Photo #: NH 53509
USS Henderson (Transport # 1)
Henderson was the first large ship to be gyro-stabilized.
The stabilizing unit was installed while the ship was being built
at the Philadelphia Navy Yard. This view of the whole ship, taken
on 13 April 1917, shows the size of the stabilizer compared to
the ship.
"The gyros being installed through the side of the ship,
weigh four-fifths of one per cent of the displacement of the
ship, approximately 80 tons. The gyros are capable of holding
the ship down to three degrees of roll in the roughest weather.
On numerous trans-Atlantic crossings experiments have been conducted,
rolling the ship with the stabilizers for experimental director
gun fire as well as stabilizing the ship for economy in effort
in operation and comfort of personnel on board. USS Henderson
was well fitted for these experiments, being equipped with eight
five-inch guns and a complete fire control director." (quoted
from the original 1917-vintage photo caption)
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
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