USS Parker (DD-48)

The first USS "Parker" (DD-48) was a "Aylwin"-class destroyer in the United States Navy. She was named for Foxhall A. Parker.

"Parker" was laid down 11 March 1912 by William Cramp and Sons at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; launched 8 February 1913; and commissioned 30 December 1913, Lieutenant Commander C. P. Nelson in command.

"Parker" was attached to the Torpedo Flotilla, Atlantic Fleet, operating off the Atlantic coast during the years of American neutrality in World War I as part of the Neutrality patrol.

Just before the United States entered the war, "Parker" departed winter maneuvers in Cuban waters to join the fleet at Yorktown in March 1917. She sailed 17 June 1917 with Group 4 of the first convoy of American troops to France. From St. Nazaire, "Parker" steamed to Queenstown, Ireland, joining the U.S. Naval Forces patrolling the Irish Coast. There she escorted convoys safely through the war zone, and assisted vessels in distress. From July to November 1918 "Parker" was attached to the base at Plymouth, England, and operated with U.S. submarine chasers.

"Parker" made contact with the enemy on several occasions during the war. She was credited with probably seriously damaging an enemy submarine 3 August 1917.

As the result of the gallant and daring rescue of survivors of the British hospital ship "Glenart Castle" 26 February 1918, the men of "Parker" were commended by the British Parliament, the Admiralty, and the U.S. naval authorities.

On 1 November 1918 "Parker" sailed from Plymouth for Gibraltar but returned to Plymouth at the end of the war. Thereafter "Parker" carried mail and passengers between Plymouth and Brest. She made a cruise to German ports in early 1919 to implement the terms of the armistice, before steaming to the Baltic Sea to assist members and vessels of the Food Administration.

"Parker" sailed for New York, 20 July 1919, and upon arrival was assigned to Destroyer Squadron 1, Atlantic Fleet. After operating out of Norfolk, Virginia from 1919 to mid-1921 and making a final cruise as far as Newport, Rhode Island, the destroyer decommissioned 6 June 1922.

"Parker" was struck from the Navy List 8 March 1935, scrapped and sold 23 April 1935 in accordance with the terms of the London Treaty for the limitation of naval armament.

External links

* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/05/048.htm Photo of USS "Parker"]