USS Ludlow (DD-112/ DM-10)

USS Ludlow (DD-112) was a Wickes class destroyer that served with the Atlantic Fleet in 1919-20 and the Pacific Fleet in 1921-29, after being converted into a light mine layer in 1920.

The Ludlow was named after Augustus C. Ludlow, a US Naval Officer who died in the battle between USS Chesapeake and HMS Shannon in 1813.

USS Ludlow (DD-112) as a minelayer, late 1920s
USS Ludlow (DD-112) as a
minelayer, late 1920s

The Ludlow was laid down at the Union Iron Works, San Francisco, on 7 January 1918, launched on 9 June 1918 and commissioned on 23 December 1918, a month too late for the First World War, with Commander M.K. Metcalf in command.

After a shakedown cruise on the west coast, the Ludlow moved to the east coast, where during 1919-20 she served with the Atlantic Fleet.

Her executive officer during 1920 was Mahlon Street Tisdale, who later commanded the Cruisers, Task Force Sixteen in 1942, then served as Commander, Destroyers, Pacific Fleet for all of 1943. In 1944 he was Commandant of the Navy Yard at Mare Isladn, California and in September 1945 he became Commandant of the US Naval Base at San Franscisco. He retired with the rank of Vice Admiral.

On 17 July 1920 the Ludlow was redesignated as light mine DM-10, but pictures of her dated to 1926 and 1929 show her with the mine force symbol painted next to her original number '112'.

On 19 January 1921 the Ludlow arrived at her new home port of Pearl Harbor, where she joined Mine Squadron 2, Fleet Base Force, Pacific Fleet. She served with the Pacific Fleet for the next eight years, taking part in a mix of training exercises - gunnery, mining, antisubmarine and fleet battle problems. In 1929 she was also used to train the Naval Reserve.

USS Ludlow (DD-112), 24 April 1926
USS Ludlow (DD-112), 24 April 1926

On 15 November 1929 she left Pearl Habor for the last time, heading for San Diego where she was decommissioned on 24 May 1930. She was struck off on 18 November, scrapped by the Navy and her metal sold off on 19 March 1931. 

Displacement (standard)

 

Displacement (loaded)

 

Top Speed

35kts design
34.81kts at 27,350shp at 1,236t on trial (Kimberly)

Engine

2 shaft Parsons turbines
4 boilers
27,000shp design

Range

2,500nm at 20kts (design)

Armour - belt

 

 - deck

 

Length

314ft 4.5in

Width

30ft 11.5in

Armaments

Four 4in/ 50 guns
Twelve 21in torpedo tubes in four triple mountings
Two 1-pounder AA guns
Two depth charge tracks

Crew complement

100

Laid Down

7 January 1918

Launched

9 June 1918

Commissioned

23 December 1918

Struck off

18 November 1930

Sold as scrap

19 March 1931

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.
cover cover cover
How to cite this article: Rickard, J (26 June 2017), USS Ludlow (DD-112/ DM-10) , http://www.historyofwar.org/articles/weapons_USS_Ludlow_DD-112_DM-10.html

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