USS Patterson (DD-36)
The USS Patterson (DD-36) was named in honor of Commodore Daniel Todd Patterson (1786-1839), who performed exceptional service at the Battle of New Orleans during the War of 1812.
Construction
Patterson (DD-36), a modified 742-ton Paulding-class destroyer, was laid down March 29, 1910 by William Cramp and Sons in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She was launched on April 29, 1911, sponsored by Miss Georgeanne Pollock Patterson and commissioned October 11, 1911, with Lieutenant Commander John M. Luby in command.
Naval History
On October 23, 1911, Patterson departed Philadelphia and transitioned to Newport, Rhode Island, and New York, before arriving at Boston, Massachusetts on November 2, 1911. During WWI, Patterson patrolled along the New England Coast to safeguard inbound trans-Atlantic convoys.
Patterson was the flagship of the second division of destroyers to cross the Atlantic on a mission to help combat enemy submarines that threatened to cut sea lifelines to the British Isles. On May 21, 1917, she led Division 5 out of Boston Harbor with the assistance of the USS Maumee, a fleet oiler stationed in the mid-Atlantic between Boston and Queenstown, Ireland. Patterson was the first destroyer to receive fuel from Maumee which allowed her to cross the Atlantic. On June 1, 1917, Patterson and several sister destroyers arrived at Queenstown, Ireland, where they received British signal books and depth charges.
Patterson was instrumental in patrolling and escorting ally approaches to Queenstown and drove away a German U-boat that attacked the SS Indian. On January 1, 1918 she collided with Dreadful, a British tug at Berehavan Harbor, Ireland. Although Patterson’s bow was damaged, she was able to continue patrol and escort of Queenstown. On February 7, 1918, she rescued 12 survivors of the steamship Mexico City which was torpedoed by a German submarine. After patrolling in the Irish Sea, Patterson dropped depth charges that drove away the German U–101. Her patrol continued until her departure for the United States in June of 1918.
Patterson had a number of rescue missions including survivors of the Norwegian bark Kringsjaa, which was sunk by U–151. The survivors of Kringsjaa were received at the Cape May Naval Station and Patterson went on to the Philadelphia Navy Yard for overhaul. On August 17, 1918, she joined the escort of battleship Pennsylvania in Tompkinsville, New York and soon became the base as flagship of the “Patterson Group”, a special hunting squadron that included 11 submarine chasers. The Patterson Group hunted U-boats, rescued the injured and transported them to U.S. Navy hospital ship Comfort. She continued hunter-killer patrols along the eastern seaboard until the special hunting group disbanded on November 23, 1918.
From January 1, 1919 thru April 28, 1924 Patterson was docked at the Philadelphia Navy Yard. She was then transferred to the U.S. Coast Guard to patrol the eastern seaboard, as far south as ports of Florida, during the prohibition era. On October 18, 1930, Patterson returned to the navy and was inactive until her name was cancelled on July 1, 1933. She was sold for scrap and removed from the Naval Vessel Register on June 28, 1934.
Asbestos Risk on the USS Patterson (DD-36)
On ships built before the 1930s, asbestos was primarily employed in engineering areas. Patterson’s boilers and engines likely contained asbestos insulation and fireproofing. Other parts of the ship that may have used asbestos include pumps, valves, pipe insulation, and insulation in fire-prone areas like galleys. If you or a loved one developed mesothelioma after serving aboard Patterson, the ship is a probable source of asbestos exposure.
Sources
USS Patterson (Destroyer # 36, later DD-36), 1911-1934.
http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/sh-usn/usnsh-p/dd36.htm
Patterson I DD-36.
http://www.hazegray.org/danfs/destroy/dd36txt.htm
