USS Swasey (DD-273)

The first USS "Swasey" (DD-273) was a "Clemson"-class destroyer in the United States Navy and transferred to the Royal Navy as HMS|Rockingham.

USS Swasey

Named for Charles Swasey, "Swasey" was laid down on 27 August 1918 by the Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation, Squantum, Massachusetts; launched on 7 May 1919; sponsored by Miss Mary L. Swasey; and commissioned on 8 August 1919.

"Swasey" was assigned to the Pacific Fleet and, after completing fitting out and sailing to the west coast, arrived at Pearl Harbor in the fall of 1919. She served there until the summer of 1922 when she returned to San Diego, California.

"Swasey" was decommissioned at San Diego on 10 June 1922 and assigned to the reserve fleet for the next 17 years. "Swasey" was reactivated on 18 December 1939 and, after an overhaul and sea trials, transferred to Britain on 26 November 1940 under the Destroyers for Bases Agreement.

"Swasey" was struck from the Navy list on 8 January 1941.

HMS Rockingham

"Rockingham" was modified for trade convoy escort service by removal of three of the original 4"/50 caliber guns and three of the triple torpedo tube mounts to reduce topside weight for additional depth charge stowage and installation of hedgehog. [Lenton&Colledge (1968) pp.92-94] "Rockingham" was assigned to Escort Group B-1 of the Mid-Ocean Escort Force for convoys ON-96, SC-105, SC-119, ON-171, HX-230 and HX-236 during the winter of 1942-43. [Rohwer&Hummelchen (1992) pp.124,135,139,170,185,194,199,202&209]

ee also

*See USS|Swasey for other ships of this name.
*List of United States Navy destroyers

Notes

References

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*DANFS|http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/s21/swasey-i.htm

External links

*http://www.navsource.org/archives/05/273.htm