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USS Aulick (DD-258)
Encyclopedia
The second USS Aulick (DD-258) was a Clemson-class
destroyer
in the United States Navy
and transferred to the Royal Navy
where she served as HMS Burnham (H82) during World War II
.
, Aulick was laid down on 3 December 1918 and launched on 11 April 1919 by the Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation
; sponsored by Mrs. Phillip J. Willett; and commissioned at the New York Navy Yard on 26 July 1919, Lieutenant Commander Lee P. Johnson in command.
Following her shakedown cruise, Aulick proceeded to the west coast where she joined Destroyer Flotilla 10 of the Pacific Fleet. While operating along the California
coast, the vessel was given the designation DD-258 on 17 July 1920. Aulick continued to carry out routine fleet duties until she was decommissioned on 27 May 1922 at the Mare Island Navy Yard.
After over 17 years laid up in reserve, the destroyer was recommissioned on 18 June 1939 at San Diego, California
. Upon her reactivation, Aulick returned to the east coast where she served until the fall of 1940. On 8 October 1940, Aulick was decommissioned at Halifax, Nova Scotia
, and transferred to the British
under the agreement
with the United Kingdom
exchanging American destroyers for bases in the Atlantic. Her name was struck from the Navy list
on 8 December 1941.
and Burnham-on-Sea
, Somerset
- the destroyer began escort duties with the British Navy in December 1940. In early 1941, Burnham began a series of escort voyages between Iceland and Newfoundland. Burnham was modified for trade convoy escort service by removal of three of the original 4"/50 caliber guns and three of the triple torpedo
tube mounts to reduce topside weight for additional depth charge
stowage and installation of hedgehog
. Throughout 1942 and 1943, Burnham worked mainly between Newfoundland
and Londonderry Port
, Derry
, Northern Ireland
. Burnham was assigned to Escort Group C-2 of the Mid-Ocean Escort Force
for convoys ON-113, HX-201, ON-119, SC-97, ON-129 and SC-102 and then to Escort Group C-3 for convoys ON-152, HX-221, ON-163, HX-226, ON-172, SC-124, ON-180 and HX-238 during the winter of 1942-43
In 1942, Burnham was formally adopted by Burnham-On-Sea, Somerset, and after woollen comforts were gratefully received by the crew onboard the ship from time to time. In 1944, she was used on aircraft training duties in the Western Approaches Command
, which allowed a contingent from the ship to visit the Somerset town and march the streets.
Burnham was reduced to reserve at Milford Haven
, Wales
, in November 1944. She was ultimately scrapped at Pembroke
, England
, in December 1948.
On Thursday 21 October 2004 - exactly 60 years after the crew of the vessel marched through the streets of the Somerset town to cheering crowds, Ron Giles, president of the former HMS Burnham Association, unveiled a plaque on the seawall of Burnham-on-Sea.
Clemson class destroyer
The Clemson class was a series of 156 destroyers which served with the United States Navy from after World War I through World War II.The Clemson-class ships were commissioned by the United States Navy from 1919 to 1922, built by Newport News Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Company, New York Shipbuilding...
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...
and transferred 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...
where she served as HMS Burnham (H82) during 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...
.
History
Named for John H. AulickJohn H. Aulick
John H. Aulick was an officer in the United States Navy whose service extended from the War of 1812 to the end of the antebellum era....
, Aulick was laid down on 3 December 1918 and launched on 11 April 1919 by the Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation
Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation
Bethlehem Steel Corporation Shipbuilding Division was created in 1905 when Bethlehem Steel Corporation acquired the San Francisco shipyard Union Iron Works in 1905...
; sponsored by Mrs. Phillip J. Willett; and commissioned at the New York Navy Yard on 26 July 1919, Lieutenant Commander Lee P. Johnson in command.
Following her shakedown cruise, Aulick proceeded to the west coast where she joined Destroyer Flotilla 10 of the Pacific Fleet. While operating along the California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
coast, the vessel was given the designation DD-258 on 17 July 1920. Aulick continued to carry out routine fleet duties until she was decommissioned on 27 May 1922 at the Mare Island Navy Yard.
After over 17 years laid up in reserve, the destroyer was recommissioned on 18 June 1939 at San Diego, California
San Diego, California
San Diego is the eighth-largest city in the United States and second-largest city in California. The city is located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, immediately adjacent to the Mexican border. The birthplace of California, San Diego is known for its mild year-round...
. Upon her reactivation, Aulick returned to the east coast where she served until the fall of 1940. On 8 October 1940, Aulick was decommissioned at Halifax, Nova Scotia
City of Halifax
Halifax is a city in Canada, which was the capital of the province of Nova Scotia and shire town of Halifax County. It was the largest city in Atlantic Canada until it was amalgamated into Halifax Regional Municipality in 1996...
, and transferred to the British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
under the agreement
Destroyers for Bases Agreement
The Destroyers for Bases Agreement between the United States and the United Kingdom, September 2, 1940, transferred fifty mothballed destroyers from the United States Navy in exchange for land rights on British possessions...
with the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
exchanging American destroyers for bases in the Atlantic. Her name was struck from the Navy list
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 8 December 1941.
As HMS Burnham
Renamed HMS Burnham - in part in honour of Burnham, PennsylvaniaBurnham, Pennsylvania
Burnham is a borough in Mifflin County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 2,144 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Burnham is located at ....
and Burnham-on-Sea
Burnham-on-Sea
Burnham-on-Sea is a town in Somerset, England, at the mouth of the River Parrett and Bridgwater Bay. Burnham was a small village until the late 18th century, when it began to grow because of its popularity as a seaside resort. It forms part of the parish of Burnham-on-Sea and Highbridge...
, Somerset
Somerset
The ceremonial and non-metropolitan county of Somerset in South West England borders Bristol and Gloucestershire to the north, Wiltshire to the east, Dorset to the south-east, and Devon to the south-west. It is partly bounded to the north and west by the Bristol Channel and the estuary of the...
- the destroyer began escort duties with the British Navy in December 1940. In early 1941, Burnham began a series of escort voyages between Iceland and Newfoundland. Burnham was modified for trade convoy escort service by removal of three of the original 4"/50 caliber guns and three of the triple torpedo
Torpedo
The modern torpedo is a self-propelled missile weapon with an explosive warhead, launched above or below the water surface, propelled underwater towards a target, and designed to detonate either on contact with it or in proximity to it.The term torpedo was originally employed for...
tube mounts to reduce topside weight for additional depth charge
Depth charge
A depth charge is an anti-submarine warfare weapon intended to destroy or cripple a target submarine by the shock of exploding near it. Most use explosives and a fuze set to go off at a preselected depth in the ocean. Depth charges can be dropped by either surface ships, patrol aircraft, or from...
stowage and installation of hedgehog
Hedgehog (weapon)
The Hedgehog was an anti-submarine weapon developed by the Royal Navy during World War II, that was deployed on convoy escort warships such as destroyers to supplement the depth charge. The weapon worked by firing a number of small spigot mortar bombs from spiked fittings...
. Throughout 1942 and 1943, Burnham worked mainly between Newfoundland
Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador is the easternmost province of Canada. Situated in the country's Atlantic region, it incorporates the island of Newfoundland and mainland Labrador with a combined area of . As of April 2011, the province's estimated population is 508,400...
and Londonderry Port
Londonderry Port
Londonderry Port at Lisahally is a port near Derry, Northern Ireland. It is the United Kingdom’s most westerly port, has capacity for 30,000 ton vessels and accepts cruise ships. The current port is on the east bank of the River Foyle at the southern end of Lough Foyle, by the small village of...
, Derry
Derry
Derry or Londonderry is the second-biggest city in Northern Ireland and the fourth-biggest city on the island of Ireland. The name Derry is an anglicisation of the Irish name Doire or Doire Cholmcille meaning "oak-wood of Colmcille"...
, Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
. Burnham was assigned to Escort Group C-2 of the Mid-Ocean Escort Force
Mid-Ocean Escort Force
Mid-Ocean Escort Force referred to the organization of anti-submarine escorts for World War II trade convoys between Canada and the British Isles...
for convoys ON-113, HX-201, ON-119, SC-97, ON-129 and SC-102 and then to Escort Group C-3 for convoys ON-152, HX-221, ON-163, HX-226, ON-172, SC-124, ON-180 and HX-238 during the winter of 1942-43
In 1942, Burnham was formally adopted by Burnham-On-Sea, Somerset, and after woollen comforts were gratefully received by the crew onboard the ship from time to time. In 1944, she was used on aircraft training duties in the Western Approaches Command
Western Approaches Command
Commander-in-Chief, Western Approaches was the commander of a major operational command of the Royal Navy during World War II. The admiral commanding, and his forces, sometimes informally known as 'Western Approaches Command,' were responsible for the safety of British shipping in the Western...
, which allowed a contingent from the ship to visit the Somerset town and march the streets.
Burnham was reduced to reserve at Milford Haven
Milford Haven
Milford Haven is a town and community in Pembrokeshire, Wales. It is situated on the north side of the Milford Haven Waterway, a natural harbour used as a port since the Middle Ages. The town was founded in 1790 on the north side of the Waterway, from which it takes its name...
, Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
, in November 1944. She was ultimately scrapped at Pembroke
Pembroke Dock
Pembroke Dock is a town in Pembrokeshire, south-west Wales, lying north of Pembroke on the River Cleddau. Originally a small fishing village known as Paterchurch, the town was greatly expanded from 1814 onwards following the construction of a Royal Naval Dockyard...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, in December 1948.
On Thursday 21 October 2004 - exactly 60 years after the crew of the vessel marched through the streets of the Somerset town to cheering crowds, Ron Giles, president of the former HMS Burnham Association, unveiled a plaque on the seawall of Burnham-on-Sea.
External links
- http://www.navsource.org/archives/05/258.htm