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fighting ships of the world

UNITED STATES NAVY (UNITED STATES OF AMERICA)

ESCORTS

"WGT" destroyer escorts (1944-1955)

McCoy Reynolds 1945

John C. Butler 1963

Wagner 1963

No Name Yard No Builder Laid down Launched Comm Fate
DE339 John C. Butler   Consolidated, Orange 10/1943 11.12.1943 3/1944 stricken 6.1970
DE340 O`Flaherty   Consolidated, Orange 10/1943 14.12.1943 4/1944 stricken 12.1972
DE341 Raymond   Consolidated, Orange 11/1943 8.1.1944 4/1944 stricken 7.1972
DE342 Richard W. Suesens   Consolidated, Orange 11/1943 11.1.1944 4/1944 stricken 3.1972
DE343 Abercrombie   Consolidated, Orange 11/1943 14.1.1944 5/1944 stricken 5.1967
DE344 Oberrender   Consolidated, Orange 11/1943 18.1.1944 5/1944 sunk 9.5.1945
DE345 Robert Brazier   Consolidated, Orange 11/1943 22.1.1944 5/1944 stricken 1.1968
DE346 Edwin A. Howard   Consolidated, Orange 11/1943 25.1.1944 5/1944 stricken 12.1972
DE347 Jesse Rutherford   Consolidated, Orange 11/1943 29.1.1944 5/1944 stricken 1.1968
DE348 Key   Consolidated, Orange 12/1943 12.2.1944 6/1944 stricken 3.1972
DE349 Gentry   Consolidated, Orange 12/1943 15.2.1944 6/1944 stricken 1.1972
DE350 Traw   Consolidated, Orange 12/1943 12.2.1944 6/1944 stricken 8.1967
DE351 Maurice J. Manuel   Consolidated, Orange 12/1943 19.2.1944 6/1944 stricken 5.1966
DE352 Naifeh   Consolidated, Orange 12/1943 29.2.1944 7/1944 stricken 1.1966
DE353 Doyle C. Barnes   Consolidated, Orange 1/1944 4.3.1944 7/1944 stricken 12.1972
DE354 Kenneth M. Willett   Consolidated, Orange 1/1944 7.3.1944 7/1944 stricken 7.1972
DE355 Jaccard   Consolidated, Orange 1/1944 18.3.1944 7/1944 stricken 11.1967
DE356 Lloyd E. Acree   Consolidated, Orange 1/1944 21.3.1944 8/1944 stricken 1.1972
DE357 George E. Davis   Consolidated, Orange 2/1944 8.4.1944 8/1944 stricken 12.1972
DE358 Mack   Consolidated, Orange 2/1944 11.4.1944 8/1944 stricken 3.1972
DE359 Woodson   Consolidated, Orange 3/1944 29.4.1944 8/1944 stricken 7.1965
DE360 Johnnie Hutchins   Consolidated, Orange 3/1944 2.5.1944 8/1944 stricken 7.1972
DE361 Walton   Consolidated, Orange 3/1944 20.5.1944 9/1944 stricken 9.1968
DE362 Rolf   Consolidated, Orange 3/1944 23.5.1944 9/1944 stricken 12.1972
DE363 Pratt   Consolidated, Orange 4/1944 1.6.1944 10/1944 stricken 3.1972
DE364 Rombach   Consolidated, Orange 4/1944 6.6.1944 9/1944 stricken 3.1972
DE365 McGinty   Consolidated, Orange 5/1944 5.8.1944 9/1944 stricken 9.1968
DE366 Alvin C. Cockrell   Consolidated, Orange 5/1944 8.8.1944 10/1944 stricken 9.1968
DE367 French   Consolidated, Orange 5/1944 17.6.1944 10/1944 stricken 5.1972
DE368 Cecil J. Doyle   Consolidated, Orange 5/1944 1.7.1944 10/1944 stricken 7.1967
DE369 Thaddeus Parker   Consolidated, Orange 5/1944 26.8.1944 10/1944 stricken 9.1967
DE370 John L. Williamson   Consolidated, Orange 5/1944 29.8.1944 10/1944 stricken 9.1970
DE371 Presley   Consolidated, Orange 6/1944 19.8.1944 11/1944 stricken 6.1968
DE372 Williams   Consolidated, Orange 6/1944 22.8.1944 11/1944 stricken 7.1967
DE373 William C. Lawe   Consolidated, Orange 6/1944 --- --- cancelled 6.1944
DE374 Lloyd Thomas   Consolidated, Orange 6/1944 --- --- cancelled 6.1944
DE375 Keppler   Consolidated, Orange 6/1944 --- --- cancelled 6.1944
DE376 Kleinsmith   Consolidated, Orange 6/1944 --- --- cancelled 6.1944
DE377 Henry W. Tucker   Consolidated, Orange 6/1944 --- --- cancelled 6.1944
DE378 Weiss   Consolidated, Orange 6/1944 --- --- cancelled 6.1944
DE379 Francovich   Consolidated, Orange 6/1944 --- --- cancelled 6.1944
DE380 ---   Consolidated, Orange --- --- --- cancelled 6.1944
DE381 ---   Consolidated, Orange --- --- --- cancelled 6.1944
DE402 Richard S. Bull 75 Brown SB, Houston 8/1943 16.11.1943 2/1944 stricken 6.1968
DE403 Richard M. Rowell 76 Brown SB, Houston 8/1943 17.11.1943 3/1944 stricken 6.1968
DE404 Eversole 77 Brown SB, Houston 9/1943 3.12.1943 3/1944 sunk 28.10.1944
DE405 Dennis 78 Brown SB, Houston 9/1943 4.12.1943 3/1944 stricken 12.1972
DE406 Edmonds 79 Brown SB, Houston 11/1943 17.12.1943 4/1944 stricken 5.1972
DE407 Shelton 80 Brown SB, Houston 11/1943 18.12.1943 4/1944 sunk 3.10.1944
DE408 Straus 81 Brown SB, Houston 11/1943 30.12.1943 4/1944 stricken 5.1966
DE409 La Prade 82 Brown SB, Houston 11/1943 31.12.1943 4/1944 stricken 1.1972
DE410 Jack Miller 83 Brown SB, Houston 11/1943 10.1.1944 4/1944 stricken 6.1968
DE411 Stafford 84 Brown SB, Houston 11/1943 11.1.1944 4/1944 stricken 3.1972
DE412 Walter C. Wann 85 Brown SB, Houston 12/1943 19.1.1944 5/1944 stricken 6.1968
DE413 Samuel B. Roberts 86 Brown SB, Houston 12/1943 20.1.1944 4/1944 sunk 25.10.1944
DE414 Le Ray Wilson 87 Brown SB, Houston 12/1943 28.1.1944 5/1944 stricken 5.1972
DE415 Lawrence C. Taylor 88 Brown SB, Houston 12/1943 29.1.1944 5/1944 stricken 12.1972
DE416 Melvin R. Nawman 89 Brown SB, Houston 1/1944 7.2.1944 5/1944 stricken 7.1972
DE417 Oliver Mitchell 90 Brown SB, Houston 1/1944 8.2.1944 6/1944 stricken 3.1972
DE418 Tabberer 91 Brown SB, Houston 1/1944 18.2.1944 5/1944 stricken 7.1972
DE419 Robert F. Keller 92 Brown SB, Houston 1/1944 19.2.1944 6/1944 stricken 7.1972
DE420 Leland E. Thomas 93 Brown SB, Houston 1/1944 28.2.1944 6/1944 stricken 12.1972
DE421 Chester T. O`Brien 94 Brown SB, Houston 1/1944 29.2.1944 7/1944 stricken 7.1972
DE422 Douglas A. Munro 95 Brown SB, Houston 1/1944 8.3.1944 7/1944 stricken 12.1965
DE423 Dufilho 96 Brown SB, Houston 1/1944 9.3.1944 7/1944 stricken 12.1972
DE424 Haas 97 Brown SB, Houston 2/1944 20.3.1944 8/1944 stricken 7.1966
DE438 Corbesier 407 Federal, Newark 11/1943 13.2.1944 3/1944 stricken 12.1972
DE439 Conklin 408 Federal, Newark 11/1943 13.2.1944 4/1944 stricken 10.1970
DE440 McCoy Reynolds 409 Federal, Newark 11/1943 22.2.1944 5/1944 to Portugal 2.1957 (Corte Real)
DE441 William Seiverling 410 Federal, Newark 12/1943 7.3.1944 6/1944 stricken 12.1972
DE442 Ulvert M. Moore 411 Federal, Newark 12/1943 7.3.1944 7/1944 stricken 12.1965
DE443 Kendall C. Campbell 412 Federal, Newark 12/1943 19.3.1944 7/1944 stricken 1.1972
DE444 Goss 413 Federal, Newark 12/1943 19.3.1944 8/1944 stricken 3.1972
DE445 Grady 414 Federal, Newark 1/1944 2.4.1944 9/1944 stricken 6.1968
DE446 Charles E. Brannon 415 Federal, Newark 1/1944 23.4.1944 11/1944 stricken 9.1968
DE447 Albert T. Harris 416 Federal, Newark 1/1944 16.4.1944 11/1944 stricken 9.1968
DE448 Cross 417 Federal, Newark 3/1944 4.7.1944 1/1945 stricken 7.1966
DE449 Hanna 418 Federal, Newark 3/1944 4.7.1944 1/1945 stricken 12.1972
DE450 Joseph E. Connolly 419 Federal, Newark 4/1944 6.8.1944 2/1945 stricken 6.1970
DE451 Woodrow R. Thompson 420 Federal, Newark 5/1944 --- --- cancelled 6.1944
DE452 Steinaker 421 Federal, Newark 6/1944 --- --- cancelled 6.1944
DE508 Gilligan (ex-Donaldson) 477 Federal, Newark 11/1943 22.2.1944 5/1944 stricken 3.1972
DE509 Formoe 478 Federal, Newark 1/1944 2.4.1944 10/1944 to Portugal 2.1957 (Diogo Cão)
DE510 Heyliger 479 Federal, Newark 4/1944 6.8.1944 3/1945 stricken 5.1966
DE531 Edward H. Allen   Boston N Yd, Charlestown 8/1943 7.10.1943 12/1943 stricken 7.1972
DE532, 4.1952- DEC532 Tweedy   Boston N Yd, Charlestown 8/1943 7.10.1943 2/1944 stricken 6.1969
DE533 Howard F. Clark   Boston N Yd, Charlestown 10/1943 8.11.1943 5/1944 stricken 5.1972
DE534 Silverstein   Boston N Yd, Charlestown 10/1943 8.11.1943 7/1944 stricken 12.1972
DE535, 3.1952- DEC535 Lewis   Boston N Yd, Charlestown 11/1943 7.12.1943 9/1944 stricken 1.1966
DE536 Bivin   Boston N Yd, Charlestown 11/1943 7.12.1943 10/1944 stricken 6.1968
DE537 Rizzi   Boston N Yd, Charlestown 11/1943 7.12.1943 6/1945 stricken 8.1972
DE538 Osberg   Boston N Yd, Charlestown 11/1943 7.12.1943 12/1945 stricken 8.1972
DER539 Wagner   Boston N Yd, Charlestown 11/1943 27.12.1943 11/1955 stricken 11.1974
DER540 Vandivier   Boston N Yd, Charlestown 11/1943 27.12.1943 10/1955 stricken 11.1974
DE541 Sheehen   Boston N Yd, Charlestown 11/1943 27.12.1943 --- cancelled 1.1946
DE542 Oswald A. Powers   Boston N Yd, Charlestown 11/1943 27.12.1943 --- cancelled 1.1946
DE543 Groves   Boston N Yd, Charlestown 12/1943 27.1.1944 --- cancelled 9.1944
DE544 Alfred Wolf   Boston N Yd, Charlestown 12/1943 27.1.1944 --- cancelled 9.1944
DE545 Harold J. Ellison   Boston N Yd, Charlestown 1944 --- --- cancelled 6.1944
DE546 Myles C. Fox   Boston N Yd, Charlestown 1944 --- --- cancelled 6.1944
DE547 Charles R. Ware   Boston N Yd, Charlestown 1944 --- --- cancelled 6.1944
DE548 Carpellotti   Boston N Yd, Charlestown 1944 --- --- cancelled 6.1944
DE549 Eugene A. Greene   Boston N Yd, Charlestown 1944 --- --- cancelled 6.1944
DE550 Gyatt   Boston N Yd, Charlestown 1944 --- --- cancelled 6.1944
DE551 Benner   Boston N Yd, Charlestown 1944 --- --- cancelled 6.1944
DE552 Kenneth D. Bailey   Boston N Yd, Charlestown 1944 --- --- cancelled 6.1944
DE553 Dennis J. Buckley   Boston N Yd, Charlestown 1944 --- --- cancelled 6.1944
DE554 Everett F. Larson   Boston N Yd, Charlestown 1944 --- --- cancelled 6.1944
DE555 Rogers Blood   Boston N Yd, Charlestown --- --- --- cancelled 6.1944
DE556 William R. Rush   Boston N Yd, Charlestown --- --- --- cancelled 6.1944
DE557 William M. Wood   Boston N Yd, Charlestown --- --- --- cancelled 6.1944

 

Displacement standard, t

1430

Displacement full, t

1811

Length, m

91.4 wl 93.3 oa

Breadth, m

11.3

Draught, m

3.40 full load

No of shafts

2

Machinery

DE339 - 372, 402 - 424: 2 sets Westinghouse geared steam turbines, 2 Combustion Engineering boilers

DE373 - 379, 438 - 452, 508 - 510, 531 - 554: 2 sets Westinghouse geared steam turbines, 2 Babcock & Wilcox boilers

Power, h. p.

12000

Max speed, kts

23

Fuel, t

oil 347 - 348

Endurance, nm(kts) 4650(12)

Armament

DE339-381, 402-424, 438-447, 451, 452, 508, 509, 531-536, 541-557: 2 x 1 - 127/38 Mk 12, 2 x 2 - 40/56 Mk 1.2, 10 x 1 - 20/70 Mk 4, 1 x 3 - 533 TT, 1 x 24 - 178 Hedgehog Mk 10 ASWRL, 8 DCT, 2 DCR (100)

DE448 - 450, 510: 2 x 1 - 127/38 Mk 12, 2 x 2 - 40/56 Mk 1.2, 3 x 2 - 20/70 Mk 4, 10 x 1 - 20/70 Mk 4, 1 x 24 - 178 Hedgehog Mk 10 ASWRL, 8 DCT, 2 DCR (100)

DE537, 538: 2 x 1 - 127/38 Mk 12, 1 x 4 - 40/56 Mk 1.2, 3 x 2 - 40/56 Mk 1.2, 10 x 1 - 20/70 Mk 4, 1 x 24 - 178 Hedgehog Mk 10 AWSRL, 8 DCT, 2 DCR (100)

DER539, 540: 2 x 1 - 127/38 Mk 30, 1 x 4 - 40/60 Mk 2, 3 x 2 - 40/60 Mk 1, 6 x 1 - 20/70 Mk 10, 1 x 24 - 178 Hedgehog Mk 10.11 ASWRL, 8 DCT, 2 DCR (100)

Electronic equipment

SC, SF or SL or SU radars, QGA sonar

DER539, 540: SPS-10, SPS-29, Mk 25 radars, QGA sonar

Complement

156

   

Project history: Necessity for building, along with destroyers, of smaller and cheaper ships was advanced by a number of officers and admirals of the American Navy in 1939. Such "2nd rank" destroyers could fulfil successfully convoys escort and solve many auxiliary tasks, abstraction on which of destroyers was inexpedient. Oroginally General Board has disapproved of building of similar ships, but next year situation has cardinally changed, and as a result some projects have been prepared. Any of them was not been accepted, as the American designers have tried to go on a way of decreasing of usual destroyer to 1000-1200t displacement, having stored thus her basic armament. As a result very cramped arrangement with unsatisfactory combination of leading particulars was received.

In spite of the fact that the project has not been finished yet, in January, 1941 the decision on building of such 50 destroyers was accepted. That though somehow to boost process of designing, the General board in February changed requirements on speed (not less than 25kts.) and to armament structure (earlier it was provided to install DP 127mm guns). Soon new project was ready: 1140t displacement, 85.3m length, 24kts speed, 2 single 102/50mm or 127/38mm single-purpose guns, 1 quadruple 40mm Bofors, 2 single 20mm Oerlikons and 1 triple TT. General board approved project, however in such kind it was never realised: in May, 1941 this program was cancelled. Probably destroyer escort also would not appear at all, but unexpectedly the help has come from Britain. British commission has become interested in the project and 23.6.1941 directed inquiry about possibility of building of 100 similar ships, with replacement of SP by 3 single 76/50mm AA guns, installation of twin rudders for improvement of manoeuvrability and retuning under the British standard of bridge. Specified corrections have been brought in the project, and already 15.8.1941 plan of building of 50 ships for UK was approved by Roosevelt. Simultaneously the American Navy HQ convinced the president to begin building of similar ships for own navy, but this sentence has been rejected. Only in November, 1941 the order for first DE for USN has followed.

After the joining of the USA into war congestion of the industry by various defence orders has led to necessity of including to project of significant changes concerning machinery. Originally provided 12000hp twin-shaft geared steam turbines was replaced by diesel, diesel-electric or turbo-electric machinery and only small part of ships was equipped by geared turbines. Besides, new machinery required more spacious engine room and, consequently, lengthened hull.

In the project the displacement reserve for armament strengthening (replacement of three 76mms openly standing guns by two 127mm in enclosed mounts) was included, as has been realised in late series.

In total there were six series of destroyer escorts:

Evarts class (GMT): 6000hp diesel-electric machinery (4 1500hp diesels-generators, 2 electric motors), 76mm guns, "short" hull.

Cannon class (DET): 6000hp diesel-electric machinery (4 1500hp diesels-generators, 2 electric motors), 76mm guns, "long" hull.

Edsall class (FRM): 6000hp diesel machinery (4 1500hp diesels working through gears on 2 shafts), 76mm guns, "long" hull.

Buckley class (TE): 12000hp turbo-electric machinery, 76mm guns, "long" hull.

Rudderow class (TEV): 12000hp turbo-electric machinery, 127mm guns, "long" hull.

John Ñ. Butler class (WGT): 12000hp geared steam turbine machinery, 127mm guns, "long" hull.

In 1944 when the number of escorts on Atlantic has been recognised by sufficient, large number of DEs of Buckley and Rudderow classes were converted to fast landing transports for service on Pacific. Thus they received the superstructure expanded to sides, all anti-submarine armament (except two DCR) part of artillery and torpedoes were removed . After conversion such transport could carry up to 162 rangers for which landing 4 LCVP were available.

In total 293 destroyer escorts of "WGT" class were ordered. Building of 208 ships was cancelled in 1943 (DE478-507, 801-904), in 1944 (DE373-381, 425-437, 451-477, 511-515, 543-562) and in 1946 (DE541 and 542). Some of them were on enough high readiness stage and have been already launched.

Building of two ships (DE539 Wagner and DE540 Vandivier) was suspended in 1946 and renewed only in 1954: ships were completed as radar-pickets.

Modernizations:

1.1946, DE339-343, 345-372, 402, 403, 405, 406, 407-412, 414-424, 438-447, 508, 509, 531-536: 2 x 1 - 127/38 Mk 30, 2 x 2 - 40/60 Mk 1, 10 x 1 - 20/70 Mk 10, 1 x 3 - 533 TT, 1 x 24 - 178 Hedgehog Mk 10.11 ASWRL, 8 DCT, 2 DCR (100)

DE448 - 450, 510: 2 x 1 - 127/38 Mk 30, 2 x 2 - 40/60 Mk 1, 3 x 2 - 20/70 Mk 24, 10 x 1 - 20/70 Mk 10, 1 x 24 - 178 Hedgehog Mk 10.11 ASWRL, 8 DCT, 2 DCR (100)

DE537, 538: 2 x 1 - 127/38 Mk 30, 1 x 4 - 40/60 Mk 2, 3 x 2 - 40/60 Mk 1, 10 x 1 - 20/70 Mk 10, 1 x 24 - 178 Hedgehog Mk 10.11 ASWRL, 8 DCT, 2 DCR (100)

late 1940s, Le Ray Wilson: - 2 x 2 - 40/60, 1 x 24 - 178 Hedgehog Mk 10 ASWRL; + 1 x 24 - 178 Hedhehog Mk 14 ASWRL

1952, Tweedy:  - 2 x 2 - 40/60, 10 x 1 - 20/70, 1 DCR; + 2 - 533 TT (4), 4 x 24 - 178 Hedgehog Mk 11 ASWRL, 6 DCT (153 DC at all)

1954, Lewis: - 2 x 2 - 40/60, 10 x 1 - 20/70, 6 DCT, + 2 x 24 - 178 Hedgehog Mk 15 ASWRL, 6 x 2 DCT, 1 DCR (76 at all)

Naval service: Shelton 3.10.1944 was sunk at Morotai by Japanese submarine RO41. Samuel Â. Roberts 25.10.1944 was sunk in battle at Samar (Leyte Gulf) by Japanese cruisers Tone and Haguro. Richard M. Rowell 25.10.1944 was damaged in Leyte Gulf by Japanese aircraft. Eversole 25.10.1944 was damaged in Leyte Gulf by Japanese ships and 28.10.1944 sunk E off Leyte Gulf by Japanese submarine I45.

Dennis 25.10.1944 was damaged in battle at Samar (Leyte Gulf) by Japanese ships. During attacks of kamikazes at Philippines following ships received damages of various severity level: Stafford (5.1.1945), Leray Wilson (10.1.1945), Richard W. Suesens (12.1.1945) and Gilligan (12.1.1945).

During attacks of Japanese aircraft and kamikazes at Okinawa following ships received damages of various severity level: Walter C. Wann (12.4.1945), Oberrender (9.5.1945, heavy damages, never repaired and sunk as a target 6.11.1945), John Ñ. Butler (20.5.1945, heavy), Gilligan (27.5.1945).

Tweedy 1958

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