USS Semmes (DD-189): Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|Clemson-class destroyer}} |
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{{Other ships|USS Semmes}} |
{{Other ships|USS Semmes}} |
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{{multiple issues| |
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{{Other uses|Semmes (disambiguation)}} |
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{{Use American English|date=February 2014}} |
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{|{{Infobox ship begin}} |
{|{{Infobox ship begin}} |
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|+USS ''Semmes'' (DD-189) |
|+USS ''Semmes'' (DD-189) |
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{{Infobox ship career |
{{Infobox ship career |
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|Ship country= |
|Ship country=United States |
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|Ship flag={{USN flag|1946}} |
|Ship flag={{USN flag|1946}} |
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|Ship name=''Semmes'' |
|Ship name=''Semmes'' |
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|Ship sponsor=Mrs. John H. Watkins |
|Ship sponsor=Mrs. John H. Watkins |
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|Ship commissioned=21 February 1920 |
|Ship commissioned=21 February 1920 |
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|Ship decommissioned=17 July 1922 |
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|Ship fate=Transferred to U.S. Coast Guard 25 April 1932 |
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}} |
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{{Infobox ship career |
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|Ship acquired=20 April 1934 (from U.S. Coast Guard) |
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|Ship recommissioned=20 April 1934 |
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|Ship reclassified=[[Miscellaneous auxiliary]], AG-24, 1 July 1935 |
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{{Infobox ship career |
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|Ship decommissioned=2 June 1946 |
|Ship decommissioned=2 June 1946 |
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|Ship in service= |
|Ship in service= |
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|Ship reinstated= |
|Ship reinstated= |
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|Ship honors= |
|Ship honors= |
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|Ship fate= |
|Ship fate=Sold for scrap 25 November 1946 |
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|Ship status= |
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|Ship notes= |
|Ship notes= |
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{{Infobox ship career |
{{Infobox ship career |
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|Ship name=USCGD ''Semmes'' (CG-20) |
|Ship name=USCGD ''Semmes'' (CG-20) |
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|Ship country= |
|Ship country=United States Coast Guard |
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|Ship flag={{shipboxflag|United States|coast guard}} |
|Ship flag={{shipboxflag|United States|coast guard-1915}} |
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|Ship acquired=25 April 1932<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.uscg.mil/history/webcutters/Semmes. |
|Ship acquired=25 April 1932 (from U.S. Navy)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.uscg.mil/history/webcutters/Semmes.pdf |title=USCGD Semmes (CG-20) |access-date=2013-06-09}}</ref> |
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|Ship commissioned=25 April 1932 |
|Ship commissioned=25 April 1932 |
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|Ship decommissioned=20 April 1934 |
|Ship decommissioned=20 April 1934 |
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|Ship out of service= |
|Ship out of service= |
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|Ship fate=Returned to US Navy 20 April 1934 |
|Ship fate=Returned to US Navy 20 April 1934 |
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|Ship status= |
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|Ship notes= |
|Ship notes= |
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|Header caption= |
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|Ship class={{sclass |
|Ship class={{sclass|Clemson|destroyer}} |
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|Ship displacement={{convert| |
|Ship displacement={{convert|1215|LT|t|lk=on|abbr=on}} |
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|Ship length={{convert|314|ft|5|in|abbr=on}} |
|Ship length={{convert|314|ft|5|in|abbr=on}} |
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|Ship beam={{convert|31|ft|9|in|abbr=on}} |
|Ship beam={{convert|31|ft|9|in|abbr=on}} |
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|Ship draught= |
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|Ship draft={{convert|9|ft|4|in|abbr=on}} |
|Ship draft={{convert|9|ft|4|in|abbr=on}} |
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|Ship |
|Ship power={{convert|26500|shp|lk=on|abbr=on}} |
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2 |
|Ship propulsion=*2 × geared [[steam turbine]]s |
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*4 × [[boiler]]s, {{convert|300|psi|abbr=on}} [[saturated steam]] |
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*2 × shafts |
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|Ship complement=101 officers and enlisted |
|Ship complement=101 officers and enlisted |
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|Ship sensors= |
|Ship sensors= |
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|Ship armament=*4 × [[4"/50 caliber gun|{{convert|4|in|mm|abbr=on}}/50 caliber gun]]s |
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|Ship EW= |
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*1 × [[3"/23 caliber gun|{{convert|3|in|mm|abbr=on}}/23 caliber]] [[Anti-aircraft warfare|anti-aircraft gun]] |
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|Ship armament= |
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4 × [[4"/50 caliber gun|4 inch/50 caliber guns]] (102 mm)<br/> |
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*1 × [[Y-gun]] depth charge projector |
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1 × [[3"/23 caliber gun|3 inch/23 caliber gun]] (76 mm)<br/> |
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*2 × depth charge racks |
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|Ship notes= |
|Ship notes= |
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'''USS ''Semmes'' (DD-189/AG-24)''' was a {{sclass |
'''USS ''Semmes'' (DD-189/AG-24)''' was a {{sclass|Clemson|destroyer}} in the [[United States Navy]] during [[World War II]]. She was the first Navy ship named for Commander (USN), Rear Admiral (CSN), Brigadier General (CSA) [[Raphael Semmes]] (1809–1877). |
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==Service history== |
==Service history== |
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''Semmes'' was [[keel laying|laid down]] on 10 June 1918 by the [[Northrop Grumman Newport News|Newport News Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Company]], [[Newport News, Virginia]]; [[Ship naming and launching|launched]] on 21 December 1918; sponsored by Mrs. John H. Watkins, granddaughter of Raphael Semmes; and [[ship commissioning|commissioned]] on 21 February 1920, |
''Semmes'' was [[keel laying|laid down]] on 10 June 1918 by the [[Northrop Grumman Newport News|Newport News Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Company]], [[Newport News, Virginia]]; [[Ship naming and launching|launched]] on 21 December 1918;<ref name="Fried p434">Friedman 1982, p. 434.</ref> sponsored by Mrs. John H. Watkins, granddaughter of Raphael Semmes;<ref name="danfs">{{cite web|url=http://www.history.navy.mil/research/histories/ship-histories/danfs/s/semmes-i.html|title=Semmes|work=[[Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships]]|publisher=Naval History and Heritage Command|access-date=1 February 2015}}</ref> and [[ship commissioning|commissioned]] on 21 February 1920.<ref name="Fried p434"/><ref name="danfs"/> ''Semmes'' was used as a testbed for an experimental twin 4 inch gun mount, giving it an armament of five [[4"/50 caliber gun]]s rather than the normal armament for ''Clemson''-class destroyers of four such guns. This armament was retained until at least 1931.<ref name="Fried p42">Friedman 1982, p. 42.</ref><ref name="jfs 31 p477">Parkes 1931, p. 477.</ref> A few months later, she was the first to navigate using only the [[Ambrose Channel pilot cable]].<ref>{{cite news |title= Warship Guided into Port by Radio Piloting Cable |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1920/10/07/102900190.pdf |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |date=7 October 1920}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Ships Steered by Submarine Cable |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=8 February 1925}}</ref> |
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Following shakedown, ''Semmes'' participated in exercises along the northeast coast until January 1921 when she sailed south for winter fleet maneuvers in the [[Caribbean]]. From there, she transited the [[Panama Canal]] to cruise off the west coast of [[South America]] and returned to the Caribbean in late February to conduct further exercises out of [[Guantanamo Bay Naval Base|Guantanamo Bay]]. In late April, she resumed operations out of [[Naval Station Norfolk|Norfolk, Virginia]]. |
Following shakedown, ''Semmes'' participated in exercises along the northeast coast until January 1921 when she sailed south for winter fleet maneuvers in the [[Caribbean]]. From there, she transited the [[Panama Canal]] to cruise off the west coast of [[South America]] and returned to the Caribbean in late February to conduct further exercises out of [[Guantanamo Bay Naval Base|Guantanamo Bay]]. In late April, she resumed operations out of [[Naval Station Norfolk|Norfolk, Virginia]]. |
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Reactivated 10 years later, she was transferred to the [[United States Coast Guard]] to serve in the [[Rum Patrol]]. She was commissioned in that service on 25 April 1932. As a Coast Guard destroyer, she was reconditioned at [[Boston, Massachusetts]] and based at [[New London, Connecticut]] whence she operated from 25 September until detached for two months duty with the Navy on 7 September 1933. On 10 November, she returned to New London and resumed operations for the [[United States Department of the Treasury|Treasury Department]]. On 20 April 1934, the destroyer was returned to the Navy and was recommissioned as an experimental ship in accordance with the [[London Naval Treaty|London Treaty limiting naval armament]]. |
Reactivated 10 years later, she was transferred to the [[United States Coast Guard]] to serve in the [[Rum Patrol]]. She was commissioned in that service on 25 April 1932. As a Coast Guard destroyer, she was reconditioned at [[Boston, Massachusetts]] and based at [[New London, Connecticut]] whence she operated from 25 September until detached for two months duty with the Navy on 7 September 1933. On 10 November, she returned to New London and resumed operations for the [[United States Department of the Treasury|Treasury Department]]. On 20 April 1934, the destroyer was returned to the Navy and was recommissioned as an experimental ship in accordance with the [[London Naval Treaty|London Treaty limiting naval armament]]. |
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Although not officially redesignated as an auxiliary ship, '''AG-24''', until 1 July 1935, ''Semmes'' was assigned to Experimental Division 1 |
Although not officially redesignated as an auxiliary ship, '''AG-24''', until 1 July 1935, ''Semmes'' was assigned to Experimental Division 1 and, with assigned [[submarine]]s, tested and evaluated [[Sonar|underwater sound]] equipment into the 1940s. In May 1939, ''Semmes'' took part in the recovery efforts for the submarine {{USS|Squalus|SS-192|2}}.<ref>{{cite book |title=The Terrible Hours |first=Peter |last=Maas |date=8 August 2000 |publisher=HarperCollins Publishers, Inc. |isbn=0-06-101459-1 |page=[https://archive.org/details/terriblehoursman00maas/page/103 103] |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/terriblehoursman00maas }}</ref> |
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''Semmes'' was fitted with the XAR air search radar in July, 1941 This was the prototype for the SC, SA, and SK series of radars.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Boslaugh |first=David |title=When Computers Went to Sea |date=2003 |publisher=Wiley |isbn=9780471472209 |pages=41}}</ref> |
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⚫ | At [[Key West]] from 16 March |
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After the entry of the United States into [[World War II]], ''Semmes'' added escort missions, training services for the [[Fleet Sonar School|Key West Sound School]], and antisubmarine patrol work to her duties. |
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⚫ | At [[Key West]] from 16 March-16 April 1942, she performed escort and patrol work off the mid-Atlantic seaboard into May; and, on the morning of the 6th, while patrolling off [[Cape Lookout, North Carolina|Cape Lookout]], collided with a British armed trawler, ''Senateur Duhamel''. The latter sank; and, after assisting the survivors, ''Semmes'' put into [[Morehead City, North Carolina|Morehead City]], [[North Carolina]], for temporary repairs. |
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Permanent repairs were completed at Norfolk on 3 June and the former destroyer resumed her test and evaluation, patrol, and escort work which she continued through the end of the war in Europe. After the capitulation of [[Germany]], ''Semmes'' resumed her primary mission of testing experimental equipment and, for the remainder of her career, conducted tests for the [[Naval Undersea Warfare Center|Underwater Sound Laboratory]], [[New London, Connecticut]], as a unit of the antisubmarine surface group of the [[Operational Development Force]]. Other duties during that period included the provision of training services to the [[Submarine Base New London|Submarine School]] and to the [[Fleet Sonar School]]. |
Permanent repairs were completed at Norfolk on 3 June and the former destroyer resumed her test and evaluation, patrol, and escort work which she continued through the end of the war in Europe. After the capitulation of [[Germany]], ''Semmes'' resumed her primary mission of testing experimental equipment and, for the remainder of her career, conducted tests for the [[Naval Undersea Warfare Center|Underwater Sound Laboratory]], [[New London, Connecticut]], as a unit of the antisubmarine surface group of the [[Operational Development Force]]. Other duties during that period included the provision of training services to the [[Submarine Base New London|Submarine School]] and to the [[Fleet Sonar School]]. |
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''Semmes'' can be seen briefly as AG-24 in the 1943 movie ''[[Crash Dive]]'', filmed at the [[Submarine Base New London]]. |
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===Fate=== |
===Fate=== |
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On 21 May 1946, ''Semmes'' again entered the [[Philadelphia Navy Yard]] for inactivation. Decommissioned on 2 June |
On 21 May 1946, ''Semmes'' again entered the [[Philadelphia Navy Yard]] for inactivation. Decommissioned on 2 June, her name was struck from the [[Naval Vessel Register|Navy list]] on 3 July; and her hulk was sold for scrapping to the Northern Metals Corporation, [[Philadelphia]] on 25 November. She was scrapped the following year. |
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==Awards== |
==Awards== |
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''Semmes'' received five [[battle star]]s for service in World War II. |
''Semmes'' received five [[battle star]]s for service in World War II. |
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==Citations== |
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{{Reflist}} |
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==References== |
==References== |
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*{{cite book|last=Blair|first=Clay|title=Hitler's U-Boat War: The Hunters 1939–1942|year=2000|publisher=Cassell & Co.|location=London|isbn=0-304-35260-8}} |
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{{reflist}} |
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* {{cite book|last=Friedman|first=Norman|title=U.S. Destroyers: An Illustrated Design History|year=1982|publisher=Naval Institute Press|location=Annapolis, Maryland, USA|isbn=0-87021-733-X}} |
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*{{cite book|last=Parkes|first=Oscar|title=Jane's Fighting Ships 1931|orig-year=first published 1931 by Sampson Low, Marston & Co. Ltd.: London |year=1973|publisher=David & Charles (Publishers)|location=Newton Abbott, UK|isbn=0-7153-5849-9}} |
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*[http://www.navweaps.com/Weapons/WNUS_4-50_mk9.htm DiGiulian, Tony Navweaps.com 4"/50 Gun Page] |
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*[http://www.navweaps.com/Weapons/WNUS_3-23_mk13.htm DiGiulian, Tony Navweaps.com 3"/23 Gun Page] |
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*[http://www.navweaps.com/Weapons/WNUS_3-50_mk10-22.htm DiGiulian, Tony Navweaps.com 3"/50 Gun Page] |
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*[http://www.navweaps.com/Weapons/WTUS_PreWWII.htm DiGiulian, Tony Navweaps.com Pre-WWII US Torpedoes] |
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*[http://www.history.navy.mil/museums/keyport/html/part2.htm US Navy Torpedo History, part 2] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140915054904/http://www.history.navy.mil/museums/keyport/html/part2.htm |date=15 September 2014 }} |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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*[http://www.hazegray.org/danfs/destroy/dd189txt.htm hazegray.org: USS ''Semmes''] |
*[http://www.hazegray.org/danfs/destroy/dd189txt.htm hazegray.org: USS ''Semmes''] |
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{{Clemson class destroyer}} |
{{Clemson class destroyer}} |
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Latest revision as of 17:57, 2 March 2024
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History | |
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United States | |
Name | Semmes |
Namesake | Raphael Semmes |
Builder | Newport News Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Company |
Laid down | 10 June 1918 |
Launched | 21 December 1918 |
Sponsored by | Mrs. John H. Watkins |
Commissioned | 21 February 1920 |
Decommissioned | 17 July 1922 |
Fate | Transferred to U.S. Coast Guard 25 April 1932 |
Acquired | 20 April 1934 (from U.S. Coast Guard) |
Recommissioned | 20 April 1934 |
Reclassified | Miscellaneous auxiliary, AG-24, 1 July 1935 |
Decommissioned | 2 June 1946 |
Stricken | 3 July 1946 |
Fate | Sold for scrap 25 November 1946 |
United States Coast Guard | |
Name | USCGD Semmes (CG-20) |
Acquired | 25 April 1932 (from U.S. Navy)[1] |
Commissioned | 25 April 1932 |
Decommissioned | 20 April 1934 |
Fate | Returned to US Navy 20 April 1934 |
General characteristics | |
Class and type | Clemson-class destroyer |
Displacement | 1,215 long tons (1,234 t) |
Length | 314 ft 5 in (95.83 m) |
Beam | 31 ft 9 in (9.68 m) |
Draft | 9 ft 4 in (2.84 m) |
Installed power | 26,500 shp (19,800 kW) |
Propulsion |
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Speed | 35 kn (65 km/h; 40 mph) |
Range | 4,900 nmi (9,100 km; 5,600 mi) at 15 kn (28 km/h; 17 mph) |
Complement | 101 officers and enlisted |
Armament |
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USS Semmes (DD-189/AG-24) was a Clemson-class destroyer in the United States Navy during World War II. She was the first Navy ship named for Commander (USN), Rear Admiral (CSN), Brigadier General (CSA) Raphael Semmes (1809–1877).
Service history[edit]
Semmes was laid down on 10 June 1918 by the Newport News Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Company, Newport News, Virginia; launched on 21 December 1918;[2] sponsored by Mrs. John H. Watkins, granddaughter of Raphael Semmes;[3] and commissioned on 21 February 1920.[2][3] Semmes was used as a testbed for an experimental twin 4 inch gun mount, giving it an armament of five 4"/50 caliber guns rather than the normal armament for Clemson-class destroyers of four such guns. This armament was retained until at least 1931.[4][5] A few months later, she was the first to navigate using only the Ambrose Channel pilot cable.[6][7]
Following shakedown, Semmes participated in exercises along the northeast coast until January 1921 when she sailed south for winter fleet maneuvers in the Caribbean. From there, she transited the Panama Canal to cruise off the west coast of South America and returned to the Caribbean in late February to conduct further exercises out of Guantanamo Bay. In late April, she resumed operations out of Norfolk, Virginia.
The destroyer was ordered inactivated in 1922; and, on 12 April, entered the Philadelphia Navy Yard where she was decommissioned on 17 July 1922.
Reactivated 10 years later, she was transferred to the United States Coast Guard to serve in the Rum Patrol. She was commissioned in that service on 25 April 1932. As a Coast Guard destroyer, she was reconditioned at Boston, Massachusetts and based at New London, Connecticut whence she operated from 25 September until detached for two months duty with the Navy on 7 September 1933. On 10 November, she returned to New London and resumed operations for the Treasury Department. On 20 April 1934, the destroyer was returned to the Navy and was recommissioned as an experimental ship in accordance with the London Treaty limiting naval armament.
Although not officially redesignated as an auxiliary ship, AG-24, until 1 July 1935, Semmes was assigned to Experimental Division 1 and, with assigned submarines, tested and evaluated underwater sound equipment into the 1940s. In May 1939, Semmes took part in the recovery efforts for the submarine Squalus.[8]
Semmes was fitted with the XAR air search radar in July, 1941 This was the prototype for the SC, SA, and SK series of radars.[9]
After the entry of the United States into World War II, Semmes added escort missions, training services for the Key West Sound School, and antisubmarine patrol work to her duties.
At Key West from 16 March-16 April 1942, she performed escort and patrol work off the mid-Atlantic seaboard into May; and, on the morning of the 6th, while patrolling off Cape Lookout, collided with a British armed trawler, Senateur Duhamel. The latter sank; and, after assisting the survivors, Semmes put into Morehead City, North Carolina, for temporary repairs.
Permanent repairs were completed at Norfolk on 3 June and the former destroyer resumed her test and evaluation, patrol, and escort work which she continued through the end of the war in Europe. After the capitulation of Germany, Semmes resumed her primary mission of testing experimental equipment and, for the remainder of her career, conducted tests for the Underwater Sound Laboratory, New London, Connecticut, as a unit of the antisubmarine surface group of the Operational Development Force. Other duties during that period included the provision of training services to the Submarine School and to the Fleet Sonar School.
Semmes can be seen briefly as AG-24 in the 1943 movie Crash Dive, filmed at the Submarine Base New London.
Fate[edit]
On 21 May 1946, Semmes again entered the Philadelphia Navy Yard for inactivation. Decommissioned on 2 June, her name was struck from the Navy list on 3 July; and her hulk was sold for scrapping to the Northern Metals Corporation, Philadelphia on 25 November. She was scrapped the following year.
Awards[edit]
Semmes received five battle stars for service in World War II.
Citations[edit]
- This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. The entry can be found here.
- ^ "USCGD Semmes (CG-20)" (PDF). Retrieved 9 June 2013.
- ^ a b Friedman 1982, p. 434.
- ^ a b "Semmes". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Naval History and Heritage Command. Retrieved 1 February 2015.
- ^ Friedman 1982, p. 42.
- ^ Parkes 1931, p. 477.
- ^ "Warship Guided into Port by Radio Piloting Cable" (PDF). The New York Times. 7 October 1920.
- ^ "Ships Steered by Submarine Cable". Los Angeles Times. 8 February 1925.
- ^ Maas, Peter (8 August 2000). The Terrible Hours. HarperCollins Publishers, Inc. p. 103. ISBN 0-06-101459-1.
- ^ Boslaugh, David (2003). When Computers Went to Sea. Wiley. p. 41. ISBN 9780471472209.
References[edit]
- Blair, Clay (2000). Hitler's U-Boat War: The Hunters 1939–1942. London: Cassell & Co. ISBN 0-304-35260-8.
- Friedman, Norman (1982). U.S. Destroyers: An Illustrated Design History. Annapolis, Maryland, USA: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 0-87021-733-X.
- Parkes, Oscar (1973) [first published 1931 by Sampson Low, Marston & Co. Ltd.: London]. Jane's Fighting Ships 1931. Newton Abbott, UK: David & Charles (Publishers). ISBN 0-7153-5849-9.
- DiGiulian, Tony Navweaps.com 4"/50 Gun Page
- DiGiulian, Tony Navweaps.com 3"/23 Gun Page
- DiGiulian, Tony Navweaps.com 3"/50 Gun Page
- DiGiulian, Tony Navweaps.com Pre-WWII US Torpedoes
- US Navy Torpedo History, part 2 Archived 15 September 2014 at the Wayback Machine
External links[edit]
- Photo gallery of USS Semmes at NavSource Naval History
- hazegray.org: USS Semmes