USS David W. Taylor (DD-551)

USS David W. Taylor (DD-551), a Fletcher-class destroyer, was a ship of the United States Navy named for Rear Admiral David W. Taylor (1864–1940).

"Spanish destroyer Almirante Ferrandíz" redirects here. For other uses, see Spanish destroyer Almirante Ferrandiz.

USS David W. Taylor (DD-551) in 1943
History
United States
Name: David W. Taylor
Namesake: David W. Taylor
Builder: Gulf Shipbuilding Corporation, Chickasaw, Alabama
Laid down: 12 June 1941
Launched: 4 July 1942
Commissioned: 18 September 1943
Decommissioned: 17 August 1946
Fate: Leased to Spain, 15 May 1957
Stricken: 1 October 1972
Spain
Name: Almirante Ferrandíz
Acquired: 15 May 1957
Stricken: 17 November 1987
Identification: D22
Fate: Scrapped
General characteristics
Class and type: Fletcher-class destroyer
Displacement: 2,050 tons
Length: 376 ft 6 in (114.76 m)
Beam: 39 ft 8 in (12.09 m)
Draft: 17 ft 9 in (5.41 m)
Propulsion:
  • 60,000 shp (45,000 kW)
  • 2 propellers
Speed: 35 knots (65 km/h; 40 mph)
Range: 6,500 nautical miles (12,000 km) at 15 knots (28 km/h)
Complement: 273
Armament:

David W. Taylor was launched 4 July 1942 by Gulf Shipbuilding Corporation, Chickasaw, Ala., sponsored by Mrs. Imogene Taylor Powell, daughter of RAdm Taylor; and commissioned 18 September 1943, Lieutenant Commander W. H. Johnsen in command.

History

David W. Taylor escorted a convoy of merchantmen from Charleston, South Carolina to Pearl Harbor arriving on 20 January 1944. Three days later she got underway to screen a support convoy to the Gilbert and Marshall Islands, returning to Pearl Harbor on 29 February. After escorting the aircraft carrier Intrepid to San Francisco, she sailed from Pearl Harbor 1 April to patrol in the Marshall Islands until 12 May. Returning to Pearl Harbor 18 May, she had training duties there until 7 June.

From 15 June to 4 August 1944 David W. Taylor sailed in the screen of escort carriers and fleet oilers supporting the Marianas operation. On 4 July she and the destroyer escort Riddle attacked and sank the Japanese submarine I-10 at 15°26′N 147°48′E. The destroyer joined the 3d Fleet 19 August, and sailed out of Manus screening the logistics group supporting the fast carrier task forces in their raids preparing for and accompanying the capture and occupation of the southern Palaus. With her base of operations at Ulithi from 29 October, David W. Taylor continued to screen the logistics group until 22 November when she joined the carriers for air attacks on Luzon in support of the invading troops on Leyte.

On 29 December 1944 she sailed from Ulithi for the air raids on the Bonins, bombarding Chichi Jima 5 January 1945. At 07:45 that day an underwater explosion, probably a mine, heavily damaged the ship and killed four men, but damage control brought her safely to Saipan 7 January under her own power. The ship continued to Hunter's Point Naval Shipyard, California, for an overhaul and repairs from 13 February to 7 May.

Sailing from San Diego 15 May 1945 David W. Taylor bombarded Emidj Island on 18 June on her way to Okinawa, arriving 30 June. The destroyer operated with a task group off Okinawa. After Japan surrendered, the ship arrived at Takasu, Kyūshū, 4 September, as escort for a convoy carrying occupation troops. She covered the landings at Wakanoura Wan and Nagoya until sailing 31 October for San Diego, arriving 17 November. David W. Taylor was placed out of commission in reserve there 17 August 1946.

Almirante Ferrandíz (D22)

On 15 May 1957, the destroyer was leased to Spain where she served in the Armada Española as Almirante Ferrandíz (D22). Spain purchased the destroyer on 1 October 1972. The ship remained in service until 17 November 1987,[1] when she was stricken and scrapped.

Honors

David W. Taylor received eight battle stars for World War II service.

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References
  1. Fred Willshaw. "USS David W. Taylor (DD-551)". Destroyer Archive. NavSource Naval History. Retrieved 22 December 2008.
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