USS Reid (DD-21)

The USS Reid (DD-21) served in the US Navy during the second decade of the 20th century. She was named for Samuel Chester Reid, who fought during the War of 1812 and battled gunboats from British men-of-war in 1814 at the Azores, aiding General Andrew Jackson’s defense of New Orleans. Reid was the first ship named for Reid and one of five Smith-class destroyers built by the US Navy.

Construction

The 700-ton Reid was laid down in August 1908 by the Bath Iron Works in Bath Maine. She was launched in August 1909, sponsored by Miss Lina Andrews, and was commissioned in December 1909, with Ensign V.V. Woodward in temporary command. Carrying a crew of 89, Reid was 293 feet, 10 inches in length and was armed with three-inch guns and three 18-inch torpedo tubes.

Naval History

Reid was assigned to the Atlantic Torpedo Flotilla and operated along the east coast of the United States. During this deployment, she conducted training exercises and drills, until being assigned to the Southern Patrol Force at Key West in April 1917. She then joined Squadron 1, Patrol Force out of Boston, and transferred to Squadron 2 to patrol the northeast coast of the United States. Reassigned to the Destroyer Force, Reid then escorted coastal traffic and conducted patrols of the approaches to New York City.

In July 1917, Reid began preparation for distance service in Charleston, South Carolina. She was assigned to escort and patrol services in the Azores, and was then deployed to Brest, France to conduct similar missions. Reid was rammed by the minesweeper W.T. James in October, and was damage above the waterline. Repairs were completed at Brest and she carried out her duties until the end of World War I. During the war, Reid engaged the submarines UB-56 and U-86 but did not sink them.

Reid was relieved after the Armistice and returned to Charleston for deactivation. She was decommissioned in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in July 1919, stricken from the Navy list in September, and then was sold for scrap in November to the T.A. Scott Company in New London, Connecticut.

Asbestos Risk on the USS Reid (DD-21)

Navy ships like Reid made heavy use of asbestos-containing materials, especially in boilers and engineering spaces, and to insulate compartments all through the ship. When asbestos is inhaled, tiny fibers get stuck in the mesothelial layer, a paper-thin layer of cells which wraps around and buffers the heart, lung, and abdominal cavities. These asbestos particles can eventually cause a number of serious illnesses, the most dangerous of which is mesothelioma.

Reliable information concerning malignant mesothelioma isn't always easy to find. We have produced a mesothelioma information kit with up-to-date information medical options and your legal rights. If you or a family member became ill with an asbestos-related disease after serving aboard the USS Reid, please complete the form on this page to receive this valuable information at no cost to you.

Sources

NavSource Naval History. USS Reid (DD-21)
http://www.navsource.org/archives/05/021.htm Retrieved 16 December 2010

HistoryCentral.com. Navy History, USS Reid (DD-21)
http://www.historycentral.com/navy/destroyer2/reidI.html Retrieved 16 December 2010