Buckley class destroyer escort
Encyclopedia
The Buckley class destroyer escorts were 102 destroyer escort
s launched in the United States
in 1943 - 1944. They served in World War II
as convoy
escorts and anti-submarine warfare
ships. The lead ship was USS Buckley (DE-51)
which was launched on 9 January 1943. The ships had General Electric
steam turbo electric drive engine
s. The ships were prefabricated at various factories in the United States
, and the units brought together in the shipyards, where they were welded together on the slipway
s.
The Buckley was the second class of destroyer escort, succeeding the Evarts
. One of the main design differences was that the hull was significantly lengthened on the Buckley; this long-hull design proved so successful that it was used for all further destroyer escort classes. The class was also known as the TE type, from Turbo Electric drive.
A total of 154 were ordered with 6 being completed as High speed transport
APDs. A further 37 were later converted after completion while 46 of the Buckleys were delivered to the Royal Navy
under the Lend-Lease
agreement. They were classed as frigate
s and named after captains
of the Napoleonic Wars
, and formed part of the Captain class
frigates along with 32 ships of the Evarts class
.
After World War II, most of the surviving units of this class were transferred to Taiwan
, South Korea
, Chile
, Mexico
and other countries. The rest were retained by the US Navy's reserve fleet until they were decommissioned.
(1957) was filmed on USS Whitehurst (DE-634)
, a Buckley-class DE. The rest of the film is set on the submarine that it is hunting.
Destroyer escort
A destroyer escort is the classification for a smaller, lightly armed warship designed to be used to escort convoys of merchant marine ships, primarily of the United States Merchant Marine in World War II. It is employed primarily for anti-submarine warfare, but also provides some protection...
s launched in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in 1943 - 1944. They served in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
as convoy
Convoy
A convoy is a group of vehicles, typically motor vehicles or ships, traveling together for mutual support and protection. Often, a convoy is organized with armed defensive support, though it may also be used in a non-military sense, for example when driving through remote areas.-Age of Sail:Naval...
escorts and anti-submarine warfare
Anti-submarine warfare
Anti-submarine warfare is a branch of naval warfare that uses surface warships, aircraft, or other submarines to find, track and deter, damage or destroy enemy submarines....
ships. The lead ship was USS Buckley (DE-51)
USS Buckley (DE-51)
USS Buckley , a of the United States Navy, was named in honor of Ordnanceman John D. Buckley , who was killed in action during the Japanese attack on the Hawaiian Islands....
which was launched on 9 January 1943. The ships had General Electric
General Electric
General Electric Company , or GE, is an American multinational conglomerate corporation incorporated in Schenectady, New York and headquartered in Fairfield, Connecticut, United States...
steam turbo electric drive engine
Engine
An engine or motor is a machine designed to convert energy into useful mechanical motion. Heat engines, including internal combustion engines and external combustion engines burn a fuel to create heat which is then used to create motion...
s. The ships were prefabricated at various factories in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, and the units brought together in the shipyards, where they were welded together on the slipway
Slipway
A slipway, boat slip or just a slip, is a ramp on the shore by which ships or boats can be moved to and from the water. They are used for building and repairing ships and boats. They are also used for launching and retrieving small boats on trailers and flying boats on their undercarriage. The...
s.
The Buckley was the second class of destroyer escort, succeeding the Evarts
Evarts class destroyer escort
The Evarts class destroyer escorts were destroyer escorts launched in the United States in 1942–1944. They served in World War II as convoy escorts and anti-submarine warfare ships. They were also known as the GMT or "short hull" DE class, with GMT standing for General Motors Tandem Diesel...
. One of the main design differences was that the hull was significantly lengthened on the Buckley; this long-hull design proved so successful that it was used for all further destroyer escort classes. The class was also known as the TE type, from Turbo Electric drive.
A total of 154 were ordered with 6 being completed as High speed transport
High speed transport
High Speed Transports were converted destroyers and destroyer escorts used to support amphibious operations in World War II and afterward. They received the US Hull classification symbol APD; "AP" for transport and "D" for destroyer....
APDs. A further 37 were later converted after completion while 46 of the Buckleys were delivered to the Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
under the Lend-Lease
Lend-Lease
Lend-Lease was the program under which the United States of America supplied the United Kingdom, the Soviet Union, China, Free France, and other Allied nations with materiel between 1941 and 1945. It was signed into law on March 11, 1941, a year and a half after the outbreak of war in Europe in...
agreement. They were classed as frigate
Frigate
A frigate is any of several types of warship, the term having been used for ships of various sizes and roles over the last few centuries.In the 17th century, the term was used for any warship built for speed and maneuverability, the description often used being "frigate-built"...
s and named after captains
Captain (nautical)
A sea captain is a licensed mariner in ultimate command of the vessel. The captain is responsible for its safe and efficient operation, including cargo operations, navigation, crew management and ensuring that the vessel complies with local and international laws, as well as company and flag...
of the Napoleonic Wars
Napoleonic Wars
The Napoleonic Wars were a series of wars declared against Napoleon's French Empire by opposing coalitions that ran from 1803 to 1815. As a continuation of the wars sparked by the French Revolution of 1789, they revolutionised European armies and played out on an unprecedented scale, mainly due to...
, and formed part of the Captain class
Captain class frigate
The Captain class were 78 frigates of the Royal Navy, constructed in the United States, launched in 1942–1943 and delivered to the United Kingdom under the provisions of Lend-Lease. They served in World War II as convoy escorts, anti-submarine warfare vessels and coastal forces control frigates...
frigates along with 32 ships of the Evarts class
Evarts class destroyer escort
The Evarts class destroyer escorts were destroyer escorts launched in the United States in 1942–1944. They served in World War II as convoy escorts and anti-submarine warfare ships. They were also known as the GMT or "short hull" DE class, with GMT standing for General Motors Tandem Diesel...
.
After World War II, most of the surviving units of this class were transferred to Taiwan
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
, South Korea
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
, Chile
Chile
Chile ,officially the Republic of Chile , is a country in South America occupying a long, narrow coastal strip between the Andes mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It borders Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east, and the Drake Passage in the far...
, Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
and other countries. The rest were retained by the US Navy's reserve fleet until they were decommissioned.
See also
- List of destroyer escorts of the United States Navy
- List of frigates of the United States Navy subset of above with hull numbers DE/FF 1037 and higher plus all DEG/FFGs because of the United States Navy 1975 ship reclassificationUnited States Navy 1975 ship reclassificationThe United States Navy reclassified many of its surface vessels in 1975, changing terminology and hull classification symbols for cruisers, frigates, and ocean escorts.- Classification prior to 1975 :...
- List of frigates
Film Appearance
Most of the film The Enemy BelowThe Enemy Below
The Enemy Below is a 1957 war film which tells the story of the battle between the captain of an American destroyer escort and the commander of a German U-boat during World War II. It stars Robert Mitchum, Curt Jürgens, David Hedison and Theodore Bikel. The movie was directed and produced by Dick...
(1957) was filmed on USS Whitehurst (DE-634)
USS Whitehurst (DE-634)
USS Whitehurst , a of the United States Navy, was named in honor of Henry Purefoy Whitehurst, Jr. Ensign Whitehurst was a crew member of the when he was killed while his ship participated in the Battle of Savo Island off Guadalcanal in August 1942.-Initial operations:Whitehurst was laid down on...
, a Buckley-class DE. The rest of the film is set on the submarine that it is hunting.
External links
- http://www.desausa.org/ Destroyer Escort Sailors Association (DESA).
- USS Slater, the Destroyer Escort Historical Museum
- Captain Class Frigates Association
- uboat.net: Destroyer Escorts
- destroyersonline.com: Buckley class
- USS Slater — Photos on board the destroyer escort USS Slater
- USS Bangust — Photos of life on board the destroyer escort USS Bangust (DE-739) in World War II
- Destroyers Online - Buckley class destroyer escorts