USS Rizal (DD-174/ DM-14)

USS Rizal (DD-174/ DM-14) was a Wickes class destroyer that was funded by the Philippine legislature and spent her active career in Philippine or Asiatic waters.

The Rizal was named after Jos Rizal, a Philippine patriot who was executed by the Spanish on 30 December 1896.

The Rizal was laid down at the Union Iron Works, San Francisco, on 27 June 1918, launched on 21 September 1918 and commissioned on 28 May 1919. She joined the Pacific Fleet, and operated along the US west coast taking part in exercises and training duties. During this period she was part of the 22nd Destroyer Division (Rizal, Renshaw (DD-176), O'Bannon (DD-177), Hogan (DD-178), MacKenzie (DD-175). For most of her service career most of her crewmen were Filipino Americans or Filipinos.

USS Rizal (DD-174) with crew on foredeck, 10 January 1920
USS Rizal (DD-174)
with crew on foredeck,
10 January 1920

The Rizal left San Diego to join the Asiatic fleet on 25 March 1920. She reached her new base at Cavite on the Philippines on 1 May 1920, and became the flagship of the Mine Detachment Division of the Asiatic Fleet. She was classified as the light minelayer DM-14 on 17 July 1920.

The Rizal spent the next decade serving with the Asiatic fleet. She spent the winters in the Philippines and the summers in Chinese waters, often visiting Shanghai, Chefoo (modern Yantai), Chinwantao (modern Qinhuangdao) and Hong Kong. She also visited Yokohama, Japan, from 11-20 April 1929.

In November 1928 the Rizal was part of a small US fleet that carried out a practise 'raid' on Guam. She then visited Apra Harbour on Guam for a three day visit.

Anyone who served on her between 26 October 1926-9 January 1927, 5 June-19 August 1927, 11-17 October 1927 or 18 September-20 October 1930 qualified for the Yangtze Service Medal.

One of her officers in this period was Hugh D. Black, killed when his destroyer USS Jacob Jones was sunk by a German submarine on 28 February 1942.

Towards the end of 1930 the Rizal was chosen as one of the destroyers to be removed from service under the terms of the London Naval Treaty. She left Manila on 11 December 1930 and was decommissioned at San Diego on 20 August 1931. She was struck off the Navy list on 11 November 1931, scrapped, and her materials sold on 25 February 1932.

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

26 June 1918

Launched

21 September 1918

Commissioned

28 May 1919

Decommissioned

20 August 1931

Sold for scrap

25 February 1932

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 April 2018), USS Rizal (DD-174/ DM-14) , http://www.historyofwar.org/articles/weapons_USS_Rizal_DD174_DM14.html

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