O'Brien-class destroyer

Lead ship of the O'Brien class, USS O'Brien
Class overview
Name	O'Brien class
Builders	Bath Iron Works (1) Fore River Shipbuilding Company (1) New York Shipbuilding Corporation (1) William Cramp & Sons (3)
Operators	United States Navy  United States Coast Guard
Preceded by	Aylwin class
Succeeded by	Tucker class
Built	1913–1915
In commission	U.S. Navy: 1915–1922 U.S. Coast Guard: 1924–1933
Planned	6
Completed	6
Retired	6
Scrapped	6
General characteristics
Type	destroyer
Displacement	1,050 long tons (1,070 t) (normal)[1] 1,171 long tons (1,190 t) (full)
Length	305 ft 5 in (93.09 m)[1] (oa)
Beam	31 ft 2 in (9.50 m)[1]
Draft	9 ft 6 in (2.90 m) (normal)[1] 10 ft 7 in (3.23 m) (max)[2]
Propulsion	4 × White-Forster boilers , 2 × triple-expansion steam engines for cruising [DD-55: 2 × geared steam turbines][2] 2 × shafts 17,000 shp (13,000 kW)[1]
Speed	29 knots (54 km/h)
Complement	101[2]
Armament	4 × 4 in (102 mm)/50 caliber guns 8 × 21 inch (533 mm) torpedo tubes (4 × 2), 8 torpedoes

The O'Brien class of destroyers was a class of six ships designed by and built for the United States Navy shortly before the United States entered World War I. The O'Brien class was the third of five classes of destroyers that were known as the "thousand tonners", because they were the first U.S. destroyers over 1,000 long tons (1,016 t) displacement.

The design of what became the O'Brien class was the result of discussions between the General Board of the United States Navy and the U.S. Navy's Bureau of Ordnance. What resulted was a design that was an incremental development of the Aylwin class, which itself was similar to the first of the thousand tonners, the Cassin class (which displaced about a third more than the preceding Paulding class). The key difference in the O'Brien class was the increase in torpedo size, going up to 21 inches (533 mm) from the preceding classes' 18-inch (457 mm) torpedoes.

The ships had a median displacement of 1,050 long tons (1,070 t), were just over 305 feet (93 m) in length, and had a

All six ships operated in the Atlantic or Caribbean until the U.S. entrance into World War I in April 1917, when all six were sent overseas to

The "thousand tonners" were the 26 United States Navy destroyers of five classes—Cassin, Aylwin, O'Brien, Tucker, and Sampson—so named because they were the first U.S. Navy destroyers to have displacements greater than 1,000 long tons.^{[1][Note 3]} The Cassin class, the first of the thousand tonners, displaced about a third more than the preceding Paulding class.^[1] The introduction of the thousand tonners led to the Pauldings and other older, smaller displacement destroyers of previous classes to be dismissively called "flivvers",^[5] a nickname also commonly applied to the Ford Model T.^{[11][Note 4]}

The O'Brien class was the third of the five classes of "thousand tonners". The earlier Cassin- (DD-43 to DD-46) and Aylwin-class (DD-47 to DD-50) ships were about the same length as the O'Brien ships and all had median displacements in the range of 1,020–1,050 long tons (1,040–1,070 t); the later Tucker- (DD-57 to DD-62) and Sampson-class (DD-63 to DD-68) ships were about 10 feet (3.0 m) longer and had median displacements of 1,090–1,100 long tons (1,110–1,120 t). All five classes were armed with four 4-inch (102 mm) guns, but the torpedo size and complement varied. All were equipped with four twin

All six members of the class served in the Atlantic or Caribbean throughout their U.S. Navy careers.[10] In October 1916, with the United States still neutral in World War I, five of the six class members (all except Nicholson) were among the U.S. destroyers sent out to rescue survivors from five ships torpedoed by German submarine U-53 off the Lightship Nantucket.^[12][13]

After the United States entered the war in April 1917, all six class members were sent overseas to

USS O'Brien (Destroyer No. 51/DD-51) was

USS Nicholson (Destroyer No. 52/DD-52) was laid down by William Cramp & Sons of Philadelphia in September 1913 and launched in August 1914. The ship was the second U.S. Navy vessel named in honor of five members of the Nicholson family who gave distinguished service in the American Revolutionary War, the

After Nicholson's April 1915 commissioning, she sailed off the east coast and in the Caribbean. After the United States entered World War I in April 1917, Nicholson was sent overseas to patrol the Irish Sea out of Queenstown, Ireland. In October 1917, Nicholson steamed to the rescue of SS J. L. Luckenbach, driving off German submarine U-62, which had shelled the American cargo ship for over three hours.^[20] In November, Nicholson and another U.S. destroyer, Fanning, were responsible for sinking German submarine U-58, the first submarine taken by U.S. forces during the war.^[18] In September 1918, Nicholson helped drive off U-82 after that U-boat had torpedoed the American troopship Mount Vernon off the coast of France.^[16]

Upon returning to the United States after the war, Nicholson was placed in reduced commission in November 1919. She was decommissioned at Philadelphia in May 1922. She was struck from the Naval Vessel Register in January 1936 sold for scrapping in June.^[20]

USS Winslow (DD-53)

USS Winslow (Destroyer No. 53/DD-53) was laid down by William Cramp & Sons of Philadelphia in October 1913 and launched in February 1915. The ship was the second U.S. Navy vessel named in honor of

After Winslow's August 1915 commissioning, she sailed off the east coast and in the Caribbean.[16] She was one of the U.S. destroyers sent out to rescue survivors from five victims of German submarine U-53 off the Lightship Nantucket in October 1916.^[12] After the United States entered World War I in April 1917, Winslow was sent overseas to patrol the Irish Sea out of Queenstown, Ireland. Winslow made several unsuccessful attacks on U-boats, and rescued survivors of several ships sunk by the German craft.^[16]

Upon returning to the United States after the war, Winslow was placed in reduced commission in December 1919. She was decommissioned at Philadelphia in June 1922. In November she dropped her name to free it for a new destroyer of the same name, becoming known only as DD-53. She was struck from the Naval Vessel Register in January 1936 sold for scrapping in June.^[16]

USS McDougal (DD-54)

USS McDougal (Destroyer No. 54/DD-54) was laid down by Bath Iron Works of Bath, Maine, in July 1913 and launched in April 1914. The ship was the second U.S. Navy vessel named in honor of David Stockton McDougal, a U.S. Navy officer notable for his leadership during an 1863 battle off Japan while in command of Wyoming.

After McDougal's June 1914 commissioning, she sailed off the east coast and in the Caribbean.^[14] She was one of the U.S. destroyers sent out to rescue survivors from five victims of German submarine U-53 off the Lightship Nantucket in October 1916, and carried 6 crewmen from a sunken Dutch cargo ship to Newport, Rhode Island.^[13] After the United States entered World War I in April 1917, McDougal was part of the first U.S. destroyer squadron sent overseas. Patrolling the Irish Sea out of Queenstown, Ireland, McDougal made several unsuccessful attacks on U-boats, and rescued survivors of ships sunk by the German craft. After a collision with a British cargo ship in February 1918, McDougal was under repair until mid-July, and afterwards, operated out of Brest, France.^[14]

Upon returning to the United States after the war, McDougal conducted operations with the destroyers of the

USS Cushing (Destroyer No. 55/DD-55) was laid down by the

After Cushing's August 1915 commissioning, she sailed off the east coast and in the Caribbean.[21] She was one of the U.S. destroyers sent out to rescue survivors from five victims of German submarine U-53 off the Lightship Nantucket in October 1916.^[12] After the United States entered World War I in April 1917, Cushing was sent overseas to patrol the Irish Sea out of Queenstown, Ireland. Cushing made several unsuccessful attacks on U-boats, and rescued survivors of several ships sunk by the German craft.^[21]

Upon returning to the United States after the war, Cushing was placed in reserve in reduced commission. She was decommissioned at Philadelphia in August 1920. She was struck for the Naval Vessel Register in January 1936 and was sold for scrapping in June.^[21]

USS Ericsson (DD-56)

USS Ericsson (Destroyer No. 56/DD-56) was laid down by the New York Shipbuilding of Camden, New Jersey, in November 1913 and launched in August of the following year. The ship was the second U.S. Navy vessel named in honor of John Ericsson, the Swedish-born builder of the ironclad warship USS Monitor during the American Civil War.

After Ericsson's May 1916 commissioning, she sailed off the east coast and in the Caribbean.^[15] She was one of the U.S. destroyers sent out to rescue survivors from five victims of German submarine U-53 off the Lightship Nantucket in October 1916,^[12] and carried 81 passengers from a sunken British ocean liner to Newport, Rhode Island.^[22] After the United States entered World War I in April 1917, Ericsson was part of the first U.S. destroyer squadron sent overseas. Patrolling the Irish Sea out of Queenstown, Ireland, Ericsson made several unsuccessful attacks on U-boats, and rescued survivors of several ships sunk by the German craft.^[15]

Upon returning to the United States after the war, Ericsson conducted operations with the destroyers of the Atlantic Fleet until August 1919, when she was placed in reserve, still in commission. After a brief stint of operations in mid 1921, she was placed in reserve until she was decommissioned at Philadelphia in June 1922. In June 1924, Ericsson was transferred to the United States Coast Guard to help enforce Prohibition as a part of the "Rum Patrol". She operated under the name USCGC Ericsson (CG-5) until May 1932, when she was returned to the Navy. She was sold for scrap in August 1934.^[15]

Notes

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d e f g h i} Gardiner, pp. 122–23.
2. ^ ^{a b c d e f g h i j} Bauer and Roberts, p. 171.
3. ^ ^{a b c d} Friedman, p. 29.
4. ^ ^{a b} Bauer and Roberts, p. 170.
5. ^ ^{a b c} Gardiner, p. 121.
6. ^ ^{a b c d e} Gardiner, p. 123.
7. ^ Friedman, pp. 25, 27.
8. ^ ^{a b c} DiGiulian, Tony (15 August 2008). "United States of America: 4"/50 (10.2 cm) Marks 7, 8, 9 and 10". Naval Weapons of the World. Navweaps.com. Retrieved 28 May 2009.
9. ^ ^{a b} Friedman, p. 31.
10. ^
    Naval History & Heritage Command. "Cushing", "Ericsson", "McDougal", "Nicholson", "O'Brien", "Winslow". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships
    (DANFS). Retrieved on 18 January 2015.
11. ^ Cashman, p. 278.
12. ^ ^{a b c d e} "Newport aroused by U-boat's raid" (PDF). The New York Times. 9 October 1916. p. 2. Retrieved 28 May 2009.
13. ^ ^{a b} Levy, Nathan (22 October 1916). "United States sailor describes rescue of U-53's victims" (PDF). The New York Times. p. X1. Retrieved 28 May 2009.
14. ^ ^{a b c d} Naval History & Heritage Command. "McDougal". DANFS. Retrieved 18 January 2015.
15. ^ ^{a b c d} Naval History & Heritage Command. "Ericsson". DANFS. Retrieved 18 January 2015.
16. ^ ^{a b c d e} Naval History & Heritage Command. "Winslow". DANFS. Retrieved 19 January 2015.
17. ^ Naval History & Heritage Command. "Tucker". DANFS. Retrieved 18 January 2015.
18. ^ ^{a b} Sweetman, p. 124.
19. ^ ^{a b c d} Naval History & Heritage Command. "O'Brien". DANFS. Retrieved 18 January 2015.
20. ^ ^{a b} Naval History & Heritage Command. "Nicholson". DANFS. Retrieved 18 January 2015.
21. ^ ^{a b c} Naval History & Heritage Command. "Cushing". DANFS. Retrieved 18 January 2015.
22. ^ "Six of our ships see Stephano sunk" (PDF). The New York Times. 9 October 1916. p. 1. Retrieved 28 May 2009.

Bibliography

• OCLC 24010356
  .
• Cashman, Sean Dennis (1988). America in the Age of the Titans: The Progressive Era and World War I. New York: New York University Press.
  OCLC 17234055
  .
• Friedman, Norman (2004) [1982]. U.S. destroyers: An Illustrated Design History (rev. ed.).
  OCLC 51861947
  .
• Gardiner, Robert, ed. (1985). Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1906–1921. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press.
  OCLC 12119866
  .
• Naval History & Heritage Command. "Cushing". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Navy Department, Naval History and Heritage Command
  . Retrieved 18 January 2015.
• Naval History & Heritage Command. "Ericsson". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Navy Department, Naval History & Heritage Command. Retrieved 18 January 2015.
• Naval History & Heritage Command. "McDougal". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Navy Department, Naval History & Heritage Command. Retrieved 18 January 2015.
• Naval History & Heritage Command. "Nicholson". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Navy Department, Naval History & Heritage Command. Retrieved 18 January 2015.
• Naval History & Heritage Command. "O'Brien". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Navy Department, Naval History & Heritage Command. Retrieved 18 January 2015.
• Naval History & Heritage Command. "Tucker". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Navy Department, Naval History & Heritage Command. Retrieved 18 January 2015.
• Naval History & Heritage Command. "Winslow". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Navy Department, Naval History & Heritage Command. Retrieved 18 January 2015.
• Osborne, Eric W. (June 2005). Tucker, Spencer C (ed.). Destroyers: An Illustrated History of Their Impact. Weapons and Warfare Series.
  OCLC 58535705
  .
• Sweetman, Jack (1984). American Naval History: An Illustrated Chronology of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, 1775–Present. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press.
  OCLC 11043081
  .
• Silverstone, Paul H., U.S. Warships of World War I (Ian Allan, 1970),
  ISBN 0-71100-095-6
  .

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to O'Brien class destroyers.

• DestroyerHistory.org Thousand Tonner page
• DestroyerHistory.org O'Brien class page
• Tin Can [email protected] O'Brien class
• NavSource Destroyer Photo Index Page
• DiGiulian, Tony Navweaps.com 4"/50 Mks 7, 8, 9, and 10
• DiGiulian, Tony Navweaps.com Pre-WWII US Torpedoes
• US Navy Torpedo History, part 2 Archived 2014-09-15 at the Wayback Machine