_in_Casco_Bay%2c_Maine_(USA)%2c_on_9_August_1945_(80-G-332953).jpg) | |
| History | |
|---|---|
 United States | |
| Laid down | 31 August 1943 |
| Launched | 7 October 1943 |
| Commissioned | 16 December 1943 |
| Decommissioned | 10 May 1946 |
| In service | 26 February 1951 |
| Out of service | 9 January 1958 |
| Stricken | 1 July 1972 |
| Fate | Sold for scrapping 5 February 1974 |
| General characteristics | |
| Displacement | 1,350long tons (1,372 t) |
| Length | 306 ft (93 m) overall |
| Beam | 36 ft 10 in (11.23 m) |
| Draft | 13 ft 4 in (4.06 m) maximum |
| Propulsion | 2 boilers, 2 gearedsteam turbines, 12,000 shp, 2screws |
| Speed | 24 knots (44 km/h) |
| Range | 6,000 nmi at 12 knots (22 km/h) |
| Complement | 14 officers, 201 enlisted |
| Armament | 2-5 in (130 mm), 4 (2 × 2)40 mm AA, 10-20 mm guns AA, 3-21 inch (533 mm) torpedo tubes, 1Hedgehog, 8depth charge projectors, 2 depth charge tracks |
USSEdward H. Allen (DE-531) was aJohn C. Butler-classdestroyer escort in service with theUnited States Navy from 1943 to 1946 and from 1951 to 1958. She was sold for scrapping in 1974.
Edward H. Allen (DE-531) was named in honor ofLieutenantEdward Henry Allen who was awarded aNavy Cross for his brave actions during theBattle of the Coral Sea. She was launched 7 October 1943 byBoston Navy Yard; sponsored by Mrs. David H. Clark; and commissioned 16 December 1943.
Edward H. Allen sailed fromBoston, Massachusetts, 6 March 1944 forMiami, Florida, to serve asschoolship for pre-commissioning crews of escort vessels. She had similar duty atNorfolk, Virginia, from June to November 1944, then returned to Miami until 10 June 1945. She was atCasco Bay preparing for service in thePacific Ocean when the war ended, and remained there for experimental operations. After spendingNavy Day at Boston,Edward H. Allen sailed toGreen Cove Springs, Florida, where she was placed out of commission in reserve 10 May 1946.
Recommissioned 26 February 1951Edward H. Allen was assigned to the3rd Naval District and cruised fromNew York toFlorida,Bermuda, and theCaribbean in connection with theNaval Reserve training program. From 13 June to 10 July 1953 and again from 17 June to 15 July 1955 she made extended cruises, visiting ports inFrance,Portugal,England,Spain, and theAzores.
While at sea in July 1956 she was ordered to the scene of the tragic collision of the linersSS Andrea Doria and the SS Stockholm (later renamedMV Astoria) and rescued the captain and 76 of theDoria crew before that vessel sank.Edward H. Allen continued her training duty until again placed out of commission in reserve 9 January 1958. On 1 July 1972 she was struck from theNavy list and, on 5 February 1974, she was sold for scrapping.
For her assistance in the rescue ofAndrea Doria survivors, thedestroyer was thanked by theItalian Government and hercommanding officer awarded theItalian Legion of Merit.
This article incorporates text from thepublic domainDictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. The entry can be foundhere.
