Buffalo Naval Park

Buffalo, NY has an area called Canal side which includes a ship museum, military park, boat tours, Erie Canal history and walking/biking/jogging paths. We checked it out.

Detailed map of the Erie Canal with lots of interesting info

Lots of wooden boats

The Naval and Military Park is the highlight of the area. There are a submarine, destroyer and cruiser all on display and ready for you to explore.

This is the 5" gun on the Fletcher class destroyer. Notice the barrel is slightly off center. Model builders often miss this.

Information center where all objects are tracked

Enjoying the day

This is the only Fletcher class museum ship that allows access to the engine room

Imagine driving your aircraft onto this float so it could be towed and then lifted from the water back onto the ship!

Ships of all types were on display in the Cruiser "Little Rock"

View from the decks of the 'Little Rock' missile cruiser

Julie at the helm

Well worth your time to visit

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