Index

World War I
American Destroyers
Tucker and Samson classes
A Study in Blueprints

Ships of Tucker class: USS Tucker (DD-57), USS Conyngham ( DD-58), USS Porter (DD-59), USS Wadsworth (DD-60), USS Jacob Jones (DD-61) and USS Wainwright (DD-62).

Ships of Sampson class: USS Sampson (DD-63), USS Rowan (DD-64), USS Davis (DD-65), USS Allen (DD-66), USS Wilkes (DD-67) and USS Shaw (DD-68).

Adams,
Aida, schooner,
USS Akron (ZRS-4), airship,
CSS Alabama,
Alert, British ship,
Alert,
Allen, William Henry, Master Commandant,
USS Allen (TBD-66)(DD-66),
Alliance, British ship,
Amphitrite,
Ann, British ship,
Aquitania, British transport,
Argus, sloop of-war, .
Arkansas Post, capture of,
Bainbridge, William, Captain,.
Baltic, British ship,
Barbados, British ship,
Barbary Wars, (1801-07),
Barron, James, Commodore,
BB-4,
Bedfod, British ship,
Betsey, British ship,
Boston, frigate,
Brest, France,
Camellia, British sloop-of-war,
Cassin (TBD-43), .
Catalina, British liner,
CG-2,
CG-7,
CG-21,
CG-22,
CG-23,
CG-24,
CG-25,
Charming Peggy, merchant brig,
Chauncey, Commodore,
Lake Ontario,
HMS Cherub,
Chesapeake, frigate,
SS Chicago City, merchantman,
Colorado, steam frigate,
Commonwealth of the Virginmia State, Legislature-1813,
Concord, tug,
Congress, frigate,
Congress, screw sloop,
Constellation, frigate,
Constitution, frigate,
Conyngham, Gustavus, Captain,
USS Conyngham (TBD-58)(DD-58)(CG-2),
Cordelia, British ship,
Covington, transport,
Crawford, American minister to France,
Cyane,
Dafila, British steamship,
Davis, Charles Henry, Admiral,
USS Davis (TBD-65)(DD-65)(CG-21),
DD-57,
DD-57,
DD-58,
DD-59,
DD-60,
DD-62,
DD-63,
DD-64,
DD-65,
DD-66,
DD-67,
DD-68,
Decatur, Steveson, Commodore,
Defiance, British ship,
Delaware,
Diana and Betsey, British ship,
Dolphin, British brig,
Dupetit-Thuoars, French cruiser,
SS Elele,
SS English Monarch,
Enterprise, schooneer,
Ericsson (TBD-56),
Essex, frigate,
Experiment,
Fairfield,
Flying Fish,
Fort Fisher, North Carolina,
Fort Jackson,
Fort Pickens, Florida,
Fort St. Philip,
Fowey, British ship,
HMS Fox,
Franklin, ship-of-the-line,
Franklin, schooner,
HMS Frolic,
George Washington, frigate,
George Washington, transport,
Gomez, ex-preisident of Cuba,
Grand Gulf, batteries,
Grant, USS, General,
Guerriere, frigate,
Hancock, schooner,
Hancock, frigate,
Harriet Lane,
Hartland, British ship,
Hatteras Inlet, capture of,
Helen, British ship,
Henry and Esther, British ship,
HMS Hind,
Independence, ship-of-the-line,
HMS Insolent,
USS Iowa (BB-4),
USS Jacob Jones (TBD-61),
Jane, brig,
Jarvis (TBD-38),
John and Thomas, British ship,
John Adams, frigate,
John Adams, sloop, .
Jones, Jacob, Commodore,
Karina, British ship,
King George, Massachusetts Bay Colony warship,
L'Insurgente, French frigate,
Lady Francis, British ship,.
Lee, schooner,
Leopard, Bristish ship,
Liverpool, England,
Macedonian, American frigate,
Macedonian, British frigate,
Maine, Second class Armored Battleship,
Maria, armed brig,
Mariner, British ship,
Mason, James, Confederatre commissioner to England and France,
Matilda, British ship,
Mayflower, practive ship,
McDougal (TBD-54),
Memphis, Tennessee, surrender of,
Mill Prison, England
Montezuma,
NC-4,
New York,.
New Ironsides, ironclad,
Nicholson, John B., Lieutenant,
Ocain, merchant ship,
Olympic, British ship,
Orama, British cruiser,
Our Bairn, smack,
Patapsco, monitor,
Pawnee, steam sloop-of-war,
HMS Paxton,
Peacock,
Pelican, British brig,
Philadelphia, frigate,
HMS Phoebe,.
SS Poluxena, merchantman,
Porpoise,
Porter, David Dixon, Admiral,
Porter, David, Commodore,
USS Porter (TBD-59)(DD-59)(CG-7),
Portsmouth, England,
Powhattan, sidewheel steamer,
Prometheus, brig,
SS Purley, British merchantman,
quasi-war with France,
Queenstown, Ireland,
HMS Rainbow,
Relief,
Revenge,
Richard, British ship,
Roanoke, steam fritate,
Roanoke Island, capture of,
Roosevelt, Franklin D., Assistant Secretary of the Navy,
Rose, Hans, Kaptain,
Rowan, Steven C., Vice Admiral,
USS Rowan (TBD-64)(DD-64),
Saint Nazaire, France,
Sampson, Admiral,
USS Sampson (TBD-63)(DD-63),
San Jacinto, steam frigate,
Santiago, Cuba,
Sea Gull,
Semmes, Raphael, Captain,
Shaw, John, Captain,
USS Shaw (TBD-68)(DD-68)(CG-22),
Slidell, John, Confederatre commissioner to England and France,
HMS Somerset,
Spitfire,
CSS Sumter,
Surprise,
Susannah, British ship,
Swatara,
Taussig, J.K., Commander,
TBD-33,
TBD-38,
TBD-43,
TBD-53,
TBD-54,
TBD-56,
TBD-57,
TBD-58,
TBD-59,
TBD-60,
TBD-61,
TBD-62,
TBD-63,
TBD-64,
TBD-65,
TBD-66,
TBD-67,
TBD-68,
Theodora, coastal packet,
HMS Thorn,
Trent, British mail packet,
Tripoli harbor,
Trippe (TBD-33),
Tucker, Samuel,.
USS Tucker (TBD-57)(DD-57)(CG-23),
U-53,
U-103,
U-108,
United States, frigate,
Vincennes, sloop-of-war,
Wadsworth, Alexander Scammel, Commodore,
USS Wadsworth (TBD-60)(DD-60),
Wainwright, Jonathan Mayhew, Commander,
USS Wainwright (TBD-62)(DD-62)(CG-24),
War of 1812,
Washington, George, General,
Wasp, sloop-of-war,
Waterwitch, Franklin's water tender,
Wilkes, Charles, Rear Admiral,
USS Wilkes (TBD-67)(DD-67)(CG-25),
William, brig,
Winslow (TBD-53),

List of Blueprints

History

Tucker class Torpedo Boat Destroyers (TBD-57 through 62)
Fiscal Year Acquisition - 1913
(1,000 - tonners)

Length Overall:...315'-3"
Extreme Beam:...30'-7" (TBD-58 & 61), 29'-11" (TBD-57, 60 & 62)
Normal Displacement:...1,090 tons (TBD-57), 1,060 tons (TBD-60), 1,150 tons (TBD-61 & 62)
Mean Draft:...9'-5" (TBD-57), 9'-2" (TBD-60), 9'-9" (TBD-61 & 62)
Designed Complement:...Officers, 5; Enlisted, 94
Armament:
Primary:...Four, 4-inch/50 caliber
Secondary:...None
Torpedo Tubes:...Four, 21" twin torpedo tubes
Designed Shaft Horsepower:...17,000 SHP (TBD-57, 61 & 62), 18,000 SHP (TBD-58), 17,500 SHP (TBD-60)
Drive:...Geared cruising
Designed Speed:...29 1/2 knots
Engines, Manufacturer:...FR (TBD-57), Cramp (TBD-58), Bath (TBD-60), NYSB (TBD-61 & 62)
Type:...Curtis (TBD-57), Parsons (TBD-58-62)
Boilers, Manufacturer:...FR (TBD-57), BW (TBD-58, 61 & 62), Bath (TBD-60)
Type:...Yarrow (TBD-57), BW/WF (TBD-58), Normand (TBD-60), Thornycroft (TBD-61 & 62)
Screws:...Two
Fuel, Tons:...290

Sampson class Torpedo Boat Destroyers (TBD-63 through 68)
Fiscal Year Acquisition - 1914
(1,000 - tonners)

Length Overall:...315'-3"
Extreme Beam:...30'-7"
Normal Displacement:...1,110 tons (TBD-63, 67 & 68), 1,075 tons (TBD-65 & 66)
Mean Draft:...9'-6" (TBD-63, 67 & 68), 9'-3" (TBD-65 & 66)
Designed Complement:...Officers, 5; Enlisted, 95
Armament:
Primary:...Four, 4-inch/50 caliber
Secondary:...Two, 1 pdr.; two, .30 cal.
Torpedo Tubes:...Four, 21" triple torpedo tubes
Designed Shaft Horsepower:...17,500 SHP (TBD-65-68), 17,000 SHP (TBD-63)
Drive:...Two geared cruising
Designed Speed:...29 1/2 knots
Engines, Manufacturer:...FR (TBD-63), Cramp (TBD-67), Bath (TBD-65 & 66), Mare Island New York (TBD-68)
Type:...Curtis (TBD-63), Parsons (TBD-65-68)
Boilers, Manufacturer:...FR (TBD-63), BW (TBD-67), Bath (TBD-65 & 66), Mare Island New York (TBD-68)
Type:...Yarrow (TBD-63), BW/WF (TBD-67), Normand (TBD-65), Thornycroft (TBD-68)
Screws:...Two
Fuel, Gallons:...97,860 (TBD-63-66), 96,829 (TBD-67), 96,519 (TBD-68)

Master Commandant William Henry Allen, (October 21, 1784-August 18, 1813), naval officer, born in Providence, Rhode Island, was the son of General William Allen of Revolutionary distinction, his mother being Sarah, a sister of William Jones, at one time governor of Rhode Island. Appointed a Midshipman in the United States Navy Aug. 28, 1800, his first service was in the frigate George Washington, under Captain William Bainbridge, who, like his later commanders, Barron and Rodgers, gave him proofs of their trust in his enterprise and seamanship.

After several years of service in the Mediterranean, he was ordered as Third Lieutenant to the frigate Chesapeake and commanded a gun division on board that ill-fated vessel when she was attacked and severely damaged by the British ship Leopard on June 22, 1807, after a refusal by Commodore James Barron [q.v.] to give up certain alleged deserters from the British navy. The surrender of the Chesapeake by Barron without striking a blow, although ample time was given the American commander to clear his ship for action, aroused the indignation of his officers and especially of Lieutenant Allen, who, the day following the action, drew up a petition to the Secretary of the Navy for the arrest and punishment of Commodore Barron, which was signed by six officers of the Chesapeake. Only a single shot was fired by the Chesapeake, according to Allen, who wrote in a letter,... "I was at the galley (the camboose) and snatching up a coal from the flames, fired the only gun, which went through the wardroom of the English ship..." Three of the Chesapeake's crew were killed and eighteen wounded. Barron, though acquitted of cowardice, was suspended from the service for five years without pay, on the charge of not clearing his ship for action. Allen's sense of duty and justice was repeatedly brought out during his short life by his refusal to ask special favor either for himself or his friends. When requested by his own father to protect certain persons from the consequences of flouting the Embargo Act, he replied, "Nothing, my dear Sir, could give me more pleasure...but, Sir, had this been your vessel, her situation would have been precisely the same. It is impossible that I can be of the least service."

Promoted to be first lieutenant, he joined the frigate United States under Commodore Decatur in 1809 and on October 25, 1812, took a prominent part in the fierce action between his ship and the powerful British frigate Macedonian, 49 guns, which lasted for nearly two hours and resulted in the surrender of the Macedonian, so crippled by the accuracy of the American fire that it was doubtful if she would continue to float. "Her two principal masts were secured and a jury mast rigged by Mr. Allen...who was put in charge of her, with great ingenuity...Mr. Allen was promoted to the rank of Master Commandant and he received due credit for the steady discipline that the ship's company had displayed" (J.F. Cooper, History of the Navy, 1839, II, 180). For his courageous action against the Macedonian, the Virginia State Legislature awarded Commodore Stephen Decatur, Lieutenants Allen and John B. Nicholson swords. For their historic action; the commendation reads as...

Commomwealth of the Virginia State Legislature - 1813

Resolutions.

On the subject of Commodore Stephen Decatur's victory,

(Unanimously agreed to by both Houses, January 2d, 1813)

WHEREAS the General Assembly of Virginia entertains a just sense of the utility of the American Navy, as a shield of commerce, an instrument of war, and a bond of that happy Union which encircles the good people of these States, and constitutes them one Nation; and whereas it is not more the duty of the Congress of the United States in general, than it is the duty of the several State Governments to honor, by special distinctions, the patriotic deeds of their respective citizens;
1. Be it therefore, unanimously resolved, That the General Assembly of this Commonwealth holds in the highest estimation the valour and intrepidity, displayed by Commodore Decatur, his officer and crew, in the late gallant victory obtained by the United States' frigate United States, over his Britannic Majesty's frigate the Macedonian.
2. And be it farther resolved, unanimously, That the Governor of this Commonwealth be, and he is hereby requested to present, along with the thanks of the General Assembly, in the name of the
Commonwealth, to Commodore Stephen Decatur, and to Lieutenants William H. Allen and John B. Nicholson, appropriate Swords, commemorative of the late gallant exploit of themselves and their brave compatriots of the frigate United States.
3. And be it farther resolved unanimously, That the Governor of this Commonwealth be requested to transmit, to each of the Officers above mentioned, a copy of these resolutions.

Receiving the command of the Argus, sloop of-war of 20 guns, Allen sailed for France on June 18, 1813, with Mr. Crawford, the newly appointed American minister to France, on board; and, having landed his passenger safely at l'Orient, proceeded on a cruise, the object of which was the difficult one of harrying British commerce in the Irish Channel. While cruising in the English Channel, Argus, captured Susannah, Matilda, Richard, Fowey, Lady Francis, Barbados, Alliance, Cordelia, Betsey, Mariner, John and Thomas, Helen, Ann, Diana and Betsey, Defiance, Baltic, Bedford and three small vessels. Allen burned all but Betsey, which was recaptured. After these successes, on August 14, 1813 Argus fell in with the British brig Pelican, 21 guns, a short and sharp fight resulting, during the first few minutes of which Captain Allen's leg was carried off by a round shot. Refusing to be carried below, he soon fainted from loss of blood and was carried down, together with one of his Lieutenants, Watson, who was struck in the head. The Argus continued to be gallantly fought by the other lieutenant, William Howard Allen, but so devastating was the fire of the Pelican that the American brig hauled down her colors.

Allen died of his wounds in the hospital of Mill Prison, and was buried by the enemy with the honors of war. "Captain Allen," says Cooper (Ibid., p. 267), "was esteemed one of the best officers of his class in the navy. A thorough man-of-war's man, he was of mild and gentlemanlike deportment, a fine, martial personal appearance, and of respectable mental attainments. His influence over the crews with which he sailed was very great, and it is not possible to say now what might have been the result of the combat in which he fell, had he not been so early killed. He was unmarried. [Records of the Office of Naval Records and Library, Navy Department, Washington, D.C.; J.H. Brown, American Naval Heroes (1899).]

USS Allen (TBD-66)(DD-66, July 17, 1920), was built by Bath Iron Works, Bath, Maine and commissioned on January 24, 1917.

Between January and June of 1917 Allen patrolled and escorted convoys along the east coast and in Cuban waters. On June 14, 1917 she sailed from New York as an escort for Troop Convoy Group 3, a part of the first Troop Convoy of Expeditionary Forces from the U.S. to France. During the remainder of World War I she operated with the Naval Forces in European waters, performing patrol and anti-submarine duty and escorting convoys. In December of 1918 Allen joined the Presidential Convoy and assisted in escorting George Washington, with the President of the United States embarked, into the harbor of Brest, France.

Returning to the United States early in 1919, Allen operated with the Atlantic Fleet along the eastern seaboard until placed out of commission on June 22, 1922. Recommissioned July 23, 1925 she trained Naval Reservists of the District of Columbia until March 1928, when she again went out of commission at Philadelphia. On August 23, 1940 Allen was recommissioned and on November 4, she was ordered to join Destroyer Division 80 on the west coast. On December 9, 1940 she proceeded to Pearl Harbor.

She was moored at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941 and underwent the Japanese attack without sustaining casualties or damage. Allen remained on duty in the Pearl Harbor Defensive Sea Area until August of 1945, screening the sorties of various ships and convoys, patrolling on the Oahu picket line and conducting gunnery and anti-submarine exercises. She departed Pearl Harbor on August 20, 1945 and arrived at Philadelphia on September 13.

She was decommissioned at Philadelphia on October 15, 1945 and sold on September 26, 1946. Allen received one battle star for her services during the Pearl Harbor attack.

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