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USS Breckinridge (DD-148)
Encyclopedia
USS Breckinridge (DD–148) was a Wickes class
destroyer
in the United States Navy
during the World War II
, later reclassified as AG-112. She was named for Ensign
Joseph Breckinridge
.
Ship and Engine Building Company, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
; sponsored by Miss Genevieve Dudley Breckinridge, a niece of Ensign Breckinridge, and commissioned 27 February 1919, Commander
Arthur L. Bristol
in command.
Breckinridge joined the Destroyer Force, Atlantic Fleet
operating off Guantanamo Bay, Cuba
. She was employed along the east coast principally in the development and tests of sonar
devices until placed out of commission in reserve at Philadelphia 30 June 1922. Recommissioned in May 1930, Breckinridge served with the Scouting Force United States Fleet
, along the east coast until late in 1932. She sailed for the Pacific where she served with the Scouting Force from Alaska
to Pearl Harbor
. In May 1936 she was assigned to Training Squadron 10 and operated along the east coast and in Cuban waters until September 1936 when she was placed out of commission in reserve. After three years out of commission at Philadelphia, she was recommissioned in September 1939 and served with Division 66, Atlantic Squadron, on the Neutrality Patrol
. In December 1940 she was assigned to the Inshore Patrol Station, Panama Canal Zone
. Subsequent to May 1941 Breckinridge was based at Key West, Florida
, patrolling and conducting underwater experiments and scheduled exercises.
Breckinridge operated under Commander, Caribbean Sea Frontier, on patrol and escort duties until December 1943 when she was assigned to the Atlantic Fleet. She joined TG 21.13, a hunter-killer group, 14 January 1944 for mid-Atlantic anti submarine sweeps. Returning to Norfolk
27 February after an uneventful operation, TG 21.13 was dissolved and Breckinridge proceeded to Boston
for overhaul. On 22 March 1944 she returned to Norfolk and reported to TF 6 to escort a convoy across the Atlantic. Departing 24 March 1944, the convoy reached the Mediterranean with no interference. However, on the night of 11/12 April numerous German planes attacked the convoy inflicting damage to .
Breckinridge returned to Boston 11 May 1944. On 27 May she reported for duty to Commander, caribbean Sea Frontier, and operated in the vicinity of Guantanamo Bay, Cuba
, until 7 February 1945 when she returned to duty with the Atlantic Fleet. After undergoing overhaul at Boston Navy Yard
between 10 February and 31 March she commenced operations at New London, Connecticut
, as flagship
of Destroyer Division 54.
. She sailed for the Pacific, reaching San Diego 21 August. On 24 August she reported to Commander, Carrier Division 12, for duty as plane guard and escort vessel. Breckinridge operated in that capacity until decommissioned 30 November 1945. She was sold 31 October 1946.
The USS General JC Breckingridge (AP-176) was named for Ensign Breckinridge's father.
Wickes class destroyer
The Wickes-class destroyers were a group of 111 destroyers built by the United States Navy in 1917-1919. Along with the 6 preceding Caldwell class and 155 subsequent Clemson-class destroyers, they formed the "flush-deck" or "four-stack" class. Only a few were completed in time to serve in World...
destroyer
Destroyer
In naval terminology, a destroyer is a fast and maneuverable yet long-endurance warship intended to escort larger vessels in a fleet, convoy or battle group and defend them against smaller, powerful, short-range attackers. Destroyers, originally called torpedo-boat destroyers in 1892, evolved from...
in the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
during the World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, later reclassified as AG-112. She was named for Ensign
Ensign (rank)
Ensign is a junior rank of a commissioned officer in the armed forces of some countries, normally in the infantry or navy. As the junior officer in an infantry regiment was traditionally the carrier of the ensign flag, the rank itself acquired the name....
Joseph Breckinridge
Joseph Breckinridge
Joseph Cabell Breckinridge was an officer in the United States Navy in the Spanish-American War. He was the son of Joseph Cabell Breckinridge, Sr., a Major General in the United States Army, and a member of the prominent Breckinridge family.-Biography:Breckinridge was born in Fort Monroe, Virginia...
.
History
Breckinridge was launched 17 August 1918 by William Cramp and SonsWilliam Cramp and Sons
thumb | upright | 1899 advertisement for William Cramp & Sons William Cramp & Sons Shipbuilding Company of Philadelphia was founded in 1825 by William Cramp, and was the preeminent U.S. iron shipbuilder in the 19th century. The American Ship & Commerce Corporation bought the yard in 1919 but closed...
Ship and Engine Building Company, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Philadelphia County, with which it is coterminous. The city is located in the Northeastern United States along the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. It is the fifth-most-populous city in the United States,...
; sponsored by Miss Genevieve Dudley Breckinridge, a niece of Ensign Breckinridge, and commissioned 27 February 1919, Commander
Commander
Commander is a naval rank which is also sometimes used as a military title depending on the individual customs of a given military service. Commander is also used as a rank or title in some organizations outside of the armed forces, particularly in police and law enforcement.-Commander as a naval...
Arthur L. Bristol
Arthur L. Bristol
Arthur LeRoy Bristol, Jr. , was a Vice Admiral in the United States Navy, who held important commands during World War I and World War II, and was an early aircraft carrier commander.-Early life and career:...
in command.
Breckinridge joined the Destroyer Force, Atlantic Fleet
U.S. Atlantic Fleet
The United States Fleet Forces Command is an Atlantic Ocean theater-level component command of the United States Navy that provides naval resources that are under the operational control of the United States Northern Command...
operating off Guantanamo Bay, Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
. She was employed along the east coast principally in the development and tests of sonar
Sonar
Sonar is a technique that uses sound propagation to navigate, communicate with or detect other vessels...
devices until placed out of commission in reserve at Philadelphia 30 June 1922. Recommissioned in May 1930, Breckinridge served with the Scouting Force United States Fleet
United States Fleet
The United States Fleet was an organization in the United States Navy from 1922 until after World War II. The abbreviation CINCUS, pronounced "sink us", was used for Commander-in-Chief, United States Fleet. This title was disposed of and officially replaced by COMINCH in December 1941 . This...
, along the east coast until late in 1932. She sailed for the Pacific where she served with the Scouting Force from Alaska
Alaska
Alaska is the largest state in the United States by area. It is situated in the northwest extremity of the North American continent, with Canada to the east, the Arctic Ocean to the north, and the Pacific Ocean to the west and south, with Russia further west across the Bering Strait...
to Pearl Harbor
Pearl Harbor
Pearl Harbor, known to Hawaiians as Puuloa, is a lagoon harbor on the island of Oahu, Hawaii, west of Honolulu. Much of the harbor and surrounding lands is a United States Navy deep-water naval base. It is also the headquarters of the U.S. Pacific Fleet...
. In May 1936 she was assigned to Training Squadron 10 and operated along the east coast and in Cuban waters until September 1936 when she was placed out of commission in reserve. After three years out of commission at Philadelphia, she was recommissioned in September 1939 and served with Division 66, Atlantic Squadron, on the Neutrality Patrol
Neutrality Patrol
At the beginning of World War II, when Nazi Germany's invasion of Poland on 1 September 1939 started the hostilities in Europe, President Franklin D...
. In December 1940 she was assigned to the Inshore Patrol Station, Panama Canal Zone
Panama Canal Zone
The Panama Canal Zone was a unorganized U.S. territory located within the Republic of Panama, consisting of the Panama Canal and an area generally extending 5 miles on each side of the centerline, but excluding Panama City and Colón, which otherwise would have been partly within the limits of...
. Subsequent to May 1941 Breckinridge was based at Key West, Florida
Key West, Florida
Key West is a city in Monroe County, Florida, United States. The city encompasses the island of Key West, the part of Stock Island north of U.S. 1 , Sigsbee Park , Fleming Key , and Sunset Key...
, patrolling and conducting underwater experiments and scheduled exercises.
Breckinridge operated under Commander, Caribbean Sea Frontier, on patrol and escort duties until December 1943 when she was assigned to the Atlantic Fleet. She joined TG 21.13, a hunter-killer group, 14 January 1944 for mid-Atlantic anti submarine sweeps. Returning to Norfolk
Norfolk, Virginia
Norfolk is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. With a population of 242,803 as of the 2010 Census, it is Virginia's second-largest city behind neighboring Virginia Beach....
27 February after an uneventful operation, TG 21.13 was dissolved and Breckinridge proceeded to Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
for overhaul. On 22 March 1944 she returned to Norfolk and reported to TF 6 to escort a convoy across the Atlantic. Departing 24 March 1944, the convoy reached the Mediterranean with no interference. However, on the night of 11/12 April numerous German planes attacked the convoy inflicting damage to .
Breckinridge returned to Boston 11 May 1944. On 27 May she reported for duty to Commander, caribbean Sea Frontier, and operated in the vicinity of Guantanamo Bay, Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
, until 7 February 1945 when she returned to duty with the Atlantic Fleet. After undergoing overhaul at Boston Navy Yard
Boston Navy Yard
The Boston Navy Yard, originally called the Charlestown Navy Yard and later Boston Naval Shipyard, was one of the oldest shipbuilding facilities in the United States Navy. Established in 1801, it was officially closed as an active naval installation on July 1, 1974, and the property was...
between 10 February and 31 March she commenced operations at New London, Connecticut
New London, Connecticut
New London is a seaport city and a port of entry on the northeast coast of the United States.It is located at the mouth of the Thames River in New London County, southeastern Connecticut....
, as flagship
Flagship
A flagship is a vessel used by the commanding officer of a group of naval ships, reflecting the custom of its commander, characteristically a flag officer, flying a distinguishing flag...
of Destroyer Division 54.
Fate
On 30 June 1945 Breckinridge was reclassified a miscellaneous auxiliary AG-112. After a short conversion period at the New York Navy Yard Annex, Bayonne, New JerseyBayonne, New Jersey
Bayonne is a city in Hudson County, New Jersey, United States. Located in the Gateway Region, Bayonne is a peninsula that is situated between Newark Bay to the west, the Kill van Kull to the south, and New York Bay to the east...
. She sailed for the Pacific, reaching San Diego 21 August. On 24 August she reported to Commander, Carrier Division 12, for duty as plane guard and escort vessel. Breckinridge operated in that capacity until decommissioned 30 November 1945. She was sold 31 October 1946.
Trivia
As of 2004, no other ship in the United States Navy has borne this name.The USS General JC Breckingridge (AP-176) was named for Ensign Breckinridge's father.