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USS Fox (DLG/CG-33)

GUSTAVUS VASA FOX

Born in Saugus, Massachusetts on 13 June 1821, Gustavus Fox entered the Navy as a midshipman in 1838. He served in cruising warships, including Commodore Perry's squadron during the Mexican War, the Coast Survey and finally com- manded U.S. Mail steamers plying the Atlantic coastal routes. Resigning from the Navy in 1856, he entered business in Lowell, Massachusetts.

At the onset of the Civil War, he volunteered for service and received a temporary appointment as a Lieutenant in the Navy. In April 1861 , he was dispatched in the steamer Baltic to relieve Fort Sumter; before he could land his embarked troops, the Confederate bombardment began and, after the surrender of the fort, he could only transport the remanents of Major Anderson's command back to New York.

He was appointed Chief Clerk of the Navy Department in May 1861 and at President Lincoln's insistence, the office of Assis- tant Secretary of the Navy was created for him by congressional action in August of the same year. Fox was a forceful, outspoken individual with considerable experience in ocean going steam- ships and he soon gained Lincoln's confidence. By sheer force of personality, he rose to a dominant position in the direction of naval affairs within the Department, similarly, his influence in government circles afforded him a major role in the tactical as well as strategic direction of the naval aspects of the Union War effort.

Fox resigned from his position. in 1866 to represent the President on a special mission to Russia. He then returned to business in Lowell, Massachusetts, residing there until his death on 29 October 1883.

USS FOX (DLG-33)

USS FOX (DLG-33) is the third ship of the U.S. Na''''Y to be named after President Lincoln's Assistant Secretary of the Navy. She is the first of a new class of guided missile firgates to be commissioned in the Pacific.

The Fox is 547 feet long, 55 feet wide, displaces almost 8,000 tons and is capable of speeds in excess of 30 knots.

From the keel which was laid in the Todd Shipyard Corporation, San Pedro, California, on January 15, 1963, rose a massive and majestic ship which now streches 54,7 feet in length and 55 feet in width. Fully loaded the FOX displaces nearly 8,000 tons and her extremely high pressure steam turbines are capable of speeding this "new breed" of frigates along in excess of 30 knots.

The FOX is designed to escort and protect fast carrier striking forces from air, surface, and sub-surface threats. To accomplish this vital mission the FOX has been outfitted with the latest developments in air search, fire control radar, sonar and digital data control systems to detect the enrny and the most advanced anti-aircraft and anti-submarine missiles with which to destroy him.

The dual purpose launcher, located forward on the ship is capable of firing both the anti-air TERRIER missile and the anti-submarine ASROC missile. The TERRIER missile is a surface-to-air, supersonic, solid propellant, beam riding missile. This means that when the ship's radar sensors locate the enemy, the missile will follow the radar beam to the target. The ASROC missile is a long range, stand off weapon which delivers either a rocket thrown torpedo or depth charge to the enemy lurking beneath the sea.

Amidships you will find 3"/50 battery guns and their associated director systems which provide additional anti-air, anti-surface and shore bombardment capability. Two triple tube torpedo launchers, also located amidships, supplement the ASROC in providing a tremendous submarine Killing potential.

Farther aft, are found complete facilities for handling, launch- ing and recovering manned and drone helicopters. Beneath the helicopter flight deck are two additional torpedo tubes which provide still more anti-submarine warfare capability. On the fantail is located a 5"/54 gun mount to increase still more the anti-air, surface, and shore bombardment potential of the FOX.

To maximize the potential of her offensive capabilities, the FOX has a completely integrated control system built around the Naval Tactical Data Systems. This installation utilizes digital computer systems and high speed data transmission means to exchange information between ships and aircraft of a widly dis- persed naval task force to facilitate assessment of threats and to centralize direction. Within the FOX the NTDS, as if is called, supports the optimum employment of the ship's individual weapons against all threats.

The 24 officers 387 men, who man the FOX, are proud to be a part of our national defense system and to have this opportunity to show their ship to you.