USS Conyngham (DD-58)

The USS Conyngham (DD-58) was a Tucker-class destroyer that became one of the first US destroyers to operate within the European combat zone. It was the first US Navy vessel to be named for Gustavus Conyngham.

Construction

Conyngham was sponsored by Miss A.C. Stevens and was authorized in 1913. She was laid down by William Cramp and Sons of Philadelphia on July 27, 1914, though she wasn’t launched for another twelve months. Measuring slightly more than 315 feet in length and just over 30 feet abeam, Conyngham had a standard displacement of 1,090 long tons. Powered by a pair of Curtis steam turbines and a power plant capable of generating 18,000 shaft horsepower, she was able to propel at speeds of up to 29.5 knots. Conyngham also featured eight 21-inch torpedo tubes and four 4-inch guns weighing more than 6,100 pounds each. The guns were capable of firing 33-pound armor-piercing projectiles at a rate of 2,900 feet per second.

Naval History

After her commissioning in January of 1916, Conyngham sailed in the Caribbean as well as in the Atlantic. As one of the first US destroyers to be sent overseas, she spent time patrolling the Irish Sea out of Queenstown in Ireland. During this time, she completed several rescue missions for ships that had been sunk by U-boats, including the British ship Karina on August 17, 1917 and the British ship Hartland on November 22, 1917. Altogether, she rescued nearly 70 survivors. Conyngham was also credited with a “probable” kill of the German submarine U-62 when it suddenly surfaced amidst a group of ten destroyers, a British armed merchant cruiser and twenty steamers on October 19.

Conyngham underwent repairs in December 1918 at the Boston Navy Yard, which is where she remained until 1921. During this time, she only saw sporadic amounts of activity. After being reactivated for about one year, she was ultimately decommissioned in June 1922. In June 1924, she was transferred to the United States Coast Guard to assist with “Rum Patrol” in order to assist with the enforcement of Prohibition. At this time, she operated under the name of USCGC Conyngham (CG-2). She was returned to the Navy in 1933, a year after which she was renamed simply to DD-58 in order to free up the Conyngham name for another destroyer. In August of 1934, she was sold for scrap.

Asbestos Risk on the USS Conyngham (DD-58)

The Conyngham used asbestos to insulate and fireproof her engines, boilers, mess, pipes, and pumps. When asbestos products are damaged or worn, they become "friable", meaning that tiny fibers can be broken off into the surrounding air. Sailors aboard the Conyngham were at risk for exposure to these free-floating particles, which can cause serious and often fatal illnesses like mesothelioma.

If you or someone in your family served on this vessel and was affected by mesothelioma, you may have legal remedies available to you. Selecting a knowledgeable mesothelioma lawyer can help you decide your best course of action. We have published a mesothelioma information packet with information concerning legal options and choices for medical treatment, along with a list of mesothelioma clinics all over the US. Just fill out the form on this page and we will send you this free kit.

Sources

Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.
http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/c13/conyngham-i.htmRetrieved 14 December 2010