Hull Number: DD-635
Launch Date: 12/10/1941
Commissioned Date: 09/01/1942
Decommissioned Date: 05/17/1947
Other Designations: DMS-42
Class: GLEAVES
GLEAVES Class
Data for USS Gleaves (DD-423) as of 1945
Length Overall: 348’ 4"
Beam: 36’ 1"
Draft: 13’ 6"
Standard Displacement: 1,630 tons
Full Load Displacement: 2,525 tons
Fuel capacity: 2,928 barrels
Armament:
Four 5″/38 caliber guns
Two 40mm twin anti-aircraft mounts
Two 21″ quintuple torpedo tub
Complement:
16 Officers
260 Enlisted
Propulsion:
4 Boilers
2 Westinghouse Turbines: 50,000 horsepower
Highest speed on trials: 37.4 knots
Namesake: RALPH EARLE
RALPH EARLE
Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, March 2022
Ralph Earle, born 3 May 1874 at Worcester, Mass., graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1896. He served at sea in several ships, among them Massachusetts (Battleship No. 2), Essex, and Hornet. While on board Missouri (Battleship No. 11), he received commendations from the President and Secretary of the Navy for his conduct at the time of a disastrous turret explosion. He commanded the dispatch boat Dolphin at the occupation of Vera Cruz, Mexico, and later commanded Connecticut (Battleship No. 18).
Ashore, Earle had duty at the Naval Academy and the Naval Proving Ground. An expert on guns and explosives, he was made Chief of the Bureau of Ordnance shortly before the United States entered World War I. Under his administration the North Sea Mine Barrage was conceived and executed using a new type of mine, and the plan of mounting naval 14-inch guns on railway cars for use as long-range artillery on the Western Front, was evolved and carried out. After his retirement in 1927, Rear Adm. Earle served as president of Worcester Polytechnic Institute until his death on 13 February 1939.
Disposition:
Stricken 12/1/1969. Sold 10/1970.