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1951 Photos |
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The "Thing" Damaged A rare photo of the Variable Depth Sonar (VDS) mounted on the port side amidships. A large contraption with articulated links that were designed to prevent the transducer from turning. The VDS was meant to be lowered below the different thermal layers in the water, thus avoiding most of the refraction errors common to hull-mounted transducers when their sound beam struck different temperature gradients. Unfortunately, the VDS only worked at very slow speeds, providing the DE as a perfect target to the enemy. In addition, the transducer heads cost about $1,000,000 each and were lost when the articulated chain twisted and broke. Robbie lost two of the heads during trials, one at the bottom of Boston Harbor, the other in the North Atlantic off Halifax, Nova Scotia. A later version the "Thing" is on the 1953 page. In these photographs the "original thing" has a damaged mounting rail, which prevented the transducer pod from retracting into the storage position. The suspension chain is articulated (only bends one way). It is hollow and contained the control wires, power lines and all circuitry for the sonar. Otto recalls the VDS was installed on the Robinson in 1951 while the ship was in Norfolk. Courtesy of Otto Johnk |
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An early helicopter approaching the Robinson sometime in 1951. The "Thing" is visible in the foreground. Otto believes the helicopter was delivering a new skipper (LCDR Evans?) but was not positive.
Courtesy of Otto Johnk |
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A clipping from the Key West, Florida newspaper in late 1951 announcing the USS Waxsaw (a net tender), the John W. Wilke (DE-800) and the USS Francis M. Robinson (DE-220) are being transferred into the inactive reserves. The beginning of the end... Courtesy of Joseph M. Dougherty |
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A clipping from a newspaper in Nova Scotia on 13 September 1951 announcing the departure of the USS Blackwood (DE-219) and the USS Francis M. Robinson (DE-220) for anti-submarine exercises. Otto Johnk remembers they "came off Sable Island from a cold, miserable mission and maneuvers". To drive off the chill and warm himself, Otto had to purchase this "Individual Liquor Permit", allowing him to purchase some anti-freeze... Courtesy of Otto Johnk |
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