Heng-Yang Destroyer

Tags: destroyer | military

.Length:376 ft.   
.Width:40 ft. 10 in.
.Max. Speed:34.2 kts.  
.Eco. Speed:15.8 kts.  
.Draft:11 ft.   
.Displacement:3,320 tons(maximum)
                           2,200 tons(standard)
 

History

DDG-902 was the ex-USS Moore, the Sumner-class destroyer, DD-747, laid down by Bethlehem Steel, Staten Island, NY. on September 30, 1943, launched on February 23, 1944 and commissioned on June 24, 1944. Stricken on October 24 1969 and transferred to ROC Navy on December 9, 1969 and commissioned on April 25, 1970 at Tsoying Naval Base, Kaohsiung, and renamed as Heng-Yang with the hull number DD-902.

In 1976, DDG-902 was equipped with Gabriel I Surface-to-surface missiles, and brought ROC Navy into the missile era. The mission of DDG-902 was patrolling the Taiwan Strait and surrounding waters to convoy offshore islands support and supply, task flotilla and various missions. She played an important role on the Navy force built-up and fleet combat readiness, secure the safety of Taiwan Strait and Maritime communications. Finally, the DDG-902 Heng-Yang was decommissioned on December 1, 1994.

 

The DDG-902, ROCS Heng-Yang assigned as the flagship of Midshipman Cruise Training Squadron in 1972.

Admiral Sung, Charng-Chih boarded and reviewed the DDG-902, ROCS Heng-Yang.

The photograph of Squadron staffs of Midshipman Cruise Training in 1972 at DDG-902, ROCS Heng-Yang.

Admiral Chou Chian boarded and reviewed the DDG-902, ROCS Heng-Yang accompanied by officials of Executive Yuan.

Rear Admiral Fei, Hong-Bo, the Flotilla Commander held the personnel inspection of DDG-902, ROCS Heng-Yang.

DDG-902, ROCS Heng-Yang performed personnel inspection.

 

Recollection

I was assigned at DDG-902 after I was graduated from the Petty Officer School, and the Commanding Officer  was Captain Yeh Chu, Back then, there are only three destroyers, DDG-902 Heng-Yang, DDG-903 Hwa Yang and DDG-905 Yueh-Yang were equipped with Gabriel I Surface-to-surface missiles onboard, and brought the ROC Navy into the missile era.

I still remembered that in April, 1982, we were assigned to test launch the Gabriel I  missiles. Mr. Chiang Ching-Kuo got aboard to accompany with us to monitor the missile- launching exercise. Mr. Chiang Ching-Kuo was very kind to ask the crews living and working conditions onboard. I was the petty officer in charge of the meals, and was  worried what meals we shall make pleasure to Mr. Chiang, Ching-Kuo. However, Mr. Chiang, Ching-Kuo said that the most delicious beef noodle in the world. fresh beef in the refrigerator, I used the military canned beef to make beef noodle, but still worried to be blamed. That night, Mr. Chiang, Ching-Kuo called me to appraise that the beef noodle was the most delicious canned-beef noodle he used to have, and thank you! That was in my memory for a long time. Later on, we had several occasions to have Mr. Chiang, Ching-Kuo onboard, as usual, he asked for beef noodle every time!


Mr. Duan, Chi-Long
served as the Engineering at DDG-902 from 1981 to 1988

 

The DDG-902, ROCS Heng-Yang performed gun firing exercise at sea.

The DDG-902, ROCS Heng-Yang performed gun firing exercise at sea.

The DDG-902, ROCS Heng-Yang performed boat-hoist exercise.

 

 

The late President Chiang Ching-Kuo boarded and reviewed the DDG-902, ROCS Heng-Yang.

 

Rear Admiral Hu, Tsai-Kuei, the former Flotilla commander held the personnel inspection of DDG-902, ROCS Heng-Yang.

The Change Command ceremony of incoming Commanding Officer of DDG-902, ROCS Heng-Yang.

The DDG-902, ROCS Heng-Yang performed the activity of Chian Youth Corporation.

 

 

Text and images are provided by R.O.C Naval Academy ( Navy Memorial Digital Archives – Yang Class Destroyers)