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USS Downes (FF 1070)

- formerly DE 1070 -
- decommissioned -
- sunk as a target -


USS DOWNES was the 19th KNOX - class frigate and the third ship in the Navy to bear the name. Decommissioned on June 5, 1992, and stricken from the Navy list on January 11, 1995, the DOWNES spent the next years moored at Bremerton, Wash., awaiting a possible transfer to Taiwan. When Taiwan was no longer interested in obtaining the DOWNES, the Navy decided to dispose the DOWNES of as a target. In 2002, the DOWNES was towed to Mare Island in preparation of the SINKEX which was finally conducted on August 15, 2003, at 031° 10' 01.0" North, 119° 48' 03.0" West.

General Characteristics:Awarded: July 22, 1964
Keel laid: September 5, 1968
Launched: December 13, 1969
Commissioned: August 28, 1971
Decommissioned: June 5, 1992
Builder: Todd Pacific Shipyards Corp., Seattle, Wash.
Propulsion system: 2 - 1200 psi boilers; 1 geared turbine, 1 shaft; 35,000 shaft horsepower
Length: 438 feet (133.5 meters)
Beam: 47 feet (14.4 meters)
Draft: 25 feet (7.6 meters)
Displacement: approx. 4,200 tons full load
Speed: 27 knots
Armament: one Mk-16 missile launcher for ASROC and Harpoon missiles, one Mk-42 5-inch/54 caliber gun, Mk-46 torpedoes from single tube launchers, one 20mm Phalanx CIWS
Aircraft: one SH-2F (LAMPS I) helicopter
Crew: 18 officers, 267 enlisted


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Crew List:

This section contains the names of sailors who served aboard USS DOWNES. It is no official listing but contains the names of sailors who submitted their information.


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USS DOWNES Cruise Books:


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Accidents aboard USS DOWNES:

DateWhereEvents
February 20, 1981Indian OceanUSS DOWNES is under tow by the USNS NARRAGANSETT (T-ATF 167) from Diego Garcia to Subic Bay, Philippines, for repairs following casualties to both boilers. On February 22, the DOWNES is able to bring one boiler back into operation and continues to Subic Bay on its own power in company with the NARRAGANSETT.
October 17, 1989off JapanA sailor is lost off the USS DOWNES after falling overboard while the ship is on exercises.


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