Title: SS Salem – CA-139
Location: Quincey, MA
Description: Group Investigation aboard the SS Salem
Start Date: 2012-04-22 End Date: 2012-04-23

The evidence is located on separate pages. Video links are here and Audio links are here . Pre-investigation photos and investigator comments listed at the bottom of this page.

The PIRC team had the opportunity to investigate the magnificent SS Salem located in Quincey, MA on April 22, 2012.  The team preceded the night investigation by touring the ship during the day to capture the full experience of her glory.

Below is a little of her history:

The Salem was laid down on 4 July 1945 by the Bethlehem Steel Co.’s Fore River Shipyard, Quincy, Mass. ; Captain J. C. Daniel was in command. Her main battery held the world’s first automatic 8″ guns and were the first to use cased ammunition instead of shell and bag loading. In 1950 she relieved the Newport News  CA- 148 as the flagship of the sixth fleet. She is the world’s last all-gun heavy cruiser to enter commission.

Career (US)

Name:     USS Salem                     Namesake:     Salem, Massachusetts
Ordered:  14 June 1943               Builder:     Bethlehem Steel Co.’s Fore River Shipyard
Laid down:     4 July 1945            Launched:     25 March 1947
Commissioned:     14 May 1949  Decommissioned:     30 January 1959
Status:     Museum ship

General characteristics

Class and type:   Des Moines-class heavy cruiser 
Displacement:   17,000 tons
Length:   717 ft
Propulsion:  4 shaft; General Electric turbines; 4 boiler; 120,000 shp
Speed:   33 knots (38 mph; 61 km/h)
Range:   10,500 nmi (19,400 km) at 15 knots (17 mph; 28 km/h)
Complement:     1,738 officers and enlisted
Armament:   9 × 8″/55 caliber guns;   12 × 5″/38 caliber guns;   20 × 3″/50 caliber guns;   8 × 20 mm guns
Aircraft carried:     2 helicopters

The team:

Left to right – Kathryn, Rusty, Kelly, Barb, Jason, Kim & Bev.

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Evidence from the evenings events is listed under it’s relevant menu.