USS Murray (DD-97) and
USS Stribling (DD-96),
fitting out 1918
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USS Murray (DD-97) was a Wickes class destroyer that operated in European waters late in the First World War and then served as a minelayer in the immediate post-war period.
The Murray was named after Captain Alexander Murray, an officer in the Continental Navy during the War of Independence and in the US Navy during the quasi-war with France, the war against the Barbary Pirates and as commandant of the Philadelphia Navy Yard, and his grandson Rear Admiral Alexander Murray, who fought in the Mexican War and the American Civil War.
The Murray (DD-97) was laid down on 22 December 1917 at Quincy, Mass, launched on 8 June 1918 and commissioned on 21 August 1918 with Lt. Commander R. G. Walling in command.
The Murray operated in European waters late in the First World War, arriving at Brest on 20 October 1918. Anyone who served on her between 28 August and 11 November 1918 qualified for the First World War Victory Medal.
On 3 December 1918 the Murray ran aground on the rocks in L'Abenach Harbour, and had to be towed to safety in Brest by USS Cushing (DD-55).
After her return to the United States the Murray served with the Atlantic Fleet. She was reclassified as DM-2, a light minelayer, on 17 July 1920, and was modified to drop mines. She performed this new role for two years, before she was decommissioned at Philadelphia on 1 July 1922. She remained in the reserve until she was struck off the Navy List on 7 January 1936. She was then sold for scrap on 29 September 1936.
Displacement (standard) |
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Displacement (loaded) |
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Top Speed |
35kts design |
Engine |
2 shaft Parsons turbines |
Range |
2,500nm at 20kts (design) |
Armour - belt |
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- deck |
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Length |
314ft 4.5in |
Width |
30ft 11.5in |
Armaments |
Four 4in/ 50 guns |
Crew complement |
100 |
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.
