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USS BEATTY DD-640

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Hull Number: DD-640

Launch Date: 12/20/1941

Commissioned Date: 05/07/1942


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: FRANK EDMUND BEATTY

FRANK EDMUND BEATTY

Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships (Published 1959)

Born in Jefferson County, Wis., 26 November 1853, Frank Edmund Beatty, graduated from the Academy in 1875. He commanded Wisconsin (BB-9) during the world cruise of the Atlantic Battleship Fleet. He was later Commandant of the Navy Yard and the Naval Gun Factory, Washington, D. C. Rear Admiral Beatty also assisted in improving naval artillery practice and in developing an electric range finder. He retired 6 October 1919 and died at Charleston, S. C., 16 March 1926.


Disposition:

Sunk by German aircraft pff Cape Bougaroun, Algeria, 11/06/1943.


Ship History

USS BEATTY DD-640 Ship History

Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships (Published 1959)

Beatty (DD-640) was launched 20 December 1941 by Charleston Navy Yard; sponsored by Mrs. Charles B. Drayton, daughter of Admiral Beatty; and commissioned 7 May 1942, Lieutenant Commander F. 0. Stelter, Jr., in command.

Beatty joined the Atlantic Fleet and patrolled along the east coast and in the Caribbean until 8 October 1942. She escorted the Southern (Safi) Attack Force to the North African invasion (8-11 November 1942). The destroyer then began escorting convoys between New York and Casablanca, French Morocco, making three round trips between 12 December 1942 and 28 April 1943. Departing New York 8 June she arrived at Oran, Algeria, 22 June. She left Oran 5 July and during 10-12 July took part in the invasion of Sicily.

Returning to New York 4 August, she then completed a round trip convoy escort mission to the Mediterranean (21 August-21 September). Departing New York 2 October she escorted a convoy to Britain and there picked up another convoy (28 October) for the Mediterranean. While off Cape Bourgaroun, Algeria, 6 November 1943, German aircraft attacked the convoy. After fighting off several planes, Beatty was torpedoed. She broke in two and sank about three hours and 22 minutes later. Eleven of the crew were lost and eight wounded during the attack.

Beatty received three battle stars for her World War II service.