USS Barton (DD-599)
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| Career |  |
|---|---|
| Laid down: | 20 May 1941 |
| Launched: | 31 January 1942 |
| Commissioned: | 29 May 1942 |
| Fate: | Sunk by Japanese destroyer Amatsukaze off Guadalcanal, 13 November 1942 |
| General characteristics | |
| Displacement: | 1620 tons |
| Length: | 347 ft 9 in (106.0 m) |
| Beam: | 36 ft 1 in (11.0 m) |
| Draught: | 17 ft 4 in (5.3 m) |
| Speed: | 36 kts |
| Complement: | 276 |
| Armament: | 5 5", 10 21" tt. |
The first USS Barton (DD-599) was a Benson-class destroyer in the United States Navy during World War II. She was named for John Kennedy Barton.
Barton was launched 31 January 1942 by Bethlehem Steel Corporation, Quincy, Massachusetts; sponsored by Miss Barbara Dean Barton, granddaughter of Admiral Barton; and commissioned 29 May 1942, Lieutenant Commander D. H. Fox in command.
Barton departed the east coast 23 August 1942 and steamed to the Pacific, arriving at Tongatapu, Tonga Islands, 14 September 1942. During October she participated in the Buin-Faisi-Tonolai raid (5 October) and the Battle of Santa Cruz (26 October) where she claimed shooting down seven Japanese planes. On 29 October she successfully rescued 17 survivors of two downed air transports near Fabre Island.
On 13 November Barton, in company with Rear Admiral Daniel J. Callaghan's landing support group, took part in the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal. Barton commenced firing on the Japanese ships at approximately 0148. After launching four torpedoes she had to come to an emergency stop to avoid a collision. While she was practically dead in the water, two Long Lance torpedoes from Japanese destroyer Amatsukaze found their mark. The first torpedo struck her forward fireroom and, a few seconds later, a second torpedo struck her forward engine-room. Within seconds, Barton broke in two and sank, carrying with her 164 men: 13 officers and 151 of her crew. Forty-two survivors were rescued by Portland (CA-33) and twenty-six by Higgins boats from Guadalcanal.
Barton received four battle stars for her service during October and November 1942.
[edit] References
- This article includes text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. The entry can be found here.
[edit] External links
- USS Barton website at Destroyer History Foundation
- navsource.org: DD-599 USS Barton
- hazegray.org: USS Barton
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