Photographic History of the United States Navy
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NavSource Naval History Photographic History of the United States Navy |
DESTROYER ARCHIVE |
| Click On Image For Full Size Image |
Size | Image Description | Contributed By And/Or Copyright |
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|---|---|---|---|---|
 Refer to # 2 |
71k | Unknown US destroyer off a rocky shore and wintry sea, at Hvalfjordur, Iceland, in early 1942. Photo and text taken from United States Destroyer Operations in World War II, by Theodore Roscoe. (Posted May 14 2008) Possible leads from John Chiquoine: Any destroyer reader following the disposition of forces at this time already knows which are possible. We recall seeing this in the Archives; most likely in a 1941-42 80G Iceland series shot by a shutterbug on 429, 430, 431, 432, 433, 434, 435, 436. This same series may have had the great KEARNY views. We never eliminated these to see on which he was riding. | Robert Hurst | |
 Refer to # 3 |
65k | Unknown US destroyer acting as part of the escort for convoy SC-48. This pic was taken only ten hours after the Kearny's torpedoing from an aircraft flying blood plasma for the ship's wounded. Photo and text taken from United States Destroyer Operations in World War II, by Theodore Roscoe. (Posted May 14 2008) Possible leads from John Chiquoine: This one is overloaded with presumptions: presuming the given ID details are correct the Hague Convoy site lists the other two possibles in such a view as DD429 and DD431. An inspection of Logs or reports may give position refs ten hours after DD432's hit. For a convoy list, see Arnold Hague convoy database - SC convoys and Link to SC48. | Robert Hurst | |
 Refer to # 5 |
172k | Unknown destroyers with back caption "destroyers in Shanghai." (Posted May 14 2008) | Paul Rebold | |
 Refer to # 6 |
91k | Unknown US destroyer astern of the coastal passenger steamer, S.S. Rose Standish, circa 1914. The location is probably in the New England area, as Rose Standish was owned by the Nanstasket Beach Steamboat Company, of Boston, Massachusetts. This photo is one of a series from the collection of a USS Walke (DD-34) crewmember, a three-stack destroyer which was a member of the Second Division, U.S. Atlantic Fleet Torpedo Flotilla. Courtesy of Jim Kazalis, 1981 (U.S. Naval Historical Centre Photo # NH 99861). (Posted May 14 2008) | Robert Hurst | |
 Refer to # 10 |
64k | Unknown US destroyer underway as clouds of smoke pour out from the burning transport USS Wakefield (AP-21). Photo from United States Destroyer Operations of World War II, by Theodore Roscoe. (Posted May 19 2008) Identified by Rich Angelini: This photo shows a "unknown" destroyer operating with the burning troopship USS Wakefield. This ship is in fact the USS MAYO DD422 which was the first ship in the convoy to reach the burning WAKEFIELD in Sept 1942. MAYO's crew boarded and helped fight the fires aboard WAKEFIELD as well as taking on some 247 plus survivors. More information can be found on my (and the Mayo Associations official) website for the MAYO at http://www.ussjpkennedyjr.org/mayowake.html and this exact photo at http://www.ussjpkennedyjr.org/mayo.html. My grandfather, Orlando Angelini, was a Chief Machinist Mate on Mayo 422 from commissioning to decom and these photos came directly from his private collection and from the War published: WAR CRUISE- USS MAYO DD422. (Posted January 26 2009) | Robert Hurst | |
 Refer to # 11 |
59k | Two unknown US destroyers part of an Allied convoy escort group forming up for the trip in the swirling morning mists typical of the bone-chilling wintry weather in Northern zones. Photo from United States Destroyer Operations of World War II, by Theodore Roscoe. (Posted May 19 2008) | Robert Hurst | |
 Refer to # 12 |
118k | Workmen repairing and cleaning up an unknown flush decker at the Brooklyn Navy Yard for transfer to Great Britain under the 1940s "destroyers for bases" deal. Anchor chains litter the foredeck of the destroyer, and a sailor works on the forward 4"/50 deck gun (Treasure Island Museum-SFCB). Photo from Warship Boneyards, by Kit and Carolyn Bonner. (Posted May 19 2008) | Robert Hurst | |
  Refer to # 13 |
273k 276k | A message from "Dick" Winchell: "There has been a story here along the Hudson River that an old hulk of a vessel near Poughkeepsie is a submarine. I served on submarines (Diesel Boats) for four years so I decided to investigate. I got pictures of the old hulk and started comparing them to what I could find and stumbled onto NavSource and happened to open the info on destroyers which happens to begin with torpedo boats. As I was doing so the comparison of what I had I realized was not a submarine, that as close as I could come to what I was looking for was a torpedo boat. The very best comparison turned out to be the USS Shurbrick TB #31. That vessel was scrapped here in Newburgh NY in about 1920. What is left of the hulk is about ten feet of the bow and there is what appears to be a hatch opening with combing at what now is left of the vessel. Whatever it is it is not a submarine. So my question is: If I sent you some pictures do you think it could help me truly identify what this hulk is / was? I would appreciate any hints, clues or whatever as to where I can look for more info." To see more views of the hulk go to http://s159.photobucket.com/albums/t145/stbarre/Poughkeepsie%20Submarine/. You may also contact Dick directly at n2exv@verizon.net. (Posted July10 2008) | Richard Winchell | |
     Refer to # 14 |
22k 84k 41k 115k 57k | A post card of the USS Potomac (AT-5O), probably taken at Norfolk Navy Yard about April 1912. There are three destroyers in the background that are unidentified. The first image is the post card, the second is a blowup of the destroyer to the left, the third is the destroyer in the center and the fourth is the destroyer to the right. The last image is a blowup of the island in the background to possibly help identify the location for sure. (Posted July12 2008) Possible leads from Rick E. Davis: Given that the pre-WWI destroyers COMPLETED before 1912 were a relatively small group of ships, by going through Silverstone's US Warships in WWI and a 1914 Jane's Fighting Ships (and Navsource of course ;-) ) ... I THINK I can narrow this down some. I was struck by the funnel spacing and the short forecastle with no turtleback (meaning they were not from the Bainbridge groups). Also, the first funnel was fairly close to the bridge, unlike Paulding class destroyers. Destroyer # 1 (second photo down) ... four even spaced funnels, first one close to the bridge and a flat forecastle ... USS Preston (DD-19) is the most likely candidate. Preston was built by New York Sbdg. Destroyer # 2 (third photo down) ... two pairs of funnels, first funnel close to the bridge and a flat forecastle ... either the USS Flusser (DD-20) or USS Reid DD-21). These two sisters are Bath Iron Works built ships in the same class (Smith) with Preston and the both had this funnel spacing and funnel height AFTER they were raised. I can't tell which one of these two this one could be ... my guess would be Flusser from the few photos I have looked at. DANFS is not of much help in figuring out where or with which sisters either operated with. Destroyer # 3 (fourth photo down) ... pair of funnels in the middle and the first and fourth funnel separated from the middle pair with the first funnel close to the bridge and a flat forecastle ... either the USS Smith (DD-17) or USS Lamson (DD-18). These two sisters were built by Cramp. I can not identify them any closer than that. The Smith class were authorized in 1906-07, all five were launched in 1909 and commissioned in 1909-10. They were the last coal-fired destroyers in the USN. They all being of the same class and all coal-fired makes sense that they would operate together. It may be possible that the other two of the class are out of view in this photo? | Bruce D. Liddell | |
 Refer to # 15 |
325k | This photograph is from the collection of a crewmember of the USS Allen M. Sumner (DD-692) and was taken during a Med Cruise sometime during the period late 1956 to late 1958. We are trying to determine if this is an incident that occurred aboard the Sumner or another ship in the Squadron and the What/How/Why of the incident itself. (Posted July 26 2008) | Jon Roeck | |
 Refer to # 16 |
77k | Photo by David's mother, Esther (Black) Buell, taken in San Diego Bay in October 1945. (Posted August 4 2008) | David Buell | |
 Refer to # 17 |
222k | International News Photo, dated 7 August 1941 receipt by the San Francisco Examiner Reference Library. Photo caption reads: "A Destroyer of the U.S. Naval Force that participated in the U.S. Occupation of Greenland is shown making her way up Tunugdliarfik Fjord through floating ice cakes, headed for the site of a U.S. base 20 miles further on. The photo was made on July 6.". (Posted August 10 2008) Identified August 12 2008 by Bob Crawford as the Reuben James, "Refering to photo #17, http://www.navsource.org/archives/05/0543904.jpg is the only photo I’ve ever seen of "4 piper" with the diagonal line through the mid-ship gun platform which would make #17 USS Rueben James (DD-245)." Additional response from John W. Klar on August 14 2008 - "In reference to unidentified DD #17, that picture may, or may not, be USS REUBEN JAMES, DD-245, since another Flush Deck DD, USS McCORMICK, DD-223, and probably others, had the same camouflage scheme, MS 2, in 1941. See NAVSOURCE page DD-223 for a picture of the McCORMICK." Another response from Fabio Peña on August 15 2008 - "Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard personnel who served on the vessels in the Greenland force were authorized to wear a bronze 'A' upon their American Defense Service Medal ribbon, to indicate that they operated "in actual or potential belligerent contact with the Axis forces in the Atlantic Ocean." Eligibility period started on 22 June 1941. Four destroyers of DesRon 31 were awarded the 'A' for operations between 22 June and 13 July. I think the DD in Mystery Photo #17 must be one of them: Simpson (DD 221), McCormick (DD 223), Sturtevant (DD 240) or Reuben James (DD 245)." | David Buell | |
 Refer to # 19 |
278k | What "4 Piper" is at the next pier to the USS Idaho? Photo caption reads; "Idaho (BB-42) fitting out at New York Ship Building Corporation on 23 June 1919 as is shown here, the Idaho was the first battleship not to befitted with hull mounted secondary guns. The ports were plated over before she was commissioned; the ports remained as the hull design was identical to her sisters, New Mexico (BB-40) and Mississippi (BB-41). She is equipped with a small bridge which is topped with a "tent" where a main battery range finder will be mounted. (Posted August 25 2008) Possible leads from Rick E. Davis: I'm not sure which destroyer this is, two actually since the stern of another one can be seen, but I think I can narrow it down. New York Ship Building built some 30 Flush Deckers: DD125-130, 157-160, and 231-250. In looking at the launch and commission dates dates for these ships, the most likely candidates for this 19 June 1919 photo are: DD-157 Dickerson L. 12 Mar 1919 DD-158 Leary L. 18 Dec 1918 DD-159 Schenck L. 23 Apr 1919 DD-160 Herbert L. 8 May 1919 DD-231 Hatfield L. 17 Mar 1919 DD-232 Brooks L. 24 Apr 1919 DD-233 Gilmer L. 24 May 1919 Higher hull numbers were not launched until after the 19 June 1919 date and DD125-130 were close to being commissioned. Given the general state of the fitting out, Dickerson and Hatfield would seem the most likely candidates. But, I don't know how fast NYSB fitted out these ships or to what state they were launched in to know for sure. More possible leads from Rick E. Davis: "I checked out the photos on Navsource for these ships. The following photo ... http://www.NavSource.org/archives/05/0512901.jpg ... is captioned as ... "New York Shipbuilding Corp., Camden, NJ. Closest ship is USS Dickerson (DD 157). Next is USS Leary (DD 158), USS Schenck (DD 159), USS Herbert (DD 160), USS Brooks (DD 232), and USS Hatfield (DD 231). The last ship is USS DeLong (DD 129)." The caption on the image says that this photo was taken on 5 June 1919, only 14 days before unidentified photo # 19. Since all but one of the ships on my list below are shown in this view and in most cases are more advanced in fitting out, they are eliminated as candidates. This leaves Gilmer (DD-233) launched on 24 May 1919 and adds Fox (DD-234) launched on 12 June 1919 (I missed Fox before as a candidate). I suspect that since there are two destroyers seen in this view in an early state of fitting out (compared to the destroyers seen in the above image), that Gilmer and Fox are the two destroyers seen here." More possible leads from John W. Klar: "In regard to unidentified DD picture #19, the date, 23 June 1919, is in error since USS IDAHO, BB-42, was commissioned on March 24, 1919 so would not have been at NYSB in Camden, NJ in June 1919. The same picture appears at Maritime Quest on the Internet, and is dated "late 1918 or early 1919" with early 1919 the most likely date. There were seven NYSB DD's that were launched between August 24, 1918 and December 18, 1918 and were commissioned between May 29, 1919 and December 5, 1919 as follows: DD-125, 126, 127, 128, 129, 130 and 158, so probably one of those in the picture." More possible leads from Rick E. Davis: "This is getting interesting. I went and looked up the builders hull numbers for these thirty NYSB-built destroyers ... # 210-239 ... hoping to match one to the number on the hull of the mystery destroyer (can be seen in the much larger photo over on the Idaho page in the Battleship section, just below the deck edge at the bow). The number looks like a "2" followed by either "0" or "8". The NYSB hull number match up to the USN hull number in numerical order. If they dropped the first digit as unnecessary, NYSB # 220 matches up to Hatfield (DD-239) which was launched on 17 March 1919. I'm not sure this is the destroyer, but given the commission date for Idaho as 24 March 1919 ... this may work??" | David Buell/Mike Mohl | |
 Refer to # 20 |
41k | An unidentified 'Cassin Class' destroyer underway, date and location unknown. (Posted September 29 2008) | Robert Hurst | |
 Refer to # 23 |
38k | Unidentified destroyer passing the burning carrier USS Intrepid (CV-11) from "United States Destroyer Operations in World War II" by Theodore Roscoe. (Posted November 20 2008) | Robert Hurst | |
 Refer to # 25 |
41k | Unidentified destroyer off Hollandia from "United States Destroyer Operations in World War II" by Theodore Roscoe. (Posted November 24 2008) | Robert Hurst | |
 Refer to # 26 |
33k | Unidentified destroyer off Lingayen Gulf from "United States Destroyer Operations in World War II" by Theodore Roscoe. (Posted November 24 2008) | Robert Hurst | |
 Refer to # 27 |
52k | Unidentified destroyer off Saipan from "United States Destroyer Operations in World War II" by Theodore Roscoe. (Posted November 28 2008) | Robert Hurst | |
 Refer to # 28  Refer to # 29 |
100k 81k | Image 28 is either the USS Gatling (DD-671) or USS Irwin (DD-794) alongside the cruiser USS Birmingham (CL-62). Image 29 is again either USS Gatling or USS Irwin off the bow or stern of the USS Princeton (CVL-23). This pic was taken from USS Cassin Young (DD- 793) which was picking up survivors from Princeton, some of whom can be seen in the foreground. Photos from "United States Destroyer Operations in World War II" by Theodore Roscoe. (Posted November 28 2008) | Robert Hurst | |
 Refer to # 30 |
64k | Unidentified US destroyer as seen from HMS Vanoc, while on convoy duty in the Atlantic, November 1941. Photo taken from "The Battle of The Atlantic" by Andrew Williams. (Posted December 10 2008) | Robert Hurst | |
 Refer to # 31 |
44k | Unidentified US destroyer (at left), tied up dockside at Palermo. Photo from "United States Destroyer Operations in World War II" by Theodore Roscoe. (Posted December 15 2008) | Robert Hurst | |
 Refer to # 32 |
81k | Unidentified US destroyer giving fire support to the Allied landings in Sicily, while a bombed landing craft burns in the distance. Photo from "United States Destroyer Operations in World War II" by Theodore Roscoe. (Posted December 15 2008) | Robert Hurst | |
 Refer to # 33 |
197k | I hope someone can help us with this picture. I know it involves DD-715, Philadelphia Navy Yard and the FRAM conversion.
I think the baton gets passed to each DD as it completes FRAM at Philly. I can read the bottom tag with a glass and it says Wm Wood. I assume the commander is the CO of DD-715. (Posted January 22 2009) The Torch is identified by Ed Zajkowski, see the newspaper clipping which describes what the Torch was all about. (Posted February 7 2009) | Ed Zajkowski | |
 Refer to # 34 |
219k | We need your help with this one, probably a DD after coversion to APD. (Posted January 23 2009) Probable identity from Bob Wiemer: I believe that the APD in the destroyer mystery picture #34 is the USS Manley APD-1. According to John D. Alden's book: Flush Decks and Four Pipes, the first 6 Flush Deckers built had "cutaway" or rounded sterns. USS Manley DD-74 was one of the 6 and the only one converted to a APD. The APD in mystery picture #34 appears to have a "cutaway" stern. (Posted January 24 2009) | Ed Zajkowski | |
 Refer to # 35 |
102k | We need your help with this one. (Posted January 23 2009) | Ed Zajkowski | |
 Refer to # 36 |
183k | Here are two DD photos I have had no luck in identifying. Both appear to be Paulding Class. The envelope containing this negative is marked as being Paulding or Trippe. (Posted January 24 2009) | Darryl Baker | |
 Refer to # 38a  Refer to # 38b  Refer to # 38c | 171k 170k 128k | 38a - NH 45793. Circa 1903-1904, USS DALE DD-4 or USS DECATUR DD-5 leading torpedo boats in maneuvers. The 3 torpedo boats in left center are of the BLAKELY class (TB 27-35). 38b - NH 45794. As above, but, add--the 2 boats at right are of the BAGLEY class (TB 24-26). 38c - NH 90204. DD-4 or DD-5 from the Phillip Wilson collection, ship's crew poses on the forward gun platform in the Philippines circa 1912. (Posted January 25 2009) | Ed Zajkowski | |
 Refer to # 39 |
133k | US destroyer screening landing craft moving in for the attack on the fog obscured coastline of Kiska Island. Photo from "United States Destroyer Operations in World War II" by Theodore Roscoe. (Posted January 31 2009) | Robert Hurst | |
 Refer to # 40 |
87k | I believe the 2nd ship is the USS Morrison (DD-560). She had lost her mast when coming along side Princeton October 24 1944. Is she in tow from Fletcher Class "Can"?? (Posted February 7 2009) A note from Fabio Peña; "In support of Ed's belief, note that the mastless DD is camouflaged in Design 13D, which matches that of USS Morrison at the time." (Posted February 14 2009) | Ed Zajkowski | |
 Refer to # 41 |
149k | Photo entitled "On the bow of a destroyer, circa 1918" by Robert Neeser, NHC photo NH 2608. (Posted February 13 2009) | Ed Zajkowski | |
 Refer to # 42 |
110k | Unknown Charles F. Adams class DDG in Pearl Harbor on Sunday, May 21, 1967. Since this vessel has a single Tartar mount I must assume it is in the DDG 15-24 hull number range. I think it might be the Goldsborough. (Posted February 16 2009) A note from Larry; "Lee Noland deduces that this Charles F. Adams class DDG is actually the Cochrane, based on information obtained on the sites of all the Pearl-based Charles F. Adams class DDGs. He says Cochrane was the only one to go through a major overhaul in 1967. (Posted February 23 2009) Another piece of the puzzle from John Freeman; Here is an excerpt from the ships history: "Her second deployment completed, COCHRANE began her first regular overhaul since commissioning. This extensive overhaul at the shipyard in Pearl Harbor lasted until August 1967. The biggest external change to COCHRANE during the overhaul was the upgrade of the AN/SPS-39’s semi-cylindrical radar antenna on the after funnel, with a flat black planar array antenna." (Posted February 25 2009) I think we can put this one in the identified column, any dissenters? | Larry Backus | |
 Refer to # 43 |
236k | Is this Philadelphia Navy Yard after WWI ? (Posted February 28 2009) Received notes from Rick E. Davis and Ed Zajkowski verifying that this is indeed Philadelphia Navy Yard. Ed has the same photo with the date on the reverse reading 15 June 1922. (Posted February 28 2009) | Darryl Baker | |
 Refer to # 44 |
112k | DD-3?? in dry dock getting hull plating replaced in dry dock. Does not appear to be a Mare Island dock. (Posted February 28 2009) | Darryl Baker | |
 Refer to # 45 |
88k | Undated wartime picture of unidentified US destroyers belonging to Task Force 16.7 head out of Kuluk Bay, Adak, for a patrol off Attu Island. Photo from "United States Destroyer Operations In World War II" by Theodore Roscoe. (Posted March 6 2009) | Robert Hurst | |
 Refer to # 47 |
81k | Undated, unknown image of a possible Wickes Class four piper. (Posted November 2 2009) Possible solution from Douglas Brown: 1) It's not a Wickes class, as Wickes-class 4-pipers don't have the additional superstructure/overhang at the 01 level between the pilothouse and the midship accommodation that the ship in question has. Clemson-class 4-pipers do. 2) The numbers are visible on the bow, though unclear. Looks like 343. That would be the USS Noa, which is a Clemson Class.(Posted November 3 2009) | Ric Hedman | |
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