Darcy Johnson
January 2022 - USS Cassin Young
About the Image(s)
The USS Cassin Young is preserved today as a memorial ship berthed at Boston Navy Yard in Massachusetts for the National Park Service and was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1986 as one of only four surviving Fletcher-class destroyers still afloat. The Cassin Young (DD-793) was launched on 12 September 1943; commissioned on 31 December 1943. After serving seven Pacific battles in World War II, it was decommissioned and then reactivated during the Korean War and continued in active service until 1960. This destroyer was built for speed and versatility and operated as a radar picket ship - assigned to warn her group of possible enemy counterattack, and at times for inshore fire support. It survived two Kamikaze hits and while up for some debate, it is known as the last US military ship to be hit by a Kamikaze.
We made the trip to Boston this past September and the day we visited the Boston Navy Yard it rained off and on. Due to the weather and COVID concerns related to tight quarters we were not able to board the destroyer. We were fortunate though to talk with a park service ranger stationed on the Cassin Young who gave us quite a private history lesson and answered our questions.
I was fascinated that the beam was only 39.6 ft across or 12.1 m and was the reason I shot the image from this angle. It wasn't a hard decision to convert it to black/white as the image was pretty much already there. ISO 100, 23mm, f/40, 1/60 sec.
12 comments posted
Interesting history on this ship with an active life of some 40 plus years and probably a very hard life as well. An interesting aspect to take this head-on and I understand your reasoning, it really does present the beam is very narrow and streamlined. The choice to go black-and-white works well together with the tonal range in contrast levels you have achieved, the different luminous levels on either side of the ship, the shadow in the water contrasting with the general water areas and the contrast of the antenna against the sky. All in all the image works well. It's just a shame that there wasn't something on the left side to replicate the tonal range of the dock. Great image well caught and processed well.
thanks for sharing. Posted: 01/02/2022 22:20:30
Happy New Year. A very strong composition. The ship cuts very strong lines and your choice of B&W works well. I tried to make the ship stand out a little more. I darkened the sky to bring out the texture in the clouds and also darken the water on the left side. Just an alternative process. All in all, a very nice image.
Best regards,
Greg Posted: 01/04/2022 10:47:11
What a striking image and a fascinating story. You captured this well to give us that perspective of how narrow/sleek this vessel truly is.
I do like the mood Greg created by darkening the sky and the water. It gives one a sense of foreboding that this warship is really "coming for you"!
Thanks for sharing.
Karen Posted: 01/10/2022 16:57:58
Greetings.
An interesting image to see and learn about this historic part of it. When I was an young pilot in Airforce, I prepared a presentation on Japanese Kamikaze pilots and their operation in WWII, made me a bit nostalgic. It was intriguing to know the WWII history again through your image. I love the way you shot the ship - a head on !! A very interesting perspective. The monochrome treatment made the image even stronger.
Thanks for sharing.
Cheers.
Kamal. Posted: 01/14/2022 07:24:51