USS Preston (DD-19)
Encyclopedia
USS Preston (DD–19) was a Smith class
destroyer
in the United States Navy
during World War I
. She was the third ship named for Samuel W. Preston
.
Preston was laid down on 28 April 1908 by the New York Shipbuilding Company, Camden, New Jersey
, launched on 14 July 1909, sponsored by Miss Katherine Magoun, and commissioned on 21 December 1909, Lieutenant Commander
G. C. Day in command.
, conducted peacetime patrols and participated in various individual, squadron, and fleet exercises until assigned to neutrality duties
prior to the entry of the United States into World War I. At New York on 6 April 1917, she sailed within the week for Boston, Massachusetts, where she continued patrol duties until 12 May. Then reassigned to Destroyer Force, Atlantic, she performed coastal escort and patrol duties for two months. In July, she sailed east, and from 1 August to 5 October she patrolled and performed escort work off the strategically located Azores. Next ordered to Brest
, she conducted similar missions along the French
coast until the Armistice
. On 11 December 1918, she sailed for the United States, arriving at Charleston, South Carolina
on 4 January 1919.
Later shifted to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
, she decommissioned on 17 July and her name was struck from the Naval Vessel Register
on 15 September. On 21 November, the coal burning "Flivver" was sold to the T. A. Scott Company of New London, Connecticut
.
Smith class destroyer
The Smith-class destroyers were among the first destroyers in the United States Navy.Five ships were built using the basic Smith design. However, Flusser and Reid are sometimes considered to be Flusser-class ships.-Ships in class:...
destroyer
Destroyer
In naval terminology, a destroyer is a fast and maneuverable yet long-endurance warship intended to escort larger vessels in a fleet, convoy or battle group and defend them against smaller, powerful, short-range attackers. Destroyers, originally called torpedo-boat destroyers in 1892, evolved from...
in the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
during World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. She was the third ship named for Samuel W. Preston
Samuel W. Preston
Samuel W. Preston was an officer in the United States Navy during the American Civil War.-Biography:Born in Canada, Preston was appointed Midshipman from the state of Illinois on 4 October 1858. Graduating first in his class, 9 May 1861, he was appointed Acting Master on 4 October 1861, and...
.
Preston was laid down on 28 April 1908 by the New York Shipbuilding Company, Camden, New Jersey
Camden, New Jersey
The city of Camden is the county seat of Camden County, New Jersey. It is located across the Delaware River from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city had a total population of 77,344...
, launched on 14 July 1909, sponsored by Miss Katherine Magoun, and commissioned on 21 December 1909, Lieutenant Commander
Lieutenant Commander
Lieutenant Commander is a commissioned officer rank in many navies. The rank is superior to a lieutenant and subordinate to a commander...
G. C. Day in command.
World War I
Preston, attached to Destroyer Force, Atlantic FleetUnited States Fleet Forces Command
The United States Fleet Forces Command is an Atlantic Ocean theater-level component command of the United States Navy that provides naval resources that are under the operational control of the United States Northern Command...
, conducted peacetime patrols and participated in various individual, squadron, and fleet exercises until assigned to neutrality duties
Neutrality Patrol
At the beginning of World War II, when Nazi Germany's invasion of Poland on 1 September 1939 started the hostilities in Europe, President Franklin D...
prior to the entry of the United States into World War I. At New York on 6 April 1917, she sailed within the week for Boston, Massachusetts, where she continued patrol duties until 12 May. Then reassigned to Destroyer Force, Atlantic, she performed coastal escort and patrol duties for two months. In July, she sailed east, and from 1 August to 5 October she patrolled and performed escort work off the strategically located Azores. Next ordered to Brest
Brest, France
Brest is a city in the Finistère department in Brittany in northwestern France. Located in a sheltered position not far from the western tip of the Breton peninsula, and the western extremity of metropolitan France, Brest is an important harbour and the second French military port after Toulon...
, she conducted similar missions along the French
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
coast until the Armistice
Armistice
An armistice is a situation in a war where the warring parties agree to stop fighting. It is not necessarily the end of a war, but may be just a cessation of hostilities while an attempt is made to negotiate a lasting peace...
. On 11 December 1918, she sailed for the United States, arriving at Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston is the second largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. It was made the county seat of Charleston County in 1901 when Charleston County was founded. The city's original name was Charles Towne in 1670, and it moved to its present location from a location on the west bank of the...
on 4 January 1919.
Later shifted to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Philadelphia County, with which it is coterminous. The city is located in the Northeastern United States along the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. It is the fifth-most-populous city in the United States,...
, she decommissioned on 17 July and her name was struck from the Naval Vessel Register
Naval Vessel Register
The Naval Vessel Register is the official inventory of ships and service craft in custody of or titled by the United States Navy. It contains information on ships and service craft that make up the official inventory of the Navy from the time a vessel is authorized through its life cycle and...
on 15 September. On 21 November, the coal burning "Flivver" was sold to the T. A. Scott Company of New London, Connecticut
New London, Connecticut
New London is a seaport city and a port of entry on the northeast coast of the United States.It is located at the mouth of the Thames River in New London County, southeastern Connecticut....
.