Buckley-class destroyer escort

The Buckley-class destroyer escorts were 102 destroyer escorts launched in the United States in 1943–44. They served in World War II as convoy escorts and anti-submarine warfare ships. The lead ship was USS Buckley which was launched on 9 January 1943. The ships had General Electric steam turbo-electric transmission. The ships were prefabricated at various factories in the United States, and the units brought together in the shipyards, where they were welded together on the slipways.

USS Buckley (DE-51)
Class overview
Name: Buckley class
Operators:
Preceded by: Evarts class
Succeeded by: Cannon class
Planned: 154
Completed: 148
General characteristics
Type: Destroyer escort
Displacement: 1,740 tons (fully loaded)
Length: 306 ft (93.3 m)
Beam: 36 ft 6 in (11.1 m)
Draft: 11 ft (3.4 m) (fully loaded)
Propulsion: Two Foster-Wheeler Express "D"-type water-tube boilers, two GE steam turbines of 13,500 horsepower (10,100 kW) total, two generators (9,200 kilowatts (12,300 hp) total), 12,000 horsepower (8,900 kW) of electric motors drove the two propeller shafts
Speed: 24 knots (44 km/h; 28 mph) (most ships could attain 26/27 knots)
Range: 5,500 nautical miles (10,190 km) at 15 knots (28 km/h)
Capacity: 350 tons oil (fuel)
Sensors and
processing systems:
  • Radar: Type SL surface search fixed to mast above yard arm and type SA air search only fitted to certain ships
  • Sonar: Type 128D or Type 144 both in retractable dome.
  • Direction Finding: MF direction finding antenna fitted in front of the bridge and HF/DF Type FH 4 antenna fitted on top of mast
Armament:

The Buckley class was the second class of destroyer escort, succeeding the Evarts-class destroyer escorts. One of the main design differences was that the hull was significantly lengthened on the Buckley class; this long-hull design proved so successful that it was used for all further destroyer escort classes. The class was also known as the TE type, from Turbo Electric drive. The TE was replaced with a diesel-electric plant to yield the design of the successor Cannon class ("DET").[1][2]

A total of 154 were ordered with 6 being completed as high speed transport ("APD"). A further 37 were later converted after completion while 46 of the Buckleys were delivered to the Royal Navy under the Lend-Lease agreement. These 46 were classed as frigates and named after Royal Navy captains of the Napoleonic Wars, forming part of the Captain-class frigate along with 32 Lend-Lease ships of the Evarts class.

After World War II, most of the surviving units of this class were transferred to Taiwan, South Korea, Chile, Mexico and other countries. The rest were retained by the US Navy's reserve fleet until they were decommissioned.

Armament

The Buckley-class' main armament was three 3"/50 caliber guns in Mk 22 dual purpose open mounts. They fired fixed fire shot (anti-aircraft, armor-piercing, or star shell) and had a range of 14,600 yards (13,400 m) at 45 degrees, and an anti-aircraft ceiling of 28,000 feet (8,500 m)

With regard to anti-aircraft weaponry, the Buckley-class carried four 1.1 inch/75 (28mm) gun or two Bofors 40 mm guns fitted in the 'X' position. These were not included in the Captain-Class units. Eight Oerlikon 20 mm cannons were positioned two in front of the bridge behind and above B gun mount, one on each side of the B gun mount in sponsons, and two on each side of the ship in sponsons just abaft the funnel. Some of the ships had an extra one or two Oerlikons fitted on top of the superstructure amidships. The Captain-Class units had additional 20 mm guns fitted in 'X' position, and on the director stand for 'X' position.

For anti-submarine weapons, the Buckley-class carried a Hedgehog—a British designed ahead throwing mortar which fired 24 bombs ahead of the ship, situated on the main deck just aft of A gun mount. They also had up to 200 depth charges. Two sets of double rails were mounted on each side of the ship at the stern, each set held 24 charges; eight (two on Captain-class units) K-gun depth charge throwers each holding 5 charges were on each side of the ship just forward of the stern rails. On Captain-class ships, just forward of these double sets of ready racks were fitted along each side of the ship extending to midships, each set holding 60 depth charges (these ready rails were added after the ships first arrived in the UK).

They also carried three 21-inch (533 mm) torpedo tubes in a triple mount mounted just aft of the stack.

Film appearance

Most of the film The Enemy Below (1957) was filmed on USS Whitehurst, a Buckley-class DE. The rest of the film is set in the submarine that it is hunting.

Ships in Class
Ship Name Hull No. Builder Laid down Launched Commissioned Decommissioned Fate
Buckley DE-51 Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation, Bethlehem Hingham Shipyard, Hingham, Massachusetts 21 July 1942 9 January 1943 30 April 1943 3 July 1946 Reclassified DER-51 26 April 1949, reclassified DE-51 29 September 1954. Struck from Navy List 1 June 1968; sold for scrap July 1969
Charles Lawrence DE-53 1 August 1942 16 February 1943 31 May 1943 N/A Converted to High Speed Transport, reclassified APD-37 23 October 1944
Daniel T. Griffin DE-54 7 September 1942 25 February 1943 9 June 1943 N/A Converted to High Speed Transport, reclassified APD-38 23 October 1944
Donnell DE-56 27 November 1942 13 March 1943 26 June 1943 23 October 1945 Torpedoed by U-473 in North Atlantic 3 May 1944; reclassified IX-182 15 July 1944; served as a floating power plant at Cherbourg, France. Struck from the Navy List 10 November 1945; sold 29 April 1946
Fogg DE-57 4 December 1942 20 March 1943 7 July 1943 27 October 1947 Reclassified DER-57 18 March 1949, reclassified DE-57 28 October 1954. Struck from Navy List 1 April 1965; sold for scrap 4 January 1966
Foss DE-59 31 December 1942 10 April 1943 23 July 1943 30 October 1957 Struck from Navy List 1 November 1965 and sold for scrap
Gantner DE-60 31 December 1942 17 April 1943 29 July 1943 N/A Converted to High Speed Transport, reclassified APD-42 23 February 1945
George W. Ingram DE-62 6 February 1943 8 May 1943 11 August 1943 N/A Converted to High Speed Transport, reclassified APD-43 23 February 1945
Ira Jeffery (ex-Jeffery) DE-63 13 February 1943 15 May 1943 15 August 1943 N/A Converted to High Speed Transport, reclassified APD-44 23 February 1945
Lee Fox DE-65 1 March 1943 29 May 1943 30 August 1943 N/A Converted to High Speed Transport, reclassified APD-45 31 July 1944
Amesbury DE-66 8 March 1943 6 June 1943 31 August 1943 N/A Converted to High Speed Transport, reclassified APD-46 31 July 1944
Bates DE-68 29 March 1943 6 June 1943 12 September 1943 N/A Converted to High Speed Transport, reclassified APD-47 31 July 1944; sunk by kamikazes and bombs off Okinawa 25 May 1945
Blessman DE-69 22 March 1943 19 June 1943 19 September 1943 N/A Converted to High Speed Transport, reclassified APD-48 31 July 1944
Joseph E. Campbell (ex-Campbell) DE-70 29 March 1943 26 June 1943 23 September 1943 N/A Converted to High Speed Transport, reclassified APD-49 24 November 1944
Reuben James DE-153 Norfolk Navy Yard 7 September 1942 6 February 1943 1 April 1943 11 October 1947 Struck from Navy List 30 June 1968, sunk as a target 1 March 1971
Sims DE-154 7 September 1942 6 February 1943 24 April 1943 N/A Converted to High Speed Transport, reclassified APD-50 25 September 1944
Hopping DE-155 15 December 1942 10 March 1943 21 May 1943 N/A Converted to High Speed Transport, reclassified APD-51 25 September 1944
Reeves DE-156 7 February 1943 22 April 1943 9 May 1943 N/A Converted to High Speed Transport, reclassified APD-52 25 September 1944
Fechteler DE-157 7 February 1943 22 April 1943 1 July 1943 N/A Torpedoed and sunk by U-967 northwest of Oran, Algeria 5 May 1944
Chase DE-158 16 March 1943 24 April 1943 18 July 1943 N/A Converted to High Speed Transport, reclassified APD-54 28 November 1944
Laning DE-158 23 April 1943 4 July 1943 1 August 1943 N/A Converted to High Speed Transport, reclassified APD-55 28 November 1944
Loy DE-160 23 April 1943 4 July 1943 12 September 1943 N/A Converted to High Speed Transport, reclassified APD-56 23 October 1944
Barber DE-161 27 April 1943 20 May 1943 10 October 1943 N/A Converted to High Speed Transport, reclassified APD-57 23 October 1944. Sold to Mexico in 17 February 1969
Lovelace DE-198 22 May 1943 4 July 1943 7 November 1943 22 May 1946 Sunk as target off California, 25 April 1968
Manning DE-199 Charleston Navy Yard 15 February 1943 1 June 1943 1 October 1943 15 January 1947 Struck from Navy List 31 July 1968; sold for scrap 27 October 1969
Neuendorf DE-200 15 February 1943 1 June 1943 18 October 1943 14 May 1946 Struck from Navy List 1 July 1967
James E. Craig DE-201 15 April 1943 22 July 1943 1 November 1943 2 July 1946 Struck from Navy List 30 July 1968; sunk as target off California February 1969
Eichenberger DE-202 15 April 1943 22 July 1943 17 November 1943 14 May 1946 Struck from Navy List 1 December 1972; sold for scrap 1 November 1973
Thomason DE-203 5 June 1943 23 August 1943 10 December 1943 22 May 1946 Struck from Navy List 30 June 1968; sold for scrap 30 June 1969
Jordan DE-204 5 June 1943 23 August 1943 17 December 1943 19 December 1945 Struck from Navy List 8 January 1946; sold for scrap 10 July 1947
Newman DE-205 8 June 1943 9 August 1943 26 November 1943 N/A Converted to High Speed Transport, reclassified APD-59 5 July 1944
Liddle DE-206 12 June 1943 9 August 1943 6 December 1943 N/A Converted to High Speed Transport, reclassified APD-60 5 July 1944
Kephart DE-207 12 May 1943 6 September 1943 7 January 1944 N/A Converted to High Speed Transport, reclassified APD-61 5 July 1944
Cofer DE-208 12 May 1943 6 September 1943 19 January 1944 N/A Converted to High Speed Transport, reclassified APD-62 5 July 1944
Lloyd DE-209 26 July 1943 23 October 1943 11 February 1944 N/A Converted to High Speed Transport, reclassified APD-63 5 July 1944
Otter DE-210 26 July 1943 23 October 1943 21 February 1944 January 1947 Sunk as target off Puerto Rico 10 July 1970
Hubbard DE-211 11 August 1943 11 November 1943 6 March 1944 N/A Converted to High Speed Transport, reclassified APD-53 1 June 1945
Hayter DE-212 11 August 1943 11 November 1943 16 March 1944 N/A Converted to High Speed Transport, reclassified APD-80 1 June 1945
William T. Powell DE-213 26 August 1943 27 November 1943 28 March 1944 9 December 1949 Reclassified DER-213 18 March 1949, reclassified DE-213 1 December 1954. Struck from Navy List 1 November 1965, sold for scrap 3 October 1966
28 November 1950 17 January 1958
Scott DE-214 Philadelphia Navy Yard 1 January 1943 3 April 1943 20 July 1943 3 March 1947 Conversion to High Speed Transport and reclassification as APD-64 canceled 10 September 1945. Struck from Navy List 1 July 1965, sold for scrap 20 January 1967
Burke DE-215 1 January 1943 3 April 1943 20 August 1943 N/A Converted to High Speed Transport, reclassified APD-65 24 January 1945
Enright DE-216 22 February 1943 29 May 1943 21 September 1943 N/A Converted to High Speed Transport, reclassified APD-66 24 January 1945
Coolbaugh DE-217 22 February 1943 29 May 1943 15 October 1943 21 February 1960 Struck from Navy List 1 July 1972, sold for scrap 17 August 1973
Darby DE-218 22 February 1943 29 May 1943 15 November 1943 28 April 1947 Struck from Navy List 23 September 1968, sunk as a target 24 May 1970
24 October 1950 23 September 1968
J. Douglas Blackwood DE-219 22 February 1943 29 May 1943 15 December 1943 20 April 1946 Struck from Navy List 30 January 1970, sunk as a target 20 July 1970
5 February 1951 30 January 1970
Francis M. Robinson DE-220 22 February 1943 29 May 1943 15 January 1944 20 June 1960 Struck from Navy List 1 July 1972, sold for scrap 12 July 1973
Solar DE-221 22 February 1943 29 May 1943 15 February 1944 21 May 1946 Destroyed by ammunition explosion at Earle, New Jersey 30 April 1946. Hulk sunk at sea 9 June 1946
Fowler DE-222 5 April 1943 3 July 1943 15 March 1944 28 June 1946 Struck from Navy List 1 July 1965, sold for scrap 29 December 1966
Spangenberg DE-223 5 April 1943 3 July 1943 15 April 1943 18 July 1947 Reclassified DER-223 in March 1949, reclassified DE-223 1 December 1954. Struck from Navy List 1 November 1965, sold for scrap 3 October 1966
Ahrens DE-575 Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation, Bethlehem Hingham Shipyard, Hingham, Massachusetts 5 November 1943 21 December 1943 12 February 1944 24 June 1946 Struck from Navy List 1 April 1965, sold for scrap 20 January 1967
Barr DE-576 5 November 1943 28 December 1943 16 February 1944 N/A Converted to High Speed Transport, reclassified APD-39 31 July 1944
Alexander J. Luke DE-577 5 November 1943 28 December 1943 19 February 1944 18 October 1947 Reclassified DER-577 7 December 1945, reclassified DE-577 in August 1954. Struck from Navy List 1 May 1970, sunk as a target 22 October 1970
Robert I. Paine DE-578 5 November 1943 30 December 1943 26 February 1944 21 November 1947 Reclassified DER-578 18 March 1949, reclassified DE-578 1 December 1954. Struck from Navy List 1 June 1968, sold for scrap 18 July 1969
Foreman DE-633 Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation, San Francisco 9 March 1943 1 August 1943 22 October 1943 28 June 1946 Struck from Navy List 1 April 1965, sold for scrap 1966
Whitehurst DE-634 21 March 1943 5 September 1943 19 November 1943 27 November 1946 Struck from Navy List 12 July 1969, sunk as target by Trigger (SS-564) 28 April 1971
1 September 1950 6 December 1958
2 October 1961 1 August 1962
England DE-635 4 April 1943 26 September 1943 10 December 1943 15 October 1945 Reclassified APD-41 in mid-1945 but conversion to High Speed Transport was canceled 10 September 1945. Struck from Navy List 1 November 1945, sold and broken up 26 November 1946
Witter DE-636 28 April 1943 17 October 1943 29 December 1943 22 October 1945 Reclassified APD-58 in mid-1945 but conversion to High Speed Transport was canceled 15 August 1945. Struck from Navy List 16 November 1945, sold and broken up 2 December 1946
Bowers DE-637 28 May 1943 31 October 1943 27 January 1944 N/A Converted to High Speed Transport, reclassified APD-40 25 June 1945
Willmarth DE-638 25 June 1943 21 November 1943 13 March 1944 26 April 1946 Struck from Navy List 1 December 1966, sold for scrap 1 July 1968
Gendreau DE-639 1 August 1943 12 December 1943 17 March 1944 13 March 1948 Struck from Navy List 1 December 1972, sold for scrap 11 September 1973
Fieberling DE-640 19 March 1944 2 April 1944 11 April 1944 13 March 1948 Struck from Navy List 1 March 1972, sold for scrap 20 November 1972
William C. Cole DE-641 5 September 1943 29 December 1943 12 May 1944 13 March 1948 Struck from Navy List 1 March 1972, sold for scrap 20 November 1972
Paul G. Baker DE-642 26 September 1943 12 March 1944 25 May 1944 3 February 1947 Struck from Navy List 1 December 1969, sold for scrap October 1970
Damon M. Cummings DE-643 17 October 1943 18 April 1944 29 June 1944 3 February 1947 Struck from Navy List 1 March 1972, sold for scrap 18 May 1973
Vammen DE-644 1 August 1943 21 May 1944 27 July 1944 12 July 1969 Struck from Navy List 12 July 1969, sunk as target 18 February 1971
Jenks DE-665 Dravo Corporation, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 12 May 1943 11 September 1943 19 January 1944 26 June 1946 Conversion to High Speed Transport and reclassification as APD-67 canceled 1944. Struck from Navy List 1 February 1966, sold for scrap 5 March 1968
Durik DE-666 22 June 1943 9 October 1943 24 March 1944 15 June 1946 Conversion to High Speed Transport and reclassification as APD-68 canceled 1944. Struck from Navy List 1 June 1965, sold for scrap 30 January 1967
Wiseman DE-667 26 July 1943 6 November 1943 4 April 1944 31 May 1946 Struck from Navy List 15 April 1973, sold for scrap 29 April 1974
11 September 1950 15 April 1973
Weber DE-675 Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation, Fore River Shipyard, Quincy, Massachusetts 22 February 1943 1 May 1943 30 June 1943 N/A Converted to High Speed Transport, reclassified APD-75 15 December 1944
Schmitt DE-676 22 February 1943 29 May 1943 24 July 1943 N/A Converted to High Speed Transport, reclassified APD-76 24 January 1945
Frament DE-677 1 May 1943 28 June 1943 15 August 1943 N/A Converted to High Speed Transport, reclassified APD-77 15 December 1944
Harmon DE-678 31 May 1943 25 July 1943 31 August 1943 25 March 1947 Struck from Navy List 1 August 1965, sold for scrap 30 January 1967
Greenwood DE-679 29 June 1943 21 August 1943 25 September 1943 20 February 1967 Struck from Navy List 20 February 1967, sold for scrap 6 September 1967
Loeser DE-680 27 July 1943 11 September 1943 10 October 1943 28 March 1947 Struck from Navy List 23 August 1968, sunk as a target 1969
9 March 1951 23 August 1968
Gillette DE-681 24 August 1943 25 September 1943 27 October 1943 3 February 1947 Struck from Navy List 1 December 1972, sold for scrap 11 September 1973
Underhill DE-682 16 September 1943 15 October 1943 15 November 1943 N/A Sunk by Japanese Kaiten human torpedo northeast of Luzon 24 July 1945
Henry R. Kenyon DE-683 29 September 1943 30 October 1943 30 November 1943 3 February 1947 Struck from Navy List 1 December 1969, sold for scrap 22 October 1970
Bull DE-693 Defoe Shipbuilding Company, Bay City, Michigan 15 December 1942 25 March 1943 12 August 1943 N/A Converted to High Speed Transport, reclassified APD-78 31 July 1944
Bunch DE-694 22 February 1943 29 May 1943 21 August 1943 N/A Converted to High Speed Transport, reclassified APD-79 31 July 1944
Rich DE-695 27 March 1943 22 June 1943 1 October 1943 N/A Sunk by three mines off Utah Beach, Normandy 8 June 1944
Spangler DE-696 28 April 1943 15 July 1943 31 October 1943 8 October 1958 Struck from Navy List 1 March 1972, sold for scrap 20 November 1972
George DE-697 22 May 1943 14 August 1943 20 November 1943 8 October 1958 Struck from Navy List 1 November 1969, sold for scrap 12 October 1970
Raby DE-698 7 June 1943 4 September 1943 7 December 1943 22 December 1953 Reclassified DEC-698 2 November 1949, reclassified DE-698 27 December 1957. Struck from Navy List 1 June 1968, sold for scrap
Marsh DE-699 23 June 1943 25 September 1943 12 January 1944 1 August 1962 Struck from Navy List 15 April 1973, sold for scrap 20 February 1974
Currier DE-700 21 July 1943 14 October 1943 1 February 1944 4 April 1960 Sunk as a target off California 11 July 1967
Osmus DE-701 17 August 1943 4 November 1943 23 February 1944 15 March 1947 Struck from Navy List 1 December 1972, sold for scrap 27 November 1973
Earl V. Johnson DE-702 7 September 1943 24 November 1943 18 March 1944 18 June 1946 Struck from Navy List 1 May 1967, sold for scrap 3 September 1968
Holton DE-703 28 September 1943 15 December 1943 1 May 1944 31 May 1946 Scrapped
Cronin DE-704 19 October 1943 5 January 1944 5 May 1944 31 May 1946 Reclassified DEC-704 13 September 1950, reclassified DE-704 27 December 1957. Struck from Navy List 1 June 1970, sunk as target 16 December 1971
9 February 1951 4 December 1953
Frybarger DE-705 8 November 1943 25 January 1944 18 May 1944 30 June 1947 Reclassified DEC-705 13 September 1950, reclassified DE-705 27 December 1957. Struck from Navy List 1 December 1972, sold for scrap 27 November 1973
6 October 1950 9 December 1954
Tatum DE-789 Consolidated Steel Corporation, Orange, Texas 22 April 1943 7 August 1943 22 November 1943 N/A Converted to High Speed Transport, reclassified APD-81 15 December 1944
Borum DE-790 28 April 1943 14 August 1943 30 November 1943 15 June 1946 Conversion to High Speed Transport and reclassification as APD-82 canceled September 1945. Struck from Navy List 1 August 1965, sold for scrap 1966
Maloy DE-791 10 May 1943 18 August 1943 13 December 1943 28 May 1965 Conversion to High Speed Transport and reclassification as APD-83 canceled September 1945. Reclassified EDE-791 14 August 1946. Struck from Navy List 1 June 1965, sold for scrap 11 March 1966
Haines DE-792 17 May 1943 26 August 1943 27 December 1943 N/A Converted to High Speed Transport, reclassified APD-84 15 December 1944
Runels DE-793 7 June 1943 4 September 1943 3 January 1944 N/A Converted to High Speed Transport, reclassified APD-85 24 January 1945
Hollis DE-794 5 July 1943 11 September 1943 24 January 1944 N/A Converted to High Speed Transport, reclassified APD-86 24 January 1945
Gunason DE-795 9 August 1943 16 October 1943 1 February 1944 13 March 1948 Sunk as target 28 July 1973, struck from Navy List 1 September 1973
Major DE-796 16 August 1943 23 October 1943 12 February 1944 13 March 1948 Struck from Navy List 1 December 1972, sold for scrap 27 November 1973
Weeden DE-797 18 August 1943 27 October 1943 19 February 1944 9 May 1946 Struck from Navy List 30 June 1968, sold for scrap 27 October 1969
20 November 1946 26 February 1958
Varian DE-798 27 August 1943 6 November 1943 29 February 1944 15 March 1946 Struck from Navy List 1 December 1972, sold for scrap 12 January 1974
Scroggins DE-799 4 September 1943 6 November 1943 30 March 1944 15 June 1946 Struck from Navy List 1 July 1965, sold for scrap 5 April 1967
Jack W. Wilke DE-800 18 October 1943 18 December 1943 7 March 1944 24 May 1960 Struck from Navy List 1 August 1972, sold for scrap 4 March 1974

See also

References
  1. Classes of Destroyer Escorts
  2. Rivet, Eric; Stenzel, Michael (22 April 2011). "History of Destroyer Escorts". Destroyer Escort Historical Museum. Retrieved 8 July 2012. The CANNON class was very similar in design to the BUCKLEY class, the primary difference being a diesel-electric power plant instead of the BUCKLEY class's turbo-electric design. The fuel efficient diesel electric plant greatly improved the range of the CANNON class, but at the cost of speed.
  • Franklin, Bruce Hampton (1999). The Buckley-Class Destroyer Escorts. Chatham Publishing. ISBN 1-86176-118-X.
  • Collingwood, Donald (1998). The Captain-Class Frigates in the Second World War. Leo Cooper. ISBN 0-85052-615-9.

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