NAVYPEDIA

Photo

Tweedy 1958

Ships

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

Technical data

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

Standard scale images

Graphics

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 С. 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 В. 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 С. Butler (20.5.1945, heavy), Gilligan (27.5.1945).