USS Salem
The USS Salem, a Des Moines Class Heavy Cruiser, was the third ship to be called by the Salem name. She was built at the Bethlehem Steel Company's Fore River Shipyard in Quincy, Massachusetts, following an order from the United States Navy. The ship was launched on March 24, 1947 and commissioned on May 14, 1949.
The Salem became the flagship for the 6th Fleet, and served in that capacity for 10 years. She was deployed to the Mediterranean on seven different occasions, and never had to fire her guns on a single mission. Her mere presence was very intimidating and acted as a sign and a warning to anyone who saw her.
On one of her notable journeys, The Salem participated in a mission called Exercise Weldfest, in which emergency relief work was provided on the Ionian Islands following a massive earthquake. The Salem led the way in bringing supplies to the islands and helping with this humane effort.
During her final mission to the Mediterranean, The Salem was used in her capacity as the flagship of the 6th Fleet to provide support to our allies in Jordan during the Suez Crisis. After a brief initial stay, she left the area, and soon after returned to provide support again when the situation became increasingly violent.
In 1958 The Salem was scheduled to be declared inactive. This process was delayed when the Lebanese government requested her presence to help fight against a potential coup in the country. The Salem accepted the mission and temporarily became the flagship for the 2nd Fleet there. The ship finally returned home and was decommissioned on January 30, 1959. She then became part of the Atlantic Reserve Fleet for many years.
The Salem returned to Quincy, Massachusetts in October of 1994, and was opened to the public as a ship museum. Today she can be seen by the public who are interested in the ship's great history. There is a negative side to the ship's history, however. Some of the building materials on board The Salem were made from asbestos. Asbestos was commonly used for many years, before it was determined to be hazardous. When people are exposed to materials made from asbestos, they are at risk of inhaling the tiny fibers that make up the toxic substance, and those fibers can lead to cancerous malignancies and severe respiratory issues. Those why may have been affected by asbestos should seek medical attention immediately.
Last modified: June 27 2008.
