the direction of the CO, who JUMPED out of his chair, proclaimed "BELAY THAT!! I've got the con. Ten degrees RIGHT rudder." And to the JO, "Mister [Smith] leave the bridge at once, we'll chat later." I don't think that JO ever got the con again. Check my photopoint album, I might have more pictures to add. I served as ship's photographer, and must have a file somewhere around here with more goodies.
Subject: USS Downes FF-1070 Trying to find old shipmates on USS Downes from 1976-1979.
Subject: USS Downes FF-1070 I served aboard the Downes from 1989 until 1992 and was part of the decommissioning crew. Seeing the picture of her brings back a lot of memories. When I can obtain use of a scanner I'll send some of the pictures I have. I would like to hear from crew members that were aboard the same time I was.
Subject: USS Downes FF-1070 Hi again folks, I had the distinct honor today of going aboard the DOWNES one last time. My command was doing some paint ball training and we "rented" the use of the ship. I toured as much of her as I could, and you would probably be as suprised as me to see how good she looks (at least below decks, topside is a little worse for wear). Most of the gear is still there. The large name boards which hung over the side when inport are still there. It was incredible to walk around and see so much that I hadn't seen in over ten years. Brought back a lot of memories, let me tell you. I got the feeling she was still alive and begging for the liberty party to come back aboard and take her out to sea again. I should have some pictures available soon.
Take Care,
Subject: USS Downes FF-1070 I was contacted by Andy Grabowski, a fellow crew member on the Downes. I was an E.T. on board and was part of the decomisioning crew. I would be interested to hear from any of the Downes crew that served with me.
Subject: USS Downes FF-1070 I am OSC(SW) Bob Ford, and my first ship was the "finest, fastes, fairest frigate in the fleet", the mighty ("Clamp") DOWNES. There I learned so much that would stick with me all this time, and some for the rest of my life - some good and some bad. I have mostly fond memories of the ship and her crew. I arrived on DOWNES in January of 1985 while she was steaming in the North Arabian Sea. My ride to the ship was a CH-46 from KISKA, and was too big to land on DOWNES' flight deck so I had to be hoisted down. I left in early 1988 to walk a few piers down and report aboard BUNKER HILL. For all those who may still be wondering, the fighting lady DOWNES is pierside at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton, WA. As I understand it, she has been sold to a South American navy and is awaiting transport. I will get a picture of her in mothballs and send it in. Good luck to all survivors of DOWNES, and if you remember me, please email me ([email protected]).
Later,
Subject: Update for FF-1070 I haven't found that welcome aboard package, but I did find the schedule from my first WestPac:
18 OCT 84 DEPARTED SAN DIEGO FOR WESTPAC 1984 - 1985 18 OCT - 01 NOV UNDERWAY 02 NOV - 06 NOV INPORT PEARL HARBOR, HAWAII 07 NOV - 05 DEC UNDERWAY 06 DEC - 08 DEC INPORT SASEBO, JAPAN 09 DEC - 10 DEC UNDERWAY 11 DEC - 16 DEC INPORT HONG KONG 17 DEC UNDERWAY 18 DEC - 3 JAN 85 INPORT SUBIC BAY, R.P. 04 JAN - 31 JAN UNDERWAY 01 FEB - 04 FEB ANCHORED AL MASIRAH ALONGSIDE USS VULCAN 05 FEB - 17 FEB UNDERWAY 18 FEB - 22 FEB ALONGSIDE USS VULCAN 23 FEB - 27 FEB UNDERWAY 28 FEB - 03 MAR INPORT GOA, INDIA 04 MAR - 18 APR UNDERWAY 19 APR - 26 APR INPORT GERALDTON, AUSTRALIA 27 APR - 02 MAY UNDERWAY 03 MAY - 06 MAY INPORT SUBIC BAY, R.P. 07 MAY - 16 MAY UNDERWAY 17 MAY - 18 MAY INPORT PEARL HARBOR, HAWAII 19 MAY - 23 JUN UNDERWAY (TIGER CRUISE) 24 JUN INPORT SAN DIEGO Awards earned while on board:
Battle "E" 1 Jan 85 - 30 Jun 86 - Patrick Long
Subject: USS Downes FF-1070 Looking for members of the Sonar gang 1972-1976. I served these years aboard the USS Downes, DE/FF 1070. They were some great times and I'd like to find out where everybody wound up in life.
MICHAEL W. SHIPMAN
Subject: USS Downes FF-1070 From what I can find, FF-1070 decomissioned 01 Jan 1992. I like the picture of her after the hurrican bow was installed. I may have a photo of before, I'll check. I also think I can put together the port visits while I was on her - we had a 7-1/2 month deplyment while I was aboard. I also am a bit of a packrat, I may still have the Welcome Aboard booklet in my files, I will look. Patrick Long "By Virtue and Honesty"
Subject: USS Downes (FF-1070) My name is Scott Kimbrough i was a boatswains mate on board the Downes from '85 thru '87 ... would like to get in touch with old shipmates. E-mail me if anyone remembers me and wants to get in touch, and would also like to know what happened to the Downes. Thanks,
Scott Kimbrough
Subject: USS Downes (FF-1070) I would like to get in contact with other people that were on Downes 1990 through 1992.
Subject: USS Downes Hi, I'm Shea Nieto and I served as an OS on the USS Downes from June 1987 to August, 1990. Thanks for the website and picture, that's pretty cool. After living on the ship for three years it's like looking at a picture of home (well, sort of). I can't really say I miss her (the Downes), but if anyone out there remembers me, drop a line! Shea Nieto
Subject: USS Downes I served on board the USS Downes, DE, and later FF 1070 during the 1974-1975 timeframe. I was a MM3, and the ships Engineering Yeoman. Later crewmembers may refer to her as the "Dirty D", however during my tenure she was known as the "D Downer." The Downes was one of the Navy's test bed platforms, and when I was on her we made countless trips from San Diego to Port Hueneme, Seal Beach and the Pacific Missile Test Range to test the Sea Sparrow BPDS and Low Light Level TV system. Other than that the only place I ever went on the Downes was Hawaii in 1975 for a MidPac. On that trip, several days out of San Diego (in the middle of a rockin roller coaster of a storm) we went to GQ at about 0400. DC Central reported a fire in the Boilerroom. Seems that some of the BT's were using the top of the boiler for storage. The ship had never had boilers lit long enough to initiate combustion! After being out of the Navy for 23 years, I can say now that it is a much more pleasant experience in retrospect. The best watchstanding I ever had on the Downes was 4 and 8. Most of the time it was 6 and 6. Interested parties may Email me at: [email protected]
Subject: USS Downes My name is Brad Odenkirk. I served on the "Dirty D" from 1982 to 1986. I was a Sonar Technician, came onboard as a 3rd class and left as a 1st class. Does anyone know what happened to the Downes? I heard that it was sold to some foreign military. Brad Odenkirk
Subject: USS Downes Hello Mark, My name is Timothy Wayne Dennis, I serverd onboard the mighty Downe's from 1983 to 1985. I went as a STG2 and made STG1 while onboard. I am a retired CPO living in Bryan Texas. Tim
Subject: USS Downes (DE/FF-1070) Where can I find information regarding USS DOWNES (DE/FF-1070)? I was a member of the commissioning crew in 1971and served in her as a Sonar Technician until 1974. I am very interested in the history of the ship after 1974 and her whereabouts today. Thanks. (Unknown sailor)
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