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Hull Number: DD-766

Launch Date: 12/20/1946


Class: GEARING

GEARING Class

Data for USS Gearing (DD-710) as of 1945


Length Overall: 390’ 6"

Beam: 40’ 10"

Draft: 14’ 4"

Standard Displacement: 2,425 tons

Full Load Displacement: 3,479 tons

Fuel capacity: 4,647 barrels

Armament:

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

Complement:

20 Officers
325 Enlisted

Propulsion:

4 Boilers
2 General Electric Turbines: 60,000 horsepower

Highest speed on trials: 34.6 knots

Namesake: PHILIP VAN HORNE LANSDALE

PHILIP VAN HORNE LANSDALE

Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, July 2015

Philip Van Horne Lansdale, born 15 February 1858 in Washington, D.C., graduated as Passed Midshipman from the Naval Academy 18 June 1879. Commissioned ensign 1 June 1881, he served on Asiatic, North Atlantic, Mediterranean, and Pacific stations. Promoted to lieutenant 15 May 1893, he became executive officer of Philadelphia upon her recommissioning at San Francisco 9 July 1898.

After visiting Honolulu for ceremonies which transferred the sovereignty of the Hawaiian Islands to the United States, Philadelphia, flagship of Rear Adm. Albert Kautz, Commander, Pacific Station, arrived Apia, Samoa, 6 March 1899. An unstable political climate, created by rival native factions and spurred on by German intrigue, erupted into open hostility during the month. A combined American and British naval force sought to keep the peace, but insurgent natives attacked American and British consulates late in March.

In retaliation a British and American landing party, supported by friendly natives, set out from Apia 1 April on a reconnaissance mission to drive off the rebels under Chief Mataafa. With Lieutenant Lansdale in command of the Americans, the expeditionary force dispersed the natives. While returning to Apia, the force was ambushed and a brisk battle ensued.

While protecting the evacuation of a mortally wounded machinegunner, Lieutenant Lansdale was seriously wounded, his right leg shattered by an enemy bullet. Aided by two enlisted men, Ensign J. R. Monaghan carried him until he dropped from exhaustion. Despite Lansdale-s plea, -Monny, you leave me now, I cannot go any further,- Ensign Monaghan remained beside the fallen lieutenant. With only one rifle between them, they were soon overrun by pursuing natives; both brave officers died on the spot in heroic performance of their duty.


Disposition:

Cancelled 1/7/1946. Bow rem to repair DD-884, May 1956. Stricken 6/9/1958. Sold 3/23/1959


USS LANSDALE DD-766 Ship History

Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, July 2015

Lansdale (DD-766), a Gearing-class destroyer, was laid down 2 April 1944 by Bethlehem Steel Co., San Francisco, Calif.; launched 20 December 1946; sponsored by Mrs. Ethel S. Lansdale; and delivered 30 December in partially completed status to the 12th Naval District for berthing at Suisun Bay.

Lansdale saw no active service. In May 1956 she was towed to Long Beach Naval Shipyard where her bow was removed to replace the damaged bow of Floyd B. Parks (DD-884). Her name was struck from the Naval Register 9 June 1958.