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USS Bulmer (DD-222)
Encyclopedia
USS Bulmer (DD-222/AG-86) was a Clemson-class
destroyer
in the United States Navy
during World War II
. She was named for Captain
Roscoe Bulmer
, and was the last warship of the Asiatic Fleet in commission.
Bulmer was launched 22 January 1920 by William Cramp and Sons
; sponsored by Miss Anita Paor Bulmer, daughter of Captain Bulmer; and commissioned on 16 August 1920, Lieutenant Commander
J. C. Jennings in command.
, based at San Diego, California
. In 1923, she joined the U.S. Naval Forces, Europe, and later the U.S. Naval Detachment in Turkish Waters. Early in 1925, she was assigned to the Asiatic Fleet. She operated as a unit of Destroyer Squadron 5 (DesRon 5), Destroyer Division 14 (DesDiv 14), alternately based in the winter at Manila
and Cavite
, Philippine Islands, and in the summer at Chefoo, China
. Early in 1939, Bulmer was assigned to the South China Patrol and was later reassigned to DesRon 29, DesDiv 58, on Neutrality Patrol
under the Commandant, 16th Naval District. In January 1941, she participated in the Asiatic Fleet Problem and then continued patrolling in the Philippines.
, Bulmer was still assigned to the Asiatic Fleet and stationed in the Philippines. During the early months of the war she engaged in patrol, escort, and antisubmarine duties throughout the southwest Pacific.
As a unit of Task Force 5 (TF 5), DesRon 29, Bulmer took part in the Battle of Bali Sea on 4 February 1942, where the allies were defeated. She also took part in the unsuccessful Allied attempt to intercept Japanese invasion convoys off Palembang
, Sumatra
. On 19 February, along with and , she departed Tjilatjap, Java, for Exmouth Gulf
, Australia
, and an overhaul.
Bulmer served on patrol duty at various Australian ports until May. She arrived at Pearl Harbor
on 16 June and reported to Commander, Service Force, Pacific Fleet, for duty. From June 1942 to May 1943, she operated as an escort vessel for convoys sailing between Pearl Harbor and San Francisco and return.
Bulmer was assigned to the Atlantic Fleet in May and arrived at New York
on 14 June. Her first Atlantic assignment was as a unit of Task Group 21.12 (TG 21.12) from 14 June to 22 September. During this sweep of the North Atlantic, aircraft from sank on 13 July.
Bulmer next made a trans-Atlantic voyage to Swansea
Wales and then commenced convoy escort duty between northeastern Atlantic ports and North Africa
from 4 October 1943 to 31 July 1944. On 13–14 January, during one of these voyages, Bulmer and other escorts made several attacks against a German wolf pack of submarines in the eastern Atlantic. Bulmer conducted her attacks very aggressively and although not officially credited there is a chance that she sank or severely damaged . On the morning of 14 January, she rescued 17 German survivors, including the captain, of a sunken German submarine believed to have been , which was sunk on 13 January by a British flying boat.
From 1 August to 4 October 1944, she conducted operations in Narragansett Bay
. Bulmer's designation was changed to AG-86 on 1 December. She reported to the Panama Canal Zone
on 27 December for training duty with newly commissioned submarines. In July 1945, she returned to the United States and was assigned to the operational control of Commander, Air Force, Atlantic Fleet, and operated out of Port Everglades, Florida. Bulmer was decommissioned on 16 August 1946 and sold on 19 February 1947.
As of 2005, no other ship has been named Bulmer.
Clemson class destroyer
The Clemson class was a series of 156 destroyers which served with the United States Navy from after World War I through World War II.The Clemson-class ships were commissioned by the United States Navy from 1919 to 1922, built by Newport News Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Company, New York Shipbuilding...
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 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...
. She was named for Captain
Captain (naval)
Captain is the name most often given in English-speaking navies to the rank corresponding to command of the largest ships. The NATO rank code is OF-5, equivalent to an army full colonel....
Roscoe Bulmer
Roscoe Bulmer
Captain Roscoe Carlyle Bulmer, USN was an officer in the United States Navy. His active-duty career extended from the 1890s until just after World War I....
, and was the last warship of the Asiatic Fleet in commission.
Bulmer was launched 22 January 1920 by William Cramp and Sons
William 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...
; sponsored by Miss Anita Paor Bulmer, daughter of Captain Bulmer; and commissioned on 16 August 1920, Lieutenant Commander
Lieutenant Commander
Lieutenant Commander is a commissioned officer rank in many navies. The rank is superior to a lieutenant and subordinate to a commander...
J. C. Jennings in command.
Inter-War Period
In 1920, Bulmer joined the Pacific FleetUnited States Pacific Fleet
The United States Pacific Fleet is a Pacific Ocean theater-level component command of the United States Navy that provides naval resources under the operational control of the United States Pacific Command. Its home port is at Pearl Harbor Naval Base, Hawaii. It is commanded by Admiral Patrick M...
, based at San Diego, California
San Diego, California
San Diego is the eighth-largest city in the United States and second-largest city in California. The city is located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, immediately adjacent to the Mexican border. The birthplace of California, San Diego is known for its mild year-round...
. In 1923, she joined the U.S. Naval Forces, Europe, and later the U.S. Naval Detachment in Turkish Waters. Early in 1925, she was assigned to the Asiatic Fleet. She operated as a unit of Destroyer Squadron 5 (DesRon 5), Destroyer Division 14 (DesDiv 14), alternately based in the winter at Manila
Manila
Manila is the capital of the Philippines. It is one of the sixteen cities forming Metro Manila.Manila is located on the eastern shores of Manila Bay and is bordered by Navotas and Caloocan to the north, Quezon City to the northeast, San Juan and Mandaluyong to the east, Makati on the southeast,...
and Cavite
Cavite
Cavite is a province of the Philippines located on the southern shores of Manila Bay in the CALABARZON region in Luzon, just 30 kilometers south of Manila. Cavite is surrounded by Laguna to the east, Metro Manila to the northeast, and Batangas to the south...
, Philippine Islands, and in the summer at Chefoo, China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
. Early in 1939, Bulmer was assigned to the South China Patrol and was later reassigned to DesRon 29, DesDiv 58, on 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...
under the Commandant, 16th Naval District. In January 1941, she participated in the Asiatic Fleet Problem and then continued patrolling in the Philippines.
World War II
When the United States entered World War IIWorld 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...
, Bulmer was still assigned to the Asiatic Fleet and stationed in the Philippines. During the early months of the war she engaged in patrol, escort, and antisubmarine duties throughout the southwest Pacific.
As a unit of Task Force 5 (TF 5), DesRon 29, Bulmer took part in the Battle of Bali Sea on 4 February 1942, where the allies were defeated. She also took part in the unsuccessful Allied attempt to intercept Japanese invasion convoys off Palembang
Palembang
Palembang is the capital city of the South Sumatra province in Indonesia. Palembang is one of the oldest cities in Indonesia, and has a history of being a capital of a maritime empire. Located on the Musi River banks on the east coast of southern Sumatra island, it has an area of 400.61 square...
, Sumatra
Sumatra
Sumatra is an island in western Indonesia, westernmost of the Sunda Islands. It is the largest island entirely in Indonesia , and the sixth largest island in the world at 473,481 km2 with a population of 50,365,538...
. On 19 February, along with and , she departed Tjilatjap, Java, for Exmouth Gulf
Exmouth Gulf
Exmouth Gulf is a gulf in the north west of Western Australia. It lies between North West Cape and the main coastline of Western Australia. It is considered to be part of the region of the North West Shelf and in the Canning Basin area.-Environment:...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, and an overhaul.
Bulmer served on patrol duty at various Australian ports until May. She arrived at 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...
on 16 June and reported to Commander, Service Force, Pacific Fleet, for duty. From June 1942 to May 1943, she operated as an escort vessel for convoys sailing between Pearl Harbor and San Francisco and return.
Bulmer was assigned to the Atlantic Fleet in May and arrived at New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
on 14 June. Her first Atlantic assignment was as a unit of Task Group 21.12 (TG 21.12) from 14 June to 22 September. During this sweep of the North Atlantic, aircraft from sank on 13 July.
Bulmer next made a trans-Atlantic voyage to Swansea
Swansea
Swansea is a coastal city and county in Wales. Swansea is in the historic county boundaries of Glamorgan. Situated on the sandy South West Wales coast, the county area includes the Gower Peninsula and the Lliw uplands...
Wales and then commenced convoy escort duty between northeastern Atlantic ports and North Africa
North Africa
North Africa or Northern Africa is the northernmost region of the African continent, linked by the Sahara to Sub-Saharan Africa. Geopolitically, the United Nations definition of Northern Africa includes eight countries or territories; Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, South Sudan, Sudan, Tunisia, and...
from 4 October 1943 to 31 July 1944. On 13–14 January, during one of these voyages, Bulmer and other escorts made several attacks against a German wolf pack of submarines in the eastern Atlantic. Bulmer conducted her attacks very aggressively and although not officially credited there is a chance that she sank or severely damaged . On the morning of 14 January, she rescued 17 German survivors, including the captain, of a sunken German submarine believed to have been , which was sunk on 13 January by a British flying boat.
From 1 August to 4 October 1944, she conducted operations in Narragansett Bay
Narragansett Bay
Narragansett Bay is a bay and estuary on the north side of Rhode Island Sound. Covering 147 mi2 , the Bay forms New England's largest estuary, which functions as an expansive natural harbor, and includes a small archipelago...
. Bulmer's designation was changed to AG-86 on 1 December. She reported to the 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...
on 27 December for training duty with newly commissioned submarines. In July 1945, she returned to the United States and was assigned to the operational control of Commander, Air Force, Atlantic Fleet, and operated out of Port Everglades, Florida. Bulmer was decommissioned on 16 August 1946 and sold on 19 February 1947.
Awards
She received two battle stars for her World War II service.As of 2005, no other ship has been named Bulmer.
External links
- http://www.navsource.org/archives/05/222.htm