DD-150 - Tin Can Sailors

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Hull Number: DD-150

Launch Date: 09/19/2018

Commissioned Date: 05/08/2019

Decommissioned Date: 07/21/1945

Class: WICKES

WICKES Class

Namesake: JOHNSTON BLAKELEY

JOHNSTON BLAKELEY

Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships (Published 1959)

Johnston Blakeley was born near Seaford, County Down, Ireland, in October 1781. Brought to the United States as a child in 1783, he was appointed a Midshipman in 1800. After service in President during the Quasi-War with France and command of Enterprise early in the War of 1812, Master Commandant Blakeley was appointed to command of the newly built sloop-of-war Wasp. In 1814 he made a very successful cruise which included capture of HMS Reindeer. Wasp was last heard of 9 October 1814 and is believed to have foundered in a gale. Blakeley received the thanks of Congress, a gold medal, and posthumous advancement to Captain for his last cruise. The first ship so named was spelled incorrectly.

Disposition:

Sold 11/15/1945 for $8,777.00 to Boston Metals Co., Baltimore, MD. Scrapped.

USS BLAKELEY DD-150 Ship History

Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships (Published 1959)

The second Blakeley (DD-150) was launched 19 September 1918 by William Cramp and Sons Ship and Engine Building Co., Philadelphia, Pa.; sponsored by Mrs. C. A. Blakeley, wife of Commander Blakeley, great-grand-nephew of Captain Blakeley; commissioned 8 May 1919, Commander W. Brown, Jr., in command; and joined the Atlantic Fleet.

Blakeley cruised along the east coast until going out of commission 29 June 1922 at Philadelphia Navy Yard. Except for 1932-37 when she served with the Scouting Fleet, Blakeley remained out of commission at Philadelphia until 16 October 1939.

Upon recommissioning, Blakeley joined the Neutrality Patrol and with America’s entrance into World War II began patrol and convoy duty in the Caribbean. In February 1942 she helped escort the convoy carrying troops to garrison Curacao, Netherlands West Indies. While patrolling off Martinique, 25 May 1942, a German submarine torpedoed her, carrying away 60 feet of her bow. Six men were killed and 21 wounded, but the gallant crew saved the ship and brought her to Port de France, Martinique, for emergency repairs. After additional repairs at Port Castries, Santa Lucia, British West Indies, and San Juan, P. R., Blakeley steamed to Philadelphia where she was refitted with a bow taken from her stricken sister Taylor (DD-94) and thoroughly overhauled.

In September 1942 Blakeley returned to duty with the Caribbean Sea Frontier and, with the exception of two voyages, continued escort and patrol work there until February 1945. From 1 January to 23 February 1943 she served with TG 21.13 on hunter-killer duty in the North Atlantic and between 24 March and 11 May 1943 she escorted a convoy to Bizerte, Tunisia.

She operated out of New London, Conn., 18 March-13 June 1945 on training duty with submarines in Long Island Sound. Decommissioned at Philadelphia Navy Yard 21 July 1945, she was sold 30 November 1945.

Blakeley received one battle star for her convoy duty.