Jump to content

Benson-class destroyer: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
No edit summary
m format ref to fix harv err
 
(42 intermediate revisions by 21 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Short description|U.S. Navy ship class (built 1939–1943)}}
{{Short description|U.S. Navy ship class (built 1939–1943)}}
{{use dmy dates|date=October 2012}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2021}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin|infobox caption=''Benson''-class destroyer}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin}}
{{Infobox ship image
{{Infobox ship image
|Ship image=USS Benson DD-421 01.jpg
|Ship image=File:USS Meade (DD-602) off New York City on 20 June 1942 (19-N-30842).jpg
|Ship caption=USS ''Benson'' circa 1942
|Ship caption=USS ''Meade'' on 20 June 1942
}}
}}
{{Infobox ship class overview
{{Infobox ship class overview
|Name=''Benson'' class
|Name=''Benson'' class
|Builders=*[[Bethlehem Shipbuilding San Pedro|Bethlehem Shipbuilding]]:
|Builders=* Bethlehem
*[[Fore River Shipyard]],
**[[Fore River Shipyard|Fore River]], MA
**[[Bethlehem Staten Island|Staten Island]], NY
*[[Union Iron Works]],
**[[Bethlehem Shipbuilding San Pedro|San Pedro]], CA
*Staten Island, New York Division,
**[[Union Iron Works|San Francisco]], CA
*San Pedro, California Division
*[[Boston Navy Yard]]
*[[Boston Navy Yard]], MA
*[[Charleston Navy Yard]]
*[[Charleston Navy Yard]], SC
*[[Puget Sound Navy Yard]]
*[[Puget Sound Navy Yard]], WA
|Operators=*{{navy|USA|1912}}
|Operators=*{{navy|United States|1912}}
*{{navy|Italy}}
*{{navy|Italy|1947}}
*{{navy|Taiwan}}
*{{naval|Taiwan}}
|Class before={{sclass|Sims|destroyer|4}}
|Class before={{sclass|Sims|destroyer|4}}
|Class after={{sclass|Gleaves|destroyer|4}}
|Class after={{sclass|Gleaves|destroyer|4}}
Line 53: Line 53:
| Ship range ={{convert|6500|nmi}} at {{convert|12|kn|abbr=on}}
| Ship range ={{convert|6500|nmi}} at {{convert|12|kn|abbr=on}}
| Ship complement = 208 (276 wartime)
| Ship complement = 208 (276 wartime)
| Ship sensors =
| Ship sensors = *[[Ship gun fire-control system#Mark 37 GFCS|Mk37 GFCS]]
*1 × [[SC radar]]
| Ship EW =
| Ship EW =
| Ship armament =*'''As designed:'''
| Ship armament =*'''As designed:'''
*  5 × [[5"/38 caliber gun|5 in (127 mm)]] [[dual purpose gun|DP]] guns,
*  5 × [[5-inch/38-caliber gun|5 in (127 mm)]] [[dual purpose gun|DP]] guns,
*  6 × [[.50 caliber machine gun|0.50 in. (12.7 mm)]] guns,
*  6 × [[.50 caliber machine gun|0.50 in. (12.7 mm)]] guns,
*  10 × [[American 21 inch torpedo|21 inch (533 mm)]] [[torpedo tube]]s (2 × 5), 10 [[torpedo]]es
*  10 × [[American 21-inch torpedo|21-inch (533 mm)]] [[torpedo tube]]s (2 × 5), 10 [[torpedo]]es
*  2 × [[depth charge]] tracks
*  2 × [[depth charge]] tracks
*'''DD-459 onward:'''
*'''DD-459 onward:'''
*  4 × [[5"/38 caliber gun|5 in (127 mm)]] [[dual purpose gun|DP]] guns,
*  4 × [[5-inch/38-caliber gun|5 in (127 mm)]] [[dual purpose gun|DP]] guns,
*  4 × [[40 mm Bofors]] guns (2 × 2),
*  4 × [[Bofors 40 mm Automatic Gun L/60|40 mm Bofors]] guns (2 × 2),
*  7 × [[20 mm Oerlikon]] guns,
*  7 × [[Oerlikon 20 mm cannon]]s,
*  5 × 21 in (533 mm) [[torpedo tube]]s (1 × 5),
*  5 × 21 in (533 mm) [[torpedo tube]]s (1 × 5),
*  4-6 × [[K-gun]] depth charge throwers,
*  4–6 × [[K-gun]] depth charge throwers,
*  2 × [[depth charge]] tracks
*  2 × [[depth charge]] tracks
| Ship notes = *Ship data sources:
| Ship notes = *Ship data sources:
*Destroyers.org,<ref>[http://www.destroyers.org/Class/c-Benson.htm ''Benson'' Class at Destroyers.org]</ref>
*Destroyers.org,<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.destroyers.org/Class/c-Benson.htm |title=''Benson'' Class at Destroyers.org |access-date=9 November 2015 |archive-date=16 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131116041221/http://www.destroyers.org/Class/c-Benson.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref>
*Friedman, pp. 95-104, 470-471<ref name=Friedman1>Friedman, pp. 95-109, 470-471</ref>
*Friedman, pp. 95–104, 470–471<ref name=Friedman1>Friedman, pp. 95–109, 470–471</ref>
}}
}}
|}
|}


The '''''Benson'' class''' was a class of [[destroyer]]s of the [[United States Navy|U.S. Navy]] built 1939&ndash;1943. The thirty 1,620-ton ''Benson''-class destroyers were built in two groups. The first six were authorized in [[fiscal year]] 1938 (FY38) and laid down at Bethlehem Steel, Quincy, Massachusetts, and three naval shipyards.<ref name=History/> The remaining 24 “repeat ''Benson''s” were authorized in 1940–42 and built at four Bethlehem Steel yards. They were laid down after the first group was commissioned. These plus the “repeat ''Livermore''s” (also known as "repeat ''Gleaves''es") were also known at the time as the ''Bristol'' class. During [[World War II]] the ''Benson''s were usually combined with the ''Livermore''s (more correctly the ''Gleaves'' class) as the ''Benson''-''Livermore'' class; this persisted in references until at least the 1960s.<ref name="Silverstone, pp. 126-135">Silverstone, pp. 126-135</ref> In some references both classes are combined and called the ''Benson'' class.<ref name=Friedman1/> The ''Benson''- and ''Gleaves''-class destroyers were the backbone of the pre-war [[Neutrality Patrol]]s and brought the action to the enemy by participating in every major campaign of the war.
The '''''Benson'' class''' was a class of [[destroyer]]s of the [[United States Navy|U.S. Navy]] built 1939–1943. The thirty 1,620-ton ''Benson''-class destroyers were built in two groups. The first six were authorized in [[fiscal year]] 1938 (FY38) and laid down at Bethlehem Steel, Quincy, Massachusetts, and three naval shipyards.<ref name=History/> The remaining 24 "repeat ''Benson''s" were authorized in 1940–42 and built at four Bethlehem Steel yards. They were laid down after the first group was commissioned. These plus the "repeat ''Livermore''s" (also known as "repeat ''Gleaves''es") were also known at the time as the ''Bristol'' class. During [[World War II]] the ''Benson''s were usually combined with the ''Livermore''s (more correctly the ''Gleaves'' class) as the ''Benson''-''Livermore'' class; this persisted in references until at least the 1960s. In some references both classes are combined and called the ''Benson'' class. The ''Benson''- and ''Gleaves''-class destroyers were the backbone of the pre-war [[Neutrality Patrol]]s and brought the action to the enemy by participating in every major campaign of the war.


==Namesake==
==Namesake==
Line 79: Line 80:


==Related classes==
==Related classes==
The ''Benson''s were originally envisioned as a single class of 24 ships, the first eight of which were ordered in [[fiscal year]] 1938 (FY38). Six of these were designed by Bethlehem Shipbuilding, to be built at a Bethlehem yard and several naval shipyards, and two were designed by [[Gibbs & Cox]], to be built at [[Bath Iron Works]]. All were to have {{convert|600|psi|abbr=on}} steam (references vary) [[superheated steam|superheated]] to {{convert|750|°F|abbr=on}}, with cruising turbines and double-reduction [[gear]]ing to maximize fuel efficiency.<ref name=Friedman1/> After contract award, Bethlehem requested that their design be modified to use less-complex single-reduction gears and no cruising turbines. Bethlehem claimed they could achieve comparable fuel efficiency with the simpler machinery. This request was granted, but FY39 and FY40 ships, beginning with {{USS|Livermore|DD-429|2}}, would use the more complex machinery.<ref name=Register1>Bauer and Roberts, pp. 188-191</ref> So the class was known through [[World War II]] as the ''Benson''-''Livermore'' class, and this name persisted in many references until at least the 1960s.<ref name="Silverstone, pp. 126-135"/> In the spring of 1938 the Navy's [[Bureau of Steam Engineering]] requested that the FY39 and FY40 ships be modified for {{convert|850|°F|abbr=on}} superheat.<ref name=Friedman1/> It proved possible for Bath to build their two FY38 ships, ''Gleaves'' and ''Niblack'', to the new design. ''Gleaves'' was completed prior to ''Livermore'' and had a lower hull number, thus the class name is more correctly the ''Benson''-''Gleaves'' class.<ref name=Register1/><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20080118153104/http://www.destroyers.org/DD-Histories/DD-Classes/Intro-DD423.htm Archived notes on ''Gleaves'' class at Destroyers.org]</ref>
The ''Benson''s were originally envisioned as a single class of 24 ships, the first eight of which were ordered in [[fiscal year]] 1938 (FY38). Six of these were designed by Bethlehem Shipbuilding, to be built at Bethlehem's ''[[Fore River Shipyard|Fore River]]'' and at several government yards (as mandated by Congress), and two were designed by [[Gibbs & Cox]], to be built at [[Bath Iron Works]]. All were to have {{convert|600|psi|abbr=on}} steam (references vary) [[superheated steam|superheated]] to {{convert|750|°F|abbr=on}}, with cruising turbines and double-reduction [[gear]]ing to maximize [[fuel efficiency]].<ref name=Friedman1/> After contract award, Bethlehem requested that their design be modified to use less-complex single-reduction gears and no cruising turbines. Bethlehem claimed they could achieve comparable fuel efficiency with the simpler machinery. This request was granted, but FY39 and FY40 ships, beginning with {{USS|Livermore|DD-429|2}}, would use the more complex machinery.<ref name=Register1>Bauer and Roberts, pp. 188–191</ref> So the class was known through [[World War II]] as the ''Benson''-''Livermore'' class, and this name persisted in many references until at least the 1960s.{{sfn|Silverstone|1965|pp=126–135}} In the spring of 1938 the Navy's [[Bureau of Steam Engineering]] requested that the FY39 and FY40 ships be modified for {{convert|850|°F|abbr=on}} superheat.<ref name=Friedman1/> It proved possible for Bath to build their two FY38 ships, ''Gleaves'' and ''Niblack'', to the new design. ''Gleaves'' was completed prior to ''Livermore'' and had a lower hull number, thus the class name is more correctly the ''Benson''-''Gleaves'' class.<ref name=Register1/><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20080118153104/http://www.destroyers.org/DD-Histories/DD-Classes/Intro-DD423.htm Archived notes on ''Gleaves'' class at Destroyers.org]</ref>


The only external difference between the ''Benson'' and ''Gleaves'' classes was the shape of the stacks; the ''Benson''s' were flat-sided and the ''Gleaves''es' were round.
The only external difference between the ''Benson'' and ''Gleaves'' classes was the shape of the stacks; the ''Benson''s' were flat-sided and the ''Gleaves''es' were round.


After the [[Fall of France]] in 1940 a rapid expansion of the Navy was envisioned. To fill the gap until the {{sclass|Fletcher|destroyer|1}}s would be ready for service, an additional 72 "repeat" ''Benson''- and ''Gleaves''-class ships were ordered in FY41 and FY42. 24 repeat ''Benson''s were built by several Bethlehem yards, while an additional 48 repeat ''Gleaves''es were built by various other builders.<ref name=Register1/> These were initially called the ''Bristol'' class after {{USS|Bristol|DD-453|2}}, a repeat ''Gleaves'' and the first of these to be completed, although the machinery of the repeat ''Benson''s was different from the repeat ''Gleaves''es. The repeat ships were ordered with reduced torpedo and gun armament and increased [[anti-submarine]] and light [[anti-aircraft]] armament.<ref name=Conway1>Gardiner and Chesneau, pp. 128-129</ref>
After the [[Fall of France]] in 1940, and before the outcome of the looming [[Battle of Britain]] was certain, [[Two-Ocean Navy Act|a rapid expansion of the Navy]] was envisioned. As not all facilities were equipped to produce the new {{sclass|Fletcher|destroyer|1}}s or because of other concerns, an additional 72 "repeat" ''Benson''- and ''Gleaves''-class ships were ordered in FY41.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.history.navy.mil/research/library/research-guides/shipbuilding-contracts/index-to-vol-23.html|title=US Navy Shipbuilding Contracts in the Navy Department Library, Index to Volume 23 (July to December 1940)}} (does not include government yards)</ref><ref>4 more Gleaves from Federal Shipbuilding in 01/1941 contract No. 1732</ref> 24 repeat ''Benson''s were built by several Bethlehem yards, while an additional 48 repeat ''Gleaves''es were built by various other builders.<ref name=Register1/> These were initially called the ''Bristol'' class after {{USS|Bristol|DD-453|2}}, a repeat ''Gleaves'' and the first of these to be completed, although the machinery of the repeat ''Benson''s was different from the repeat ''Gleaves''es. The repeat ships were ordered with reduced torpedo and gun armament and increased [[anti-submarine]] and light [[anti-aircraft]] armament.<ref name=Conway1>Gardiner and Chesneau, pp. 128–129</ref>


In some references the ''Benson'' and ''Gleaves'' classes are combined as the ''Benson'' class.<ref name=Friedman1/>
In some references the ''Benson'' and ''Gleaves'' classes are combined as the ''Benson'' class.<ref name=Friedman1/>

The ''Budget for the United States Government'' (as published) for fiscal year 41, starting on 1 July 1940 called for 8 destroyers to be built, <ref>page 669, "Replacement of Naval Vessels"</ref> and they were originally contemplated to be DD-445 ... DD-452, i.e. ''Fletchers''.<ref>Navy Department Appropriation Bill for 1941, Hearings, p. 616, 8 January 1940</ref> In June 1940, 8 ''Gleaves'' were ordered instead.


==Design==
==Design==
Line 94: Line 97:


==Armament==
==Armament==
The class was completed with four or five {{convert|5|in|mm|adj=on|0}} [[dual purpose gun]]s (anti-surface and [[anti-aircraft]] (AA)), controlled by a [[Mark 37 Gun Fire Control System]] as in the previous ''Sims'' class. The introduction of two centerline quintuple [[torpedo tube]] mounts in this class was a significant improvement and was continued in subsequent World War II classes. This allowed a broadside of ten tubes with savings in space and weight compared to previous classes, which had twelve or sixteen tubes and an eight-tube broadside.<ref name=Friedman1/> However, most of the ''Benson''s spent most of the war with only five torpedo tubes equipped in favor of greater light anti-aircraft armament. This varied considerably in different ships as the war went on; for example, the specified pair of twin {{convert|40|mm|in|abbr=on}} guns were not widely available until mid-1942 and a quadruple [[1.1"/75 caliber gun|{{convert|1.1|in|mm|abbr=on}} machine cannon]] mount and a {{convert|20|mm|in|abbr=on}} gun were temporarily substituted.<ref name=Conway1/> In 1945 twelve ships (DD-600-601, 603–604, 608, 610, and DD-612-617) were modified for maximum light AA armament as an anti-''[[kamikaze]]'' measure, with four 5-inch guns, no torpedo tubes, twelve 40&nbsp;mm guns in two quad and two twin mounts and four 20&nbsp;mm guns in two twin mounts.<ref>Friedman, p. 107</ref> The first six ships landed a torpedo tube mount early in the war while on [[Battle of the Atlantic|Atlantic]] service, but as they were transferred to the [[Pacific War|Pacific]] in early 1945 they were re-equipped with the torpedoes at the cost of a 5-inch gun.<ref name=Conway1/><ref name=Register1/> Photographs indicate that, as with most pre-1942 destroyers, the initial [[anti-submarine]] armament of two [[depth charge]] tracks was augmented with four or six [[K-gun]] depth charge throwers in 1941–42 on most ships.<ref>[http://www.navsource.org/archives/05idx.htm NavSource Destroyer Photo Index Page]</ref>
The class was completed with four or five {{convert|5|in|mm|adj=on|0}} [[dual purpose gun]]s (anti-surface and [[anti-aircraft]] (AA)), controlled by a [[Mark 37 Gun Fire Control System]] as in the previous ''Sims'' class. The introduction of two centerline quintuple [[torpedo tube]] mounts in this class was a significant improvement and was continued in subsequent World War II classes. This allowed a broadside of ten tubes with savings in space and weight compared to previous classes, which had twelve or sixteen tubes and an eight-tube broadside.<ref name=Friedman1/> However, most of the ''Benson''s spent most of the war with only five torpedo tubes equipped in favor of greater light anti-aircraft armament. This varied considerably in different ships as the war went on; for example, the specified pair of twin {{convert|40|mm|in|abbr=on}} guns were not widely available until mid-1942 and a quadruple [[1.1-inch/75-caliber gun|{{convert|1.1|in|mm|abbr=on}} machine cannon]] mount and a {{convert|20|mm|in|abbr=on}} gun were temporarily substituted.<ref name=Conway1/> In 1945 twelve ships (DD-600-601, 603–604, 608, 610, and DD-612-617) were modified for maximum light AA armament as an anti-''[[kamikaze]]'' measure, with four 5-inch guns, no torpedo tubes, twelve 40&nbsp;mm guns in two quad and two twin mounts and four 20&nbsp;mm guns in two twin mounts.<ref>Friedman, p. 107</ref> The first six ships landed a torpedo tube mount early in the war while on [[Battle of the Atlantic|Atlantic]] service, but as they were transferred to the [[Pacific War|Pacific]] in early 1945 they were re-equipped with the torpedoes at the cost of a 5-inch gun.<ref name=Conway1/><ref name=Register1/> Photographs indicate that, as with most pre-1942 destroyers, the initial [[anti-submarine]] armament of two [[depth charge]] tracks was augmented with four or six [[K-gun]] depth charge throwers in 1941–42 on most ships.<ref>[http://www.navsource.org/archives/05idx.htm NavSource Destroyer Photo Index Page]</ref>


==Service==
==Service==
The first six ships of the class began their careers on [[Neutrality Patrol]]s, and after the [[attack on Pearl Harbor]] and the US entry into World War II continued to serve in the [[Battle of the Atlantic|Atlantic]] and [[Mediterranean]], supporting operations in [[North Africa]], [[Italy]], and [[Operation Anvil-Dragoon|southern France]] until transferred to the [[Pacific War|Pacific]] in early 1945. Several of the remaining ships spent the entire war in the Atlantic and Mediterranean. Others served entirely in the Pacific, at first in the [[Solomon Islands]] or [[Aleutians]] and later in other campaigns.<ref>DANFS, various entries</ref> Three were lost in the war; two in the Pacific and one in the Mediterranean. A fourth lost the bow section but was rebuilt and returned to service. After the war the survivors were decommissioned and placed in the [[United States Navy reserve fleets|Reserve Fleet]] in 1946–47; one was transferred to [[Italy]] and two were transferred to [[Taiwan]] in the 1950s.<ref>Gardiner & Chumbley, pp. 206, 455</ref> Modernization was considered in the 1950s but not implemented except on the transferred ships.<ref>Friedman, pp. 107-108</ref> The remainder were scrapped or otherwise disposed of in the late 60s and early 70s.<ref name=Register1/>
The first six ships of the class began their careers on [[Neutrality Patrol]]s, and after the [[attack on Pearl Harbor]] and the US entry into World War II continued to serve in the [[Battle of the Atlantic|Atlantic]] and [[Mediterranean]], supporting operations in [[North Africa]], [[Italy]], and [[Operation Anvil-Dragoon|southern France]] until transferred to the [[Pacific War|Pacific]] in early 1945. Several of the remaining ships spent the entire war in the Atlantic and Mediterranean. Others served entirely in the Pacific, at first in the [[Solomon Islands]] or [[Aleutians]] and later in other campaigns.<ref>DANFS, various entries</ref> Three were lost in the war; two in the Pacific and one in the Mediterranean. A fourth lost the bow section but was rebuilt and returned to service. After the war the survivors were decommissioned and placed in the [[United States Navy reserve fleets|Reserve Fleet]] in 1946–47; one was transferred to [[Italy]] and two were transferred to [[Taiwan]] in the 1950s.<ref>Gardiner & Chumbley, pp. 206, 455</ref> Modernization was considered in the 1950s but not implemented except on the transferred ships.<ref>Friedman, pp. 107–108</ref> The remainder were scrapped or otherwise disposed of in the late 60s and early 70s.<ref name=Register1/>


==Losses==
==Losses==
[[USS Laffey (DD-459)|USS ''Laffey'']] and [[USS Barton (DD-599)|USS ''Barton'']] were lost at the [[Naval Battle of Guadalcanal]] on 13 November 1942; USS ''Lansdale'' was lost to air attack in the [[Mediterranean Sea]] on 20 April 1944.<ref name=History/> Additionally, the bow section of USS ''Murphy'' was cut off in a collision with the [[tanker (ship)|tanker]] SS ''Bulkoil '' {{convert|75|nmi}} from New York on 21 October 1943 and sank with the loss of 38 crew. The rest of the ship was saved and was rebuilt and returned to service; thus ''Murphy'' was not officially considered lost.<ref>[http://destroyerhistory.org/benson-gleavesclass/ussmurphy/ USS ''Murphy'' at DestroyerHistory.org]</ref><ref name="Sunken Warships- USS 2007">'''Quest for Sunken Warships'''- USS ''Murphy'', 2007, 19 July 2007, Military Channel, 2-3am, MDT.</ref>
[[USS Laffey (DD-459)|USS ''Laffey'']] and [[USS Barton (DD-599)|USS ''Barton'']] were lost at the [[Naval Battle of Guadalcanal]] on 13 November 1942; USS ''Lansdale'' was lost to air attack in the [[Mediterranean Sea]] on 20 April 1944.<ref name=History/> Additionally, the bow section of USS ''Murphy'' was cut off in a collision with the [[tanker (ship)|tanker]] SS ''Bulkoil '' {{convert|75|nmi}} from New York on 21 October 1943 and sank with the loss of 38 crew. The rest of the ship was saved and was rebuilt and returned to service; thus ''Murphy'' was not officially considered lost.<ref>[http://destroyerhistory.org/benson-gleavesclass/ussmurphy/ USS ''Murphy'' at DestroyerHistory.org]</ref><ref name="Sunken Warships- USS 2007">''Quest for Sunken Warships'' – USS ''Murphy'', 2007, 19 July 2007, Military Channel, 2-3am, MDT.</ref>


==Decorations==
==Decorations==
Line 107: Line 110:
{{clear}}
{{clear}}


== Other Navies ==
==Ships in class==
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"

|+ Ships of the ''Benson'' destroyer class
=== Republic of China (Taiwan) ===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
!Pennant
!Ship name
!Former name
!Acquired
!Fate
|-
|-
! scope="col" | Name
![[USS Benson|DD-14]]
! scope="col" | Hull no.
|ROCS Lo Yang
! scope="col" style="max-width: 9em;" | Builder
|USS ''Benson''
! scope="col" style="max-width: 6em;" | Laid down
|26 February 1954
! scope="col" style="max-width: 6em;" | Launched
|struck in 1975, scrapped
! scope="col" style="max-width: 6em;" | Commissioned
! scope="col" style="max-width: 6em;" | Decommissioned
! scope="col" | Fate
|-
|-
! scope="row" | {{USS|Benson|DD-421|2}}
![[USS Hilary P. Jones|DD-15]]
! scope="row" style="white-space: nowrap;" | DD-421
|ROCS Han Yang
| rowspan=2 | [[Bethlehem Steel Corporation]], [[Fore River Shipyard]], [[Quincy, Massachusetts]]
|USS ''Hilary P. Jones''
| rowspan=2 | 16 May 1938
|26 February 1954
| 15 November 1939
|struck in 1974, scrapped
| 25 July 1940
|}
| 18 March 1946

| data-sort-value="26 February 1954" | Transferred to Republic of China, 26 February 1954
=== Italy ===
{{Main|Artigliere-class destroyer}}
{| class="wikitable sortable"
!Pennant
!Ship name
!Former name
!Acquired
!Fate
|-
|-
! scope="row" | {{USS|Mayo|DD-422|2}}
![[USS Woodworth|DD-553]]
! scope="row" | DD-422
|''Artigliere''
| 26 March 1940
|USS ''Woodworth''
| 18 September 1940
|1951
| 18 March 1946
|struck in 1971, scrapped
| data-sort-value="8 May 1972" | Sold for scrap, 8 May 1972
|}

==Ships in class==
{| class="sortable wikitable"
|-
|-
! scope="row" | {{USS|Madison|DD-425|2}}
!Ship Name
! scope="row" | DD-425
!Hull No.
| rowspan=2 | [[Boston Navy Yard]]
!Builder
| rowspan=2 | 19 September 1938
!Laid down
| 20 October 1939
!Launched
| 6 August 1940
!Commissioned
| 13 March 1946
!Decommissioned
| data-sort-value="14 October 1969" | Sunk as target, 14 October 1969
!Fate
|-
|-
! scope="row" | {{USS|Lansdale|DD-426|2}}
|[[USS Benson (DD-421)|''Benson'']]
! scope="row" | DD-426
|DD-421
| 30 October 1939
|rowspan=2|[[Bethlehem Steel Corporation]], [[Fore River Shipyard]], [[Quincy, Massachusetts]]
| 17 September 1940
|rowspan=2|16 May 1938
| {{n/a}}
|15 November 1939
| data-sort-value="20 April 1944" | Sunk by the [[Luftwaffe]], 20 April 1944
|25 July 1940
|18 March 1946
|Transferred to Republic of China, 26 February 1954
|-
|-
! scope="row" | {{USS|Hilary P. Jones|DD-427|2}}
|[[USS Mayo (DD-422)|''Mayo'']]
! scope="row" | DD-427
|DD-422
| [[Charleston Navy Yard]]
|26 March 1940
| 16 May 1938
|18 September 1940
| 14 December 1939
|18 March 1946
| 6 September 1940
|Sold for scrap, 8 May 1972
| 6 February 1947
| data-sort-value="26 February 1954" | Loaned to Taiwan, 26 February 1954
|-
|-
! scope="row" | {{USS|Charles F. Hughes|DD-428|2}}
|[[USS Madison (DD-425)|''Madison'']]
! scope="row" | DD-428
|DD-425
| [[Puget Sound Naval Shipyard]]
|rowspan=2|[[Boston Navy Yard]]
| 3 January 1939
|rowspan=2|19 September 1938
| 16 May 1940
|20 October 1939
|6 August 1940
| 6 September 1940
|13 March 1946
| 18 March 1946
|Sunk as target, 14 October 1969
| data-sort-value="26 March 1969" | Sunk as target, 26 March 1969
|-
|-
! scope="row" | {{USS|Laffey|DD-459|2}}
|[[USS Lansdale (DD-426)|''Lansdale'']]
! scope="row" | DD-459
|DD-426
| rowspan=2 | [[Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation]], [[Union Iron Works|San Francisco, California]]
|30 October 1939
| 13 January 1941
|17 September 1940
| 30 October 1941
|{{n/a}}
| 31 March 1942
|Sunk by the [[Luftwaffe]], 20 April 1944
| {{n/a}}
| data-sort-value="13 November 1942" | Sunk in [[First Naval Battle of Guadalcanal]], 13 November 1942
|-
|-
! scope="row" | {{USS|Woodworth|DD-460|2}}
|[[USS Hilary P. Jones (DD-427)|''Hilary P. Jones'']]
! scope="row" | DD-460
|DD-427
| 30 April 1941
|[[Charleston Navy Yard]]
| 29 November 1941
|16 May 1938
| 30 April 1942<br>21 November 1950
|14 December 1939
| 11 April 1946<br>14 January 1951
|6 September 1940
| data-sort-value="11 June 1951" | Transferred to Italy, 11 June 1951
|6 February 1947
|Loaned to Taiwan, 26 February 1954
|-
|-
! scope="row" | {{USS|Farenholt|DD-491|2}}
|[[USS Charles F. Hughes (DD-428)|''Charles F. Hughes'']]
! scope="row" | DD-491
|DD-428
| rowspan=2 | [[Bethlehem Staten Island]], [[Staten Island]], [[New York City|New York]]
|[[Puget Sound Naval Shipyard]]
| 11 December 1940
|3 January 1939
| 19 November 1941
|16 May 1940
| 2 April 1942
|6 September 1940
| 26 April 1946
|18 March 1946
| data-sort-value="22 November 1972" | Sold for scrap, 22 November 1972
|Sunk as target, 26 March 1969
|-
|-
! scope="row" | {{USS|Bailey|DD-492|2}}
|[[USS Laffey (DD-459)|''Laffey'']]
! scope="row" | DD-492
|DD-459
| 29 January 1941
|rowspan=2|[[Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation]], [[San Francisco]], [[California]]
|13 January 1941
| 19 December 1941
| 11 May 1942
|30 October 1941
| 2 May 1948
|31 March 1942
| data-sort-value="4 November 1969" | Sunk as target, 4 November 1969
|{{n/a}}
|Sunk by [[Japanese battleship Hiei|''Hiei'']], [[First Naval Battle of Guadalcanal]], 13 November 1942
|-
|-
! scope="row" | {{USS|Bancroft|DD-598|2}}
|[[USS Woodworth (DD-460)|''Woodworth'']]
! scope="row" | DD-598
|DD-460
| rowspan=4 | [[Bethlehem Steel Corporation]], [[Fore River Shipyard]], [[Quincy, Massachusetts]]
|30 April 1941
|29 November 1941
| 1 May 1941
| 31 December 1941
|30 April 1942<br>21 November 1950
|11 April 1946<br>14 January 1951
| 30 April 1942
| 1 February 1946
|Transferred to Italy, 11 June 1951
| data-sort-value="16 March 1973" | Sold for scrap, 16 March 1973
|-
|-
! scope="row" | {{USS|Barton|DD-599|2}}
|[[USS Farenholt (DD-491)|''Farenholt'']]
! scope="row" | DD-599
|DD-491
| 20 May 1941
|rowspan=2|[[Bethlehem Steel Corporation]], [[Staten Island]], [[New York City|New York]]
| 31 January 1942
|11 December 1940
| 29 May 1942
|19 November 1941
| {{n/a}}
|2 April 1942
| data-sort-value="13 November 1942" | Sunk by {{ship|Japanese destroyer|Amatsukaze|1939|2}}, [[First Naval Battle of Guadalcanal]], 13 November 1942
|26 April 1946
|Sold for scrap, 22 November 1972
|-
|-
! scope="row" | {{USS|Boyle|DD-600|2}}
|[[USS Bailey (DD-492)|''Bailey'']]
! scope="row" | DD-600
|DD-492
|29 January 1941
| 31 December 1941
| 15 June 1942
|19 December 1941
|11 May 1942
| 15 August 1942
|2 May 1948
| 29 March 1946
|Sunk as target, 4 November 1969
| data-sort-value="3 May 1973" | Sunk as target, 3 May 1973
|-
|-
! scope="row" | {{USS|Champlin|DD-601|2}}
|[[USS Bancroft (DD-598)|''Bancroft'']]
! scope="row" | DD-601
|DD-598
| 31 January 1942
|rowspan=4|[[Bethlehem Steel Corporation]], [[Fore River Shipyard]], [[Quincy, Massachusetts]]
| 25 July 1942
|1 May 1941
| 12 September 1942
|31 December 1941
| 31 January 1947
|30 April 1942
| data-sort-value="8 May 1972" | Sold for scrap, 8 May 1972
|1 February 1946
|Sold for scrap, March 16, 1973
|-
|-
! scope="row" | {{USS|Meade|DD-602|2}}
|[[USS Barton (DD-599)|''Barton'']]
! scope="row" | DD-602
|DD-599
| rowspan=3 | [[Bethlehem Staten Island]], [[Staten Island]], [[New York City|New York]]
|20 May 1941
| 25 March 1941
|31 January 1942
|29 May 1942
| 15 February 1942
| 22 June 1942
|{{n/a}}
| 17 June 1946
|Sunk by {{ship|Japanese destroyer|Amatsukaze|1939|2}}, [[First Naval Battle of Guadalcanal]], 13 November 1942
| data-sort-value="18 February 1973" | Sunk as target, 18 February 1973
|-
|-
! scope="row" | {{USS|Murphy|DD-603|2}}
|[[USS Boyle (DD-600)|''Boyle'']]
! scope="row" | DD-603
|DD-600
|31 December 1941
| 19 May 1941
|15 June 1942
| 29 April 1942
|15 August 1942
| 23 July 1942
|29 March 1946
| 9 March 1946
| data-sort-value="6 October 1972" | Bow section sunk in collision with SS ''Bulkoil'' {{convert|75|mi|km}} outside New York, 21 October 1943. Ship rebuilt and returned to service.<ref name="Sunken Warships- USS 2007"/> Sold for scrap, 6 October 1972
|Sunk as target, 3 May 1973
|-
|-
! scope="row" | {{USS|Parker|DD-604|2}}
|[[USS Champlin (DD-601)|''Champlin'']]
! scope="row" | DD-604
|DD-601
| 9 June 1941
|31 January 1942
|25 July 1942
| 12 May 1942
|12 September 1942
| 31 August 1942
|31 January 1947
| 31 January 1947
|Sold for scrap, 8 May 1972
| data-sort-value="25 May 1973" | Sold for scrap, 25 May 1973
|-
|-
! scope="row" | {{USS|Caldwell|DD-605|2}}
|[[USS Meade (DD-602)|''Meade'']]
! scope="row" | DD-605
|DD-602
|rowspan=3|[[Bethlehem Steel Corporation]], [[Staten Island]], [[New York City|New York]]
| rowspan=7 | [[Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation]], [[Union Iron Works|San Francisco, California]]
|25 March 1941
| 24 March 1941
|15 February 1942
| 15 January 1942
|22 June 1942
| 10 June 1942
|17 June 1946
| 24 April 1946
| data-sort-value="4 November 1966" | Sold for scrap, 4 November 1966
|Sunk as target, 18 February 1973
|-
|-
! scope="row" | {{USS|Coghlan|DD-606|2}}
|[[USS Murphy (DD-603)|''Murphy'']]
! scope="row" | DD-606
|DD-603
|19 May 1941
| 28 March 1941
|29 April 1942
| 12 February 1942
|23 July 1942
| 10 July 1942
|9 March 1946
| 31 March 1947
| data-sort-value="12 June 1974" | Sold for scrap, 12 June 1974
|Bow section sunk in collision with SS ''Bulkoil'' {{convert|75|mi|km}} outside New York, 21 October 1943. Ship rebuilt and returned to service.<ref name="Sunken Warships- USS 2007"/> Sold for scrap, 6 October 1972
|-
|-
! scope="row" | {{USS|Frazier|DD-607|2}}
|[[USS Parker (DD-604)|''Parker'']]
! scope="row" | DD-607
|DD-604
|9 June 1941
| 5 July 1941
|12 May 1942
| 17 March 1942
|31 August 1942
| 30 July 1942
| 15 April 1946
|31 January 1947
|Sold for scrap, 25 May 1973
| data-sort-value="6 October 1972" | Sold for scrap, 6 October 1972
|-
|-
! scope="row" | {{USS|Gansevoort|DD-608|2}}
|[[USS Caldwell (DD-605)|''Caldwell'']]
! scope="row" | DD-608
|DD-605
| 16 June 1941
|rowspan=7|[[Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation]], [[San Francisco]], [[California]]
| 11 April 1942
|24 March 1941
|15 January 1942
| 25 August 1942
| 1 February 1946
|10 June 1942
| data-sort-value="23 March 1972" | Sunk as target, 23 March 1972
|24 April 1946
|Sold for scrap, 4 November 1966
|-
|-
! scope="row" | {{USS|Gillespie|DD-609|2}}
|[[USS Coghlan (DD-606)|''Coghlan'']]
! scope="row" | DD-609
|DD-606
|28 March 1941
| 16 June 1941
|12 February 1942
| 8 May 1942
|10 July 1942
| 18 September 1942
| 17 April 1946
|31 March 1947
| data-sort-value="16 July 1973" | Sunk as target, 16 July 1973
|Sold for scrap, 12 June 1974
|-
|-
! scope="row" | {{USS|Hobby|DD-610|2}}
|[[USS Frazier (DD-607)|''Frazier'']]
! scope="row" | DD-610
|DD-607
|5 July 1941
| rowspan=2 | 30 June 1941
|17 March 1942
| 4 June 1942
| 18 November 1942
|30 July 1942
|15 April 1946
| 1 February 1946
| data-sort-value="1 June 1972" | Sunk as target, 1 June 1972
|Sold for scrap, 6 October 1972
|-
|-
! scope="row" | {{USS|Kalk|DD-611|2}}
|[[USS Gansevoort (DD-608)|''Gansevoort'']]
! scope="row" | DD-611
|DD-608
| 18 July 1942
|16 June 1941
|11 April 1942
| 17 October 1942
| 3 May 1946
|25 August 1942
| data-sort-value="20 March 1969" | Sunk as target, 20 March 1969
|1 February 1946
|Sunk as target, 23 March 1972
|-
|-
! scope="row" | {{USS|Kendrick|DD-612|2}}
|[[USS Gillespie (DD-609)|''Gillespie'']]
! scope="row" | DD-612
|DD-609
| rowspan=4 | [[Bethlehem Shipbuilding San Pedro|Bethlehem Shipbuilding]], [[San Pedro, California]], [[Terminal Island]]
|16 June 1941
|8 May 1942
| rowspan=2 | 1 May 1941
| 2 April 1942
|18 September 1942
| 12 September 1942
|17 April 1946
| 31 March 1947
|Sunk as target, 16 July 1973
| data-sort-value="2 March 1968" | Sunk as target, 2 March 1968
|-
|-
! scope="row" | {{USS|Laub|DD-613|2}}
|[[USS Hobby (DD-610)|''Hobby'']]
! scope="row" | DD-613
|DD-610
| 28 April 1942
|rowspan=2|30 June 1941
|4 June 1942
| 24 October 1942
| 2 February 1946
|18 November 1942
| data-sort-value="14 January 1975" | Sold for scrap, 14 January 1975
|1 February 1946
|Sunk as target, 1 June 1972
|-
|-
! scope="row" | {{USS|MacKenzie|DD-614|2}}
|[[USS Kalk (DD-611)|''Kalk'']]
! scope="row" | DD-614
|DD-611
| rowspan=2 | 29 May 1941
|18 July 1942
| 27 June 1942
|17 October 1942
| 21 November 1942
|3 May 1946
| 4 February 1946
|Sunk as target, 20 March 1969
| data-sort-value="1 June 1974" | Sunk as target, 1 June 1974
|-
|-
! scope="row" | {{USS|McLanahan|DD-615|2}}
|[[USS Kendrick (DD-612)|''Kendrick'']]
! scope="row" | DD-615
|DD-612
| 2 September 1942
|rowspan=4|[[Bethlehem Shipbuilding San Pedro|Bethlehem Shipbuilding]], [[San Pedro, California]], [[Terminal Island]]
| 19 December 1942
|rowspan=2|1 May 1941
|2 April 1942
| 2 February 1946
| data-sort-value="1 June 1974" | Sold for scrap, 1 June 1974
|12 September 1942
|31 March 1947
|Sunk as target, 2 March 1968
|-
|-
! scope="row" | {{USS|Nields|DD-616|2}}
|[[USS Laub (DD-613)|''Laub'']]
! scope="row" | DD-616
|DD-613
| rowspan=2 | [[Bethlehem Steel Corporation]], [[Fore River Shipyard]], [[Quincy, Massachusetts]]
|28 April 1942
| 15 June 1942
|24 October 1942
| 1 October 1942
|2 February 1946
| 15 January 1943
|Sold for scrap, 14 January 1975
| 25 March 1946
| data-sort-value="8 May 1972" | Sold for scrap, 8 May 1972
|-
|-
! scope="row" | {{USS|Ordronaux|DD-617|2}}
|[[USS MacKenzie (DD-614)|''MacKenzie'']]
! scope="row" | DD-617
|DD-614
| 25 July 1942
|rowspan=2|29 May 1941
|27 June 1942
| 9 November 1942
| 13 February 1943
|21 November 1942
| 27 March 1946
|4 February 1946
| data-sort-value="16 March 1973" | Sold for scrap, 16 March 1973
|Sunk as target, 1 June 1974
|}

== Other Navies ==

=== Republic of China (Taiwan) ===
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
! scope="col" | Pennant
! scope="col" | Ship name
! scope="col" | Former name
! scope="col" | Acquired
! scope="col" | Fate
|-
|-
|[[USS McLanahan (DD-615)|''McLanahan'']]
! scope="row" | [[USS Benson|DD-14]]
! scope="row" | ROCS ''Lo Yang''
|DD-615
| USS ''Benson''
|2 September 1942
| 26 February 1954
|19 December 1942
| data-sort-value="1975" | struck in 1975, scrapped
|2 February 1946
|Sold for scrap, 1 June 1974
|-
|-
|[[USS Nields (DD-616)|''Nields'']]
! scope="row" | [[USS Hilary P. Jones|DD-15]]
! scope="row" | ROCS ''Han Yang''
|DD-616
| USS ''Hilary P. Jones''
|rowspan=2|[[Bethlehem Steel Corporation]], [[Fore River Shipyard]], [[Quincy, Massachusetts]]
| 26 February 1954
|15 June 1942
| data-sort-value="1974" | struck in 1974, scrapped
|1 October 1942
|}
|15 January 1943

|25 March 1946
=== Italy ===
|Sold for scrap, 8 May 1972
{{Main|Artigliere-class destroyer}}
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
! scope="col" | Pennant
! scope="col" | Ship name
! scope="col" | Former name
! scope="col" | Acquired
! scope="col" | Fate
|-
|-
! scope="row" | [[USS Woodworth|D 553]]
|[[USS Ordronaux (DD-617)|''Ordronaux'']]
! scope="row" | ''Artigliere''
|DD-617
| USS ''Woodworth''
|25 July 1942
| 1951
|9 November 1942
| data-sort-value="1971" | struck in 1971, scrapped
|13 February 1943
|27 March 1946
|Sold for scrap, 16 March 1973
|}
|}


==See also==
==See also==
{{Commons category|Benson class destroyers}}
* [[Livermore class destroyer]]
* [[Livermore class destroyer]]
* [[List of destroyers of the United States Navy]]
* [[List of destroyers of the United States Navy]]
* [[List of destroyer classes of the United States Navy]]
* [[List of destroyer classes of the United States Navy]]
*[[List of ship classes of the Second World War]]
*[[List of ship classes of World War II]]


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist|2}}
{{reflist}}


* [http://destroyerhistory.org/bensongleavesclass.asp?r=0&pid=100 Destroyerhistory.org: Benson/Gleaves ship list]
* [http://destroyerhistory.org/bensongleavesclass.asp?r=0&pid=100 Destroyerhistory.org: Benson/Gleaves ship list]
* {{cite book | last = Bauer | first = K. Jack | author-link = K. Jack Bauer | author2=Roberts, Stephen S. | title = Register of Ships of the U.S. Navy, 1775-1990: Major Combatants | publisher = Greenwood Press | year = 1991 | location = [[Westport, Connecticut]] | isbn = 0-313-26202-0 }}
* {{cite book | last = Bauer | first = K. Jack | author-link = K. Jack Bauer | author2=Roberts, Stephen S. | title = Register of Ships of the U.S. Navy, 1775–1990: Major Combatants | publisher = Greenwood Press | year = 1991 | location = [[Westport, Connecticut]] | isbn = 0-313-26202-0 }}
* {{cite book | last = Friedman | first = Norman | author-link = Norman Friedman | title = US Destroyers: An Illustrated Design History (Revised Edition) | publisher = Naval Institute Press | year = 2004 | location = Annapolis | isbn = 1-55750-442-3 }}
* {{cite book | last = Friedman | first = Norman | author-link = Norman Friedman | title = US Destroyers: An Illustrated Design History | publisher = Naval Institute Press | year = 2004 | location = Annapolis | isbn = 1-55750-442-3 | edition = Revised }}
* {{cite book | last = Gardiner | first = Robert | author2=Chesneau, Roger | title = Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1922-1946 | publisher = Conway Maritime Press | year = 1980 | location = London | isbn = 0-83170-303-2 }}
* {{cite book | last = Gardiner | first = Robert | author2=Chesneau, Roger | title = Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1922-1946 | publisher = Conway Maritime Press | year = 1980 | location = London | isbn = 0-83170-303-2 }}
* {{cite book | last = Gardiner | first = Robert | author2=Chumbley, Stephen | title = Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1947-1995 | publisher = Conway Maritime Press | year = 1995 | location = London | isbn = 1-55750-132-7 }}
* {{cite book | last = Gardiner | first = Robert | author2=Chumbley, Stephen | title = Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1947-1995 | publisher = Conway Maritime Press | year = 1995 | location = London | isbn = 1-55750-132-7 }}
* {{cite book| title=U.S. Warships of World War II |author=Silverstone, Paul H. |publisher = Ian Allan Ltd |location = London |year=1965 |isbn = 0-7110-0157-X}}
* {{cite book| title=U.S. Warships of World War II |last1=Silverstone |first1=Paul H. |publisher = Ian Allan Ltd |location = London |year=1965 |isbn = 0-7110-0157-X}}
* {{DANFS}}
* {{DANFS}}


==External links==
==External links==
{{Commons category|Benson class destroyers}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110617013440/http://www.destroyerhistory.org/benson-gleavesclass/ ''Benson''- and ''Gleaves''-class destroyers] at [https://web.archive.org/web/20090219202357/http://destroyerhistory.org/ Destroyer History Foundation]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110617013440/http://www.destroyerhistory.org/benson-gleavesclass/ ''Benson''- and ''Gleaves''-class destroyers] at [https://web.archive.org/web/20090219202357/http://destroyerhistory.org/ Destroyer History Foundation]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110721084018/http://destroyerhistory.org/benson-gleavesclass/bensonclass/ ''Benson''-class destroyers] at [https://web.archive.org/web/20090219202357/http://destroyerhistory.org/ Destroyer History Foundation]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110721084018/http://destroyerhistory.org/benson-gleavesclass/bensonclass/ ''Benson''-class destroyers] at [https://web.archive.org/web/20090219202357/http://destroyerhistory.org/ Destroyer History Foundation]
* [http://www.destroyers.org/Class/c-Benson.htm Tin Can Sailors @ Destroyers.org - Benson class destroyer]
* [http://www.destroyers.org/Class/c-Benson.htm Tin Can Sailors @ Destroyers.org – Benson class destroyer] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131116041221/http://www.destroyers.org/Class/c-Benson.htm |date=16 November 2013 }}
* [http://destroyerhistory.org/assets/pdf/generalinformationbooks/421Benson_GIBook.pdf USS ''Benson'' (DD-421) and USS ''Mayo'' (DD-422) General Information Book with as-built data] at [https://web.archive.org/web/20090219202357/http://destroyerhistory.org/ Destroyer History Foundation]
* [http://destroyerhistory.org/assets/pdf/generalinformationbooks/421Benson_GIBook.pdf USS ''Benson'' (DD-421) and USS ''Mayo'' (DD-422) General Information Book with as-built data] at [https://web.archive.org/web/20090219202357/http://destroyerhistory.org/ Destroyer History Foundation]
* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/05idx.htm NavSource Destroyer Photo Index Page]
* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/05idx.htm NavSource Destroyer Photo Index Page]


{{Benson class destroyer}}
{{Benson class destroyer}}
{{WWIIUSShips}}
{{WWII US ships}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Benson Class Destroyer}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Benson Class Destroyer}}

Latest revision as of 00:12, 22 January 2024

USS Meade on 20 June 1942
Class overview
NameBenson class
Builders
Operators
Preceded bySims class
Succeeded byGleaves class
Subclasses
Built1938–43
In commission1940–51
Completed30
Lost4 (1 returned to service)
Retired27
General characteristics
TypeDestroyer
Displacement
  • 1620 tons standard,
  • 2474 tons full load
Length
  • 341 ft (103.9 m) waterline,
  • 348 ft 2 in (106.12 m) overall
Beam  36 ft 1 in (11.00 m)
Draft
  •   11 ft 9 in (3.58 m) (normal),
  •   17 ft 9 in (5.41 m) (full load)
Installed power
Propulsion2 shafts
Speed
  • 37.5 knots (69.5 km/h)
  • 33 knots (61.1 km/h) full load
Range6,500 nautical miles (12,000 km; 7,500 mi) at 12 kn (22 km/h; 14 mph)
Complement208 (276 wartime)
Sensors and
processing systems
Armament
Notes
  • Ship data sources:
  • Destroyers.org,[2]
  • Friedman, pp. 95–104, 470–471[3]

The Benson class was a class of destroyers of the U.S. Navy built 1939–1943. The thirty 1,620-ton Benson-class destroyers were built in two groups. The first six were authorized in fiscal year 1938 (FY38) and laid down at Bethlehem Steel, Quincy, Massachusetts, and three naval shipyards.[1] The remaining 24 "repeat Bensons" were authorized in 1940–42 and built at four Bethlehem Steel yards. They were laid down after the first group was commissioned. These plus the "repeat Livermores" (also known as "repeat Gleaveses") were also known at the time as the Bristol class. During World War II the Bensons were usually combined with the Livermores (more correctly the Gleaves class) as the Benson-Livermore class; this persisted in references until at least the 1960s. In some references both classes are combined and called the Benson class. The Benson- and Gleaves-class destroyers were the backbone of the pre-war Neutrality Patrols and brought the action to the enemy by participating in every major campaign of the war.

Namesake

[edit]

The lead ship of the class was named after William Shepherd Benson, a graduate of the Naval Academy in 1877. He commanded USS Albany, USS Missouri, USS Utah, and the Philadelphia Navy Yard. Benson was appointed first Chief of Naval Operations in 1915 and then served as CNO until he retired 25 September 1919. He died in Washington, D.C., 20 May 1932.[4]

[edit]

The Bensons were originally envisioned as a single class of 24 ships, the first eight of which were ordered in fiscal year 1938 (FY38). Six of these were designed by Bethlehem Shipbuilding, to be built at Bethlehem's Fore River and at several government yards (as mandated by Congress), and two were designed by Gibbs & Cox, to be built at Bath Iron Works. All were to have 600 psi (4,100 kPa) steam (references vary) superheated to 750 °F (399 °C), with cruising turbines and double-reduction gearing to maximize fuel efficiency.[3] After contract award, Bethlehem requested that their design be modified to use less-complex single-reduction gears and no cruising turbines. Bethlehem claimed they could achieve comparable fuel efficiency with the simpler machinery. This request was granted, but FY39 and FY40 ships, beginning with Livermore, would use the more complex machinery.[5] So the class was known through World War II as the Benson-Livermore class, and this name persisted in many references until at least the 1960s.[6] In the spring of 1938 the Navy's Bureau of Steam Engineering requested that the FY39 and FY40 ships be modified for 850 °F (454 °C) superheat.[3] It proved possible for Bath to build their two FY38 ships, Gleaves and Niblack, to the new design. Gleaves was completed prior to Livermore and had a lower hull number, thus the class name is more correctly the Benson-Gleaves class.[5][7]

The only external difference between the Benson and Gleaves classes was the shape of the stacks; the Bensons' were flat-sided and the Gleaveses' were round.

After the Fall of France in 1940, and before the outcome of the looming Battle of Britain was certain, a rapid expansion of the Navy was envisioned. As not all facilities were equipped to produce the new Fletcher-class destroyers or because of other concerns, an additional 72 "repeat" Benson- and Gleaves-class ships were ordered in FY41.[8][9] 24 repeat Bensons were built by several Bethlehem yards, while an additional 48 repeat Gleaveses were built by various other builders.[5] These were initially called the Bristol class after Bristol, a repeat Gleaves and the first of these to be completed, although the machinery of the repeat Bensons was different from the repeat Gleaveses. The repeat ships were ordered with reduced torpedo and gun armament and increased anti-submarine and light anti-aircraft armament.[10]

In some references the Benson and Gleaves classes are combined as the Benson class.[3]

The Budget for the United States Government (as published) for fiscal year 41, starting on 1 July 1940 called for 8 destroyers to be built, [11] and they were originally contemplated to be DD-445 ... DD-452, i.e. Fletchers.[12] In June 1940, 8 Gleaves were ordered instead.

Design

[edit]

The Benson class was designed as an improved version of the Sims class with two stacks and a new "echeloned" machinery arrangement that featured alternating boiler and engine rooms, designed to give the ships a better chance at surviving torpedo damage. Loss of one compartment, or even two adjacent compartments, would no longer disable the entire propulsion system. They also introduced quintuple torpedo tube mounts. Their scantlings, or framing dimensions, were increased to carry the weight of the new machinery. This increased the ships' displacement by about sixty tons, to 1620 tons standard displacement.[3][10]

Engineering

[edit]

The Bensons were all completed with "M"-type boilers, 600 psi (4,100 kPa) steam (references vary) superheated to 750 °F (399 °C), single-reduction gearing, and no cruising turbines.[5] The main steam turbines were designed and built by Bethlehem Steel.[3][10][13]

Armament

[edit]

The class was completed with four or five 5-inch (127 mm) dual purpose guns (anti-surface and anti-aircraft (AA)), controlled by a Mark 37 Gun Fire Control System as in the previous Sims class. The introduction of two centerline quintuple torpedo tube mounts in this class was a significant improvement and was continued in subsequent World War II classes. This allowed a broadside of ten tubes with savings in space and weight compared to previous classes, which had twelve or sixteen tubes and an eight-tube broadside.[3] However, most of the Bensons spent most of the war with only five torpedo tubes equipped in favor of greater light anti-aircraft armament. This varied considerably in different ships as the war went on; for example, the specified pair of twin 40 mm (1.6 in) guns were not widely available until mid-1942 and a quadruple 1.1 in (28 mm) machine cannon mount and a 20 mm (0.79 in) gun were temporarily substituted.[10] In 1945 twelve ships (DD-600-601, 603–604, 608, 610, and DD-612-617) were modified for maximum light AA armament as an anti-kamikaze measure, with four 5-inch guns, no torpedo tubes, twelve 40 mm guns in two quad and two twin mounts and four 20 mm guns in two twin mounts.[14] The first six ships landed a torpedo tube mount early in the war while on Atlantic service, but as they were transferred to the Pacific in early 1945 they were re-equipped with the torpedoes at the cost of a 5-inch gun.[10][5] Photographs indicate that, as with most pre-1942 destroyers, the initial anti-submarine armament of two depth charge tracks was augmented with four or six K-gun depth charge throwers in 1941–42 on most ships.[15]

Service

[edit]

The first six ships of the class began their careers on Neutrality Patrols, and after the attack on Pearl Harbor and the US entry into World War II continued to serve in the Atlantic and Mediterranean, supporting operations in North Africa, Italy, and southern France until transferred to the Pacific in early 1945. Several of the remaining ships spent the entire war in the Atlantic and Mediterranean. Others served entirely in the Pacific, at first in the Solomon Islands or Aleutians and later in other campaigns.[16] Three were lost in the war; two in the Pacific and one in the Mediterranean. A fourth lost the bow section but was rebuilt and returned to service. After the war the survivors were decommissioned and placed in the Reserve Fleet in 1946–47; one was transferred to Italy and two were transferred to Taiwan in the 1950s.[17] Modernization was considered in the 1950s but not implemented except on the transferred ships.[18] The remainder were scrapped or otherwise disposed of in the late 60s and early 70s.[5]

Losses

[edit]

USS Laffey and USS Barton were lost at the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal on 13 November 1942; USS Lansdale was lost to air attack in the Mediterranean Sea on 20 April 1944.[1] Additionally, the bow section of USS Murphy was cut off in a collision with the tanker SS Bulkoil 75 nautical miles (139 km; 86 mi) from New York on 21 October 1943 and sank with the loss of 38 crew. The rest of the ship was saved and was rebuilt and returned to service; thus Murphy was not officially considered lost.[19][20]

Decorations

[edit]

USS Laffey received a Presidential Unit Citation for her role in the Battle of Guadalcanal. USS Bailey received a Navy Unit Commendation for her service in the Battle of the Komandorski Islands, 26 March 1943. Also, USS Hilary P. Jones received a Navy Unit Commendation for her actions in the final operations in the Mediterranean Sea in September 1944.[1]

Ships in class

[edit]
Ships of the Benson destroyer class
Name Hull no. Builder Laid down Launched Commissioned Decommissioned Fate
Benson DD-421 Bethlehem Steel Corporation, Fore River Shipyard, Quincy, Massachusetts 16 May 1938 15 November 1939 25 July 1940 18 March 1946 Transferred to Republic of China, 26 February 1954
Mayo DD-422 26 March 1940 18 September 1940 18 March 1946 Sold for scrap, 8 May 1972
Madison DD-425 Boston Navy Yard 19 September 1938 20 October 1939 6 August 1940 13 March 1946 Sunk as target, 14 October 1969
Lansdale DD-426 30 October 1939 17 September 1940 — Sunk by the Luftwaffe, 20 April 1944
Hilary P. Jones DD-427 Charleston Navy Yard 16 May 1938 14 December 1939 6 September 1940 6 February 1947 Loaned to Taiwan, 26 February 1954
Charles F. Hughes DD-428 Puget Sound Naval Shipyard 3 January 1939 16 May 1940 6 September 1940 18 March 1946 Sunk as target, 26 March 1969
Laffey DD-459 Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation, San Francisco, California 13 January 1941 30 October 1941 31 March 1942 — Sunk in First Naval Battle of Guadalcanal, 13 November 1942
Woodworth DD-460 30 April 1941 29 November 1941 30 April 1942
21 November 1950 		11 April 1946
14 January 1951 		Transferred to Italy, 11 June 1951
Farenholt DD-491 Bethlehem Staten Island, Staten Island, New York 11 December 1940 19 November 1941 2 April 1942 26 April 1946 Sold for scrap, 22 November 1972
Bailey DD-492 29 January 1941 19 December 1941 11 May 1942 2 May 1948 Sunk as target, 4 November 1969
Bancroft DD-598 Bethlehem Steel Corporation, Fore River Shipyard, Quincy, Massachusetts 1 May 1941 31 December 1941 30 April 1942 1 February 1946 Sold for scrap, 16 March 1973
Barton DD-599 20 May 1941 31 January 1942 29 May 1942 — Sunk by Amatsukaze, First Naval Battle of Guadalcanal, 13 November 1942
Boyle DD-600 31 December 1941 15 June 1942 15 August 1942 29 March 1946 Sunk as target, 3 May 1973
Champlin DD-601 31 January 1942 25 July 1942 12 September 1942 31 January 1947 Sold for scrap, 8 May 1972
Meade DD-602 Bethlehem Staten Island, Staten Island, New York 25 March 1941 15 February 1942 22 June 1942 17 June 1946 Sunk as target, 18 February 1973
Murphy DD-603 19 May 1941 29 April 1942 23 July 1942 9 March 1946 Bow section sunk in collision with SS Bulkoil 75 miles (121 km) outside New York, 21 October 1943. Ship rebuilt and returned to service.[20] Sold for scrap, 6 October 1972
Parker DD-604 9 June 1941 12 May 1942 31 August 1942 31 January 1947 Sold for scrap, 25 May 1973
Caldwell DD-605 Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation, San Francisco, California 24 March 1941 15 January 1942 10 June 1942 24 April 1946 Sold for scrap, 4 November 1966
Coghlan DD-606 28 March 1941 12 February 1942 10 July 1942 31 March 1947 Sold for scrap, 12 June 1974
Frazier DD-607 5 July 1941 17 March 1942 30 July 1942 15 April 1946 Sold for scrap, 6 October 1972
Gansevoort DD-608 16 June 1941 11 April 1942 25 August 1942 1 February 1946 Sunk as target, 23 March 1972
Gillespie DD-609 16 June 1941 8 May 1942 18 September 1942 17 April 1946 Sunk as target, 16 July 1973
Hobby DD-610 30 June 1941 4 June 1942 18 November 1942 1 February 1946 Sunk as target, 1 June 1972
Kalk DD-611 18 July 1942 17 October 1942 3 May 1946 Sunk as target, 20 March 1969
Kendrick DD-612 Bethlehem Shipbuilding, San Pedro, California, Terminal Island 1 May 1941 2 April 1942 12 September 1942 31 March 1947 Sunk as target, 2 March 1968
Laub DD-613 28 April 1942 24 October 1942 2 February 1946 Sold for scrap, 14 January 1975
MacKenzie DD-614 29 May 1941 27 June 1942 21 November 1942 4 February 1946 Sunk as target, 1 June 1974
McLanahan DD-615 2 September 1942 19 December 1942 2 February 1946 Sold for scrap, 1 June 1974
Nields DD-616 Bethlehem Steel Corporation, Fore River Shipyard, Quincy, Massachusetts 15 June 1942 1 October 1942 15 January 1943 25 March 1946 Sold for scrap, 8 May 1972
Ordronaux DD-617 25 July 1942 9 November 1942 13 February 1943 27 March 1946 Sold for scrap, 16 March 1973

Other Navies

[edit]

Republic of China (Taiwan)

[edit]
Pennant Ship name Former name Acquired Fate
DD-14 ROCS Lo Yang USS Benson 26 February 1954 struck in 1975, scrapped
DD-15 ROCS Han Yang USS Hilary P. Jones 26 February 1954 struck in 1974, scrapped

Italy

[edit]
Main article: Artigliere-class destroyer
Pennant Ship name Former name Acquired Fate
D 553 Artigliere USS Woodworth 1951 struck in 1971, scrapped

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d Benson class at DestroyerHistory.org
  2. ^ "Benson Class at Destroyers.org". Archived from the original on 16 November 2013. Retrieved 9 November 2015.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g Friedman, pp. 95–109, 470–471
  4. ^ USS Benson history website
  5. ^ a b c d e f Bauer and Roberts, pp. 188–191
  6. ^ Silverstone 1965, pp. 126–135.
  7. ^ Archived notes on Gleaves class at Destroyers.org
  8. ^ "US Navy Shipbuilding Contracts in the Navy Department Library, Index to Volume 23 (July to December 1940)". (does not include government yards)
  9. ^ 4 more Gleaves from Federal Shipbuilding in 01/1941 contract No. 1732
  10. ^ a b c d e Gardiner and Chesneau, pp. 128–129
  11. ^ page 669, "Replacement of Naval Vessels"
  12. ^ Navy Department Appropriation Bill for 1941, Hearings, p. 616, 8 January 1940
  13. ^ USS Benson (DD-421) and USS Mayo (DD-422) General Information Book with as-built data at Destroyer History Foundation Archived 19 February 2009 at the Wayback Machine
  14. ^ Friedman, p. 107
  15. ^ NavSource Destroyer Photo Index Page
  16. ^ DANFS, various entries
  17. ^ Gardiner & Chumbley, pp. 206, 455
  18. ^ Friedman, pp. 107–108
  19. ^ USS Murphy at DestroyerHistory.org
  20. ^ a b Quest for Sunken Warships – USS Murphy, 2007, 19 July 2007, Military Channel, 2-3am, MDT.
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Benson class destroyers.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Benson-class_destroyer&oldid=1197798387"