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USS BEALE DD-471

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Hull Number: DD-471

Launch Date: 08/24/1942

Commissioned Date: 12/23/1942

Decommissioned Date: 09/30/1968

Call Sign: NAWC

Voice Call Sign: Enchant (early 60S)

Other Designations: DDE-471


Class: FLETCHER

FLETCHER Class

Data for USS Fletcher (DD-445) as of 1945

Length Overall: 376’ 5"

Beam: 39’ 7"

Draft: 13’ 9"

Standard Displacement: 2,050 tons

Full Load Displacement: 2,940 tons

Fuel capacity: 3,250 barrels

Armament:

Five 5″/38 caliber guns
Five 40mm twin anti-aircraft mounts
Two 21″ quintuple torpedo tubes

Complement:

20 Officers
309 Enlisted

Propulsion:

4 Boilers
2 General Electric Turbines: 60,000 horsepower

Highest speed on trials: 35.2 knots

Namesake: EDWARD FITZGERALD BEALE

EDWARD FITZGERALD BEALE

Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships (Published 1959)

Born in Washington, D. C., 4 February 1822, Edward Fitzgerald Beale was appointed to the Naval School, Philadelphia, Pa., in 1836 and was warranted a passed midshipman 1 July 1842. He distinguished himself during the Mexican War by carrying dispatches through enemy lines following the Battle of San Pasqual, Calif. After the war he resigned his commission to become Superintendent of Indian Affairs in California and New Mexico. He served as Minister to Austria (1876-77) and died in Washington, D. C., 22 April 1893.


Disposition:

Sunk as target, by naval gunfire, on 06/24/1969 off Virginia Capes in 1290 fathoms at 37 deg 06.5 min N., 73 deg 52.2 min W.


Ship History

USS BEALE DD-471 Ship History

Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships (Published 1959)

The second Beale (DD-471) was launched 24 August 1912 by Bethlehem Steel Co., Staten Island, N. Y.; sponsored by Miss Nancy Beale, a great-grandniece of Lieutenant Beale; and commissioned 23 December 1942, Commander J. B. Cockran in command.

Reporting to the Pacific Fleet, Beale took part in the landings at Cape Gloucester New Britain (26-28 December 1943 and 23 January-1 February 1944); Saidor, New Guinea (2-22 January); bombardment of Sio, New Guinea (8 January); Admiralty Islands landings (27 February-8 March); bombardment of Wewak, New Guinea (18-19 March); Hollandia landings (22 April); Wakde-Toem landings (17 May); Biak landings (27 May-9 June); night destroyer action off Biak, (8-9 June); Noemfoor Island landings (2 July); Wewak-Aitape landings (16-24 July); Cape Sansapor, New Guinea landings (30 July); Peleliu, Palaus landings (15 September); and invasion of Okinawa (1-24 April 1945). As a fitting climax to her outstanding career, she took part in the 3rd Fleet air strikes against the Japanese home islands (26 July-7 August 1945) bringing an end to the war.

Beale remained in the Western Pacific on occupation duty until 30 November 1945. She then returned home and went out of commission in reserve at Charleston Navy Yard 11 April 1946.

Reclassified DDE-471, 2 January 1951, she was converted at Boston Naval Shipyard and recommissioned 1 November 1951. Through 1956 Beale has made six Caribbean training cruises and one trip to Halifax, Nova Scotia. She also made three tours in the Mediterranean with the 6th Fleet.

Beale received six battle stars for her World War II service.