USS Lawrence (DD-8) at Sea
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USS Lawrence (DD-8) was the name ship of the Lawrence class of destroyers. Before the First World War she served with both the Atlantic and Pacific Fleets, while during the war she guarded the Panama Canal and then operated in the Florida Keys.
The Lawrence was laid down on 10 April 1899, launched on 7 November 1900 and commissioned on 7 April 1903. She joined the 2nd Torpedo Flotilla and operated on the US East Coast and in the Caribbean from then until 14 November 1906, when she was decommissioned (possibly for repairs).
The Lawrence was recommissioned on 23 July 1907 and rejoined the 2nd Torpedo Flotilla. In December 1907 she joined the 'Great White Fleet' on the first of its circumnavigation of the globe, a trip around South America. The Lawrence reached San Diego on 28 April, and escorted the battleships of the fleet into San Francisco on 6 May 1908.
After escorting the fleet the Lawrence joined the Pacific Fleet, operating along the entire stretch of coast from Canada to Panama. In 1914 she operated off the coast of Mexico, protecting foreign nationals during that year's Mexican revolution.
After the US entry into the First World War in April 1917 the Lawrence moved south to protect the western entrance to the Panama Canal. During this period she was based at Balboa, now part of Panama City.
In May 1918 the Lawrence moved to Key West, where she operating in and around the Florida Keys.
After the end of the war the US Navy decided to scrap its coal powered destroyers. The Lawrence was decommissioned on 20 June 1919 and sold for scrap on 3 January 1920.
Displacement (standard) |
430t |
Displacement (loaded) |
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Top Speed |
30kts (designed), 29kts (trial) |
Engine |
4 Four River Boilers |
Length |
246ft 3in |
Width |
22ft 3in |
Armaments |
Two 3in/50 guns |
Crew complement |
72 |
Launched |
7 November 1900 |
Completed |
14 April 1903 |
Fate |
Sold 1920 |
U.S. Destroyers: An Illustrated Design History, Norman Friedmann .
The standard history of the development of American destroyers, from the earliest torpedo boat destroyers to the post-war fleet, and covering the massive classes of destroyers built for both World Wars. Gives the reader a good understanding of the debates that surrounded each class of destroyer and led to their individual features.
