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USS Kimberly (DD-80)
Encyclopedia
The first USS Kimberly (DD–80) was a Wickes class
destroyer
in the United States Navy
during the World War I
. She was named for Lewis Ashfield Kimberly
.
, Massachusetts
; sponsored by Miss Elsie S. Kimberly, daughter of Rear Admiral
Kimberly; and commissioned 26 April 1918, Comdr. A. W. Johnson in command.
After shakedown Kimberly cleared Boston 19 May 1918, escorting a convoy to the United Kingdom
. After her arrival in June, the destroyer spent the remainder of the war protecting ships bound for the battle zones in Europe
from the British Isles
. She departed Queenstown, Ireland
, 26 December; and, after arrival Boston 8 January 1919, Kimberly engaged in training operations along the coast. In May the destroyer served as a lifeguard ship in New England
waters during the world's first transatlantic flight—that of the Navy's NC-4
hydroplane
commanded by Lt. Comdr. Albert C. Read.
Kimberly completed maneuvers out of Newport
, and entered Boston Navy Yard
for extensive repairs. She joined the Destroyer Force at Newport 18 April 1921, and throughout the summer operated with submarine
s. Information gained through these early experiments was of great value in refining the techniques of undersea warfare. Kimberly spent the winter at Charleston
, South Carolina
, before arriving Philadelphia
29 March 1922, where she decommissioned 30 June. Her hull was sold to Boston Iron & Metal Company, Baltimore, Maryland
, for scrapping.
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 I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. She was named for Lewis Ashfield Kimberly
Lewis Kimberly
Rear Admiral Lewis Ashfield Kimberly was an officer in the United States Navy during the American Civil War and the years following.-Early life and career:...
.
History
Kimberly was launched 14 December 1917, by Fore River Shipbuilding Company, QuincyQuincy, Massachusetts
Quincy is a city in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, United States. Its nicknames are "City of Presidents", "City of Legends", and "Birthplace of the American Dream". As a major part of Metropolitan Boston, Quincy is a member of Boston's Inner Core Committee for the Metropolitan Area Planning Council...
, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
; sponsored by Miss Elsie S. Kimberly, daughter of 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"...
Kimberly; and commissioned 26 April 1918, Comdr. A. W. Johnson in command.
After shakedown Kimberly cleared Boston 19 May 1918, escorting a convoy to the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. After her arrival in June, the destroyer spent the remainder of the war protecting ships bound for the battle zones in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
from the British Isles
British Isles
The British Isles are a group of islands off the northwest coast of continental Europe that include the islands of Great Britain and Ireland and over six thousand smaller isles. There are two sovereign states located on the islands: the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and...
. She departed Queenstown, Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
, 26 December; and, after arrival Boston 8 January 1919, Kimberly engaged in training operations along the coast. In May the destroyer served as a lifeguard ship in New England
New England
New England is a region in the northeastern corner of the United States consisting of the six states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut...
waters during the world's first transatlantic flight—that of the Navy's NC-4
NC-4
The NC-4 was a Curtiss NC flying boat which was designed by Glenn Curtiss and his team, and manufactured by Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Company. In May 1919, the NC-4 became the first aircraft to fly across the Atlantic Ocean, starting in the United States and making the crossing as far as Lisbon,...
hydroplane
Seaplane
A seaplane is a fixed-wing aircraft capable of taking off and landing on water. Seaplanes that can also take off and land on airfields are a subclass called amphibian aircraft...
commanded by Lt. Comdr. Albert C. Read.
Kimberly completed maneuvers out of Newport
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...
, and entered 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...
for extensive repairs. She joined the Destroyer Force at Newport 18 April 1921, and throughout the summer operated with submarine
Submarine
A submarine is a watercraft capable of independent operation below the surface of the water. It differs from a submersible, which has more limited underwater capability...
s. Information gained through these early experiments was of great value in refining the techniques of undersea warfare. Kimberly spent the winter at Charleston
Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston is the second largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. It was made the county seat of Charleston County in 1901 when Charleston County was founded. The city's original name was Charles Towne in 1670, and it moved to its present location from a location on the west bank of the...
, South Carolina
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
, before arriving Philadelphia
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,...
29 March 1922, where she decommissioned 30 June. Her hull was sold to Boston Iron & Metal Company, Baltimore, Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
, for scrapping.
See also
- USS KimberlyUSS KimberlyThere have been two ships in the United States Navy named USS Kimberly, both named after Lewis Ashfield Kimberly:, was a from 1918 to 1922, was a from 1943 to 1954...
for other ships of this name. - List of United States Navy destroyers
- List of ship launches in 1917
- List of ship commissionings in 1918
- List of ship decommissionings in 1922