USS Bruce

USS Bruce (DD-329) was a Clemson-class destroyer in the United States Navy following World War I.

USS Bruce (DD-329)
History
United States
Name	Bruce
Namesake	Frank Bruce
Builder	Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation, Union Iron Works, San Francisco
Cost	$1,048,888.87 (hull & machinery)[1]
Laid down	30 July 1919
Launched	20 May 1920
Commissioned	29 September 1920
Decommissioned	1 May 1930
Stricken	6 November 1931
Fate	Sold for scrap, 23 August 1932
General characteristics
Class and type	Clemson-class destroyer
Displacement	1,215 tons
Length	314 ft 4 in (95.81 m)
Beam	31 ft 8 in (9.65 m)
Draft	9 ft 10 in (3.00 m)
Propulsion	26,500 shp (19,800 kW) Geared turbines 2 screws
Speed	35 knots (65 km/h; 40 mph)
Range	4,900 nmi (9,100 km; 5,600 mi) at 15 knots (28 km/h; 17 mph)
Complement	122 officers and enlisted
Armament	4 × 4 in (102 mm)/50 guns 1 × 3 in (76 mm)/25 gun 12 × 21 in (533 mm) torpedo tubes

Namesake

Frank Bruce was born on 20 August 1879 in Grand Island, Nebraska. He entered the United States Navy as a boatswain on 6 February 1898 and was commissioned a lieutenant (temporary) on 1 July 1918. He commanded USS Bobolink during the North Sea Mine Barrage Sweep and was killed when a mine exploded 17 May 1919.

History

Bruce was first launched on 20 May 1920 by Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation, San Francisco, California, sponsored by Mrs. Annie Bruce, the widow of Lieutenant Bruce. The vessel was commissioned on 29 September 1920.

Bruce and Preston in the Pedro Miguel Locks, ca. 1922.

Bruce operated out of San Diego, California during her first year of service on engineering, gunnery, and torpedo exercises, and maneuvered with Squadron 5, Pacific Fleet. In November 1921 her home port was changed to Boston, Massachusetts and she reported to Division 27, Scouting Fleet. Her schedule of employment during succeeding years was the established routine of practice and fleet maneuvers. In December 1924 her commanding officer also assumed command of Destroyer Division 27. Her home yard was changed from Boston to Norfolk Navy Yard in June 1925. On 17 June, with her division, she sailed for duty with United States Naval Forces Europe. During the next year, naval forces operating in European waters cooperated with the State Department as a stabilizing influence in troubled regions and as security for American citizens living in these areas.

Upon her return to Norfolk Navy Yard she operated along the eastern seaboard and in Cuban and Haiti waters until March 1927. In March she participated in the Fleet Tactical Problem held at Colón, Panama, followed by the Fleet concentration along the Atlantic coast. During that summer she made training cruises with Naval Reservists along the northeastern seaboard. During 1928 and 1929 she continued to participate in fleet maneuvers and exercises along the east coast. On 11 June 1928, three civilian employees of the Norfolk Navy Yard were scalded to death while working in the number boiler room.^[2]

In September 1929 Bruce put in at Philadelphia Navy Yard, where on 1 May 1930, she was decommissioned. She was later towed to Norfolk Navy Yard where she was used for experimental strength tests, before scrapping. Her salvage metal was sold in August 1932.

References

•  This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. The entry can be found here.

1. "Table 21 - Ships on Navy List June 30, 1919". Congressional Serial Set. U.S. Government Printing Office: 762. 1921.
2. Detroit Free Press, June 12, 1938, page 13, via the A.P.

External links

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