USS Dallas (DD-199)
USS Dallas (DD-199) was a Clemson-class destroyer constructed for the US Navy during World War II. She was the second naval vessel to be named in honor of Captain Alexander J. Dallas who was an officer in the US Navy. Dallas served in the War of 1812 as well as in the Second Seminole War.
Construction
Dallas was launched by Newport News Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Company on May 31, 1919. She was sponsored by Miss W.D. Strong, who was the great granddaughter of Captain Dallas. Lieutenant E.H. Roach took temporary command of Dallas on October 29, 1920, with Lieutenant A. R. Early assuming permanent command on November 10, 1920.
Naval History
Following her commissioning, Dallas cruised on the east coast as she participated in maneuvers and exercises out of her Charleston, South Carolina base. Shortly after arriving in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, she was decommissioned on June 26 that same year. Dallas remained in that status until April 14, 1925, at which time she was recommissioned and assigned to serve with a variety of different squadrons as she engaged in battle torpedo practice, gunnery exercises and fleet maneuvers.
Dallas set sail for the west coast in January 1932, after which she operated along the west coast as well as in the Hawaiian Islands. Here, she conducted force practice while also participating in combined fleet exercises and tactical exercises. After sailing for Presidential Review in June 1934, Dallas returned to San Diego. Here, she continued to operate in the Pacific for the next four years. After spending time operating in the Panama Canal Zone and visiting various ports, including the Republic of Panama and Buenaventura, Columbia, Dallas was again placed out of commission on March 23, 1939.
On September 25, 1939, Dallas was recommissioned in response to the outbreak of war in Europe. She was then assigned to the Atlantic Fleet and called upon to patrol the Atlantic coast while also conducting training exercises. While serving in this capacity, Dallas patrolled between Argentina and Halifax, Nova Scotia while also escorting convoys to Derry, Northern Ireland and Reykjavik, Iceland. For a brief period in 1942, Dallas escorted coastal shipping in various parts of the United States as well as ports in the Caribbean.
After undergoing a major overhaul in 1944, Dallas continued to escort convoys in various ports. In one voyage to North Africa taking place on May 11, she came under attack by enemy torpedo planes. Dallas was able to successfully protect the convoy while also shooting down at least one plane.
On June 7, 1945, Dallas reported to Philadelphia. On March 31, her name was changed to Alexander Dallas in order to avoid confusion with the cruiser that was being constructed that bore the name Dallas. The ship formerly known simply as Dallas was decommissioned on July 28, 1945 and was sold for scrap on November 30, 1945. During her career, she had earned a Presidential Unit Citation as well as four battles stars for her service during World War II.
Asbestos Risk on the USS Dallas (DD-199)
The installation of asbestos fireproofing in the construction of oceangoing ships was required by law in the US in the 1930s, after a fire at sea on a cruise ship killed 137 passengers and crew. Ships like Dallas made use of asbestos insulation heavily, particularly in boilers and engine compartments, and to insulate pipes in other parts of the vessel. If an asbestos-based product is damaged it can become friable, meaning that the fibers can be broken off and enter the atmosphere, where they are breathed in by naval personnel and repair workers, possibly causing mesothelioma.
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Sources
Dallas. Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Department of the Navy – Naval Historical Center. (http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/d1/dallas.htm) (Retrieved 24 December 2010
