USS Chauncey (DD-296)
USS Chauncey (DD-296) was one of 156 Clemson-class destroyers constructed for the US Navy. She was named in honor of Isaac Chauncey, an officer in the US Navy who served in the First Barbary War as well as the War of 1812. Chauncey was a member of the Board of Navy Commissioners and served as its president for four years.
Construction
Chauncey was launched by Union Iron Works in San Francisco California on September 29, 1918. She was sponsored by Miss D.M. Todd. Commander W.A. Glassford, Jr. took command of Chauncey on June 25, 1919. She then participated in fleet exercises, training activities and gunnery practice.
As was the case with all Clemson-class destroyers, Chauncey was capable of reaching up to 35 knots of speed. Unlike the Wickes-class before them, Clemson-class destroyers featured wing tanks on either side of the ship. These tanks allowed the ships to carry more fuel than the previous classes of destroyers. With the fuel tanks located above the waterline, however, the Clemson-class of destroyers wasmore vulnerable to attack than previous classes. Clemson-class destroyers also featured a larger rudder than previous classes, which decreased their turning radius. Clemson-class destroyers also had an additional set of 3-inch 23 caliber anti-aircraft guns as compared to the previous class.
Naval History
Following commissioning, Chauncey reported to the Pacific Fleet, sailing to Hawaii and along the Pacific coast from San Diego and Mare Island. Here, she participated in gunnery practice, fleet exercises and other training activities. Chauncey continued to perform in this capacity from July 15, 1920 through October 14, 1921. She was then placed in ready reserve in Mare Island and San Diego before she returned to active duty as the flagship for Destroyer Division 31.
On the evening of September 8, 1923, Chauncey was involved in an accident in the waters of San Francisco and San Diego. Referred to as the Honda Point Disaster, Chauncey and five other destroyers were inadvertently steered toward a rocky California coast due to fog. Chauncey, the lead destroyer and the other fives destroyer went aground off Point Pedernales. Chauncey was stranded upright near USS Young (DD-312), which had capsized high on the rocks.
Fortunately, none of Chauncey’s men were lost in the accident. Her crewmembers assisted with rescuing the Young crew, which involved creating a line of 70 men over which the Young crew climbed down to Chauncey. Swimmers from Chauncey then created a network of lifelines to the coastal cliffs, which the crewmembers of Chauncey and Young used to reach safety.
Chauncey was abandoned following the accident. She was ultimately wrecked by the surf and was decommissioned on October 26, 1923. Her hulk was sold on September 25, 1925.
Asbestos Risk on the USS Chauncey (DD-296)
Installing asbestos insulation in the construction of oceangoing ships was ordered by Congress in the early 1930s, after a deadly fire on the SS Morro Castle killed 137 people. Ships like Chauncey installed asbestos-containing materials frequently around boilers and engine rooms, and to insulate steam pipes in all parts of the ship.
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Sources
Chauncey. Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Department of the Navy – Naval Historical Center.
http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/c7/chauncey-ii.htmRetrieved 31 December 2010.
