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USS Bristol (DD-857)
Encyclopedia
USS Bristol (DD-857), an Allen M. Sumner-class
destroyer
, was the 2nd ship of the United States Navy
to be named for Rear Admiral
Mark Lambert Bristol
, who served as Commander-in-Chief
North Atlantic Fleet from 1901 to 1903.
The second Bristol was launched 29 October 1944 by Bethlehem Steel Co., San Pedro, California, sponsored by Mrs. August Frederick Eberly; and commissioned 17 March 1945, Commander
K. P. Letts in command.
, arriving 19 June 1945. Arriving at Guam 29 July she Joined TG 30.8, a logistic support group supplying TF 38. On 5 August 1945, Bristol collided with . Bristols bow was damaged and she returned to Guam for repairs. Repairs completed 1 September, she departed for Far Eastern occupation duty. Her tour of duty ended 21 February 1946, and she returned to San Pedro 15 March.
Upon return, she was designated as a Reserve training ship and operated for the next 18 months out of New Orleans, Louisiana
. During the summer and fall of 1950, Bristol visited several Caribbean ports, with interim periods of training at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
Bristols homeport was changed to Newport 21 October 1950, and, after refresher training at Guantanamo Bay, she reported to Newport for general duty. On 5 March 1951, Bristol proceeded to the Mediterranean for duty with the 6th Fleet, returning to Newport during the summer. On 2 October 1951, she commenced a round-the-world cruise which took her first to Korea where she served from 31 October 1951 to 27 February 1952. She then returned to Newport via the Suez Canal
and the Mediterranean, arriving 21 April 1952.
Allen M. Sumner class destroyer
The Allen M. Sumner class was a group of 58 destroyers built by the United States during World War II. Another twelve ships were completed as destroyer minelayers...
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...
, was the 2nd ship of 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...
to be named for Rear Admiral
Rear Admiral
Rear admiral is a naval commissioned officer rank above that of a commodore and captain, and below that of a vice admiral. It is generally regarded as the lowest of the "admiral" ranks, which are also sometimes referred to as "flag officers" or "flag ranks"...
Mark Lambert Bristol
Mark Lambert Bristol
Mark Lambert Bristol was a Rear Admiral in the United States Navy.-Biography:He was born on April 17, 1868 in Glassboro, New Jersey. Bristol graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1887. During the Spanish-American War he served aboard Texas and participated in the Battle of Santiago de...
, who served as Commander-in-Chief
Commander-in-Chief
A commander-in-chief is the commander of a nation's military forces or significant element of those forces. In the latter case, the force element may be defined as those forces within a particular region or those forces which are associated by function. As a practical term it refers to the military...
North Atlantic Fleet from 1901 to 1903.
The second Bristol was launched 29 October 1944 by Bethlehem Steel Co., San Pedro, California, sponsored by Mrs. August Frederick Eberly; and commissioned 17 March 1945, 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...
K. P. Letts in command.
World War II
Bristol departed San Diego 13 June 1945, en route to Pearl HarborPearl 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...
, arriving 19 June 1945. Arriving at Guam 29 July she Joined TG 30.8, a logistic support group supplying TF 38. On 5 August 1945, Bristol collided with . Bristols bow was damaged and she returned to Guam for repairs. Repairs completed 1 September, she departed for Far Eastern occupation duty. Her tour of duty ended 21 February 1946, and she returned to San Pedro 15 March.
Post-War
In April 1946, Bristol proceeded to the east coast and reported to the Atlantic Fleet. She operated along the east coast until February 1947, when she steamed to England for a cruise in European waters that lasted until August. Between August 1947 and September 1948, she conducted local operations in the Atlantic and, from September 1948 until January 1949, made a second tour of Europe.Upon return, she was designated as a Reserve training ship and operated for the next 18 months out of New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is a major United States port and the largest city and metropolitan area in the state of Louisiana. The New Orleans metropolitan area has a population of 1,235,650 as of 2009, the 46th largest in the USA. The New Orleans – Metairie – Bogalusa combined statistical area has a population...
. During the summer and fall of 1950, Bristol visited several Caribbean ports, with interim periods of training at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
Bristols homeport was changed to Newport 21 October 1950, and, after refresher training at Guantanamo Bay, she reported to Newport for general duty. On 5 March 1951, Bristol proceeded to the Mediterranean for duty with the 6th Fleet, returning to Newport during the summer. On 2 October 1951, she commenced a round-the-world cruise which took her first to Korea where she served from 31 October 1951 to 27 February 1952. She then returned to Newport via the Suez Canal
Suez Canal
The Suez Canal , also known by the nickname "The Highway to India", is an artificial sea-level waterway in Egypt, connecting the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea. Opened in November 1869 after 10 years of construction work, it allows water transportation between Europe and Asia without navigation...
and the Mediterranean, arriving 21 April 1952.