USS Meyer (DD-279)
| Career (US) |  |
|---|---|
| Namesake: | George von Lengerke Meyer |
| Builder: | Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation, Squantum Victory Yard |
| Laid down: | 6 February 1919 |
| Launched: | 18 July 1919 |
| Commissioned: | 17 December 1919 |
| Decommissioned: | 15 May 1929 |
| Struck: | 25 November 1930 |
| Fate: | sold, 25 February 1932 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type: | Clemson-class destroyer |
| Displacement: | 1,190 tons |
| Length: | 314 feet 5 inches (95.83 m) |
| Beam: | 31 feet 8 inches (9.65 m) |
| Draft: | 9 feet 4 inches (2.84 m) |
| Propulsion: | 26,500 shp (20 MW); geared turbines, twin propellers |
| Speed: | 35 knots (65 km/h) |
| Range: | 4,900 nmi (9,100 km) @ 15 kt |
| Complement: | 130 officers and enlisted |
| Armament: | 4 × 4" (102 mm), 2 × 3" (76 mm), 12 × 21" (533 mm) torpedo tubes |
USS Meyer (DD-279) was a Clemson-class destroyer in the United States Navy following World War I. She was named for George von Lengerke Meyer.
History
Meyer was laid down 6 February 1919 at the Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation, Squantum, Massachusetts; launched 18 July 1919; sponsored by Mrs. C. R. P. Rodgers, daughter of Mr. Meyer; and commissioned 17 December 1919, Commander W. E. Clarke in command.
After an east coast shakedown, Meyer departed Boston, Massachusetts 9 February 1920 for the west coast. She arrived San Diego, California 1 April only to depart soon afterward for a cruise to San Francisco, California and various Alaskan ports. Returning to San Diego 18 August, she continued to operate along the west coast, ranging from Alaska to Panama, with occasional voyages to Hawaii, for the next 8 and a half years. During that time her assignments were varied and in August, 1927, Meyer served as one of the ships used to assist pilots participating in the Dole Race from the mainland to Hawaii.
Fate
Early in 1929 the destroyer began inactivation overhaul and on 15 May 1929 was decommissioned at San Diego. On 17 June she was towed to Mare Island for scrapping. Struck 25 November 1930, her materials were sold 25 February 1932.
As of 2007, no other ships have been named Meyer.
DD279 can be briefly seen in the movie, "tin pan alley", just after the two male leads enlist in the army to serve in WW1. About 1hour 15 mins into the film.
References
This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. The entry can be found here.
