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Namesake
Elmer Ambrose Sperry was born on 12 October 1860 at Cortland, N.Y. After spending three years at the state normal school there, he became interested in dynamo electricity during a year of study at Cornell University in 1878 and 1879. He moved to Chicago, Ill., early in 1880 and, soon thereafter, founded the Sperry Electric Co. He organized the Sperry Electric Mining Machine Co. and the Sperry Electric Railway Co. in 1888 and 1890, respectively. In 1900, Sperry established an electrochemical laboratory at Washington, D.C., where he and his associate, C. P. Townshend, developed a process for making pure caustic soda from salt and discovered a process for recovering tin from scrap metal. Sperry experimented with diesel engines and gyroscopic compasses and stabilizers for ships and aircraft. In 1910, he started the Sperry Gyroscope Co. in Brooklyn, N.Y.; and his first compass was tested that same year in Delaware (Battleship No. 28). His compasses and stabilizers were adopted by the United States Navy and used in both world wars. In 1918, he produced a high-intensity arc lamp which was used by both the Army and Navy. After setting up eight companies and receiving over 400 patents, Sperry died at Brooklyn, N.Y., on 12 June 1930.
Photo courtesy of the Library of Congress |
Bill Gonyo |
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USS Sperry (AS-12) keel laying at Mare Island Navy Yard, 1 February 1941. The official party is from left to right: Bottom row: CDR A. S. Pitre, USN (Shipbuilding Supt.), E. W. Buel (Chief Clerk, Supply), F. T. Machiel (Procurement Clerk, Public Works), N. E. Hanson (Chief Clerk, Public Works); on the keel above are CDR E. B. Keating (CEC), USN (Asst. Public Works Officer) and Capt G. P. Shamer, USN, (Supply Officer).
Navy Yard Mare Island photo # 309-41. |
Darryl Baker |
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USS Sperry (AS-12) ready for launching at Mare Island Navy Yard, 17 December 1941.
US Navy photo. |
Darryl Baker |
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VIPs for the launching of USS Sperry (AS-12) at Mare Island's Officer Club, 17 December 1941.
File name: AS 12 3476-41, Navy Photo, 12/17/41 |
Darryl Baker |
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Official launching party of USS Sperry (AS-12) prior to her launching at Mare Island on December 17, 1941.
From left to right: Mrs. Wilhelm L. Friedell, RADM. Wilhelm L. Friedell (Shipyard Commander), Culbert L. Olson (Governor of California), Miss Margot Dean (Maid of Honor)
and Mrs. Robert D. Lea (Sponsor).
File name: AS 12 3474-41, Navy Photo, 12/17/41 |
Darryl Baker |
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USS Sperry (AS-12)'s Sponsor, Mrs. Robert D. Lea, christens the ship at Mare Island, 17 December 1941.
Pictured are from left to right: Miss Margot Dean (Maid of Honor), Mrs. Robert D. Lea (Sponsor), RADM W. L. Friedell (Shipyard Commandant), and Governor Culbert L. Olson of California.
US Navy photo. |
Darryl Baker |
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USS Sperry (AS-12) at the end of the ways during her launching at Mare Island Navy Yard, 17 December 1941.
US Navy photo # AS 12 3459-41. |
Darryl Baker |
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USS Sperry (AS-12) is water borne for the first time after her launching at Mare Island Navy Yard, 17 December 1941.
US Navy photo. |
Darryl Baker |
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USS Sperry (AS-12) is water borne for the first time after her launching at Mare Island Navy Yard, 17 December 1941.
US Navy photo. |
Darryl Baker |
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Sperry Gyroscope Co. advertisement commemorating the launch of USS Sperry, 17 December 1941, the first ship launched after the US declaration of war. |
Tommy Trampp |
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USS Sperry (AS-12) departing Mare Island, 24 July 1942.
File name: AS 12 4250-42, Navy Photo, 7/24/42, Navy Photo, 12/17/41 |
Darryl Baker |
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USS Sperry (AS-12) near the Mare Island Navy Yard, 24 July 1942.
US National Archives, RG-19-LCM. photo # 19-N-32025, a US Navy Bureau of Ships photo now in the collections of the US National Archives. |
Robert Hurst |
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USS Sperry (AS-12) tending submarines, date and location unknown.
US Navy photo |
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USS Sperry (AS-12) tending submarines, date and location unknown.
US Navy photo |
Courtesy Randy Guttery Tendertales web site |
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Amidships looking aft plan view of USS Sperry (AS-12) at Navy Yard Mare Island, Vallejo, CA., 27 April 1945.
Navy Yard Mare Island photo # 3014-45. |
Darryl Baker |
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Broadside view of USS Sperry (AS-12) underway off Navy Yard Mare Island, Vallejo, CA., 28 April 1945. Sperry was in overhaul at Mare Island from 7 March to 28 April 1945.
Navy Yard Mare Island photo # 3092-45. |
Darryl Baker |
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Bow on view of USS Sperry (AS-12) departing Navy Yard Mare Island, Vallejo, CA., 28 April 1945. USS Nereus (AS 17) is just visible in the background to the left of Sperry.
Navy Yard Mare Island photo # 3094-45. |
Darryl Baker |
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Stern view of USS Sperry (AS-12) departing Navy Yard Mare Island, Vallejo, CA., 28 April 1945.
Navy Yard Mare Island photo # 3090-45. |
Darryl Baker |
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Post card of USS Sperry (AS-12) at anchor, probably in San Diego Bay, from the Jack Davidson Studio, San Diego, CA., circa 1945. |
David Buell for his father CWO4 Benton E. Buell USN Ret. DCA USS Sperry 1968-69 |
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USS Sperry (AS-12) with unidentified submarines alongside at Ballast Point, San Diego, CA., circa 1945-46.
US Navy photo |
David Buell for his father CWO4 Benton E. Buell USN Ret. DCA USS Sperry 1968-69 |
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Port view aft of USS Sperry (AS-12) at San Diego in 1949 with two Submarine Squadron Three (SUBRON 3) boats alongside. Visible in the photo are the conning towers and periscope shears of the USS Blenny (SS-324) and USS Barbero (SS-317). |
Ric Hedman TN(SS) USS Flasher and USS Cusk. |
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USS Sperry (AS-12) probably at San Diego, circa 1949. |
Ric Hedman TN(SS) USS Flasher and USS Cusk. |
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USS Sperry (AS-12) with submarines alongside, at San Diego, CA., circa 1950s. |
Richard Miller BMCS USNR Ret. |
09361268 |
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USS Sperry (AS-12) underway off San Diego, CA., date unknown
©George Barber |
Nichols Tiberio |
09361269 |
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USS Sperry (AS-12) with submarines alongside, at San Diego, CA., circa 1950s.
©George Barber |
Nichols Tiberio |
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USS Sperry (AS-12) underway, circa 1950s, location unknown.
USN photo via the US Naval Institute. |
David Buell for his father CWO4 Benton E. Buell USN Ret. DCA USS Sperry 1968-69 |
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USS Sperry (AS-12) outbound to sea exiting San Diego Bay off Point Loma, 18 April 1955
US Navy photo # USN 668277 |
David Buell for his father CWO4 Benton E. Buell USN Ret. DCA USS Sperry 1968-69 |
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USS Sperry (AS-12) being maneuvered by tugs off Vancouver. B.C., 7 August 1956.
City of Vancouver Archives, Photo No. AM1506-S3-3-: CVA 447-8250.1, by Walter E. Frost |
Mike Green |
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USS Sperry (AS-12) underway at San Francisco Bay in October 1957.
Photo by ©Allied Photographers San Francisco. |
Robert M. Cieri |
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USS Sperry (AS-12) rides between her mooring buoys with most of the submarines of Squadron Three alongside, at San Diego, CA., date unknown.
US Navy photo from "All Hands" magazine, March 1960 |
Joe Radigan MACM USN Ret. |
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USS Sperry (AS-12) moored in harbor with submarines alongside, circa 1960s.
US Navy photo. |
Scott Koen |
09361272 |
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USS Sperry (AS-12) with submarines and USS Chanticleer (ASR-7)
alongside in the harbor at San Diego, CA., date unknown. |
Nichols Tiberio |
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USS Sperry (AS-12) underway, circa 1960s, location unknown. Note the automobiles loaded on deck.
US Navy photo. |
Scott Koen |
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USS Sperry (AS-12) underway, circa 1960, location unknown. |
Mike Donegan, Naval & Aviation Artist |
09361275 |
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USS Sperry (AS-12) putting a "hard-hat" diver over the side, circa 1960s, location unknown.
U.S. National Archives photo from www.pivryl.com |
John Spivey |
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USS Sperry (AS-12) moored in the harbor at San Diego CA., in 1962 with submarines on her port side, from outboard to inboard,
USS Bugara (SS-331)
USS Caiman (SS-323)
USS Ronquil (SS-396)
USS Charr (SS-328)
USS Sea Fox (SS-402) and
USS Mehaden (SS-377). |
Tommy Trampp |
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USS Sperry (AS-12) moored pierside in 1964, location unknown. Submarines alongside include the attack submarines USS Plunger (SSN-595) and USS Scamp (SSN-588) forward, and USS Permit (SSN-594) aft.
US Navy photo. |
Robert Hurst |
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USS Sperry (AS-12) moored in the harbor at San Diego CA., circa 1960s. |
Richard Miller BMCS USNR Ret. |
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Cover of USS Sperry (AS-12) Welcome Aboard pamphlet, circa 1968. Note she still carries MK 12/22 radar on her MK 37 gun director in this picture. Submarines alongside include, from inboard to outboard USS Atule (SS-403), USS Bugara (SS-331) and USS Sea Fox (SS-402. |
David Buell for his father CWO4 Benton E. Buell USN Ret. DCA USS Sperry 1968-69 |
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Overhead view of USS Sperry (AS-12) moored pierside at Naval Bse Point Loma with submarines alongside, circa 1970s.
US Navy photo. |
Scott Koen |
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USS Sperry (AS-12) and USS Nereus (AS-17) moored at Naval Base Point Loma,
circa 1970s. |
Ron Reeves |
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09361270 |
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USS Sperry (AS-12) with submarines alongside, at Naval Base Point Loma, San Diego, CA., date unknown. |
Nichols Tiberio |
09361273 |
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USS Sperry (AS-12) moored pierside at Naval Base Point Loma, San Diego, CA., date unknown. |
Nichols Tiberio |
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USS Sperry (AS-12) underway, date and location unknown. |
Hyperwar US Navy in WWII |
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USS Sperry (AS-12) underway, date and location unknown. |
Joe Radigan MACM USN Ret |
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Overhead photo of USS Sperry (AS-12) at San Diego, CA., circa 1970. In the photo are USS Greenlet (ASR-10) at Sperry's port bow with six of her squadrons submarines off her port side.
US Navy photo from "All Hands" magazine, June 1950. |
Joe Radigan MACM USN Ret |
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USS Sperry (AS-12) with USS Ethan Allen (SSBN-608) alongside, Naval Station Point Loma, CA., circa 1973-74. |
Photo by Tom Brownrigg BTFN USS Dixon |
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USS Sperry (AS-12) at anchor in San Diego harbor, 1976. |
Darryl Baker |
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USS Sperry (AS-12) at anchor in San Diego harbor, 1980. |
Darryl Baker |
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USS Sperry (AS-12) pierside, San Diego, CA., 1981. |
Darryl Baker |
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Stern first view of USS Sperry (AS-12) pierside at Point Loma, San Diego, CA., circa 1980s. |
Tommy Trampp |
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1978k |
USS Sperry (AS-12) and San OnofreARD-30 pierside
at Point Loma, San Diego, CA., 15 February 1981. Note the various submarines at the pier and in the drydock, the Large Covered Lighter
YFNB-9 and the non-self propelled Barrack Ship sandwiched between Sperry and San Orofre.
Defense Imagery Photo # VIRIN: DN-SC-85-06089, by PHC T. Ryals, USN. |
Robert Hurst |
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Submarine tenders moored pierside at Ballast Point, Naval Station Point Loma, San Diego, CA., circa 1980s. From right to left USS Sperry (AS-12),
USS Proteus (AS-19) and
USS Dixon (AS-37).
Defense Imagery Photo # VIRIN: DN-SC-85-09594 |
Robert Hurst |
09361231 |
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Photos of USS Sperry (AS-12)'s, bridge area while the ship was at Mare Island Naval Shipyard shortly
before decommissioning, 30 September 1982.
09361231 - File name: AS 1982 01, Navy Photo, circa 1982 - Major ship control stations in the bridge of USS Sperry (AS 12) looking from the radar repeater to the port side
09361232 - File name: AS 1982 02, Navy Photo, circa 1982 - Major ship control stations in the bridge of USS Sperry (AS 12) looking from aft/port center to forward center line.
09361233 - File name: AS 1982 04, Navy Photo, circa 1982 - Port side aft bulkhead of the bridge of USS Sperry (AS 12) between boatswain mate's station and center line.
09361234 - File name: AS 1982 08, Navy Photo, circa 1982 - Boatswain mate's station on the bridge of USS Sperry (AS 12) looking from center line to post side. |
Darryl Baker |
09361232 |
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09361233 |
2119k |
09361234 |
1455k |
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Aerial view of a section of the Ship Intermediate Maintenance Facility, Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, 17 May 1993.
Ex-USS Sperry (AS-12) and 16 decommissioned nuclear-powered submarines are shown including the Seawolf (SSN-575); six George Washington, and Lafayette
class SSBN's (with their missile sections cut out) plus several Skate, Skipjack, Permit and Sturgeon class SSN's. All were awaiting scrapping.
The submarines are:
top row from left to right;
Ex-USS Thomas A Edison (SSBN-610),
Ex-USS Skipjack (SSN-585),
Ex-USS Triton (SSRN-586),
Ex-USS Snook (SSN-592),
Ex-USS Henry Clay (SSBN-625),
Ex-USS Lapon (SSN-661),
Ex=USS Dace (SSN-607),
Ex-USS Skate (SSN-578),
Ex=USS Swordfish (SSN-579),
Ex-USS Seawolf (SSN-575), and
Ex-USS Seadragon (SSN-584).
Across the pier are:
Ex-USS Thomas Jefferson (SSBN-618),
Ex=USS Patrick Henry (SSBN-599),
Ex-USS George Washington (SSBN-598),
Ex-USS Barb (SSN-596) and
Ex-USS Sea Devil (SSN-664).
US National Archives Photo Identifier 6492003. US Navy photo by Calvin Larsen, USN. |
Robert Hurst |
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945k |
Ex-USS Sperry (AS-12) in dry dock #3 at Mare Island CA. 1-2 October 2011, for hull cleaning by Allied Defense Recycling prior to being towed to Brownsville for dismantling. |
Robert Hurst |
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642k |
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Bow and stern views of ex-USS Sperry (AS-12) moored in the Pacific Reserve Fleet, Suisun Bay, Benecia, CA. in 1991. |
Ron Reeves |
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232k |
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2919k |
Ex-USS Sperry (AS-12) moored pierside at Mare Island CA. 20 October 2011, after cleaning and prior to being towed to Brownsville for dismantling. |
Photo by Darryl Baker |
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Ex-USS Sperry (AS-12) beginning her transit through the Panama Canal, 6 December 2011, while under tow from tug
Rachael. Ex-Sperry was outbound from Mare Island to Brownsville, TX. for scrapping. |
Ron Reeves |
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118k |
Ex-USS Sperry (AS-12) transiting the Panama Canal (Gatun Locks), 6 December 2011, while under tow from Mare Island to Brownsville, TX. for scrapping. |
Ron Reeves |
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124k |
Ex-USS Sperry (AS-12) transiting the Panama Canal, 6 December 2011, while under tow from Mare Island to Brownsville, TX. for scrapping. |
Ron Reeves |
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143k |
