USS Samuel B. Roberts (FFG 58), a Perry-class guided missile frigate, entered Bath Iron Works’ dry dock in Portland, Maine, on 6 October 1988. In a unique and difficult repair job, its engineroom was cut out and replaced with a 315-ton module fabricated in the Bath shipyard.
The ship was undocked on 1 April 1989. The work cost $89.5 million, $3.5 less than expected. Subsequent sea trials showed its performance to be better than new.
PHOTOS BY MARK S. ANDOLINA, WHO SIGNED ABOARD ROBERTS AS AUXILIARIES ENGINEERING OFFICER IN MAY 1988.