_underway_at_sea_during_the_1920s_(NH_78140).jpg) USSChase (DD-323) underway at sea during the 1920s. | |
| History | |
|---|---|
 United States | |
| Namesake | Reuben Chase |
| Builder | Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation,Union Iron Works,San Francisco |
| Laid down | 5 May 1919 |
| Launched | 2 September 1919 |
| Commissioned | 10 March 1921 |
| Decommissioned | 15 May 1930 |
| Stricken | 13 August 1930 |
| Fate | Sold for scrap, 1931 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class & type | Clemson-classdestroyer |
| Displacement |
|
| Length | 314 ft 4 in (95.8 m) |
| Beam | 30 ft 11 in (9.42 m) |
| Draught | 10 ft 3 in (3.1 m) |
| Installed power |
|
| Propulsion | 2 shafts, 2steam turbines |
| Speed | 35knots (65 km/h; 40 mph) (design) |
| Range | 2,500nautical miles (4,600 km; 2,900 mi) at 20 knots (37 km/h; 23 mph) (design) |
| Complement | 6 officers, 108 enlisted men |
| Armament |
|
USSChase (DD-323) was aClemson-classdestroyer built for theUnited States Navy during World War I.
Reuben Chase was born on 23 June 1754. He joinedUSS Ranger as a seaman in 1777 and served duringJohn Paul Jones' daring raid intoBritish waters. Chase was appointed amidshipman onUSS Bonhomme Richard on 18 March 1779, and took part in the historic victory overHMS Serapis on 23 September 1779.
TheClemson class was a repeat of the precedingWickes class although more fuel capacity was added.[1] The ships displaced 1,290 long tons (1,311 t) atstandard load and 1,389 long tons (1,411 t) atdeep load. They had anoverall length of 314 feet 4 inches (95.8 m), abeam of 30 feet 11 inches (9.4 m) and adraught of 10 feet 3 inches (3.1 m). They had a crew of 6 officers and 108 enlisted men.[2]
Performance differed radically between the ships of the class, often due to poor workmanship. TheClemson class was powered by twosteam turbines, each driving onepropeller shaft, using steam provided by fourwater-tube boilers. The turbines were designed to produce a total of 27,000shaft horsepower (20,000 kW) intended to reach a speed of 35knots (65 km/h; 40 mph). The ships carried a maximum of 371 long tons (377 t) offuel oil which was intended gave them a range of 2,500nautical miles (4,600 km; 2,900 mi) at 20 knots (37 km/h; 23 mph).[3]
The ships were armed with four4-inch (102 mm) guns in single mounts and were fitted with two1-pounder guns for anti-aircraft defense. In many ships a shortage of 1-pounders caused them to be replaced by3-inch (76 mm) guns. Their primary weapon, though, was their torpedobattery of a dozen21 inch (533 mm)torpedo tubes in four triple mounts. They also carried a pair ofdepth charge rails. A "Y-gun" depth charge thrower was added to many ships.[4]
Chase, named forReuben Chase, was launched 2 September 1919 byBethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation,San Francisco, California; sponsored by Mrs. J. A. Annear; and commissioned 10 March 1921. Cruising primarily along the west coast of the United States,Chase took part in training operations and fleet maneuvers. She took part in thePresidential Fleet Review atSeattle, Washington, in 1923, and in 1927 cruised inNicaraguan waters to protect American interests while civil war took place in that country. In 1928 she cruised toHawaii with members of theNaval Reserve on board for training, and in 1929 she operated offSan Diego, California withSaratoga (CV-3) andLexington (CV-2) assisting the development of US carrier aviation.
Designated for scrapping under the provisions of theLondon Naval Treaty,Chase was decommissioned atSan Diego 15 May 1930, and broken up during 1931.
This article incorporates text from thepublic domainDictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. The entry can be foundhere.
