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USS HOPEWELL (DD-181)


Flag Hoist/Radio Call Sign - NEXX

CLASS - WICKES (LAMBERTON)
Built to Bath plans, built by Newport News, these Wickes versions were
slightly heavier but had a good cruising radius.
Displacement 1,213 Tons, Dimensions, 314' 5" (oa) x 31' 8" x 9' 10" (Max)
Armament 4 x 4"/50, 2 x 3"/23AA, 12 x 21" tt..
Machinery, 24,900 SHP; Direct Drive Turbines with Geared Cruising Turbines, 2 screws
Speed, 35 Knots, Crew 101.
Operational and Building Data
Laid down by Newport News Shipbuilding on January 19 1918.
Launched June 8 1918 and commissioned March 22 1919.
Decommissioned July 17 1922, Recommissioned June17 1940.
Decommissioned September 23 1940.
To Britain September 23 1940, renamed HMS Bath (I17).
Stricken January 8 1941.
Fate Sunk by U-204 August 19 1941.

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Hopewell 169kPollard Hopewell entered the Navy as a Midshipman in June 1812, and reported to frigate Chesapeake 21 August. With a new crew Captain Lawrence put to sea to engage the crack British frigate Shannon 1 June 1913. Despite their captain's famous cry, "Don't give up the ship", the crew was overwhelmed and the ship taken. Midshipman Hopewell was among those killed, as was the gallant Lawrence. Photo #: NH 48251, Action between USS Chesapeake and HMS Shannon, 1 June 1813. Engraving by Henry Bryan Hall after a painting by Alonzo Chappel, published circa 1858 by Martin, Johnson & Company. Entitled "Death of Captain Lawrence", it depicts Captain James Lawrence, Commanding Officer of USS Chesapeake, being carried below after he had been mortally wounded early in the battle. His final command to Chesapeake's officers and crew was "Don't Give Up the Ship". Courtesy of Colonel J.R. Taylor, October 1938. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.Bill Gonyo
Hopewell 94kUSS Hopewell (DD-181) at anchor, November 15 1918. U.S. Naval Historical Centre photo NH 61889. Replacement photo for pic no 0518101. U.S. Naval Historical Centre photo # NH 61889.Robert Hurst
Ingraham 150kMcDougal (Destroyer No. 54), Hopewell (Destroyer No. 181) and Ingraham (Destroyer No. 111) moored together. This photo was probably taken at New York Navy Yard in summer 1919. Note Ingraham is missing her bridge.Dave Wright
Hopewell 88kPhoto #: NH 76074, USS Hopewell (Destroyer # 181) anchored in a harbor, circa 1919-1920, with other destroyers. USS Bagley (Destroyer # 185) is at left. Courtesy of Leonard R. Efrein, 1972. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.Paul Rebold
Hopewell 62kGuantanamo Bay, Cuba January 1920.Marc Piché
On British Service
HMS Bath (ex-USS Hopewell, DD-181) commissioned into RN on 23 September 1940 at Halifax, NS, and sailed 29 September 1940 for Devonport via St John's, NF and Belfast, NI, arriving 10 October 1940 for a brief refit before joining 1st Minelaying Squadron based at Port ZA, HMS Trelawney (shore establishment), Kyle of Lochalsh, Scotland. She escorted four minelaying sorties by the Squadron, and provided local A/S escort for three major troop convoys WS4B, WS5B and TC8) after which she went to Chatham for refit 25 January 1941 to 12 April 1941. During the Chatham refit, the standard Stage 1 alterations were made, on completion she was manned by Royal Norwegian Navy personnel, transfer actually taking place 9 April 1941. Unfortunately her return to active duty was delayed by a collision when on trials on 16 April 1941 and the ship repaired on the Tyne until 19 May 1941, followed by a work up at Tobermory until 18 June 1941. On completion of work-up, she joined 5th Escort Group based at Liverpool and was principally engaged in escorting the OG/HG convoys to and from Gibraltar. While escorting her sixth convoy, OG71, she was torpedoed on 19 August 1941 by U204 in position 48.30N 17.45W, and sank rapidly. (History thanks to Robert Hurst)
Hopewell 53kThe 'Town' class destroyer HMS Bath (ex-USS Hopewell, DD-181) early in her RN career while operating with the 1st Minelaying Squadron, based at Port ZA (HMS Trelawney), the Kyle of Lochalsh, Scotland.Robert Hurst

USS HOPEWELL DD-181 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


LCDR Robert Emmet Rodgers    Mar 22 1919 - Dec 12 1919

LCDR Walter Frederick Lafrenz    Dec 12 1919 - Jan 15 1922 

LT Garry De Mott Custer    Jan 15 1922 - May 21 1922

ENS Marion Edward Crist    May 21 1922 - Jul 17 1922

(Decommissioned July 17 1922 - June 17 1940)

LCDR George Lawrence Purmont    Jun 17 1940 - Sep 23 1940


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

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This page was created by Fred Willishaw (ex ARG-4, AS-11 & DD-692) and is maintained by David L. Wright
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Last Updated 25 September 2020