USS Kidd Destroyer

Baton Rouge is the home to the Fletcher class destroyer USS Kidd. This is a WWII destroyer restored to the configuration she fought as in WWII. 

Actually getting to the ship for a tour was a challenge the morning we were there as the ship has a railroad between it and the parking area. A stationary train  made for difficult access.

Eventually the train moved on and we could get to the visitors center.

The welcome center is full of great exhibits telling about the ship and all kinds of other navy warships. Plan on spending some time there.

A memorial to WWII submariners is on display

Once aboard we were free to explore the ship at our own pace

The stern was the location for the depth charges

The 5" gun mounts were open to climb inside and see the area. This was the first I had been able to do that on any of the ships we have visited.

These depth charges have the setting dial for when to explode

Area where shells and powder were sent to the 5" gun

Different types of shells were color coded - armor piercing, anti personnel, anti aircraft

Command Center

Radio room

The bridge where the ship was steered

Torpedo's which were able to swing to be launched over the side of the ship

A nice feature of the ships display was the use of the sailors storage areas in the berthing area to give a history of each of the Fletcher class destroyers

Louisiana State Exhibit Museum

One of the jewels of Shreveport is the Louisiana State Exhibit Museum. This is a circular building made of very high quality materials and erected in the 1930's. It showcases the history of Louisiana and its resources through a series of spectacular dioramas and display items.

This is an interesting museum if you are only interested in the states resources and how they are produced, but if you are interested in modelling, the use of perspective, and high quality dioramas this is a 'Must see"

The circular walls include a series of dioramas showing the resources of the state and how they were developed through the 1930's. these dioramas use forced perspective and blending of the 3D models with the backdrop to bring the viewer into the scene. they are especially well done.

It is hard to tell where the 3D model stops and the background begins

Exhibit showing the manufacture of fishing lures

Cross section of oil well drilling around a salt dome

Center fountain of the circular building

All in all a fascinating museum