Many thanks to my Mexican friend for showing me these facinating pics of the world’s last Gearing class Destroyer which started it’s life during WWII and is still going hot and strong in service with the Mexican Navy (Amarda de Mexicana)
So without further ado, here is
D-102 Netza
By: Ja Worsley - 21st June 2006 at 19:37
Old ships never die, they train the younger sailors!
I remember doing my training on an Old Attack class patrol boat back in my recruit days of the RAN (HMAS Bayonet “101”). The fact that Netza can still put to sea (unlike Bayonet when I got on her) speaks volumes of how dedicated the AdM are at keeping their equipment in working order no matter how old it is!
By: Doberman - 21st June 2006 at 03:55
The Bofors 57 mm gun was placed in D 102 Nezahualcoyotl just for trial purpouses, it was in the mid 90´s when the mexican navy selected this naval gun for it´s new OPH, the gun was later removed. In fact it shoul be mention that today this ship is only used for training .
Her sister ARM Cuitlahuac was retired in 2002 , it is hoped that D-102 will be decomissiden soon.
Anyway it is still a beautiful ship.
By: rickusn - 21st June 2006 at 01:13
“AFAIK they had one upgraded with a Bofors 57mm Mk2 “stealth” gun. I thought at least they would keep that one in sevice… There’s a picture of that upgraded one in the Jane’s Recognition guide (that is why it actually got my attention), the Bofors was placed in the B position in front of the bridge. Any idea what happened with it?”
They simply removed it. Reason unknown although I suspect it was because she wasnt expected to be retained in service this long.
AFAIK she is indeed the last Gearing class destroyer in active service.
But at 60+ years old they better be careful in what kind of weather and sea states they operate her.
By: Petros - 19th June 2006 at 16:50
great pictures Ja Worsley…
By: Neptune - 19th June 2006 at 10:12
AFAIK they had one upgraded with a Bofors 57mm Mk2 “stealth” gun. I thought at least they would keep that one in sevice… There’s a picture of that upgraded one in the Jane’s Recognition guide (that is why it actually got my attention), the Bofors was placed in the B position in front of the bridge. Any idea what happened with it?
By: snake65 - 19th June 2006 at 08:07
Guess they had to canibalize at least one of the destroyers which left service for spare parts. And still it’s hell of a lot expensive to keep so old ship in service. They should turn her into a museum. Or US should consider to do that, if she is really the LAST Gearing.
By: suflanker45 - 19th June 2006 at 07:52
It looks like they keep her in tip top shape.
By: Ja Worsley - 18th June 2006 at 18:06
Final lot:
Good to see a grand old lady still going hot and strong!!!
By: Ja Worsley - 18th June 2006 at 18:05
And more
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June 18, 2006 at 6:04 pm