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USS LUCE (DD-99 / DM-4)


Flag Hoist/Radio Call Sign - NEGD

CLASS - WICKES (LITTLE)
Built to a different set of plans (Bethlehem) than the Wickes (Bath) the Little versions were
considered less successful than the Bath designed ships, with few remaining in service past 1936.
Displacement 1,154 Tons, Dimensions, 314' 5" (oa) x 31' 8" x 9' 10" (Max)
Armament 4 x 4"/50, 2 x 1pdr AA (1 x 3"/23AA In Some Ships), 12 x 21" tt..
Machinery, 24,200 SHP; Geared Turbines, 2 screws
Speed, 35 Knots, Crew 103.
Operational and Building Data
Laid down by Fore River, Quincy on February 9 1918.
Launched June 29 1918 and commissioned September 11 1918.
Reclassified as light minelayer DM-4 July 17 1920.
Decommissioned at Philadelphia June 30 1922 and was berthed there
until recommissioned on March 19 1930. Decommissioned at Boston
January 31 1931 and berthed there until her sale.
Stricken January 7 1936.
Fate Sold September 29 1936 to Schiavone-Bonomo Corp., New York and broken up for scrap.
Click On Image
For Full Size Image		 Size Image Description Contributed
By And/Or Copyright
Luce 76kOil on wood painting, 24" x 12", of Midshipman Stephen B. Luce, by Alexander James (1890-1946). Signed by the artist. Painting in the U.S. Naval Academy Museum Collection. Gift of Charlotte Luce Noyes, 1940. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives. Photo #: KN-10934.Tony Cowart/Robert Hurst
Luce 148kUndated, location unknown. From Jane's Fighting Ships, 1919.Robert Hurst
Luce 107kUndated, in Venice.Frank Hoak III, Captain US Navy retired
Luce 284kBethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation, Fore River Shipyard, Quincy, Massachusetts, 1918. Shown: USS Murray (DD 97), USS Luce (DD 99), USS Stringham (DD 83), and USS Dyer (DD 84). Secretary of the Navy Josephus Daniels Collection. Courtesy of the Library of Congress.Mike Mohl
Luce 122kFore River Shipbuilding, Quincy, MA, February 14, 1918. (L-R) USS Murray (DD-97), USS Luce (DD-99), USS Stringham (DD-83) and USS Dyer (DD-84). Naval Historical Center photo NH43020.Daniel Dunham
Luce 140kFore River Shipbuilding, Quincy, MA, March 19 1918. (L-R) USS Murray (DD-97), USS Luce (DD-99), USS Stringham (DD-83) and USS Dyer (DD-84). Naval Historical Center photo NH43021.Daniel Dunham
Luce 63kPhoto #: NH 51446, USS Luce (Destroyer # 99) entering the water, during her launching at the Fore River Shipbuilding Company shipyard, Quincy, Massachusetts, 29 June 1918. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.Tony Cowart
Luce 82kPhoto #: NH 51447, USS Luce (Destroyer # 99) afloat just after launching at the Fore River Shipbuilding Company shipyard, Quincy, Massachusetts, 29 June 1918. The tug Dolphin is preparing to move Luce to an outfitting berth. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.Tony Cowart
Luce 67kPhoto #: NH 51448, USS Luce (Destroyer # 99) just after launching at the Fore River Shipbuilding Company shipyard, Quincy, Massachusetts, 29 June 1918. The tug Dolphin (seen from astern) and another tug are preparing to move Luce to an outfitting berth. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.Tony Cowart
Luce 107kPhoto #: NH 51449, USS Luce (Destroyer # 99) alongside a wharf, just after her launching at the Fore River Shipbuilding Company shipyard, Quincy, Massachusetts, 29 June 1918. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.Tony Cowart
Luce 66kPhoto #: NH 103075, USS Luce (Destroyer # 99) view of the ship's forecastle, seen from her foremast, probably circa Fall 1918, soon after she was placed in commission. Note her forward 4"/50 gun and anchor handling gear. Photographed by Walton. The original image is printed on postal card ("AZO") stock. Donation of Dr. Mark Kulikowski, 2005. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.Tony Cowart
Luce 65kPhoto #: NH 100440, USS Luce (Destroyer # 99) photographed in the Azores by St. Jacques, circa October 1918. She is wearing "dazzle" camouflage. Courtesy of Ted Stone, 1985. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.Tony Cowart
Luce 62kPhoto #: NH 67577, USS Luce (Destroyer # 99) photographed circa 1919-1920. Courtesy of Donald M. McPherson, 1969. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.Tony Cowart
Luce 179kPhoto #: NH 51450, USS Luce (Destroyer # 99) at the Boston Navy Yard, Charlestown, Massachusetts, 28 November 1919. Panoramic photograph by J. Crosby, Naval Photographer, 11 Portland St., Boston, Massachusetts. Courtesy of the Naval Historical Foundation, Washington, D.C. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.Tony Cowart/Robert Hurst
Luce 47kPhiladelphia Navy Yard, date appears to be April 15 1920.Paul Rebold
USS LUCE DD-99 / DM-4 History
View This Vessels DANFS History Entry
(Located On The hazegray Web Site, This Is The Main Archive For The DANFS Online Project.)

Commanding Officers
Thanks to Wolfgang Hechler & Ron Reeves

LT Ralph Chandler Parker    Sep 11 1918 - Jun 4 1919
LT Jay Louis Kerley    Jun 4 1919 - Jul 20 1919
CDR Robert Carlisle Giffen    Jul 20 1919 - Aug 1920 (Later VADM)
LCDR Aubrey Wray 'Jake' Fitch    Aug 1920 - Aug 9 1921 (Later ADM)
LCDR Jay Louis Kerley    Aug 9 1921 - Jun 30 1922
(Decommissioned June 30 1922 - March 19 1930)
LCDR Lee Payne Johnson    Jun 1930 - Jan 31 1931
Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
NavSource Minesweeper Pages, USS Luce (DM-4)
Tin Can Sailors Website
Destroyer History Foundation
Destroyers Online Website
Official U.S.Navy Destroyer Website

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