PHOTO PAGES FOR ROBERT L WILSON DD847

This Site Loads Slowly so Sit Back and Wait for the Photos to Load, It is Worth the Wait!! The Third Page Below Starts off with two Beautiful Photos of One of our Shipmates Oil Paintings in His Home

The Ultimate World War Two Destroyer and the Back-Bone of the Post-War Navy, was the Gearing Class Destroyer, Operating as ASW, AA and Fire Support Platforms throughout the world, and even to the present day, having revealed the versatility and worthiness of this Class of Ship. It is important to keep alive the Memory of these "Old Tin Cans" and those good and bad times we all had while aboard her!! She had many changes throughout her years of service, and one Major Change in 1964, when she entered in Philadelphia Naval Shipyard and went through the FRAM 1 Conversion, that reclassified her as a "Basilone Class Destroyer". There are many photos of her on these pages, and she was a Beautiful Lady in the eyes of all the Officers and Crewman she served at whatever time during her Service to America!!

THE USS ROBERT L WILSON IN HER DDR CONFIGURATION

USS Robert L. Wilson DD847 The following image was taken and submitted to us by William "Gene" Hornung EM3c. USS Greenwood. Mr. Hornung also scratch built the model of our ship shown on the web link below. It took him about 20 years, working on and off. The pride and heart he put into it shows in the craftsmanship. The Photo of the Robert L. Wilson (Right) shows her in a mild turn coming along side the USS Greenwood for mail call! Submitted by Gene Hornung..

VENICE ITALY, DURING HER FIRST MEDITERRANEAN CRUISE

Notice that the Lady has both MT51 and MT52 on the bow in this photograph. This was on her Maiden Voyage, to the Mediterranean, and Venice Italy was one of her Ports of Call.

THE 1946 VENICE ITALY VISIT IN COLOR

May 26, 2004, Hi Gerold, I hope this photograph will be OK. I had this copy made and tried to get some of the blue toned down a little bit, but it didn't work. I think it was hand tinted by the photographer in Venice, Italy. The picture was taken during an inspection while on the 1946-1947 Cruise there to the Mediterranean. It sure brings back a lot of fond memories. William (Bill) Myers.

Answer Concerning MT52 Removal Here From:    "William P Myers" To:    "Robert L. Wilson" Subject:    Re: PHOTO PAGES FOR ROBERT L WILSON DD847 Date:    Wed, Aug 6, 2003, 12:51am  I believe I can help a little bit on when the No 2 gun mount was removed.  It was in 1947 when we returned from her first cruise to the Med.  Exact date, I don't know.  The gun mount was jammed and pointed downward to the port side.  If I remember right we pulled into South Charleston Navy Yard in 1947 and the mount was removed and replaced with hedge hogs and rockets.  We then went to the Caribbean and down to Culebra Island, (not sure about the spelling.)  It is a little foggy after 56 years.  By the way, I have a color photo of the ship tied up in Venice, the same one as shown in these pictures.  I will bring a few to the next reunion if somebody would like to have one.  I really enjoy your articles on the greatest ship that ever sailed.  "Nuff said for now.                                       William P. Myers

BEAUTIFUL SOUVENIR CACHE PHOTO OF THE VENICE VISIT

THIS PHOTO SHOWS ENLARGED NUMBERS ON THE HULL IN 1949

Hi Gerold Ricks; Here is a picture of the Wilson In 1949, we called her (the Bouncing Bobby L). This was taken entering the harbor at Portsmouth, England in the summer of 1949. Hope you can use it.  Sincerely, Herman Reynolds, (herler5816@msn.com) Thanks to Herman for this photo that shows the enlarged numerals on the bow. The Question of when this was done has been answered now, I believe!!

ENTERING HAVANA, CUBA IN 1950

Photo Provided by Ryland Garris (48-52)

DESTROYER SQUADRON 36

From:    Phil Dilloway   This picture was taken during one of the few times the Squadron was together. When I was aboard 51-53 we never saw the Basilone. I believe the Wilson to be the inboard ship of the rear nest.  The flagships usually got the pierside spot. I think I found it on the USS RICH'S website. Ships included here are: USS New 818, USS Holder 819, USS Rich 820, USS Basilone 824, USS R L Wilson 847 and USS Damato 871 Phil Dilloway

VISIT TO TURIN, ITALY IN 1959

This Photo Provided by Billy Massingale

Provided by Phil Dilloway

USS ROBERT L WILSON DDE847 (Pre-Fram)

This Photograph was provided by NavSource Archives and was before she went into the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard in Late 1962 to receive her Fram Conversion and was also the year she became designated as DD847

HAZE GRAY AND UNDERWAY

Very Nice Photo Provided by Phil Dilloway

ANOTHER PHOTO DURING 1960

Provided by Rufus Walker

USS ROBERT L WILSON DD847 ON STATION

This Photograph is Called: "Waterproof.......Cap on Station, Angels Zero" and the Radarmen and Radiomen will be familiar with this phrase!!

WOULD THIS BE IN NEW YORK HARBOR?

Yes it was New York, NY in 1959 and was Provided by Rufus Walker

LEAVING HOLY LOCH, SCOTLAND IN APRIL 1962

From: BSBETELGEUSE@aol.com Date: Thu, Dec 18, 2008, 4:40pm (PST+3) To: RLW_Photos@webtv.net Subject: Re: Holy Loch, Scotland Pics Gerald, In regards to the pics of the RLWilson, they were taken in Holy Loch, Scotland, in April of 1962 by then BM3 Bill Malloy from the deck of the USS Betelgeuse AK 260 (www.ussbetelgeuse.org/ ). Bill found these in his attic about a month ago and forwarded them to me and I looked you guys up and sent them to you. My name is Bob Scannell, and I was also a BM3, on  USS Betelgeuse AK 260, from 1960 -1963. Hope you enjoy and looking forward to seeing them on your website. If I can help you out in any other way, please let me know.                                                              Bob

GO TO THE NEXT PAGE AND VIEW PHOTOS AFTER THE FRAM CONVERSION