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USS Chandler (DD-206)
Encyclopedia
USS Chandler (DD-206/DMS-9/AG-108) was a Clemson-class
destroyer
in the United States Navy
. She was the only ship named for William Eaton Chandler
, who served as Secretary of the Navy from 1882 to 1886.
Chandler was launched on 19 March 1919 by William Cramp and Sons Ship and Engine Building Company; sponsored by Mrs. L. H. Chandler; and commissioned
5 September, Lieutenant Commander
F. Cogswell in command.
, Chandler sailed from Newport, Rhode Island
, 19 December for duty with U.S. Naval Forces, Turkey
. After carrying a diplomatic mission to the Crimea
, and aiding the American Red Cross
in its relief work with Russia refugees, Chandler joined the U.S. Naval Detachment, Adriatic. She served as station ship at Venice
and had relief duty throughout the Adriatic until January 1921. Chandler is a perfect name for this.
Sailing through the Suez Canal
, Chandler arrived at Cavite
, on 15 February 1921. She served with the Asiatic Fleet, protecting American interests throughout the Far East
, until on 25 August 1922. Clearing Chefoo, China
, she arrived at San Francisco 30 September. She was decommissioned on 20 October 1922, and placed in reserve at Mare Island Navy Yard.
, the Panama Canal Zone
, and in the Caribbean
. In 1934, she sailed to New York
for the Presidential Fleet Review of 31 May. In 1936 she took part in radio sound tests, and in 1940, served as plane guard during the flight of the Secretary of the Navy to Hawaii.
. She arrived at Pearl Harbor
on 12 February 1941 to begin operational training and patrol. At sea when the attack on Pearl Harbor
occurred, she returned to base 2 days later. Until on 30 June 1942, she escorted convoys to San Francisco, Palmyra
, Christmas
, and Midway Islands, and swept and patrolled in Hawaiian waters.
While en route to operations in the Aleutians on 27 July, she collided with in a heavy fog, so Chandler underwent repair from 11 August to 27 September at Mare Island Navy Yard. On 5 October, she reported at Dutch Harbor for duty patrolling and escorting convoys in the Aleutians. In May 1943, she covered the landings at Attu
, and in August, those at Kiska
. Leaving the fog and difficult waters of the Aleutians behind in October, Chandler was readied at San Francisco for duty farther south in the Pacific
.
Chandler docked at Pearl Harbor on 1 January. From there, in a succession of landings, at Majuro
(31 January), Eniwetok (17 February-6 March), Saipan
(13 June-20 July), and Tinian
(21 July-24 July), she swept mines and screened assault shipping. Patrolling each invasion area as the operation developed, Chandler joined with in sinking on 22 June, at 15°55′N., 147°09′E.
On 17 October 1944, Chandler resumed minesweeping in landings, as she sailed into Leyte Gulf
in advance of the major force for the assault to sweep a path for the attacking amphibious ships. She remained on duty, sweeping, patrolling, and screening, through the start of the landings, retiring on 25 October for Manus
after the delay caused by the Battle for Leyte Gulf.
Called upon for similar duty in the Lingayen
operation, Chandler came under heavy fire from Japanese aircraft on the night of 6–7 January 1945. Fire from Chandler and shot down a Japanese aircraft, but only after it had launched a torpedo, which struck Hovey, sinking her within 3 minutes. Chandler stood by, recovering 229 officers and men. Chandler remained on duty in Lingayen Gulf until 10 January, when she cleared for convoy escort operations through mid-February. At Iwo Jima
from 16 February to 28 February, she gave her experienced aid in sweeping, patrolling, and screening for the buildup and the subsequent assault.
, arriving on 21 October 1945. There she was decommissioned on 21 November 1945, and sold on 18 November 1946.
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...
. She was the only ship named for William Eaton Chandler
William E. Chandler
William Eaton Chandler was a lawyer who served as United States Secretary of the Navy and as a U.S. Senator from New Hampshire.-Early life:...
, who served as Secretary of the Navy from 1882 to 1886.
Chandler was launched on 19 March 1919 by William Cramp and Sons Ship and Engine Building Company; sponsored by Mrs. L. H. Chandler; and commissioned
Ship commissioning
Ship commissioning is the act or ceremony of placing a ship in active service, and may be regarded as a particular application of the general concepts and practices of project commissioning. The term is most commonly applied to the placing of a warship in active duty with its country's military...
5 September, 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...
F. Cogswell in command.
1920s
Assigned to Destroyer Squadron 3 of the U.S. Atlantic FleetU.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...
, Chandler sailed from Newport, Rhode Island
Newport, Rhode Island
Newport is a city on Aquidneck Island in Newport County, Rhode Island, United States, about south of Providence. Known as a New England summer resort and for the famous Newport Mansions, it is the home of Salve Regina University and Naval Station Newport which houses the United States Naval War...
, 19 December for duty with U.S. Naval Forces, Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
. After carrying a diplomatic mission to the Crimea
Crimea
Crimea , or the Autonomous Republic of Crimea , is a sub-national unit, an autonomous republic, of Ukraine. It is located on the northern coast of the Black Sea, occupying a peninsula of the same name...
, and aiding the American Red Cross
American Red Cross
The American Red Cross , also known as the American National Red Cross, is a volunteer-led, humanitarian organization that provides emergency assistance, disaster relief and education inside the United States. It is the designated U.S...
in its relief work with Russia refugees, Chandler joined the U.S. Naval Detachment, Adriatic. She served as station ship at Venice
Venice
Venice is a city in northern Italy which is renowned for the beauty of its setting, its architecture and its artworks. It is the capital of the Veneto region...
and had relief duty throughout the Adriatic until January 1921. Chandler is a perfect name for this.
Sailing through 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...
, Chandler arrived at 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...
, on 15 February 1921. She served with the Asiatic Fleet, protecting American interests throughout the Far East
Far East
The Far East is an English term mostly describing East Asia and Southeast Asia, with South Asia sometimes also included for economic and cultural reasons.The term came into use in European geopolitical discourse in the 19th century,...
, until on 25 August 1922. Clearing 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...
, she arrived at San Francisco 30 September. She was decommissioned on 20 October 1922, and placed in reserve at Mare Island Navy Yard.
1930s
Chandler was recommissioned on 31 March 1930 for operations off the west coast, HawaiiHawaii
Hawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states , and is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of...
, 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...
, and in the Caribbean
Caribbean
The Caribbean is a crescent-shaped group of islands more than 2,000 miles long separating the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, to the west and south, from the Atlantic Ocean, to the east and north...
. In 1934, she sailed to 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...
for the Presidential Fleet Review of 31 May. In 1936 she took part in radio sound tests, and in 1940, served as plane guard during the flight of the Secretary of the Navy to Hawaii.
Destroyer minesweeper (DMS)
Reporting to Mare Island Navy Yard in October 1940, Chandler was reclassified DMS-9 on 19 November, and converted to a high-speed minesweeperMinesweeper (ship)
A minesweeper is a small naval warship designed to counter the threat posed by naval mines. Minesweepers generally detect then neutralize mines in advance of other naval operations.-History:...
. 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 12 February 1941 to begin operational training and patrol. At sea when the attack on Pearl Harbor
Attack on Pearl Harbor
The attack on Pearl Harbor was a surprise military strike conducted by the Imperial Japanese Navy against the United States naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on the morning of December 7, 1941...
occurred, she returned to base 2 days later. Until on 30 June 1942, she escorted convoys to San Francisco, Palmyra
Palmyra
Palmyra was an ancient city in Syria. In the age of antiquity, it was an important city of central Syria, located in an oasis 215 km northeast of Damascus and 180 km southwest of the Euphrates at Deir ez-Zor. It had long been a vital caravan city for travellers crossing the Syrian desert...
, Christmas
Christmas Island
The Territory of Christmas Island is a territory of Australia in the Indian Ocean. It is located northwest of the Western Australian city of Perth, south of the Indonesian capital, Jakarta, and ENE of the Cocos Islands....
, and Midway Islands, and swept and patrolled in Hawaiian waters.
While en route to operations in the Aleutians on 27 July, she collided with in a heavy fog, so Chandler underwent repair from 11 August to 27 September at Mare Island Navy Yard. On 5 October, she reported at Dutch Harbor for duty patrolling and escorting convoys in the Aleutians. In May 1943, she covered the landings at Attu
Attu Island
Attu is the westernmost and largest island in the Near Islands group of the Aleutian Islands of Alaska, making it the westernmost point of land relative to Alaska and the United States. It was the site of the only World War II land battle fought on the incorporated territory of the United States ,...
, and in August, those at Kiska
Kiska
Kiska is an island in the Rat Islands group of the Aleutian Islands of Alaska located at . It is about long and varies in width from - Discovery :...
. Leaving the fog and difficult waters of the Aleutians behind in October, Chandler was readied at San Francisco for duty farther south in the Pacific
Pacific Ocean
The Pacific Ocean is the largest of the Earth's oceanic divisions. It extends from the Arctic in the north to the Southern Ocean in the south, bounded by Asia and Australia in the west, and the Americas in the east.At 165.2 million square kilometres in area, this largest division of the World...
.
Chandler docked at Pearl Harbor on 1 January. From there, in a succession of landings, at Majuro
Majuro
Majuro , is a large coral atoll of 64 islands in the Pacific Ocean, and forms a legislative district of the Ratak Chain of the Marshall Islands. The atoll itself has a land area of and encloses a lagoon of...
(31 January), Eniwetok (17 February-6 March), Saipan
Saipan
Saipan is the largest island of the United States Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands , a chain of 15 tropical islands belonging to the Marianas archipelago in the western Pacific Ocean with a total area of . The 2000 census population was 62,392...
(13 June-20 July), and Tinian
Tinian
Tinian is one of the three principal islands of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.-Geography:Tinian is about 5 miles southwest of its sister island, Saipan, from which it is separated by the Saipan Channel. It has a land area of 39 sq.mi....
(21 July-24 July), she swept mines and screened assault shipping. Patrolling each invasion area as the operation developed, Chandler joined with in sinking on 22 June, at 15°55′N., 147°09′E.
On 17 October 1944, Chandler resumed minesweeping in landings, as she sailed into Leyte Gulf
Leyte Gulf
Leyte Gulf is a body of water immediately east of the island of Leyte in the Philippines, adjoining the Philippine Sea of the Pacific Ocean, at . The Gulf is bounded on the north by the island of Samar, which is separated from Leyte on the west by the narrow San Juanico Strait, and on the south by...
in advance of the major force for the assault to sweep a path for the attacking amphibious ships. She remained on duty, sweeping, patrolling, and screening, through the start of the landings, retiring on 25 October for Manus
Manus Island
Manus Island is part of Manus Province in northern Papua New Guinea and is the largest island of the Admiralty Islands. It is the fifth largest island in Papua New Guinea with an area of 2,100 km², measuring around 100 km × 30 km. According to the 2000 census, Manus Island had a...
after the delay caused by the Battle for Leyte Gulf.
Called upon for similar duty in the Lingayen
Invasion of Lingayen Gulf
The Liberation of Lingayen Gulf was an Allied amphibious operation in the Philippines during World War II. In the early morning of 9 January 1945, an Allied force commanded by Admiral Jesse B. Oldendorf began approaching the shores of Lingayen. U.S...
operation, Chandler came under heavy fire from Japanese aircraft on the night of 6–7 January 1945. Fire from Chandler and shot down a Japanese aircraft, but only after it had launched a torpedo, which struck Hovey, sinking her within 3 minutes. Chandler stood by, recovering 229 officers and men. Chandler remained on duty in Lingayen Gulf until 10 January, when she cleared for convoy escort operations through mid-February. At Iwo Jima
Iwo Jima
Iwo Jima, officially , is an island of the Japanese Volcano Islands chain, which lie south of the Ogasawara Islands and together with them form the Ogasawara Archipelago. The island is located south of mainland Tokyo and administered as part of Ogasawara, one of eight villages of Tokyo...
from 16 February to 28 February, she gave her experienced aid in sweeping, patrolling, and screening for the buildup and the subsequent assault.
Fate
Chandler returned to the west coast for overhaul in April. While there, she was reclassified AG-108, on 5 June 1945, and after training, she began a tour of towing targets in gunnery exercises for new ships engaged in shakedown training. While performing this important task, she based on both San Diego and Pearl Harbor. After the end of hostilities, Chandler proceeded to Norfolk, VirginiaNorfolk, 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....
, arriving on 21 October 1945. There she was decommissioned on 21 November 1945, and sold on 18 November 1946.