_underway%2c_circa_in_1920_(NH_56561).jpg) USSBranch underway, ca. 1920. | |
| History | |
|---|---|
 United States | |
| Namesake | John Branch |
| Builder | Newport News Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Company |
| Cost | $1,143,689.68 (hull & machinery)[1] |
| Laid down | 25 October 1918 |
| Launched | 19 April 1919 |
| Commissioned | 26 July 1920 |
| Decommissioned | 11 August 1922 |
| Recommissioned | 4 December 1939 |
| Decommissioned | 8 October 1940 |
| Stricken | 8 January 1941 |
| Fate | Transferred toUnited Kingdom, 8 October 1940 |
 United Kingdom | |
| Name | HMSBeverley |
| Acquired | 8 October 1940 |
| Commissioned | 8 October 1940 |
| Identification | Pennant number: H64 |
| Fate | Torpedoed and sunk 11 April 1943 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class & type | Clemson-classdestroyer |
| Displacement | 1,215 tons |
| Length | 314 ft 4 in (95.81 m) |
| Beam | 31 ft 9 in (9.68 m) |
| Draft | 9 ft 10 in (3.00 m) |
| Propulsion |
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| Speed | 35 kn (65 km/h; 40 mph) |
| Range | 4,900 nmi (9,100 km; 5,600 mi) at 15 kn (28 km/h; 17 mph) |
| Complement | 122 officers and enlisted |
| Armament |
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USSBranch (DD-197) was aClemson-classdestroyer in theUnited States Navy that entered service in 1920. After a short active life,Branch was placed in reserve in 1922. The ship was activated again forWorld War II before being transferred to theRoyal Navy in 1940. RenamedHMSBeverley, the destroyer served in theBattle of the Atlantic as a convoy escort and was torpedoed and sunk on 11 April 1943.
The second Navy ship was named forSecretary of the NavyJohn Branch (1782–1863),Branch waslaunched on 19 April 1919 byNewport News Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Company; sponsored by Miss Laurie O'Brien Branch, grandniece of Secretary Branch. The destroyer wascommissioned on 26 July 1920.
Branch was fitted out atNorfolk Navy Yard and in October cruised toAnnapolis, Maryland, for a test of her engineering performance. Before the end of 1920 she joined Destroyer Squadron 3,Atlantic Fleet. The next year she maneuvered with the Squadron and engaged in tactical exercises on the Atlantic coast, sometimes operating in reduced commission with half her usual complement of crew. After 6 January 1922 she operated in the vicinity ofCharleston, South Carolina, andHampton Roads. Arriving atPhiladelphia Navy Yard in June, she was placed out of commission 11 August 1922.
Branch remained inactive atPhiladelphia until recommissioned 4 December 1939 for service with theScouting Force. Asflagship of Destroyer Division 68 she participated in theNeutrality Patrol. In the summer of 1940 she operated along theUnited States East Coast and trainedreserves. Early in October 1940 she departedNewport, Rhode Island forHalifax, Nova Scotia, where on 8 October 1940Branch wasdecommissioned and transferred under theDestroyers for Bases Agreement to theUnited Kingdom for service in theRoyal Navy and renamed HMSBeverley.
_underway%2c_circa_in_1942_(FL_2019).jpg)
HMSBeverley arrived atBelfast 24 October and was modified for trade convoy escort service by removal of three of the original4"/50 caliber guns and three of the tripletorpedo tube mounts to reduce topside weight for additionaldepth charge stowage and installation ofhedgehog.[2] In April 1942 she was an escort for Convoy PQ 14 en route to NorthRussia.En route the convoy was attacked by a superior force of enemy destroyers, which had approached unobserved during a snow storm and fired several torpedoes at a range of 9,000 yards (8,200 m). One merchant ship was sunk. The enemy returned four times and took part in short gunnery duels, but did not close the range below 8,000 yards (7,300 m).
On 4 February 1943, while escorting AtlanticConvoy SC 118 with Escort Group B-2,Beverley sighted theGerman submarine U-187 (later sunk byHMS Vimy) southeast ofCape Farewell, Greenland. She also took part in attacks on otherU-boats the next day.
Beverley was assigned to Escort Group B-4 of theMid-Ocean Escort Force for convoys ON 140, ON 161, ON 169,HX 229 and ON 176.[3] On 9 April while escorting Convoy ON 176, she collided with the steamshipCairnvolona in bad weather and had her anti-submarine and degaussing gear put out of action. Two days later she was torpedoed byU-188 commanded byKapitänleutnantSiegfried Lüdden at52°19′N40°28′W / 52.317°N 40.467°W /52.317; -40.467, and sank with the loss of 139 members of her crew, including her commanding officer.
This article incorporates text from thepublic domainDictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. The entry can be foundhere.52°19′N40°28′W / 52.317°N 40.467°W /52.317; -40.467
 Royal Navy |
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Shipwrecks and maritime incidents in April 1943 | |
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| Shipwrecks |
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| Other incidents |
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