USS Marcus (DD-321)
The USS Marcus (DD-321) served with the US Navy for a decade and a half in the early 20th century. She was named for Lieutenant Arnold Marcus who served in World War I and was mortally wounded during an accidental boat explosion in the Philippines. Marcus was a Clemson-class vessel.
Construction
Marcus was laid down in San Francisco, California by the Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation in May 1919, launched in August, and commissioned in February 1921 with Lieutenant Commander C.E. Rosendahl in command. Carrying a crew of 114, Marcus was 314 feet, five inches long and armed with four 4-inch rapid-fire guns, one three-inch anti-aircraft gun, and twelve 21-inch torpedo tubes. She was propelled by geared turbines and had a cruising speed of 35 knots.
Naval History
Marcus was assigned to Destroyer Squadron 13 with the Pacific Fleet, and later on served with Squadron 12. Operating along the west coast of the United States, Marcus participated in cruises and exercises from Seattle, Washington to Panama. Marcus was assigned to fleet maneuvers in February to March 1924 that involved a simulated enemy attack on the Panama Canal.
Marcus was deployed to the Hawaiian Islands from April to July 1925, where she conducted fleet tactical problems, and then resumed normal operations until 1927. She was then assigned to fleet maneuvers in the Caribbean, and returned to the west coast, with voyages to Honolulu, Hawaii made repeatedly between 1927 and 1930. Hawaiian deployment included a Naval Reserve training mission, and two missions operating as a carrier screen.
Marcus was decommissioned in May 1930 at San Diego, struck from the Navy list in January 1935, and sunk off San Diego for use as a training target in June. She was disposed of in order to comply with the terms of the London Naval Treaty that called for limiting and reducing naval capacity following World War I.
Asbestos Risk on the USS Marcus (DD-321)
Using asbestos-containing materials in the design of naval ships was mandated by law in the US in the 1930s, after a fire at sea on a cruise ship killed 137 people. Marcus used asbestos insulation in great quantities in ship's boilers and engineering spaces, and in fireproofing throughout the vessel.
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Sources
Haze Gray & Underway. Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. DD-321.
http://www.hazegray.org/danfs/destroy/dd321txt.htm Retrieved 4 January 2011.
NavSource Naval History, USS Marcus (DD-321).
http://www.navsource.org/archives/05/321.htm Retrieved 4 January 2011.
