Edsall (FMR) class (1943)

The Edsall class from its lead vessel, DE-129 were “Long Hulls” like the Cannon and Buckley design, one of the six mass-produced escort destroyer types of the US Navy in world war two. Overall, 85 of the Esdall class would be ordered and commissioned, a number based on projected stocks of Fairbank-Morse diesels, since each consumed four of them for 6000 hp but still 21 knots. This was also the only class planned and completed (none cancelled). Their powerplant was so good they remained in service longer than other classes, completely rebuilt in the cold war as ASW frigates, donated to the coast guard, and exported to Mexico, the Philippines, Tunisia, and Vietnam. Five were sunk in action, 75 scrapped and one preserved, USS Stewart (DE-238), now a museum ship at Galveston, Texas, notably because the bulk of these ships were made at Consolidated Steel and Brown Shipbuilding in Texas.

The majority of these ships served in the Pacific, and part in the European threater (see careers), part of a mass of 563 destroyer escort (1000 ordered, then cancelled in 1943), the most massive industrial effort for an escort warship in history so far. They varied by hulls (long and short), superstructure and armament, but also powerplants due to shortages, so each reflected combination acronyms (GMT, TE, TEV/WGT, DET/FMR). Left in the shadows like escort aircraft carriers postwar, they still were the workhorse of allied escort in 1944-45, enabling many operations by freeing fleet destroyers for other tasks.

The Edsall in a nutshell were one of the 500+ “long hulls” ordered in 1942, very similar to the Cannon class among others, but caracterized by their different propulsion. The Cannon had modified General Motors diesel turboelectric propulsion plant, and the Buckley combined these and steam turbines. The FMR for “Fairbank-Morse, Reduction” had instead a Fairbanks-Morse reduction-geared diesel drive. The latter were mass-produced diesels for submarines. They had a fantastic reputation for reliability, something that plagued US submarine development for decades. They were so good, they were still active as backup diesels in cold war US SSNs, and with the ww2 Gato class modernized as GuppY types and exported, still there by the hundreds in 1990. Despite this all-diesel propulsion the they were still capable of a respectable 21 knots, being able to zoom in and out of convoys to hunt down surfaced U-Boat (on average 18 kts at best).

In appearance, the Edsall class were a near-repeat of the “long hulls”, the Cannon class, sporting the very same armament with three dual purpose 3-in (76 mm)/50 guns and a powerful light AA, but also three torpedo tubes for keeping an anti-ship capability. But certainly the Hedgehog anti-submarine mortar was their best ASW asset beside a copious amount of depth charges in launchers and racks. 85 were ordered in 1942, all completed in just two naval yards as said above, Consolidated Steel Corporation in Orange, Texas, which laid down 47 of them, and Brown Shipbuilding, Houston, Texas, which laid down 38 of them. That many hulls on yards posts reclaimed from available land was enormous, unprecedented (see construction). It’s not at random that Texas purchased the last of the class still in existence and turned it into a museum ship.

Development

Rendition of a typical “long hull” (war thunder 3d rendition).

The FRM class were like the others first envisioned for the battle of the Atlantic, and registered as the solution to the U-Boat problem as much as building more fleet destroyers, coastal submarine hunters, masses of Liberty ships, but also Ultra or new detection systems and new tactics (such as escort carrier hunter-killer groups). They were a pawn in the most gigantic battle of attrition in history, and yet few saw service in the Atlantic. Rather they spent their active career in the Pacific, protecting the colossal, and vital logistic train of the United States.

In short, they were tasked to protect both the amphibious assault fleets that undertook the island hopping campaign and at the same time, the numerous fleet oilers, ammunition carriers, armed cargoes, repair ships, aircraft tenders and whatever the fleet needed on a gathering point before a major operations (like Manus island in 1944, or Majuro). The immensity of the Pacific required that unprecedented logistical effort, to bring the goods at all times that far from home, and truly enabled the USN to win the war.

Launch of USS Leopold at Consolidated, Orange, on 12 June 1943.
They had not a cushy position though, as they all share part of the action, not necessary on the frontline (Like the Buckley class at Samar) but ensuring TF 38/T58, the US fast carrier force, the real fulcrum operating in the Pacific, freeing the hands of more important fleet destroyers, for task force escort. Tactically, the FMR class were also active in Task Forces and their subdivisions (Task Units) assigned to amphibious assault groups, operating with assault ships and escort carriers. They often added their firepower to shore bombardment and defended with their AA from air and later kamikaze attacks, and patrolled the vicinity of operating areas in search of Japanese submarines.

Initially the very existence of escort destroyer was uncertain. The concept never appeared in World War II as instead scores of smaller vessels (sloops and coastal sub hunters in particular) were used both by the Royal and US Navy. But in 1939 with the war that broke out, the former, was found with a limited number of destroyers for many operations and was found desperate for new escorts in 1940, especially after the fall of France, opening French ports to U-Boats. Initially sloops and sub-chasers were planned and the British already planned for a small whaler-based corvette before the war, to be built en masse by civilian yards, that became the puny, plucky Flower class. The Dunkirk evacuation and Norway gutted the British destroyer force, so escorting convoys with these was problematic as its reserve of destroyen ran thin. Meanwhile the US remained isolationist, confident in case of war they had the “insurance” of hundreds of vintage “four stacker” flush deck destroyers of the Clemson and Wickes class in reserve or active.

Meanwhile the British, eager to find more hulls for ecort work, converted existing sloops, requisitioning trawlers, but soon the planned major asset they took two directions: One one hand, the civilian warship construction program would evolve with the River class frigates while was designed proper escort destroyers through the BDE program (1941) to be built from military yards, already their hands full with repairs and new construction of regular destroyers. The pool of shipyard was extended further and their capacity as well. But also a commission was to be sent to the US to investigate the construction of new escorts for the RN. None had the industrial ouput of the US, albeit is isolationist policy, President Roosevelt understood her needed to help Britain, and at first, granted 50 of the “four pipers” to the RN in exchange for bases.

The British had the idea of a ship simpler and cheaper than a fleet destroyer, solely designed for escort work. Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) in the interwar progressed with new ways to dispatch better depth charges, coupled with the sonar, and would be the cornerstone of the new prospective design, with speed and remaining armament almost an afterthrough. In the US, the General Board was concerned by what happened in the Atlantic and requested already in 1940 their own design. They looked at the success of the British Hunt class with interest. The British Mills-Cochrane mission sent to the US to seek prodiction of an escort for RN needs was met however by scepticism in the face of US admiralty program, with some asking an economical measure as an interim, simply restoring into active service legacy WWI Wickes-Clemson class destroyers. Their full modernization was abandoned however as too costly compared to the advantages of brand new ships.

The main opposition to dedicated ASW destroyers however by two-prone, on one hand the congress wanted to cap the destroyer construction programme (after all the US were not at war) and on the other, the US Admiralty led by CNO Ernest King did not wanted a diversion in their ongoing destroyer program (with the mass-built Benson-Gleaves). The British commission nevertheless pushed their “light second-rate destroyers” concept, and at some point went directly to President Roosevelt, trying to convince him to alter the current US escort strategy. Her help them combating bureaucratic inertia and red tape. The result was that on June 23, 1941, the British Supply Council in North America officially requested the Secretary of the Navy to provision construction of a hundred escort ships for its for the RN needs in US shipyards.

The admiralty had BuShips working on such concept as well and wanted their own type to be both an ASW and AA escort with optional A/S capabilities. They wanted the same standardized hull, but the question of powerplants was not planned that far. It was believed there would be enough of steam turbines for example. The need for a dual-purpose main battery, three 3-in/50 instead of two single-purpose 4-in/50 was agreed upon as well, as more useful. They insisted to have a triple torpedo tubes bank to face German surface raiders in the Atlantic as well. These modifications also were altered by British recommendation, like having a conn. one level above the helm or “British Type” bridge which gave an excellent peripheral view in the dark, high waves north atlantic to spot a periscope or torpedo wake.

By July 1941 the president decided to facilitate British access to US shipyards and enabmed them to make proposals for this BDE program, instead of going through the process imposed by US warhsip construction, and thus, going overhead of BuShip. He expected that the design skills of US yards would generate potent designs much faster than the US naval administration and some in the naval staff dragging their feet over the design. This happened with the other major decision to participate directly and involve the US Navy in convoy escort up to the mid-Atlantic, as overall, many of the ships carried US goods to its customer, often on US-flagged cargo ships. The British Mills-Cochrane expedition was thus budy this summer touring US Yards, submitting each time their own Hunt class design and suggesting building a “Mark 2” from US Yards. Then on August 15, 1941, President Rooselevelt authorized a first order for 50 British destroyer escorts (BDE), despite Bureau of Ships’ objection.

Then came the Pearl Harbour attack. This changed the whole attitude overnight and freed the president to help the British more massively as well as requesting the Congress, the massive investments now needed to win a war on two oceans. The US Admiralty agreed at last to a massive program of 1000 escort destroyer. However if the hull and armament would be standardized to speed up production, the concept soon ran aout into a major issue: There would be not enough powerplants for them all. Indeed, turbine production was already at full capacity for the fleet’s new battleships, aircraft carriers, cruisers and destroyers, hundreds of new hulls, and from two to four of them for each.

These planned escort destroyer came into “low priority” for these turbines, and thus, this forced to rething a production with variants using whatever powerplants were available, leading in the end to various engine configurations and their Navy acronym. It was agreed that the very first type built would be assigned to the Royal Navy, 50 of them. This was the “GMT” class, a modified British BDE capable of 24 knots, diesels instead of steam turbines. Production bottlenecks would force the adoption of other combinations of drives and the overall order of 1000 would be split into penny packets of available powerplants. This registered in the global US shipubuilding and manufacturing capacity, with the state overseeing and planning it all.

This first “short hull”, the GMT, was stll essentially a larger Hunt class, 130 tons heavier 33 feet longer. US yards were submitted tenders and encouraged to invest and speed up their capacity, as well as the engine manufacturers, especially diesel ones, as the planned submarine fleet for the pacific was am ambitious one as well. It was requested R&D for more powerful, up to 1,500 horsepower diesel engines to be made more efficient and simpler to make and streamlining production even further. General Motors received the first order for these new escort destroyers (Hence “GMT”) with both electric motors and gears. The gearboxes needed to be well designed and robust, as these escorts needed agility above all.

After the “short hulls” or “GMTs” (“GM Tandem” diesel), turbo-electric drive was seen as ideal but this required extra space, and led to the “long hull” design to accomodate these on the same horsepower, and top speed planned to 24 kts. This “long hull” became the great standard ultimately, miwing new propulsion options (geared diesel drive: FMR), diesel-electric system (DET) or geared turbine alternative with relatively tiny gears (WGT). Since this post is about the FMR we will have a great deal of study of their famous diesels.

Construction

Launch of USS Fiske
As said above, the DE (Destroyer Escort) Program as it was planned in January 1942 was for 1005 units, 105 “GMTs,” 54 “TEs,” 252 “TEVs” (“TEs” with 5-in guns), 293 “WGTs, and “116 “DETs” as well as 85 “FMRs.” It was hope that with all the shipyards mobilized and that production streamlining effort, unprecedented in history but its standards, guarantee completion of 260 ships in 1943. American ingeniuty however, through local initiatives managed to beat that objective and deliver 300 in 1943 alone. This was three quarters of the final deliveries when the program was cancelled in 1943. Indeed, the Battle of the Atlantic was gradually a win for the allies. So these mass cancellations started in the autumn of 1943, with 305 in September-October, 135 in 1944. Many, too advanced to be scrapped, were reconverted as light transports (APD) in 1944 and helped out allied amphibious operations. None of the Edsall class were so converted however.

The Edsall class followed the long hull derived BDE design, but with space reservations for future installation of two enclosed 5in/38 instead of their initial 3-in/50 dual purpose guns. They were otherwise clones of the Cannon class but with an all-diesel powerplant with Fairbank-Morse types and a reduction drive. In the end, they kept their initial armament, as the 5-in/38 was in short suply. Late in the war, plans to replace the 3-inch (76 mm) by 5-inch (127 mm) guns returned, as in between manufacturung met expectations, but only USS Camp was so refitted after a collision.

The major “coup” of the Edsall class in US shipbuilding planification however was to choose only two Yards for the entire prodiction of 85 escort destroyers, all planned based on Fairbank Morse Diesels stock estimations and projections: These were Consolidated Steel Corporation, Orange, Texas, which built 47 of them, and Brown Shipbuilding, Houston, which was ordered 38 of them. Albeot construction started in 1942, many entered service in 1945 and were just underway to the Pacific Theater when Japan surrendered. One also participated in Operation Dragoon and two were attacked by German guided missiles, making history. There is a paradox as well as the ships carried torpedo tubes despite the Royal Navy, who first requested these but later changed its mind and requested their removal as German Commerce Raiders were no longer seen as a threat. The weight of torpedo tubes was also an issue for stability. The British instead installed their own hedgehogs. The FMR or Edsall class kept their original high British-style bridge first designed for, and shared with, the 180-foot minesweeper/PCE, also built in the US from British Admiralty requirements.

Construction by Hull Numbers:

DE-129 through DE-152 Consolidated Steel Corporation, Orange, Texas, 1st order
DE-238 through DE-255 Brown Shipbuilding, Houston, Texas, 1st order
DE-316 through DE-338 Consolidated Steel Corporation, Orange, Texas, 2nd order
DE-382 through DE-401 Brown Shipbuilding, Houston, Texas, 2nd order

About Consolidated Steel Corporation, Orange

About Brown Shipbuilding, Houston

Design of the class

The FMR for “Fairbank-Morse, Reduction” were typical “long hull” identical to the Cannon ckass, but their 6000 hp diesel powerplant, was spread between four 1,500hp Fairbank-More diesels and a reduction gearbox to have agility and flexibility, to the expense of top speed, which remained at a conservative 21 knots. Unlike the initial British BDE they had all the same flush-deck hull, easier to build, and saw modidiction of the original British style bridge. In a sense the Edsall class were the last of the classic “long hull design” that made the bulk of this 500+ mass of escort destroyer built in the US during the war. They would be easier, cheaper and faster to build than Fletchers, Gearing and Allen M Sumner, often for half or less of their cost. In real fiancial efforts, this means about the cost of 200 fleet destroyers. The flush deck hull, also shared by cruisers and destroyers, was also the cause of internal arrangement complications and sometimes, waste of space inside the hull, especially below the sloped deck forward.

Hull and general design

The FMR or Edsall class as “long hull” type displaced 1,253 tons standard and 1,590 tons full load, which was a bit more initially than the previous Cannon class (1,240 tons standard but
1,620 tons full load). They measured however about the same, with an overall length of 306 ft (93.3 m), a beam of 36 ft 7 in (11.2 m) or 36 ft on the Cannons, and a draft of 10 ft 5 in (3.2 m) or 11 ft for the Cannons. The basic outlook remained the same as before, with a tall bridge, single mainmast and single funnel. The first main 3-in gun was on deck forward on an unshielded mount but with a wave breaker. The second was located on the second level of the deck, and the last level was an open observation deck as per British design requirements. “B” gun mount was superfiring, with two 20 mm AA mounts on either side, then came the main bridge deck and enclosed bridge with a lower open bridge circling around and an axial 20mm Position in front of it, overhanging. The enclosed deck was for the helmsman, with the navigation officer and his map table behind and other operators, radar and sonar. The captain and XO cabins were also conveniently nearby.

Powerplant: Fairbank-Morse Diesels

Fairbanks-Morse Model 38D8+1⁄8 diesel engine

The most distinctive point of this 85-strong destroyer escort class was their diesel brand and arrangement. The FMR had the acronym standing up for its four Fairbank-Morse Diesels, with a reduction-geared diesel drive. They were essentially powered like a standard Gato-class submarine, and as much power, so they needed the same gearbox, albeit without switch to electric motors or batteries. This was alternative to other ships’s turboelectric propulsion plant. The other difference was the absence of batteries so full power could be exploited at all time. The presence of four diesels also added redundancy for maintenance or repair, leaving always 3/4 of the power available, and the resulting speed was still enough still for escort work. This was a direct-drive diesel plant.

Fairbank-Morse 38D diesel engines

For the anecdote, the excellent Fairbanks-Morse were derived from Junkers Jumo engines (opposed-piston aircraft diese) and adapted to diesel oil. This was a two-stroke cycle type. The Fairbank Morse engines came in nine-and ten-cylinder versions using opposed-piston running at 720 rpm. They were by far, the most reliable diesels in US submarine history. The Fairbanks-Morse 38D 8-1/8 nine-cylinder opposed-piston engine (alternative to the Cannon’s earlier General Motors Cleveland Model 16-248). These Fairbanks Morse proved hardy, rugged, well liked, with a compact power density and ability to run for long periods with minimal maintenance. They had a masterful career in the cold war as well.

Still produced until recently (modernized as the 38D/38ND series) they were updated with dual-fuel capability (diesel + natural gas), adapted to emissions improvements (Enviro-Design) for a service life often exceeds 40 years per unit and a total active service of more than 90 years. Many are still in activity today in tugs, barges, riverine utility vessels, even a few locomotives, and stationary powerplants.

This was at the core an Opposed-piston layout: Each cylinder contains two pistons moving toward each other. No cylinder head or valves, which avoid many issues with these parts. Combustion occurs in the center between pistons. This design improves thermal efficiency, eliminates valve gear, reduces heat losses.
There was a twin crankshaft system with an upper and lower crankshafts connected by gearing. There was a timed offset (~12°) for scavenging and exhaust flow.
Two-stroke cycle: Every revolution produces power. It requires forced air scavenging (blower or turbocharger).

Main Specifications (38D 8-1/8)

Basic geometry: Bore: 206 mm (8-1/8 in), Stroke (each piston): 254 mm (10 in)
Cylinder displacement: ~17 L per cylinder.
Configurations: Inline 4 to 12 cylinders
Power output (modern generator ratings): Approx. 1.5 MW → 3.6 MW depending on configuration
Speed: Typically 900–1000 RPM.
Fuel: Diesel only.
Forced induction via roots blower, turbocharger with two injection events per cylinder (one per piston timing system) and an air-start system (common in large marine engines).

Now, the diesels were not operating alone. Like the Cannon class (slater) whoch had alternatove GM submarine diesels, there were Lubricating Oil Tanks with Lube Oil Transfer Pump (Pump, Lube Oil Transfer, Rotary Type, Blackmer Pump Co., 25 GPM, 50 PSI, 860 RPM in that case, and an air Compressor, originally used to charge the air flasks on the torpedo tubes and a Motor Generator Set (Motor-Generator Set, Allis-Chalmers Co. Generator Data: 2 each 8 1/2 KW, 120 VDC; I each 2 KW, 120 VDC. Motor Data: 30 HP, 440 VAC, 1740 RPM).

There was also a Service Electrical Generator. Possibly Westinghouse Electric Co., 200 KW, 250 KVA, 321 Amps, 450 VAC, 60 Cycle, 3 Phase.
More on USS Slater.org See also on vintagedieseldesign.com

Protection

As escort ships, the FMR or Edsall class, like the Cannon class, lacked any armor and could defeated at any range by the 8.8 cm deck guns of the standard U-Boats on any part of the hull or structures like butter. In fact, if there was no short fuse setup, the shells tended to simply go through side to side and explode out of the ship harmlessely if hitting the structure… But the same is true for 20 mm FLAK rounds. However, a surfaced U-boat would be overpowered by gunfire, just by combined 20 mm Oerlikon not only taksking of 40 mm Bofors and 3-in main guns. Issue was to get the right depression, so U-Boat captains knew how to close in enough.

Protection in these ships was limited to damage control underwater. Flooding containment was the main focus. The DET/Cannon were thus heavily compartmented, with bulkheads separating the engine room from the drive unit as well as the fore and aft sections plus the two pairs of diesel engines. As demonstrated by numerous destroyers during World War II, destroyer escort could theoretically survived a torpedo hit, especially on their extremities, bow or stern, staying afloat if one or the latter was cut clean off.

There was a partial double hull with some side tanks that could be filled with oil or seawater when the first was spent to keep stability, to absorb the damage from blasts built also counter-flood to some extent. Like all warships the danger posed by ammunition magazines deep down offered the possibility to install sea-cocks for that use. But there was no cover for the primary weapons. The flat shields were standard on the Oerlikon AA weapons. Only if fitted with 5-in/38 turrets some protection was offered against shrapnel. But the Cannon class kept their unshielded 3-in/50 main guns. Shields in that case would have been an hinderance for AA fire anyway.

Armament

Like previous escort destroyers the Edsall class had in standard the same three 3-inch/50 guns. This old design, constantly upgraded, was used as a dual-purpose mount. The BuShips design preferred them over the 5-in/38 guns because of weight concerns. The 5-in/38 also did not offered in 1941 the same level of lethality (no proximity fuse, no radar assistance for example). The 3-in/50 was a proven and trusted design, with a good elevation, it was ideal to deal with the Luftwaffe’s at high altitude. It could be depressed enough also to deal with close surfaced U-Boats.

However, the Edsall class also inherited British initial requirements for a bunch of 20 mm Oerlikon AA weapons to deal with low altitude attacks. Bofors were planned later, from the start both for the Cannon and Edsall classes. To deal with the occasional surface ship, the Edsall class also came equipped with a US standard 533 mm or 21 inches triple torpedo tubes bank. It was kept until the end of their service. Captains considered it useful against a possible U-Boat if caught surfaced, more than a surfaced opponent, but the requirement back in 1940 was to deal with German commerce raiders, and it was eliminated on the “short hulls” in British service. By 1943 they were no longer a threat. They practically never served apart for scuttling badly damaged ships, to the exception of the Rudderow class at the battle of Samar, where they played a crucial role.

For a fast ASW attack, the best asset of the FMR class was its new standard Hergdehog Mark 1 anti-submarine mortar. They proved perfect to hit a U-boat that was just located and started to dive. The standard was the 24-spigot mortar, 178 mm Mk 10 ASWRL. This was completed by 120 Depth Charges (160 on other classes) for passes during long, exhausting chase hours. These were dispensed by two stern racks and eight side projectors (also known as Depth Charge Throwers or Y-Guns) occupying a large part of the stern deck.

3 inch/50 Mark 20 guns

The Mark 20 was a far more recent version of the successful dual-purpose light-medium 76 mm naval guns, almost at the end of the line, whereas the Mark 2 had been in service since 1915. With their ability to raise to +85° and their constant lack of protection, they could reach a range of 14,600 yards (13,400 meters) at 43° elevation and 30,400 feet (9,300 meters) at AA ceiling. They required a small crew consisting of a single gunner with an optical telescope and a peep-site. With manual loading and ramming, the Mark 20 could fire about 20 rounds per minute. They were easy to handle and had 13-pound (5.9-kg) HE rounds. They were available in AP, AA with VT promixity fuze in 1944, and HE or illumination, some of which were always prepared to fight U-boats’ surface night tactics. It is unlikely that the automated Mark 22 (1944) ever took the place of the Mark 20.

40mm/56 Mk 1.2

Possibly the best AA gun of World War II, at least for the Allies, the heavy puncher was widely used. On the superstructure, a twin or two single single, and then two twin mount positioned aft. The 40 mm (1.57 in) Bofors, which is still in use today and is renowned for its hitting power and dependability, requires no introduction. The manual handling of the gravity-fed, 4-round clips is the only thing limiting this 56-caliber (2.24 m/7.35 ft) gun’s 80–100 effective rate of fire, which is 120 rounds per minute (cyclic). With regard to airplanes, the muzzle velocity is 881 m/s (2,890 ft/s) and the effective range is 5,000 m (5,500 yd). In contrast to the Mark 2 quad mount, the Mk.1 was the Twin mount and was primarily unshielded.
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20 mm/70 Mark 4 Oerlikon

On the Edsall class they were distributed on seven several positions, four aft of the funnel initially, one in front of the bridge. But the standard by 1944 was to have nine of them in 1944, with extra positions forward on either side of the bridge, same level as the B 3-in/50 main gun. There were also two aft deck posts.
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Depth Charges

Eight DCT (Depth Charge Thrower or K) guns were standard equipment; four of them faced the aft quadrant and four the broadside. They were positioned aft on either side. Two 10-DC depth charge racks aft finished this, bringing the total number of depth charges to 120–160. This was a huge ship that was larger than any other US ship, indicating their area of expertise. This was their only ASW weapon until the Hedgehog was introduced and replaced the “B” mount.

Mark 7:

Most likely, the finished Mark 7 models were utilized. They weighed 745 pounds (338 kg) and carried a 600-pound (272 kilogram) TNT payload with a sink rate and terminal velocity of 9 feet per second (2.7 mps). They were designed in 1937 and went into service the following year. It was adjustable between 50 and 300 feet (15 and 91 meters).
In the early stages of World War II, it was essentially a modified Mark 4, which was installed as standard on all destroyers, destroyer escorts, and ASW ships. It was redesigned to make building easier. Due to rumors of U-boats that could reach more than 250 meters, Mod 1 raised the depth setting to 600 feet (183 meters) when it arrived in August 1942. With a higher sink rate of 13 frames per second (4 mps), Mod 2’s warhead was increased to 400 pounds (181.4 kg) of TNT.

Mark 8:

This variant, which was designed in 1941 and released in 1943, was a magnetic handgun with an aluminum case to prevent magnetic interference. Compared to earlier preset depth charges, this “proximity” model was significantly more sophisticated and accurate. With a sink rate of 11.5 fps (3.5 mps) and settings ranging from 50 to 500 feet (15-152 m), it was able to carry 270 lbs. (122 kg) of TNT despite weighing “only” 525 lbs. (238 kg). Compared to the Mark 6 or even the subsequent Mark 9, the USN deemed it seven times more deadly. However, when it blew up…

It required a lot of upkeep and was unreliable. So much so that the model was discontinued from service in 1945 and a backup hydrostatic pistol was installed. The magnetic pistol burst when 20–25 feet (6–7.5 m) got close after arming itself when it detected the hull from 35 feet (11 m) to 200 feet (61 m). It was sorted by 150 lbs. (68 kg) of lead weight because it was too light. With 76,000 manufactured, this model was hailed as a USN “secret weapon” that would help win the war in the Atlantic. However, crews immediately found weaknesses in it, and it was quickly withdrawn after the war, with about 57,000 remaining in storage by September 1945.

Mark 9:

This was the standard-issue DC from 1943 to 1945 and well beyond, and it was from the same generation as the Mark 8. Technically, they were essentially the same as the preceding Mark 7, but they had a “teardrop” shape that allowed for a significantly higher sink rate in tests. They also included fins to generate a stabilizing spin, which allowed them to sink much more precisely. The Mod 2 could be set up to 1,000 feet (305 meters), the sink rate could be lowered to 15 (4.5 mps) if necessary by installing spoiler plates on the nose that functioned as brakes, and the warhead TNT was swapped out for Torpex. To enable slower warships (DEs, Frigates, and Sub-Hunters) to avoid the explosion plume, they were supplied as kits.

Mods 0, 1, and 2 had warheads that ranged from 200 lbs. (91 kg) TNT to 190 lbs. (86 kg). They weighed 320 lbs./145 kg, 320 lbs./145 kg, and 340 lbs. (154 kg) accordingly. The sink rate also fluctuated, ranging from 14.5 fps (4.4 mps) to 22.7 fps (6.9 mps).
The settings ranged from 50 to 300 feet (15-91 m) or 600 feet (183 m), which is almost the same as the Mark 7.

K Guns (Mark 6)

In 1941, the Projector Mark 6 was released, firing a single depth charge of the Mark 6, 9, or 14. The distances covered in only 3.4 to 5.1 seconds range from 60 to 150 yards (55 to 137 meters). They were typically positioned three on each side aft on the deck, near the aft deckhouse, on all destroyers equipped. For destroyers, it is four to six, but for destroyer escorts, it can reach eight. They persisted until the 1950s, when their output was so high that lend-lease was also a major source of funding.

The depth charge was put into each K-Gun, which was made up of an arbor (holder) that was placed inside the projector. It was deemed a hazard even though it could not be recovered until a cable was fastened to it after it fell into the sea. They were inexpensive metal parts that could be expanded. These were partially constructed from a 61 cm x 15 cm tube that was closed on one end and ended with a 12 by 31 inch (30.5 x 79 cm) tray on the other end. When shot, it became the primary projectile because it was designed to fit into the projector barrel. They weighed 70 pounds (32 kg) at first, then 65 pounds (29.5 kg) on later models, increasing range.

Black powder was utilized as the K-Gun propellant. The arbor was placed inside a tubular casing that measured 3″ (7.62 cm). The charge changed when the loads fluctuated between the required range of 60, 90, and 150 yards (55, 82, and 137 meters).

The USS Asheville (PF-1) tested the Mark 9’s built-in arbor in 1944, but the technology was too complicated and expensive to justify production in comparison to expandable arbors. Thousands of tons of arbors are thought to have been placed on the Atlantic bottom following World War II, but they most likely rusted away because they were not given any special care.

Mark 63 fire-control system (cold war)

The Mark 63 Gun Fire Control System (Mk.63 GFCS) was installed on most of the Edsall class that saw service in other navies. It was composed of the AN/SPG-34 radar tracker and the Mark 29 gun sight, to control the single or twin QF 4-inch naval gun Mk XVI and Mk.33 twin 3″/50 cal guns if installed.

Sensors

There too, it was pretty well rounded for their mission, covering all aspects surface, air and undersea passive or active detection.

SL Radar

Typical small 150 kW, 1300 lbs (590 kg) surface search radar designed for destroyer escorts. The 300 lbs (136 kg)antenna was 45″ by 48″ (1.14m by 1.22m) parabolic in radome and PPi scope, 20 rpm and 100 feet/1 degrees accuracy. Resolution 600 feet/6 degrees or 200 meters/25 degrees, 30 meters/1 degrees.
Specs: Wavelength 10 cm, pulse Width 1.5 microsecond, Pulse Repetition Frequency 800 Hz
Range: 15 nm (30 km) low-flying bomber, 20 nm (35 km) cruiser, 13 nm (24 km) destroyer, 10 nm (20 km) submarine
829 SLs were manufactured in 1943-10, 480 SL-1 by 1944-7. They equipped the present destroyers and their successors. British crews were trained on them at first.

SA Radar

Standard small air search radar and first warning detector. Tailored for destroyers escorts and frigates, some were also found on destroyers. They were of the bed frame type, and relatively small. The SA-1 equipped rather destroyers.
Specs:
SA had an estimated reliable range of 40 miles on medium bombers at 10,000′, with antenna at 100′. Range accuracy is ± 100 yds. Bearing accuracy, ± 1° (lobe switching). No elevation.
The SA has 12 components and weighs a total of approximately 1500 lbs. The SA antenna measures 5′ x 8’8″. Including pedestal, it weighs 500 lbs.
The antenna should be mounted as high as possible, preferably 100 feet or more above the water, thus, on top of the mainmast of the GMT.
To operate, one operator per shift is required. PP required is 1950 watts at 115 volts, 60 cycles.
They were small enough to be fitted on sub-chasers and minesweepers as well.
See also

SC Radar

Possibly installed on early 1943 ships in case of shortages. This was an early surface-search and air-search radar introduced in 1941 and used throughout the war, often passed onto minesweepers and sub-hunters. It was developed as an air and surface search radar to provide early warning of aircraft and ships approaching naval vessels. It was one of the Navy’s first operational long-range search radars for destroyers escorts. Frequency 106 MHz (VHF band), Wavelength 2.8 meters PRF 60–620 pulses per second (varied by model), Pulse Width 10 microseconds. Peak Power Output 80–100 kW, AA detection 75 miles (120 km) under ideal conditions, detection Range surface 8–15 miles. The antenna was either of a Yagi or dipole array type (later parabolic reflectors on upgrades). Display A-scope initially; later models had PPI (plan position indicator) displays.

SF Radar

A small radar used as complement. This Surface-search radar was introduced 1941–1942 replaced and complemented Older SC radars. It was replaced by the SG radar (microwave surface-search radar). The SF was used to detect ships and coastlines, especially in poor visibility or night operations, providing navigation assistance and supplementing the SC air-search radar.
It was an early metric-wavelength system (longer wavelength than the later SG radars) and was used on smaller vessels where space or power limits precluded larger radar systems.
FRQ 200 MHz (VHF band), Wavelength 1.5 m, PRF 60–620 pulses per second (varied) with a pulse Width of 10 microseconds, Peak Power Output (PPO) of 15–30 kW.
Detection Range (Surface Targets) was to 15 miles (24 km) on large ships, and for aircraft just 30 miles under ideal conditions. The Antenna was a directional dipole array, trainable manually and it had display Type A-scope, amplitude vs. range, later with range markers.

QGA SONAR

QGA, often written as “QGA Sound Gear” was an active echo-ranging sonar (ASDIC-type) intorduced in 1942 for Submarine detection and tracking for destroyers, destroyer escorts, and subchasers. It was was part of the Navy’s “Q” series of sonars (which included the early QC, QD, QDA, QGB, QHB, etc.). Each letter increment generally denoted improvements in range accuracy, beam control, and reliability. This was an ealry type of forward-looking active sonar, sending out a ping with listening for the returning echo reflected from a submarine’s hull or in short an “active sonar”, rarely if never used today.

It displays the range and bearing of the contact to the sonar operator. Depth charge or “hedgehog” fire control in destroyer escorts and small ASW ships. Operating frequency 14–25 kHz (depending on variant and transducer) with a pulse type that was a short acoustic pulse. Maximum detection range was typically 1,500–3,000 yards (1.4–2.7 km) on a submarine-sized target, with a beam width of 10–20 degrees. The Transducer mount was a retractable dome or a fixed under-keel mount and bearing accuracy was within a few degrees depending on sea state. The Display was Audio via headphones and visual range indicator (oscilloscope or mechanical range clock).

HF/DF

To detect enemy radar or radio emission and triangulate positions, the mast was topped by the characteristic cross-style antenna of the “Huff-Duff”, a British model built in the US as the FH 4 antenna. It was used as a MF Direction Finding array.

⚙ FMR Destroyer Escort specifications
Displacement	1253t standard, 1590 tons (fully loaded)
Dimensions	306 in x 36 ft 7 in x 10 ft 5 in (93.3 x 11.2 x 3.2 m)
Propulsion	2 shafts, 4× Fairbank-Morse diesels geared diesels, reduction drive
Speed	21 knots (39 km/h; 25 mph)
Range	10,800 nm (20,000 km; 12,400 mi) at 12 knots (22 km/h)
Armament	3× 3-in/50, 2x 40mm, 8× 20 mm AA, 1×3 21-in TTs, Hedgehog, 8DCT, 2DCR, 160 DCs
Sensors	SL, SA radars, Type 128D/Type 144 ASDIC, HF/DF FH 4a
Crew	15 officers, c160 ratings (180-190)

Misc. aspects on the FMR class

Naming

If the DET class were named after recently died USN servicemen, the FMR ran out of names and started to peek into earlier servicement. The leald ship is a good example. However there was a constant, only those awarded a special decoration posthumously or citation, such as the Navy cross, were considered. The lead ship USS Edsall DE-129 was named after Norman Eckley Edsall (3 June 1873 – 1 April 1899), a sailor in the United States Navy during the Spanish–American War. Born in Columbus, Kentucky, Edsall was already enlisted in the U.S. Navy on 27 June 1898 on the protected cruiser USS Philadelphia as Seaman. He went ashore with a landing party on 1 April 1899 against hostile natives near Vailele in Samoa when he was killed with his wounded commander, Lieutenant Philip Lansdale. This was a case of going for names back to the early days of the USN instead of early casualties on WW2.

Another more recent example, of Robert Lawrence Leopold (11 November 1916) from Louisville, Kentucky, Naval Reserve on 10 July 1940, midshipman on USS Wyoming on 16 September 1940, commissioned Ensign on 12 December, in service on USS Arizona two weeks later and killed in action on 7 December 1941 at Pearl Harbor. No other warship in US history was named Leopold after her. This particular destroyer was the only sunk by an U-Boote also.

General Evaluation

USS Menges being towed to Oran to be patched up. Both USS Menger and Holder lost half their hull in airborne torpedo explosions. The two were later merged, Menger returned to service but Holder was scrapped. Other had not that luck and sank after being cut in two by U-Boat torpedoes, more powerful. A testimony to the resilience of their bulkheads and skills, will of the crews to save them.

The Edsall were the last of the “Long hull, British bridge style” classes. This lineage also comprised the Buckley, Cannon and Edsall classes. The Rudderow and Butler classes had the “low bridge”, US style, intended solely for the Pacific. The Edsall class mostly served in the Atlantic, and only after VE-Day were reassigned to the Pacific. None were transferred to the British RN, and there were notable examples in class:

• USS Pillsbury (DE-133) sister ship of USS Pope. Was in TG 22.3 with Pope and participated in the capture of U-boat U-505.
• USS Joyce (DE-317) Participated in the sinking of U-boat U-550.
• USS Peterson (DE-152) Also participated in the sinking of U-boat U-550.
• USS Pope (DE-134) was in Task Force 22.3 that was centered on escort carrier USS Guadalcanal, which captured German U-boat U-505.
• USS Flaherty (DE-135) was in TG 22.3 with Pope, Pillsbury and Chatelain and participated in the capture of U-505.
• USS Frederick C. Davis (DE-136) and USS Herbert C. Jones (DE-137) each received a Navy Unit Commendation for action during the Anzio campaign.
• USS Frost (DE-144) sank 5 German U-boats and awarded Presidential Unit Citation, 7 battle stars.
• USS Chatelain (DE-149) was in TG 22.3 with Pope and Pillsbury and participated in the capture of U-505.
• USS Stewart (DE-238) – the sole surviving example of the Edsall-class; a museum ship in Galveston, Texas.
• USS Kretchmer (DE-329) received a Navy Unit Commendation for action three days after the war ended.
• USS Stanton (DE-247) won two battle stars in a single engagement sinking two U-boats with the USS Frost (DE-144).

Lost in Action or Damaged

USS Frederick C. Davis (DE-136) was sunk on 24 April 1945 by U-546, North Atlantic
USS Fiske (DE-143) was sunk on 2 August 1944 by U-804, north of the Azores
USS Leopold (DE-319), torpedoed on 9 March 1944 by U-255 south of Iceland
USS Menges (DE-320), torpedoed 20 April 1944 by U-371 off Algiers, damaged
USS Holder (DE-401), damaged 11 April 1944 off Algiers by German aircraft.

Cold War Transfers and exports

To Foreign countries

She was the former USS Hurst (DE-250), transferred to the Mexican Navy in 1 October 1973, and last of class in active service worldwide when she was decommissioned in 2015. She had been renamed
ARM Commodore Manuel Azueta Perillos (E30), Commodore of the Naval Academy in the 1914 US occupation of Veracruz, in 1994. By then she was modernized with Oto Melara 76 mm compact guns replacing two of her 3-inch (76 mm) Mark 26 guns fore and aft. The remaining superfiring 3-inch gun forward was replaced by a quadruple 40 mm AA mount. By 1998 her original armament was restored.
She became ARM Commodore Manuel Azueta (D111) in 2001, used as a training vessel, for Mexico’s Gulf Fleet. Then all anti-submarine equipment and all original U.S. Navy radar-controlled gun directors were removed. Proposed briefly as a museum ship but declined, sunk as an artificial reef on 6 November 2017 in the Rizo reef zone off Antón Lizardo, Veracruz.

USS Camp (DE-251) was transferred to South Vietnam as RVNS Tran Hung Dao (HQ-1) on 13 February 1971. She only served for a few years with the Vietnam war closing, stricken from the Naval Vessel Register on 30 December 1975. Following the surrender of the South Vietnamese government earlier on 29 April she escaped to the Philippines, acquired a year later. She was transferred to the Philippines as BRP Rajah Lakandula (PF-4).

Former USS Camp (DE-251), former Tran Hung Dao (DE-251), transferred to the Philippines when she fled the country falling to North Vietnamese Forces. The frigate RPS Rajah Lakandula (PS-4) was recommissioned from 27 July 1976. In July 1980, she was renumbered, reclassified as BRP Rajah Lakandula (PF-4) and active mwithout modernization until struck from the Navy List in 1988, and still in use as stationary barracks ship, in Subic Bay in 1999. Probably sold as scrap.

USS Forster (DE-334) became USCGC Forster WDE-434 between 29 June 1951 and 25 May 1954. She was transferred on 25 September 1971 to South Vietnam as RVNS Trần Khánh Dư (HQ-04). In 1974, she took part in the Battle of the Paracel Islands against the PLAN. Later she was captured by North Vietnam: She was in a shipyard overhaul, when Saigon fell on 30 April. The Vietnam People’s Navy renamed her VPNS Dai Ky (HQ-03), and she brecame a training vessel, apparently still seaworthy in 1997. From 1999, she was became a training hulk. Status unknown. As of 2026 she is absent from Vung Thau, so likely scrapped.

USS Thomas J. Gary (DE-326) was transferred to Tunisia as President Bourgiba, recommissioned on 22 October 1973, with negociations starting in September. That same month, 33 members of a Tunisian turnover team came on board for training. On 12 October she left Charleston, crossed the Atlantic via Ponta Delgada, Palma de Mallorca en route to Bizerte, arriving on 21 October, decommissioned froml USN service the next day at a ceremony at Quai d’Honneur, Bizerte, recommissioned as President Bourgiba. She was struck from the US Navy list that same day. She remained active until suffering a major fire on 16 April 1992 and was subsequently scrapped. Her mast is preserved at Bizerte.

To the Coast Guard

USCG WDE-489 ex-USS Durant in coast guard colors, white hull and buff funnel and mast (pinterest).
14 ships (inc. those below from the Edsall class) were lent to the Coast Guard for service as weather ships. They were given the classification WDE by the Coast Guard, and the hull number 100, higher than their Navy numbers to avoid confusion:

USS Newell (DE-322) as WDE-422
USS Falgout (DE-324) as WDE-424
USS Lowe (DE-325) as WDE-425
USS Finch (DE-328) as WDE-428
USS Koiner (DE-331) as WDE-431
USS Forster (DE-334) as WDE-434
USS Ramsden (DE-382) as WDE-482
USS Richey (DE-385) as WDE-485
USS Vance (DE-387) as WDE-487
USS Lansing (DE-388) as WDE-488
USS Durant (DE-389) as WDE-489
USS Chambers (DE-391) as WDE-491

Appearance

USS Edsall after her refit, underway near Ambrose Light just outside New York Harbor (USA) on 25 February 1945. The photo was taken by a blimp from squadron ZP-12. Edsall is painted in Camouflage Measure 32, Design 3D. USS Edsall was at first in MS22 at completion, then, MS32/3D like her, and at last in MS21.

In terms of camouflage, measures consisted in the following:
Order 1943: MS22 external, MS31/3D for the details and decks (vertical surfaces) and MS32/3d also signalled
Order 1944: MS22, MS32/3D, MS32/14D, or 10D, 11D for some ships, and MS31/3D depending on ships.
Order 1945: MS32/3D and MS21 for most ships completed in 1945, MS22 for some exceptions
See more

MS 21:

Navy Blue 5-N Vertical surfaces, Deck Blue 20-B horizontal, wood decks in Deck Blue. Canvas covers Deck Blue.

MS 22:

Navy Blue 5-N for all Vertical surfaces without exception. Horizontal Surfaces Deck Blue, 20-B. Wood decks be darkened to the colour Deck Blue. Deck Blue paint shall be used in lieu of stain.

MS 31/3D:

Paint all exposed vertical surfaces a pattern of Haze Gray 5-H, Ocean Gray 5-O, Black. Horizontal Surfaces, all decks and horizontal surfaces with Deck Blue, 20-B and Ocean Gray 5-O. Canvas covers visible from the outside vessel dyed to Deck Blue.

MS 32/3D:

Camo Light Gray 5-L, Ocean Gray 5-O Black vertical and Deck Blue 20-Bn Ocean Gray 5-O horizontal, canvas Deck Blue.

DER Conversions:

DER-338 USS Lansing off the coast of Oahu on 16 November 1963

In the 1950s, some 36 DEs underwent conversion to radar pickets (DER) and ensured the Cold War’s DEW (Distant Early Warning) Line, protecting the United States from surprise nuclear attack.
By the end of 1943, already, it was realized that more Destroyer Escorts were produced than needed. At the same time the initial order was cancelled, ships too advanced to be scrapped becalme surplus and the admiralty started to looking at ways to convert them to other tasks and made them useful. One such conversion proposal was as a shore bombardment ship, or pure anti-aircraft escorts likee the British Loch class frigates. The shore bombardment ship was to have no less than five 5″/25 guns in five single open mounts.

ASW was reduced to a single depth charge rack. The anti-aircraft escort project showed three 5″/38 DP guns in single mounts but with six 40mm and four 20mm guns, single rack of depth charges. The shore bombardment option was canceled as the AA version could perform the same job at a lower cost. But in turn the AA proposal was also cancelled. Standard Destroyer Escorts were all completed in their initial form. There were radar picket version converted, with 7 conversions from the Edsall and another 13 planned for the Buckley class. They carried the large SC radar in place of the SA at the masthead, and had an extra new tripod mast with the SP radar and YE homing beacon aft for the price of their TT bank, Hedgehog, DC throwers and their 20mm AA guns whereas their three DP 3-in guns were replaced by two 5-in/38 guns.

DER conversion of Edsall (FMR) class ships reproduced from Peter Elliot’s American Destroyer Escorts of WWII. src lastzombieisland.com

On 28 February 1949, the classification DE was transferred to the “Patrol Vessel” category and three further DE classifications were established, the DEC—Escort Vessel, Control, for amphibious warfare support, controlling landing craft operations. Three DEs were reclassified DECs in 1949 but reverted to DEs in 1957. It was canceled on 25 August 1960. The second is the one were are concerned abour, DER for “Escort Vessel, Radar (Picket)”. On 26 September 1952, this designation was changed again to “Radar Picket, Escort Vessel.” On 21 July 1961, the brand new classification DEG was established as “Guided Missile Escort Ship” for those experimentally testing missiles system. By 1968 all were assimilar as partrol vessels. Then on 6 January 1975, it was planned a massive recvlassification setup and activated on 30 June 1975. DEs became FFs, with the “Frigate” designation and so the DERs became FFRs for “Radar Picket, Frigate”.

The early Buckley DER were initially seven ships with an austere, rudimentary conversions as seen above. This was done in wartime, to cover amphibious task forces with the same type of cover the DDR provided for the carriers but the war ended as they just arrived. But the classification was only official in 1949 and they became DEs again in 1954, as technology massively progressed in between. More interesting indeed was the second group of 34 converted FMR/Edsall-class, to form in the early cold war, a seaward extension of the Continental Air Defense System. When it was no longer relevant, they were assigned to Operation Market Time, Vietnam War. The last DER was decommissioned in 1973, so shortly before the end of the war. Two were loaned to the South Vietnam Navy.

Many contructions were cancelled in the summer of 1945, extisting ships, barely a few years old, were mothballed in endless NyD parks. However some were left uncompleted and completed in 1950 as DER 31 ships (‘Destroyer Escort Radar’) for several classes and three DEC of the Buckley (TE) class. In 1961 (The Berlin crisis), many were reactivated as there was a new submarine threat: Soviet submarines. The Whiskey class alone claimed about 250 boats, and they were much more capable than WW2 Type VII, they were closer to modernized versions of the Type XXI.

DER-324 (USS Falgout) off Pearl Harbor 30 August 1963

Radar picket ships conversions were indeed developed fromp what was learnt in the Pacific. The Navy still needed an early warning system and the stopgap measure chosen was to convert many of these numerous escorts. After experimenting with several BUCKLEY class DEs, swapping their armament for a powerful radar, the USN concluded they were not satisfactory. But the threat of Soviet nuclear missiles ended with an order for 34 DE types (Edsall class) and two JOHN C. BUTLER class. Their conversion looked like APDs with more radar equipment added, and they were thrown in patrol duties in the Atlantic and Pacific. They were under the authority and control of the Distant Early Warning (DEW) Line.

These Destroyer Escort Radar Picket ships (DERs) were like sea-borne air control stations, constantly on alert for any sign of Soviet missile launch. A typical DER spent a month at sea on average, in severe weather. The DEW Line was obsolete by the 1970s, replaced by satellites and DERs were sent to Vietnam where they could indeed track Viet Cong resupply planes.

Preserved: USS Stewart

USS Stewart is one of only two remaining Destroyer Escorts, and the only Edsall-class DE in the United States. She was decommissioned in late 1945 and changed berths 3 times before arriving at Seawolf Park In 1974. She is the only ship of her class in the US and the third ship (DD-13, DD-224, and DE-238) named for Rear Admiral Charles Stewart who commanded another ship in the historic naval fleet, USS Constitution, from 1813 to 1815. USS Stewart was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2007.
Visit the website

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Note: The site offers a narrated virtual visit, see here.

Career of the Edsall (FMR class)

Note: This very long exposé of 85 ships for practical reasons will not dwelve into the cold war, especially for the ships converted as DER. They will be the object of a separate post. The first posts covers sunken or damaged ships in action. More will be covered over time.

Edsall was laid down at Consolidated Steel Corporation, Orange, Texas, 1st of the class, on 2 July 1942. She was launched on 1 November 1942 and commissioned on 10 April 1943. Instead of hoing straight in escort work, after shakedown qualifications she becamea a schoolship at Norfolk from 20 June to 6 August 1943 to prepare pre-commissioning crews for other DEs. Next she was at Miami with the Submarine Chaser Training Center. In March 1944, she joined at last a tanker convoy from Galveston to Escort Division 59, and became its flagship on 24 March. She continued escort duty from the Gulf of Mexico to New York City and Norfolk. She was back with the convoy to NS Argentia. In May she was in Bermuda for ASW tests with co-belligerent Itaian submarine. From 1 July 1944 to 3 June 1945, she went along Atlantic sealanes, guarding seven convoys carrying to the Mediterranean and Britain. In the sixth convoy to New York from Liverpool on 10 April 1945, she assisted two tankers that collided and looked for survivors, helping extinguish fires. At last she was sent to the Pacific on 24 June 1945 but this all ended when she was training at Pearl Harbor. She reutned home, decommissioned in reserve at Green Cove Springs in Florida from on 11 June 1946 until stricken on 1 June 1968, sold for BU.

Jacob Jones was laid down on 16 June 1942, launched on 29 November 1942 and completed on 29 April 1943. She was decommissioned on 26 July 1946. Struck from Navy List 2 January 1971, sold for scrap 22 August 1973.

Laid down as USS Langley on 10 July 1942, she was launched as USS Hammann on 13 December 1942, commissioned on 17 May 1943. Decommissioned on 24 October 1945. Struck from Navy List 1 October 1972, sold for scrap 18 January 1974

Robert E. Peary was laid down on 30 June 1942, launched on 2 January 1943, commissioned on 31 May 1943. Decommissioned on 13 June 1947. Struck from Navy List 1 July 1966, sold for scrap 6 September 1967.

Pillsbury was laid down on 18 July 1942, launched on 10 January 1943, commissioned on 7 June 1943. She was decommissioned on 1 May 1947. Reclassified DER-133 in August 1954. Struck from Navy List 1 July 1965, sold for scrap in 1966.

USS Pope was laid down on 14 July 1942, launched on 12 January 1943, completed on 25 June 1943. She was decommissioned on 17 May 1946. Struck from Navy List 2 January 1971, sold for scrap 22 August 1973.

Flaherty DE-135 was laid down on 7 November 1942, launched on 17 January 1943 and completed on 26 June 1943. She was decommissioned on 17 June 1946. Struck from Navy List 1 April 1965, sold for scrap 4 November 1966

Frederick C. Davis was laid down at Consolidated on 9 November 1942, launched on 24 January 1943 and completed on 14 July 1943. She was one of the four in class sunk by an U-Boat. She was named after Frederick Curtice Davis on board USS Nevada, killed at Pearl Harbour (Navy Cross). The destroyer escort left Norfolk on 7 October 1943, escorting a convoy to Algiers, then assigned to escort duty between North African ports and Naples. On 6 November the Luftwaffe attacked, torpedo and medium bombers. Three ships in the convoy were damaged but driven off by a firece and well coordinated AA fire. The same happened on 26 November, and Frederick C. Davis claimed two attackers. She also took in an ASW attack on 16 December 1943 sinking U-73. On 21 January 1944, they arrived at the the Anzio landings. Here, she proceeded to make shore bombardment support and AA defence, earning a Navy Unit Commendation. She remained on patrol off the beachhead for the next six months, replenished at Naples. At some point she was equipped with a jamming equipment to defeat German Fritz-X and assimilated gliding bombs that were radio-directed. At some point in patrol she came under shellfire from shore batteries and a shrapnel caused slight damage, wounding one.

She was back on escort duty in the Mediterranean by June-July 1944, and cleared Naples on 9 August for Corsica to take part in Operation Anvil/Dragoon on southern France. Again, she porovided jamming close to the operation HQ ship, USS Catoctin. She departed on 19 September to NY NyD for overhaul. Back in action in 1945, she operated coastal convoy escort and in mid-April joined the “special surface barrier force”, or Operation Teardrop on the coast to avoid penetration by snorkel-equipped U-Boats. U-546 was detected on 24 April by Frederick C. Davis but she managed to torpedo her on her port side forward. In 5 minutes she broke in two. Buoyancy of the stern was preserved and most surviving men swam there and clustered in this giant lifebuoy. Within three hours as the stern eventually sank in turn, many survivors were rescued but 115 men drown. U-546 was sunk later that day and the German crew captured in one of the last actions in the Atlantic.

Herbert C. Jones was laid down on 30 November 1942, launched on 19 January 1943 and completed on 21 July 1943. Decommissioned on 2 May 1947. Struck from Navy List 1 July 1972, sold for scrap 19 July 1973

Douglas L. Howard was laid down on 8 December 1942, launched on 24 January 1943 and completed on 29 July 1943. She was decommissioned on 17 June 1946. Struck from Navy List 1 October 1972, sold for scrap 14 May 1974

Farquhar was laid down on 14 December 1942, launched on 13 February 1943 and completed on 5 August 1943. She was decommissioned on 14 June 1946. Struck from Navy List 1 October 1972, sold for scrap 21 March 1974

J. R. Y. Blakely was laid down on 16 December 1942 7 March 1943 and completed on 16 August 1943. She was decommissioned on 14 June 1946. Struck from Navy List 2 January 1971, sold for scrap 22 August 1973

Hill was laid down on 21 December 1942, launched on 28 February 1943 and completed on 16 August 1943. She was decommissioned on 7 June 1946. Struck from Navy List 1 October 1972, sold for scrap 18 January 1974

Fessenden was laid down on 4 January 1943, launched on 9 March 1943 and completed on 25 August 1943. She was decommissioned on 24 June 1946. Reclassified DER-142 1 October 1951. Struck from Navy List 1 September 1966, sunk as a target off Pearl Harbor, Hawaii on 20 December 1967.

USS Fiske (named after 1880-90s inventor, engineer and Rear Admiral Bradley Allen Fiske) was laid down at Consolidated on 4 January 1943, launched on 14 March 1943 and completed on 25 August 1943, one of the four ships in class sunk by a submarine. She started as a convoy escort, from Norfolk to Coco Solo (Panama) and back to tyhe big apple on 12-25 November. On 3 December she left Norfolk in the first of three convoy via New York to Casablanca and bacl. In the third, on 20 April 1944 she was attacked by German torpedo bombers (western Mediterranean) but helped repelling these. While back to New York on 21 May 1944 she joined the USS Wake Island hunter-killer group formed off Norfolk on 10 June, patrolling across the Atlantic lanes to Casablanca to replenish on 20-24 July and on 2 August she took part in a hunt for U-Boat transmitting weather information, with USS Douglas L. Howard, she was sent to investigate a visual contact north of the Azores. They stumbled upon the surfaced U-804, which quickly dived, was picked up by sonar, but as the two escorts approached, one torpedo hit Fiske on her starboard side amidships. She sank in 10 minutes after breaking in two, abandoned. 33 were killed, 50 badly wounded in the initial detonation, the remainder rescued by USS Farquhar (One battle star).

Frost was laid down on 13 January 1943, launched on 21 March 1943 and completed on 30 August 1943 She was decommissioned on 18 June 1946. Struck from Navy List 1 April 1965, sold for scrap 29 December 1966

Huse was laid down on 11 January 1943, launched on 23 March 1943 and completed on 30 August 1943 She was decommissioned on 27 March 1946. Struck from Navy List 1 August 1973, sold for scrap 24 June 1974 3 August 1951 30 June 1965

Inch was laid down on 19 January 1943, launched on 4 April 1943 and completed on 8 September 1943 She was decommissioned on 17 May 1946. Struck from Navy List 1 October 1972, sold for scrap 21 March 1974

Blair was laid down on 19 January 1943, launched on 6 April 1943 and completed on 13 September 1943. She was decommissioned on 28 June 1946. Reclassified DER-147 1 November 1956. Struck from Navy List 1 December 1972, sold for scrap 20 September 1974 5 October 1951 13 November 1956 2 December 1957 15 June 1960

Brough was laid down on 22 January 1943, launched on 10 April 1943 and completed on 18 September 1943. She was decommissioned on 22 March 1946. Struck from Navy List 1 November 1965, sold for scrap 13 October 1966 7 September 1951 30 June 1965

Chatelain was laid down on 25 January 1943, launched on 21 April 1943 and completed on 22 September 1943 She was decommissioned on 14 June 1946. Struck from Navy List 1 August 1973, sold for scrap 24 June 1974

Neunzer was laid down on 29 January 1943, launched on 27 April 1943 and completed on 27 September 1943. She was decommissioned on January 1947. Struck from Navy List 1 July 1972, sold for scrap 1 November 1973.

Poole was laid down on 13 February 1943, launched on 8 May 1943 and completed on 29 September 1943. She was decommissioned on January 1947. Struck from Navy List 2 January 1971, sold for scrap 30 January 1974.

Peterson was laid down on 28 February 1943, launched on 15 May 1943 and completed on 29 September 1943. She was decommissioned on 1 May 1946. Struck from Navy List 1 August 1973, sold for scrap in 1974 2 May 1952 June 1965

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Stewart was the lead ship from Brown Shipbuilding, Houston, Texas. She was laid down on 15 July 1942, launched on 22 November 1942 and completed on 31 May 1943. She was sent to Galveston, in drydock on the 14th-16th, then New Orleans, reporting for duty to the 8th Naval District, COTCLANT. She left on 22 June for shakedown training off Bermuda then Philadelphia for fixes. She then headed for Miami, Florida, from whence she operated, conducting patrols and exercises, until 29 October. She put to sea; headed north; and, on the 31st, arrived at Norfolk, Virginia.
She cruise up the Potomac River and visited Quantico and the Washington Navy Yard, and started training DE crews off Norfolk, a routne over almost two months, cut by temporary escort assignments off New York or Virginia Capes. On 17 March 1944 she left Norfolk for Tompkinsville and escorted a convoy via NS Argentia to Reykjavík in Iceland, back to Tompkinsville on 10 April. She had a short refit at Norfolk and joined TU 29.6.1 on 25 April, via Aruba in the Netherlands West Indies, Cristobal (Panama) on 3 May. Next she saimed to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba and steamed independently to Bermuda. She arrived at Port Royal on 10 Ma and stayed for experimental attacks on co-belligerent Italian submarine as well as searching off Bermuda for an unidentified radio direction finder, had a contact and dropped depth charge on the 18th (inconclusive), and back to Port Royal.

Stewart sailed on the 27th with a hunter-killer group with USS Rhind and USS Wainwright and on 3 June, joined convoy UC 24, sailing north. Detached she entered Boston. On the 25th she was sent to Casco Bay in Maine for ASW exercises with Vortice. After a stop at Norfolk on 1 July she joined convoy UGF 12 to Naples, arrived on 15 July, departed Naples on 21 July with GUF 12 to NyC and she had a small refit at Brooklyn Navy Yard from 3 August. After some training at Casco Bay she was drydocked at Boston and joined a convoy at Norfolk from 22 August, to Naples, and back on 26 September. Again she was in ASW training at Casco Bay in October with the same Italian sub Vortice. Later she returned at Boston, and joined convoy CU 44, later having an contact and dropping four depth charges, but had to rejoin the convoy. She was in the River Clyde, moored on 2 November and back to New York on 22 November. After some ASW training off Nantucket with Goffredo Mameli she left Boston on 10 December with a convoy to Plymouth. In the night of 23/24 December, she was at the Isle of Wight with another convoy back home. From January to June 1945 she sailed with three more convoys to Falmouth and Liverpool.

She assisted extinguishing fires on SS Saint Mihiel after a collision with SS Nashbulk. She was also refitted at New York Navy Yard for 18 days. On 24 June 1945, she left NyC for Norfolk, then Guantanamo Bay for exercises until 12 July. She then left with USS Edsall and USS Moore for the Pacific, via Panama (16 July), San Diego (24th), joined USS Wilhoite and sailed to Pearl Harbor, arriving on 4 August, starting training with USS Spearfish and USS Baltimore until 5 September and back to the west coast via San Diego and the Canal Zone on the 22th for Philadelphia. She was placed in the Atlantic Reserve Fleet, decommissioned by January 1947 at Green Cove Springs;but later to Charleston, Norfolk and Orange, Texas in 1969. Struck from Navy List 1 October 1972. She was donated as a museum ship on 25 June 1974.

Sturtevant was laid down on 15 July 1942, launched on 3 December 1942 and completed on 16 June 1943. She was decommissioned on 24 March 1946. Reclassified DER-239 1 November 1956. Struck from Navy List 1 December 1972, sold for scrap 20 September 1973.

Moore was laid down on 20 July 1942, launched on 21 December 1942 and completed on 1 July 1943. She was decommissioned on 30 June 1947. Struck from Navy List 1 August 1973, sunk as a target off Virginia on 13 June 1975.

USS Scott was laid down on 4 August 1942, launched as USS Keith on 21 December 1942, commissioned on 19 July 1943. She was decommissioned on 20 September 1946. Struck from Navy List 1 November 1972, sold for scrap in 1973

Tomich was laid down on 15 September 1942, launched on 28 December 1942 and completed on 27 July 1943. She was decommissioned on 20 September 1946. Struck from Navy List 1 November 1972, sold for scrap 20 January 1974

DE-243 was at first named USS James R. Ward when she was laid down on 30 September 1942. She was renamed J. Richard Ward on 6 January 1943, completed on 5 July 1943. She was decommissioned on 13 June 1946. Struck from Navy List 2 January 1971, sold for scrap 10 April 1972

Otterstetter was laid down on 9 November 1942, launched on 19 January 1943 and completed on 6 August 1943. She was decommissioned on 21 September 1946. Reclassified DER-244 in December 1951. Struck from Navy List 1 August 1974, sunk as a target off Puerto Rico on 15 February 1976.

Sloat was laid down on 21 November 1942, launched on 21 January 1943 and completed on 16 August 1943. She was decommissioned on 6 August 1947. Struck from Navy List 2 January 1971, sold for scrap 10 April 1972.

Snowden was laid down on 7 December 1942, launched on 19 February 1943 and completed on 23 August 1943. She was decommissioned on 29 March 1946. Struck from Navy List 23 September 1968, sunk as a target off Newport, Rhode Island 23 June 1969.

Stanton was laid down on 7 December 1942, launched on 21 February 1943 and completed on 7 August 1943. She was decommissioned on 2 June 1947. Struck from Navy List 1 December 1970.

Swasey was laid down on 30 December 1942, launched on 18 March 1943 and completed on 31 August 1943. She was decommissioned on 15 January 1946. Struck from Navy List 1 November 1972, sold for scrap 30 January 1974.

Marchand was laid down on 30 December 1942, launched on 20 March 1943 and completed on 8 September 1943. She was decommissioned on 25 April 1947. Struck from Navy List 2 January 1971, sold for scrap 30 January 1974.

Hurst was laid down on 27 January 1943, launched on 14 April 1943 and commissioned on 30 August 1943. She left Houston 3 September. After a short outfitting at Galveston, she sailed on the 12th for shakedown training off Bermuda, stopped to Charleston in South Carolina by November, and sailed with a convoy to the Caribbean, then Norfolk in 29 November. She was assigned to Escort Division 20, laving Norfolk for her first long range convoy mission on 14 December 1943 to Casablanca to support Operation Torch aftermath, and back to NyC on 24 January 1944. She had exercises in Casco Bay and sailed with another convoy from New York on 23 February. She assisted the merchant vessels El Coston and Murfreesboro that collided and sank in heavy gale. She reached Londonderry in Northern Ireland on 5 March 1944, and back to NyC New York with another convoy.

She performed ten more escort voyages from Boston or New York to UK and back on 11 June 1945. Her final Atlantic mission ended and she was sent for training in Chesapeake Bay and off Cuba, reassigned to the Pacific. She arrived at Pearl Harbor via San Diego on 26 July 1945 and departed after exercises on 27 August (so the war ended a week ago) for Samoa, Pago Pago on 25 September with weeks there and at Fiji, Society islands to round up Japanese POWs, sending parties also to rescue stranded, missing personnel, investigate last remaining enemy units. She left for home on 3 November 1945 via Pearl Harbo, arrived at San Diego on 23 November, then Panama and New York on 10 December 1945, then Green Cove Springs in Florida to be decommissioned on 1 May 1946. Struck from Navy List 1 December 1972. Transferred to Mexico as Comodoro Manual Azueta on 1 October 1973.

Camp was laid down on 27 January 1943, launched on 16 April 1943 and completed on 16 September 1943. She was decommissioned on 1 May 1946. Reclassified DER-251 21 October 1951. Transferred to South Vietnam as Tran Hung Dao 13 February 1971. Struck from Navy List while in South Vietnamese service on 30 December 1975. Escaped to the Philippines and transferred to the Philippine Navy as Rajah Lakandula 5 April 1976.

Howard D. Crow was laid down on 6 February 1943, launched on 26 April 1943 and completed on 27 September 1943. She was decommissioned on 22 May 1946. Struck from Navy List 23 September 1968, sold for scrap in October 1970.

Pettit was laid down on 6 February 1943, launched on 28 April 1943 and completed on 23 September 1943. She was decommissioned on 6 May 1946. Struck from Navy List 1 August 1973, sunk as a target off Puerto Rico on 30 September 1974

Ricketts was laid down on 16 March 1943, launched on 10 May 1943 and completed on 5 October 1943. She was decommissioned on 17 April 1946. Struck from Navy List 1 November 1972, sold for scrap 18 January 1974

Sellstrom was laid down on 16 March 1943, launched on 12 May 1943 and completed on 12 October 1943. She was decommissioned on 13 June 1946. Reclassified DER-255 21 October 1955. Struck from Navy List 1 November 1965, sold for scrap in April 1967.

Harveson was laid down on Consolidated Steel Corporation, Orange, Texas on 9 March 1943, launched on 22 May 1943, commissioned on 12 October 1943. She was decommissioned on 9 May 1947 Reclassified DER-316 13 September 1950. Struck from Navy List 1 December 1966, sunk as a target off California on 10 October 1967.

Joyce was laid down on 8 March 1943, launched on 26 May 1943 and completed on 30 September 1943. She was decommissioned on 1 May 1946. Reclassified DER-317 on 13 September 1950. Struck from Navy List 1 December 1972, sold for scrap 11 September 1973
28 February 1951 17 June 1960

Kirkpatrick was laid down on 15 March 1943, launched on 5 June 1943 and completed on 23 October 1943. She was decommissioned on 1 May 1946. Reclassified DER-318 on 1 October 1951. Struck from Navy List 1 August 1974, sold for scrap 12 March 1975.

USS Leopold was laid down at Consolidated, Orange on 24 March, launched on 12 June and completed on 18 October 1943. She was one of the rare ships in class sunk in action: Leaving New Orleans on 7 November, she sailed to Great Sound, Bermuda for shakedown and on 9 December, was prepared for service at Charleston, after 11 days of post-shakedown availability. She trained with a nucleus crew for new destroyer escorts in the Chesapeake Bay and in Thimble Shoal Channel, on 24 December 1943 she joined TF 61 to escort convoy UGS-68 to the Mediterranean. On 30 December, she was ordered by the convoy commander to take the tail of the convoy to search for a seaman reported lost overboard, in the dark and in rough seas. It was hopeless so after 45 minutes she stopped. Tjhe convoy arrived in the Straits of Gibraltar on 10 January, with the US escorts leaving it to British escorts. Leopold entered Casablanca ro resupply and a short leave, and on 13 January, she was tasked of ASW screen on the western side of the Gibraltar straits. TF 61 formed a line barring U-boats from entering, but on 15 January, she resupplied at Gibraltar. In the inner harbor she pushed out stragglers of the return convoy GUS-27. On 1 February they entered a northwesterly gale and scatter.

Rounding up stragglers was the activity of Leopold until arrival to New York on 4 February. She had availability at the Yard then training on 14-27 February with CortDiv 22, with exercises at Casco Bay. She left on 1 March for a second convoy trip with CU-16, to the British Isles. On 8 March, she reported an HF/DF intercept (likely U-Boat surfaced and transmitting position to HQ Lorient) so the convoy changed course. But on 9 March, south of Iceland, there was a radar contact at 19:50, at 8,000 yd, 7 miles (11 km) south of the convoy. She ran there with USS Joyce while General Quarters was sounded. They sent a flare and the gun crew was ready when the U-boat was almost already submerged. Immediately after, Leopold was hit by an acoustic torpedo. The U-Boat was U-255. Order to abandon ship was given as she broke in half and rolled. Only 28 survivors were taken off the icy water by Joyce. 171 went down with her, most killed by hypothermia. Her bow remain bouyant for a day and was finished off by gunfire from USS Joyce.

USS Menges (DE-320) was laid down on 22 March 1943, launched on 15 June 1943 and commissioned on 26 October 1943.
She was named after Herbert Hugo Menges (born 1917 Louisville, Ky), Naval Reserve in Missouri 1939, naval aviator July 1940, USS Enterprise November, KiA Pearl Harbor 7 December 1941. After shakedown off Bermuda she became a TS for future crews from January 1944 in the lower Chesapeake Bay. On 26 January she left Norfolk for NyC and then for UK with a first convoy. After refulling at Gibraltar she sailed to Algiers. En route back home on 20 April, UGS 38 was attacked by 30 German torpedo bombers. Menges claimed one and rescued 137 survivors from USS Lansdale, torpedoed.
On 3 May 1944, at 0118 hours while astern of the convoy she investigated a radar contact when hit by a German G7 acoustic torpedo from U-371 (sunk the next day). Her entire aft third blew up, killing 31, wounding 25. But the bulkhead hel one and CO McCabe spurred his crew to save her. 4 hours later Menges was towed by HMS Aspirant. On 3 May she reached Bougie to disembark the dead and wounded and on 23 June, was temporarily repaired in Oran, and then sailed back home, towed by USS Carib. In Ny NyD from 14 to 31 August her blown away stern was separated and the one of USS Holder, which lost her forward two-thirds on 11 April, was welded on. Thus, “new” ship left Brooklyn for shakedown on 26 September was jocklingly nicknamed “Mengolder”. This case was unique in this class.

On 15 November Menges joined CU 47 for Europe, Plymouth on 26 November. She was back in Atlantic convoy and joined USS Pride, Mosley, and Lowe by February 1945 in an hunter-killer group, North Atlantic, crewed by Coast Guard personnel. On 18 March she co-claimed U-866. On 7 May (VE day) her activites stopped. On 30 May she escorted her last convoy, CU 73 from Cheshire to NyC in June. She became a TS for the USN Academy and made two cadet cruises to the West Indies, then cape cod. On Navy Day (27 October) she was in Fall River near Boston, being officially awarded 2 battle stars. She was sent to Green Cove Springs by March 1946, 16th Inactive Reserve, then decommissioned in January 1947, St. Johns River for 15 years mothballs. 1 January 1962 saw her back at Orange, Texas, Atlantic Reserve Fleet, until stricken 2 January 1971, sold for BU 10 April 1972.

Mosley was laid down on 6 April 1943, launched on 26 June 1943 and completed on 30 October 1943. She was decommissioned on 15 March 1946. Struck from Navy List 2 January 1971, sold for scrap 22 August 1973.

Newell was laid down on 5 April 1943, launched on 29 June 1943 and completed on 30 October 1943. She was decommissioned on 20 November 1945. Commissioned into the United States Coast Guard as USCGC Newell (WDE-422) on 20 July 1951. Decommissioned from the USCG and returned to the US Navy 1 June 1954. Reclassified DER-322 1 November 1956. Struck from Navy List 23 September 1968, sold for scrap 15 December 1971.

Pride was laid down on 12 April 1943, launched on 3 July 1943 and completed on 13 November 1943. She was decommissioned on 26 April 1946. Commissioned into the United States Coast Guard as USCGC Pride (WDE-423) on 20 July 1951. Decommissioned from the USCG and returned to the US Navy 1 June 1954. Struck from Navy List 2 January 1971, sold for scrap 30 January 1974.

Falgout was laid down on 26 May 1943, launched on 24 July 1943 and completed on 15 November 1943. She was decommissioned on 18 April 1947. Commissioned into the United States Coast Guard as USCGC Falgout (WDE-424) on 24 August 1951. Decommissioned from the USCG and returned to the US Navy 21 May 1954. Reclassified DER-324 28 October 1954. Struck from Navy List 1 June 1975, sunk as a target off California 12 January 1977.

Lowe was laid down on 24 May 1943, launched on 28 July 1943 and completed on 22 November 1943. She was decommissioned on 1 May 1946. Commissioned into the United States Coast Guard as USCGC Lowe (WDE-425) on 20 July 1951. Decommissioned from the USCG and returned to the US Navy 1 June 1954. Reclassified DER-325 28 October 1954. Struck from Navy List 23 September 1968, sold for scrap 3 September 1969.

USS Gary, later renamed Thomas J. Gary to avid confusion with CL-147 on 1 January 1945, was laid down on 15 June 1943, launched on 21 August 1943 and commissioned on 27 November 1943. After shakedown exercises out of Bermuda, post-shakedown overhaul at Charleston she was sent to the Caribbean Sea Frontier, Guantanamo Bay for temporary duty on 5 February, then detached on 9 March and sent to Gibraltar escorting a transatlantic convoy. Until May 1945, she remained in escort in the Atlantic with eleven convoys to the Mediterranean or UK and back. In New York on 7 May she was prepared for service in the Pacific, trained in the Caribbean, was off Haiti on 22 June, cross Panama to San Diego and departed on 12 July in convoy for Hawaii, Pearl Harbor on 20 July for more training. On 1 August, she she left with Escort Division 57 for Saipan via Eniwetok, but re-routed to Guam, Apra Harbor on the 13th, and then Carrier Division 27. While off the Philippines, the surrender was announced. She remained in San Pedro Bay from 17 August to the 29th and departed wiuth the carriers of Task Group (TG) 77.1 to Korea.

She was diverted to Formosa and embarked Commander Escort Division 57. She was sent to land parties to recover allied POWs there. On 3 September, she embarked 19 marines from USS Block Island to arrange that evacuation and the occupation of Formosa. She detached from the escort carrier task group and north of Kiirun Island, she met a small Japanese tug leading her into Kiirun Harbor and docked, then landed personal. The POW train arrived and the men were helped, transferred to destroyer escorts. She later transferred most to Block Island and headed for Manila, arrived on 9 September for the remainder. Later she operated out of Okinawa into October and trained in the East China Sea. On 19 October while sailing with an escort carrier group she struck a submerged log, mushing her starboard propeller. She crawled to 13 knots for Saipan for repairs and later returned to the Philippines, Hong Kong and Okinawa, Singapore, departing on 8 April 1946 via Suez for the Mediterranean, toured European ports and arrived on 29 May at Charleston for dry-docking. In reserve from 7 March 1947. Reclassified DER-326 1 November 1956. Struck 22 October 1973, transferred to Tunisia 22 October 1973.

DE-327 was at first named USS O’Toole she laid down on 14 June 1943. Renamed USS Brister when launched on 24 August 1943 and completed on 30 November 1943. She was decommissioned on 4 October 1946. Reclassified DER-327 21 October 1955. Struck from Navy List 23 September 1968, sold for scrap 3 November 1971.

Finch was laid down on 29 June 1943, launched on 28 August 1943, commissioned on 13 December 1943. She was decommissioned on 4 October 1946. Commissioned into the United States Coast Guard as USCGC Finch (WDE-428) on 21 August 1951. Decommissioned from the USCG and returned to the US Navy 23 April 1954. Reclassified DER-328 21 October 1955. Struck from Navy List 1 February 1974, sold for scrap 27 September 1974.

Kretchmer was laid down on 28 June 1943, launched on 31 August 1943 and completed on 27 December 1943. She was decommissioned on 20 September 1946. Reclassified DER-329 21 October 1955. Struck from Navy List 30 September 1973, sold for scrap 14 May 1974.

O’Reilly was laid down on 29 July 1943, launched on 2 October 1943 and completed on 28 December 1943. She was decommissioned on 15 June 1946. Struck from Navy List 15 January 1971, sold for scrap 10 April 1972.

Koiner was laid down on 26 July 1943, launched on 5 October 1943 and completed on 27 December 1943. She was decommissioned on 4 October 1946. Commissioned into the United States Coast Guard as USCGC Koiner (WDE-431) on 20 June 1951. Decommissioned from the USCG and returned to the US Navy 14 May 1954. Reclassified DER-328 28 October 1954. Struck from Navy List 23 September 1968, sold for scrap 3 September 1969.

Price was laid down on 24 August 1943, launched on 30 October 1943 and completed on 12 January 1944. Decommissioned on 16 May 1947. Reclassified DER-332 21 October 1955. Struck from Navy List 1 August 1974, sold for scrap 12 March 1975.

Strickland was laid down on 23 August 1943, launched on 2 November 1943 and completed on 10 January 1944. She was decommissioned on 15 June 1946. Reclassified DER-333 1 October 1951. Struck from Navy List 1 December 1972, sold for scrap 10 September 1974.

Forster was laid down on 31 August 1943, launched on 13 November 1943 and completed on 25 January 1944. She was decommissioned on 15 June 1946. Commissioned into the United States Coast Guard as USCGC Forster (WDE-434) on 29 June 1951. Decommissioned from the USCG and returned to the US Navy 25 May 1954. Reclassified DER-334 21 October 1955. Struck from Navy List 25 September 1971. Transferred to South Vietnam and renamed Tran Khanh Du on 25 September 1971. Captured by North Vietnam and renamed Dai Ky 29 April 1975, retained in Vietnamese service after fall of South Vietnam.

Daniel was laid down on 30 August 1943, launched on 16 November 1943 and completed on 24 January 1944. She was decommissioned on 12 April 1946. Struck from Navy List 15 January 1971, sold for scrap 30 January 1974.

Roy O. Hale was laid down on 13 September 1943, launched on 20 November 1943 and completed on 3 February 1944. She was decommissioned on 11 July 1946. Reclassified DER-336 21 October 1955. Struck from Navy List 1 August 1974, sold for scrap 12 March 1975.

Dale W. Peterson was laid down on 25 October 1943, launched on 22 December 1943 and completed on 17 February 1944. She was decommissioned on 27 March 1946. Struck from Navy List 2 January 1971, sold for scrap 10 April 1972.

Martin H. Ray was laid down on 27 October 1943, launched on 29 December 1943 and completed on 28 February 1944. She was decommissioned on March 1946. Struck from Navy List 1 May 1966, sold for scrap 30 March 1967.

Ramsden was laid down the first at Brown Shipbuilding, Houston, Texas, on 26 March 1943 (lead ship in this yard). Launched on 24 May 1943, commissioned on 19 October 1943. She was decommissioned on 13 June 1946. Commissioned into the United States Coast Guard as USCGC Ramsden (WDE-482) on 1 April 1952. Decommissioned from the USCG and returned to the US Navy 28 June 1954. Reclassified DER-382 1 November 1956. Struck from Navy List 1 August 1974, later sunk as a target.

Mills was laid down on 26 March 1943, launched on 26 May 1943 and completed on 12 October 1943. She was decommissioned on 14 June 1946. Reclassified DER-383 on 1 November 1956. Struck from Navy List 1 August 1974, sold for scrap 12 March 1975.

Rhodes was laid down on 19 April 1943, launched on 29 June 1943 and completed on 25 October 1943. She was decommissioned on 13 June 1946. Reclassified DER-384 on 28 October 1954. Struck from Navy List 1 August 1974, sold for scrap 12 March 1975.

Richey was laid down on 19 April 1943, launched on 30 June 1943 and completed on 30 October 1943. She was decommissioned on January 1947. Commissioned into the United States Coast Guard as USCGC Richey (WDE-485) on 1 April 1952. Decommissioned from the USCG and returned to the US Navy 28 June 1954. Struck from Navy List 30 June 1968, sunk as a target off California in July 1969.

Savage was laid down on 30 April 1943, launched on 15 July 1943 and completed on 29 October 1943. She was decommissioned on 13 June 1946. Reclassified DER-386 on 28 October 1954. Struck from Navy List 1 June 1975, sunk as a target off California 25 October 1982.

Vance was laid down on 30 April 1943, launched on 16 July 1943 and completed on 1 November 1943. She was decommissioned on 27 February 1946. Commissioned into the United States Coast Guard as USCGC Vance (WDE-487) on 9 May 1952. Decommissioned from the USCG and returned to the US Navy 16 June 1954. Reclassified DER-387 21 October 1955. Struck from Navy List 1 June 1975, later sunk as a target in 1985.

Lansing was laid down on 15 May 1943, launched on 2 August 1943 and completed on 10 November 1943. She was decommissioned on 25 April 1946. Commissioned into the United States Coast Guard as USCGC Lansing (WDE-488) on 15 June 1952. Decommissioned from the USCG and returned to the US Navy 29 March 1954. Reclassified DER-388 21 October 1955. Struck from Navy List 1 February 1974, sold for scrap 16 August 1974.

Durant was laid down on 15 May 1943, launched on 3 August 1943 and completed on 16 November 1943. She was decommissioned on 27 February 1946. Commissioned into the United States Coast Guard as USCGC Durant (WDE-489) on 9 May 1952. Decommissioned from the USCG and returned to the US Navy 16 June 1954. Reclassified DER-389 7 December 1955. Struck from Navy List 1 April 1974, sold for scrap 16 August 1974.

Calcaterra was laid down on 28 May 1943, launched on 16 August 1943 and completed on 17 November 1943. She was decommissioned on 1 May 1946. Reclassified DER-390 28 October 1954. Struck from Navy List 2 July 1973, sold for scrap 14 May 1974.

Chambers was laid down on 28 May 1943, launched on 17 August 1943 and completed on 22 November 1943. She was decommissioned on 22 April 1946. Commissioned into the United States Coast Guard as USCGC Chambers (WDE-491) on 11 June 1952. Decommissioned from the USCG and returned to the US Navy 30 July 1954. Reclassified DER-391 28 October 1954. Struck from Navy List 1 March 1975, sold for scrap 24 September 1975.

Merrill was laid down on 1 July 1943, launched on 29 August 1943 and completed on 27 November 1943. She was decommissioned on 1 May 1946. Struck from Navy List 2 April 1971, sold for scrap 30 September 1974.

Haverfield was laid down on 1 July 1943, launched on 30 August 1943 and completed on 29 November 1943. She was decommissioned on 30 June 1947. Reclassified DER-393 2 September 1954. Struck from Navy List 2 June 1969, sold for scrap 15 December 1971.

Swenning was laid down on 17 July 1943, launched on 13 September 1943 and completed on 1 December 1943. She was decommissioned on 18 June 1946. Struck from Navy List 1 July 1972, sold for scrap 17 January 1974.

Willis was laid down on 17 July 1943, launched on 14 September 1943 and completed on 10 December 1943. She was decommissioned on 14 June 1946. Struck from Navy List 1 July 1972, sold for scrap later in 1972.

Janssen was laid down on 4 August 1943, launched on 4 October 1943 and completed on 18 December 1943. She was decommissioned on 19 June 1946. Struck from Navy List 1 July 1972, sold for scrap 15 October 1973.

Wilhoite was laid down on 4 August 1943, launched on 5 October 1943 and completed on 16 December 1943. She was decommissioned on 19 June 1946. Reclassified DER-397 on 2 September 1954. Struck from Navy List 2 July 1969, sold for scrap 19 July 1972.

Cockrill was laid down on 31 August 1943, launched on 29 October 1943 and completed on 24 December 1943. She was decommissioned on 21 June 1946. Struck from Navy List 1 August 1973, sunk as a target off Florida on 19 November 1974.

Stockdale was laid down on 31 August 1943, launched on 30 October 1943 and completed on 31 December 1943. She was decommissioned on 15 June 1946. Struck from Navy List 1 July 1972, sunk as a target off Florida on 24 May 1974

Hissem was laid down on 6 October 1943, launched on 26 December 1943 and completed on 13 January 1944. She was decommissioned on 15 June 1946. Reclassified DER-400 21 October 1955. Struck from Navy List 1 June 1975, sunk as a target off California on 24 February 1982.

USS Holder was laid down 6 October 1943, launched on 27 December 1943 and completed on 18 January 1944, commissioned. After shakedown cruise, she sailed on 24 Marchwith a convoy to the Mediterranean. While off Algeria on 10-11 April, before midnight, torpedo bombers attacked. The DEs opened fire and made smoke, but she was hit by a torpedo amidships port, with two heavy explosions likely due to stored ammunitions. This blew up her entire forward section. fires spread, flooding was serious but her bulkheads held on and her crew remained at their post, continued to fire until the attack abated. Damage control kept her seaworthy. She was towed in Oran for repairs, then towed to New York, arriving on 9 June 1944. Decommissioned on 13 September, struck on the 23rd, her intact stern was merged with the forward portion of USS Menges, which had her stern blown off and also survived. The remainder was sold for BU on 19 June 1947.

Read More/Src

Books

Friedman, Norman, U.S. Destroyers: An Illustrated Design History
Conway’s all the world’s fighting ships 1921-47 p.135
Destroyer Escort Sailors. By Destroyer Escort Sailors Assn. 1997, Turner Pub Co.
Destroyer Escorts in Action By Adcock, Al 1997, Squadron/Signal Publications.
Destroyer Escorts of World War Two By Walkowiak, Thomas F. 1996, DE Sailors Assoc. Orlando. Pictorial Histories Pub. Co., Missoula

Links

uboat.net
users3.ev1.net
navsource.net
destroyersonline.com
destroyerhistory.org
commons.wikimedia.org
web.archive.org hazegray.org/
navypedia.org Edsall FRM class
en.wikipedia.org Edsall-class
web.archive.org plateau.net/ escorts.html
uboat.net allies warships Destroyer+Escort
web.archive.org hazegray.org escorts/
web.archive.org nvr.navy.mil
navsource.net
web.archive.org destroyerescort.com/
web.archive.org navsource.org/
web.archive.org history.navy.mil
web.archive.org floatingdrydock.com camo.htm
web.archive.org desausa.org links.htm
web.archive.org/ desausa.org delinks.htm
web.archive.org plateau.net classevar
shipcamouflage.com buckley_class.htm
vintagedieseldesign.com
jproc.ca/
galvestonnavalmuseum.com
USS Stewart
usndazzle.com
usni.org DER conversions
usautoindustryworldwartwo.com

Model Kits

scalemates.com: Black Cat Models 1:350 (coast guard), Destroyer “HQ-4 Tran Khanh Du” Ex USS DER-334 Forster by Doggy Industries 1:700, etc.
Special: Multikit for Buckley, Cannon, Edsall, Rudderow, John C. Butler and British Captain class Destroyer Escorts’ hull by Southern Cross Models 1:72.
modelwarships.com
on sdmodelmaker

3D

thingiverse.com USS Kretchmer (DER-329)

Video

Edsall class by Drachinifels