82 years ago today, on 13 February 1944, Cannon-class destroyer escort USS Slater DE-766 was launched at the Tampa Shipbuilding Company in Tampa, Florida, christened by Lenora Slater, mother of Seaman 2nd Class Frank Olga Slater, who was killed in action aboard USS San Francisco (CA-38) off Savo Island during World War II.
MuseumShip USS Slater, Albany, NY
On 12 February 1987, AM-480-class fleet minesweeper HNLMS Mercuur (A-856) was decommissioned for the 2nd and final time. She was a museum ship in Amsterdam, Scheveningen and now in Vlissingen, Netherlands. Third time's a charm!
Museumschip Hr.Ms. Mercuur, Vlissingen, Netherlands
12 February 1947, Balao-class submarine USS Bowfin SS-287 was decommissioned for the first time at New London after 9 WWII patrols in the Pacific and post war service in the Atlantic Fleet.
USS Bowfin Submarine Museum & Park, Honolulu, HI
11 February 1937, HNoMY Norge (Royal Yacht of the King of Norway) was launched at Camper and Nicholsons, Gosport as MY Philante for Thomas Sopwith, chairman of the Hawker Siddeley Aircraft Company.
10 February 1947, Australian Bathurst-class corvette HMAS Whyalla (J-153) was sold to Victorian Public Works Department. The corvette was modified for civilian service, renamed Rip, and towed to Melbourne, where she entered service as a lighthouse maintenance vessel at the entrance to Port Phillip Bay.
MuseumShip at Whyalla City Council, Whyalla, SA, Australia
