USS Preston (DD-327)

For other ships of the same name, see USS Preston.
Career (US)
Namesake: Samuel W. Preston
Builder: Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation, Union Iron Works, San Francisco
Laid down: 19 July 1919
Launched: 7 August 1920
Commissioned: 13 April 1921
Decommissioned: 1 May 1930
Struck: 6 November 1931
Fate: sold for scrap, 23 August 1932
General characteristics
Class and type:Clemson-class destroyer
Displacement:1,308 tons
Length:314 feet 5 inches (95.83 m)
Beam:31 feet 8 inches (9.65 m)
Draft:9 feet 10 inches (3 m)
Propulsion:26,500 shp (20 MW);
geared turbines,
2 screws
Speed:35 knots (65 km/h)
Range:4,900 nmi (9,100 km)
  @ 15 kt
Complement:122 officers and enlisted
Armament:4 × 4" (102 mm), 1 × 3" (76 mm), 12 × 21" (533 mm) torpedo tubes

The fourth USS Preston (DD-327) was a Clemson-class destroyer in the United States Navy following World War I. She was named for Samuel W. Preston.

History

Preston was laid down 19 July 1919 by the Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation, San Francisco, California; launched 7 August 1920; sponsored by Mrs. Josephus Daniels, wife of the Secretary of the Navy; and commissioned 13 April 1921, Cmdr. G. T. Swasey in command.

Preston and Bruce in the Pedro Miguel Locks, ca. 1922.

Following shakedown, the flush-decked destroyer remained on the west coast on temporary duty. Until December, 1921, she conducted exercises out of San Diego, California, then got underway for assignment with the Atlantic Fleet Destroyer Force. With that force for most of her naval career, she operated along the east coast, regularly sailing south for winter exercises in the Caribbean. In June 1925 she interrupted that schedule for a tour with US Naval Forces in European Waters. On that tour she cruised from the waters off Scandinavia to the Mediterranean. In July 1926, she returned to New York and resumed her former schedule of east coast and Caribbean employment.

Fate

Preston was decommissioned at Philadelphia 1 May 1930 and was assigned to the Norfolk Navy Yard for strength tests. Her name was struck from the Navy List 6 November 1931 and on 23 August 1932 her hulk was sold for scrap.

References

External links