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USS Bainbridge (DD-1)
Encyclopedia
The second USS Bainbridge (DD-1) was the first destroyer
in the United States Navy
and the lead ship
of her class
. She was named for William Bainbridge
.
, sponsored by Mrs. Bertram Greene (great-granddaughter of ship's namesake Commodore
William Bainbridge
), placed in reserve commission at Philadelphia on 24 November 1902, Lieutenant
G. W. Williams in command, towed to Norfolk, Virginia
, and placed in full commission on 12 February 1903.
on 23 December and sailed via the Suez Canal
to the Philippine Islands, arriving at Cavite
on 14 April 1904. Between 1904 and 1917, she served with the 1st Torpedo Flotilla, Asiatic Fleet, except for two brief periods (17 January 1907-on 24 April 1908 and 24 April 1912-April 1913) when she was out of commission.
, Egypt
, where she joined Squadron 2, U.S. Patrol Force on 25 September. Bainbridge served on patrol and convoy
duty until on 15 July 1918, when she departed for the United States. She arrived at Charleston, South Carolina
, 3 August and participated with the fleet in activities along the Atlantic coast until on 3 July 1919 when she was decommissioned at Philadelphia. She was sold on 3 January 1920 and broken up for scrap.
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 the lead ship
Lead ship
The lead ship or class leader is the first of a series or class of ships all constructed according to the same general design. The term is applicable military ships and larger civilian craft.-Overview:...
of her class
Bainbridge class destroyer
Officially designated as Torpedo Boat Destroyers when authorized by Congress in 1898, the Bainbridge-class destroyers were the first destroyers of the United States Navy, built from 1899 through 1903....
. She was named for William Bainbridge
William Bainbridge
William Bainbridge was a Commodore in the United States Navy, notable for his victory over HMS Java during the War of 1812.-Early life:...
.
Construction
The ship was launched on 27 August 1901 by Neafie and Levy Ship and Engine Building Company, Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaPhiladelphia, 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,...
, sponsored by Mrs. Bertram Greene (great-granddaughter of ship's namesake Commodore
Commodore (rank)
Commodore is a military rank used in many navies that is superior to a navy captain, but below a rear admiral. Non-English-speaking nations often use the rank of flotilla admiral or counter admiral as an equivalent .It is often regarded as a one-star rank with a NATO code of OF-6, but is not always...
William Bainbridge
William Bainbridge
William Bainbridge was a Commodore in the United States Navy, notable for his victory over HMS Java during the War of 1812.-Early life:...
), placed in reserve commission at Philadelphia on 24 November 1902, Lieutenant
Lieutenant
A lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer in many nations' armed forces. Typically, the rank of lieutenant in naval usage, while still a junior officer rank, is senior to the army rank...
G. W. Williams in command, towed to Norfolk, Virginia
Norfolk, Virginia
Norfolk is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. With a population of 242,803 as of the 2010 Census, it is Virginia's second-largest city behind neighboring Virginia Beach....
, and placed in full commission on 12 February 1903.
Pre-World War I
Bainbridge departed Key West, FloridaKey West, Florida
Key West is a city in Monroe County, Florida, United States. The city encompasses the island of Key West, the part of Stock Island north of U.S. 1 , Sigsbee Park , Fleming Key , and Sunset Key...
on 23 December and sailed via the Suez Canal
Suez Canal
The Suez Canal , also known by the nickname "The Highway to India", is an artificial sea-level waterway in Egypt, connecting the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea. Opened in November 1869 after 10 years of construction work, it allows water transportation between Europe and Asia without navigation...
to the Philippine Islands, arriving at Cavite
Cavite
Cavite is a province of the Philippines located on the southern shores of Manila Bay in the CALABARZON region in Luzon, just 30 kilometers south of Manila. Cavite is surrounded by Laguna to the east, Metro Manila to the northeast, and Batangas to the south...
on 14 April 1904. Between 1904 and 1917, she served with the 1st Torpedo Flotilla, Asiatic Fleet, except for two brief periods (17 January 1907-on 24 April 1908 and 24 April 1912-April 1913) when she was out of commission.
World War I
On 1 August, she departed Cavite for Port SaidPort Said
Port Said is a city that lies in north east Egypt extending about 30 km along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, north of the Suez Canal, with an approximate population of 603,787...
, Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
, where she joined Squadron 2, U.S. Patrol Force on 25 September. Bainbridge served on patrol and 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...
duty until on 15 July 1918, when she departed for the United States. She arrived 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...
, 3 August and participated with the fleet in activities along the Atlantic coast until on 3 July 1919 when she was decommissioned at Philadelphia. She was sold on 3 January 1920 and broken up for scrap.