Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships (Published 1959)
Born at Chateaugay, NY, 12 April 1805, Theoderus Bailey was appointed a Midshipman in 1818. He was commended for energy, enterprise, and gallantry in the war with Mexico. During the Civil War he was Admiral Farragut’s second in command at the battle of New Orleans. Rear Admiral Bailey died at Washington, DC, 10 February 1877.
Disposition:
Transferred to England on 11/26/1940 as HMS READING (G-71). Scrapped Inverkeithing, England 7/1945.
Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships (Published 1959)
The second Bailey (DD-269) was launched 5 February 1919 by Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corp., Squantum, MA; sponsored by Miss Rosalie Yellows Bailey, great-granddaughter of Admiral Bailey; commissioned 27 June 1919, Commander A. Sharp in command; and reported to the Pacific Fleet. Bailey carried out routine operations along the west coast between October 1919 and June 1922. Because of the disturbed conditions on the west coast of Mexico she was assigned to patrol duty there for short periods in 1920. On 15 June 1922 Bailey went out of commission at San Diego.
On 30 September 1939 she was recommissioned at San Diego and reported to Destroyer Division 72, Atlantic Squadron. Bailey served with the Squadron in operations off the eastern seaboard until November 1940. On 26 November 1940 she was decommissioned at Halifax, Nova Scotia, and transferred in the destroyer-land bases exchange to Great Britain.
Renamed HMS Reading she was commissioned 26 November 1940 for service with the 5th “Town” Flotilla and arrived at Plymouth, England, 17 December 1940. Between December 1940 and July 1941 she escorted convoys in the Atlantic, working out of Liverpool. In July 1941 she joined the Newfoundland Escort Group with which she remained until May 1942. Between May and October 1942 she underwent a yard overhaul, after which she served as a target ship for aircraft from the Air Station, Fearn, Scotland, and continued in this assignment until July 1945 when she was handed over to ship-breakers at Rosyth.
