NavSource Main Page FAQ Contact us Search NavSource

Waving US Flag

NavSource Naval History
Photographic History of the United States Navy
DESTROYER
ARCHIVE

USS IRWIN (DD-794)


Flag Hoist/Radio Call Sign - NTMR

CLASS - FLETCHER As Built.
Displacement 2924 Tons (Full), Dimensions, 376' 5"(oa) x 39' 7" x 13' 9" (Max)
Armament 5 x 5"/38AA, 4 x 1.1" AA, 4 x 20mm AA, 10 x 21" tt.(2x5).
Machinery, 60,000 SHP; General Electric Geared Turbines, 2 screws
Speed, 38 Knots, Range 6500 NM@ 15 Knots, Crew 273.
Operational and Building Data
Laid down by Bethlehem Steel , San Pedro. May 2 1943.
Launched October 31 1943 and commissioned February 14 1944.
Decommissioned May 31 1946, recommissioned February 26 1951.
Decommissioned January 10 1958.
Stricken March 15 1973.
To Brazil May 10 1968, renamed Santa Catarina.
Fate Stricken and broken up for scrap in 1978.

Click On Image
For Full Size Image
Size Image Description Contributed
By
Irwin 70kNoble Edward Irwin was born 29 September 1869 at Greenfield, Ohio, graduated from the Naval Academy in June 1891, and was wounded in action 1 May 1898 while in command of Manila- in the Battle of Manila Bay. He was awarded the Navy Cross for meritorious service as Director of Naval Aviation in World War I. Thereafter he was in command of battleship Oklahoma, and Destroyer Squadrons of the Scouting Fleet, and was Chief of the Naval Mission to Brazil (1927-31). Rear Admiral Irwin became Commandant of the 15th Naval District in March 1931 and was transferred to the Retired List 1 October 1933. He died 10 August 1937 at Warner Springs, Calif. Digital ID: ggbain 15825, Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division.Bill Gonyo
Irwin 74kUSS Irwin (DD-794) as she shows off her Measure 32 design 13D colour scheme, date and location unknown (USN courtesy of Floating Drydock). Photo and text taken from Naval Camouflage 1914-1945, by David Williams.Robert Hurst
Irwin 65kSteaming out of San Diego harbor in the Spring of 1951. The ship is only partially painted having just been removed from mothballs at Long Beach.Bud Healy
Irwin 167kNegative from the Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum dated April 1952.Darryl Baker
Irwin 96kTransfer of wounded Captain Jack Maginnis to the crusier Manchester on July 8, 1953. He was the senoir naval officer wounded in the war. The Irwin was also the last ship to take casulaties in the Korean War. Four other bridge persons were wounded that day.Bud Healy
Irwin 62kView of a hit to the main deck starboard side wounding five persons in the upper handling room for mount 52. This occured on June 18, 1953 in Wonsan harbor.Bud Healy
Irwin 17kSasebo in August, 1953 during a squardon (DesRon 24) awards ceremony. USS Picking (DD-685), USS Irwin (DD-794) and USS Preston (DD-795).Bud Healy
Irwin 19kCirca mid 1950's, location unknown.Bud Healy
Irwin 122kSixth Fleet ships in Naples harbour, circa 1955. destroyers in left centre are USS Preston (DD-795) and USS Irwin (DD-794). Destroyer in the centre, slightly to the right, appears to be USS Bordelon (DDR-881). The other U.S.Navy ships present are mainly amphibious types. Courtesy of the Naval Historical Foundation. Collection of Admiral Robert B. Carney, USN (Photo No NH 99290).Robert Hurst
On Brazilian Service
Irwin 44kAs the CT SANTA CATARINA (D 32) in dry dock at Rio de Janeiro circa 1972, Brazilian Navy (BRN).Luiz BRAZIL Cotta FT3 (Ret BRN)
Irwin 122kAs the CT SANTA CATARINA (D 32) in the Guanabara Bay at Rio de Janeiro, BRAZIL, circa 1971. Photo published by Brazilian Navy (BRN).Luiz BRAZIL Cotta FT3 (Ret BRN)
Irwin 76kUSS "IRWIN" - as the CT "Santa Catarina" (D 32), at sea, circa 1969. Published photo by Brazilian Navy (BRN).Luiz BRAZIL Cotta FT3 (Ret BRN)
Irwin 53kAs a target by Brazilian Navy. Official Brazilian Navy Photo.Luiz BRAZIL Cotta FT3 (Ret BRN)

USS IRWIN DD-794 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

Daniel Byrd Miller    Feb 14 1944 - Jun 1945 (Later RADM)
CDR Robert Bolling Kelly    Jun 1945 - May 31 1946
(Decommissioned May 31 1946 - Feb 26 1951)
CDR Roger Myers Keithly    Feb 26 1951 - Aug 1952
CDR Gilven Max Slonim    Aug 1952 - Aug 1954
CDR Richard Billings    Nov 1954 - 1956
CDR Willard Jerrold McNulty    Dates unknown

Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
Tin Can Sailors Website
Destroyer History Foundation
Destroyers Online Website
Official U.S.Navy Destroyer Website

Back To The Main Photo Index To The Destroyer Index Page


Comments and Suggestions about this page, E-mail DestroyerInfo
Problems and site related matters, E-mail Webmaster

This Page Is Created And Maintained By Fred Willshaw (ex DD692)
All Pages Copyright © 1996-2008 Paul R. Yarnall © 2008 NavSource Naval History. All Rights Reserved.