Uploaded October 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
The USS KIDD's cradle underwent refurbishment from September 22 to October 01, 2025, during a seasonal low-water period on the Mississippi River. The old neoprene pads that support the ship were removed and newer pads made of a more longlasting material were installed. This time around, the attachments were made of stainless steel to avoid the corrosion that ultimately compromised the ones installed when first built in 1982. Combined with the new padded lining of the docking collars, the thicker plating on the touchpoints, and the reinforced framework (i.e. skeleton) behind the plating of the touchpoints, this docking system should see improved results over the next 42 years.
Keep in mind, though, that no amount of work on the hull or the cradle will ever do away with the need for drydocking a ship. Just like Grandma and Grandpa's regular doctor's visits, so too do museum ships like KIDD need their regular shipyard checkups. So, support those museum vessels in the years in-between and donate early and often to their Drydocking Project Funds, Hull Funds, or Endowments.
THERE'S STILL A NEED FOR FUNDING to finish restoration of equipment in the warehouse that is NOT being restored by the shipyard, and to keep the lights on back home at the museum. Let's make KIDD better than the bare minimum!
Click here to donate to the USS KIDD: usskidd.com/product/donations
The USS KIDD Veterans Museum is a non-funded state agency that receives no regular state or federal funding. We appreciate your support!
Check out our other social media: https://linktr.ee/usskidd661
#PreventiveMaintenance #Drydocking #Drydock #RoutineMaintenance #Maintenance #Donate #MuseumShip #HistoricShip #USSKIDD #drydockupdate #destroyer #museum #education #learningisfun
The USS KIDD's cradle underwent refurbishment from September 22 to October 01, 2025, during a seasonal low-water period on the Mississippi River. The old neoprene pads that support the ship were removed and newer pads made of a more longlasting material were installed. This time around, the attachments were made of stainless steel to avoid the corrosion that ultimately compromised the ones installed when first built in 1982. Combined with the new padded lining of the docking collars, the thicker plating on the touchpoints, and the reinforced framework (i.e. skeleton) behind the plating of the touchpoints, this docking system should see improved results over the next 42 years.
Keep in mind, though, that no amount of work on the hull or the cradle will ever do away with the need for drydocking a ship. Just like Grandma and Grandpa's regular doctor's visits, so too do museum ships like KIDD need their regular shipyard checkups. So, support those museum vessels in the years in-between and donate early and often to their Drydocking Project Funds, Hull Funds, or Endowments.
THERE'S STILL A NEED FOR FUNDING to finish restoration of equipment in the warehouse that is NOT being restored by the shipyard, and to keep the lights on back home at the museum. Let's make KIDD better than the bare minimum!
Click here to donate to the USS KIDD: usskidd.com/product/donations
The USS KIDD Veterans Museum is a non-funded state agency that receives no regular state or federal funding. We appreciate your support!
Check out our other social media: https://linktr.ee/usskidd661
#PreventiveMaintenance #Drydocking #Drydock #RoutineMaintenance #Maintenance #Donate #MuseumShip #HistoricShip #USSKIDD #drydockupdate #destroyer #museum #education #learningisfun
