Allied Warships

USS Baker (DE 190)

Destroyer Escort of the Cannon class

NavyThe US Navy
TypeDestroyer Escort
ClassCannon 
PennantDE 190 
Built byFederal Shipbuilding & Drydock Co. (Newark, New Jersey, U.S.A.)Federal Shipbuilding & Drydock Co. (Newark, New Jersey, U.S.A.) 
Ordered18 Jan 1942 
Laid down9 Sep 1943 
Launched28 Nov 1943 
Commissioned23 Dec 1943 
End service4 Mar 1946 
History

Decommissioned 4 March 1946.
Stricken by the U.S.N. 18 April 1952.
Transferred to France 29 March 1952 being renamed Malgache.
Malgache was stricken in 1969 and sunk as a target in 1970.

 

Commands listed for USS Baker (DE 190)

Please note that we're still working on this section
and that we only list Commanding Officers for the duration of the Second World War.

CommanderFromTo
1Lt.Cdr. Luke B. Lockwood, USNR23 Dec 194314 Jun 1944
2Lt.Cdr. Norman Cutten Hoffman, USNR14 Jun 19449 Aug 1945
3Charles Garrison Meyer, Jr., USNR9 Aug 194516 Nov 1945

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Notable events involving Baker include:


4 May 1944

Convoy GUS 39.

This convoy departed Port Said on 4 May 1944.

On departure from Port Said the convoy was made up of the transports / tankers; Ammla (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943), Benjamin Bourn (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Benjamin Williams (American, 7177 GRT, built 1942), British Aviator (British (tanker), 6998 GRT, built 1924), Cape Hawke (British, 5081 GRT, built 1941), Dallington Court (British, 6889 GRT, built 1929), Edmund F. Dickins (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Eridan (French, 9928 GRT, built 1928), Fort St.Francois (British, 7125 GRT, built 1942), Frank A. Vanderlip (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943), Frank C. Emerson (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Geronimo (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Gulf of Mexico (American (tanker), 7807 GRT, built 1917), Gulfpoint (American (tanker), 6972 GRT, built 1920), Liss (Norwegian (tanker), 5932 GRT, built 1921), Meline (Norwegian (tanker), 6983 GRT, built 1918), O'Henry (American, 7181 GRT, built 1942), Peter Donahue (American, 7194 GRT, built 1943), Samport (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943), Thorshavn (Norwegian (tanker), 6869 GRT, built 1930), Trevince (British, 7292 GRT, built 1943), Tweedsmuir Park (Canadian, 7143 GRT, built 1943), Ville de Majunga (British (former French), 6174 GRT, built 1931), W.H. Libby (Panamanian (tanker), 7992 GRT, built 1921) and William S. Halsted (American, 7191 GRT, built 1943).

They were escorted by the corvette HMS Saxifage (T/A/Lt.Cdr. J. Renwick, DSO, RNR).

On 5 May 1944, the following transports / tankers departed Alexandria and joined the convoy; Anson Jones (American, 7244 GRT, built 1943), Crista (British, 2590 GRT, built 1938), Empire Lionel (British, 7030 GRT, built 1942), Finley Peter Dunne (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), George Uhler (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Ida Bakke (Norwegian, 5455 GRT, built 1938), Ittersum (Dutch, 5199 GRT, built 1938), James Harlan (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), James L. Breck (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), John C. Spencer (American, 7242 GRT, built 1943), Margrethe Bakke (Norwegian, 5478 GRT, built 1938), Pete Marquette (American, 7194 GRT, built 1943), Philip Schuyler (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Robert G. Ingersoll (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Stanlodge (British, 5977 GRT, built 1943), Theodore Sedgwick (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942) and William Byrd (American, 7225 GRT, built 1943).

They were escorted by the sloops HMS Pheasant (Cdr. W.E.J. Eames, DSC, RN), HMS Bideford (T/A/Lt.Cdr. H.J. Beverley, DSO, DSC, RNR) and the corvettes HMS Alisma (Lt. G. Lanning, RANVR) and HMS Spiraea (Lt. A.H. Pierce, OBE, RNR).

On 9 May 1944, the following transports / tankers departed Augusta to join the convoy; Alexander H. Stephens (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Benjamin Tay (British, 1814 GRT, built 1943), British Respect (British (tanker), 8479 GRT, built 1943), E.A. Peden (American, 7244 GRT, built 1943), Empire Crown (British, 7070 GRT, built 1944), Empire Duchess (British, 7067 GRT, built 1943), Empire Glen (British, 6316 GRT, built 1941), Empire Southey (British, 7041 GRT, built 1942), Empire Unicorn (British, 7067 GRT, built 1943), Esso Baltimore (American (tanker), 7940 GRT, built 1938), Ethan Allen (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Fitzhugh Lee (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Fort Carlton (British, 7131 GRT, built 1942), Fort Chesterfield (British, 7100 GRT, built 1943), Fort Fidler (British, 7127 GRT, built 1943), Fort Marin (British, 7159 GRT, built 1943), Fort Pembina (British, 7134 GRT, built 1942), Frank Springer (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), G.S. Walden (British (tanker), 10627 GRT, built 1937), George M. Bibb (American, 7180 GRT, built 1943), George Shiras (American, 7200 GRT, built 1943), Gulfdisc (American (tanker), 7140 GRT, built 1938), James E. Howard (American, 7191 GRT, built 1943), James Hoban (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), James J. Hill (American, 7181 GRT, built 1942), John C. Breckinridge (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), John Gorrie (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), John Mason (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), John N. Maffitt (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), John Trumbull (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), John Wanamaker (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Kemp P. Battle (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Luther Martin (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942), Newbrough (British, 5255 GRT, built 1941), Ocean Rider (British, 7178 GRT, built 1942), Ralph Waldo Emerson (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Samshire (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943), Samsteel (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943), Samtucky (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943), Samuel Livermore (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Tarleton Brown (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942), Van Honthorst (Dutch, 6140 GRT, built 1943), William Ellery (American, 7181 GRT, built 1942), William F. Cody (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), William J. Worth (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), William L. Yancey (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943) and William P. Fessenden (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942).

On 10 May 1944, the following transports / tankers arrived at Augusta after having been detached from the convoy; British Aviator, Cape Hawke, Crista, Dallington Court, Empire Lionel, Finley Peter Dunne, Fort St.Francois, Frank C. Emerson, Gulf of Mexico, Ittersum, Liss, Meline and Thorshavn.

On 10 May 1944, the transports Eridan and Stanlodge arrived at Malta after having been detached from the convoy while transports / tankers departed Malta to join the convoy; Campidoglio (Italian, 3702 GRT, built 1910), Empire Guinevere (British, 7072 GRT, built 1942), Norelg (Norwegian, 6103 GRT, built 1920) and William Eaton (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942).

On 11 May 1944, the following transports / tankers arrived at Bizerta after having been detached from the convoy; Ethan Allen, George M. Bibb, Gulfpoint, John C. Breckinridge, John Trumbull, Kemp P. Battle, Luther Martin, Norelg, Tarleton Brown and William F. Cody. Also the current escort entered Bizerta as the escort of the convoy was now taken over by an American Task Force.

The following transports / tankers departed Bizerta to join the convoy; Bret Harte (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Carrillo (American, 5013 GRT, built 1911), Coulgorm (British, 6997 GRT, built 1942), David J. Brewer (American, 7181 GRT, built 1942), Fort Grahame (British, 7133 GRT, built 1943), George Gipp (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Jan Lievens (Dutch, 7178 GRT, built 1942), Joseph Holt (American, 7181 GRT, built 1942), Laurent Meeus (Belgian (tanker), 6429 GRT, built 1930), Polarsol (Norwegian (tanker), 10022 GRT, built 1939), Silverelm (British, 4351 GRT, built 1924), Tijuca (Norwegian, 5498 GRT, built 1926) and William Dunbar (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943). Also the new escort departed Bizerta to join the convoy. This was Task Force 60 which was made up of the cutter USCGC Bibb (Cdr. C.A. Anderson, USCG, with COMTASKFOR 60, T/Capt. R.B. Nickerson, USN, on board) and the destroyer escorts USS Vance ( Cdr. E.A. Anderson, USCG, with COMCORTDIV 45, Cdr. E.J. Roland, USCG, on board), USS Calcaterra (Lt.Cdr. E.D. Howard, 2nd, USCGR), USS Chambers (Cdr. H.A. Loughlin, USCG), USS Durant (Cdr. C.C. Knapp, USCG), USS Lansing (Cdr. S.R. Sands, Jr., USCG), USS Merrill (Cdr. I.J.Stephens, USCG), USS Thomas (Lt.Cdr. D.M. Kellogg, USNR, with COMCORTDIV 48, Cdr. G.A. Parkinson, USNR, on board), USS Baker (Lt.Cdr. L.B. Lockwood, USNR), USS Bostwick (Lt. C.G. Hall, USNR), USS Breeman (Lt.Cdr. E.N.W. Hunter, USNR), USS Bronstein (T/Lt.Cdr. S.H. Kinney, USN) and USS Coffman (Cdr. W.H. Putnam, USNR). Additional escorts were AA cruiser HMS Colombo (Capt. C.T. Jellicoe, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN) and the destroyer USS Hilary P. Jones (T/Cdr. F.M. Stiesberg, USN) which was fitted for jamming the signals of German guided bombs. The rescue tug HMRT Nimble also joined the convoy.

On 12 May 1944, the following ships arrived at Bone after having been detached from the convoy; Coulgorm, Fort Grahame, Fort Pembina, Jan Lievens and Tijuca while the following ships joined the convoy coming from Bone; Empire Damsel (British (tanker), 784 GRT, built 1942) and Empire Tern (British, 2479 GRT, built 1919).

On 13 May 1944, the following ships arrived at Algiers after having been detached from the convoy; Campidoglio, Empire Damsel, Empire Tern, Empire Unicorn, Fort Carlton, Fort Chesterfield, Fort Marin, Ocean Rider, Polarsol, Samsteel, Silverelm, Tweedsmuir Park, Van Honthorst, Ville de Majunga, W.H. Libby, William Ellery and William J. Worth while the following ships joined the convoy of Algiers; Amos Kendall (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Benjamin Lundy (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Dux (Norwegian, 1590 GRT, built 1934), Empire Salvage (British (tanker) 10746 GRT, built 1940), Finistere (French, 1158 GRT, built 1909), Fort Ash (British, 7131 GRT, built 1943), Fort Glenora (British, 7126 GRT, built 1943), Gideon Welles (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Hamlin Garland (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Helmwood (British, 2156 GRT, built 1923), Howell E. Jackson (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), James H. Couper (American, 7199 GRT, built 1943), King S. Woolsey (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Marshall Elliott (American, 7177 GRT, built 1942), Medie II (French, 5078 GRT, built 1922), Robert Y. Hayne (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Sambrake (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943), Sampler (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943), Samuel Gorton (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Stage Door Canteen (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Thomas Hill (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Van Ostade (Dutch, 2890 GRT, built 1942), William D. Moseley (American, 7177 GRT, built 1943), Wilson P. Hunt (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943) and Zypenberg (Dutch, 4973 GRT, built 1920).

On 14 May 1944, the following ships arrived at Oran after having been detached from the convoy; Benjamin Tay, Bret Harte, British Respect, Dux, Empire Crown, Frank Springer, Howell E. Jackson, King S. Wolsey and Laurent Meeus while the following ships joined the convoy of Oran; Arthur Dobbs (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Arthur M. Huddell (American, 7240 GRT, built 1943), Howard A. Kelly (American, 7191 GRT, built 1943), John Jay (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), John W. Hoyt (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Samannan (British, 7219 GRT, built 1944), Samleven (British, 7210 GRT, built 1944), Sammex (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943), Samtyne (British, 7219 GRT, built 1944) and Thaddeus Kosciuszko (American, 7200 GRT, built 1942). The naval tanker USS Cossatot (Lt.Cdr. C.H. Glenwright, USNR) and naval stores ship USS Yukon (Lt.Cdr. V.J. Barnhart, USNR) also joined the convoy.

On 15 May 1944, the following ships arrived at Gibraltar after having been detached from the convoy; Empire Glen, Empire Guinevere, Empire Southey, Helmwood, Trevince, Van Ostade and Zuypenberg. Also HMS Colombo and HMRT Nimble were detached to Gibraltar. USS Hilary P. Jones was also detached.

On 15 May 1944, the following ships departed Casablanca to join the convoy; Alexander Lillington (American, 7177 GRT, built 1942), Deebank (British, 5060 GRT, built 1929), Henry Watterson (American, 7225 GRT, built 1943), Irvin MacDowell (American, 7181 GRT, built 1942), Kobad (French (tanker), 7329 GRT, built 1930), Samconon (British, 7210 GRT, built 1944), Samstrae (British, 7219 GRT, built 1944) and Samwater (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943). They were escorted by the patrol vessel / sloop Amiral Mouchez and the patrol vesselsUSS PC-471 (G B Calkins, USNR), USS PC-474 (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Hummer, USNR) and USS PC-481 (Lt. N.W Roeder, USNR). These ships joined the convoy around 0915A/16. The escort vessels then returned to Casablanca on the 17th having taken the following ships with them; Empire Duchess, Finistere, Fort Ash, Fort Glenora, Medie II, Newbrough and Samtucky.

Around 1215Z/20, two ships joined the convoy coming from the Azores, these were the George Matthews (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942) and Gulfcoast (American, 7140 GRT, built 1937). They had been escorted to the rendezvous by the auxiliary A/S trawler HMS Stafnes (T/Lt. A.T. Motion, RNVR).

On 22 May 1944, USCGC Bibb fuelled from USS Cossatot.

Around 1625P/28, the convoy split up into two sections. One section was bound for Chesapeake Bay. This was made up of 37 ships, inluding USS Cossatot and USS Yukon. It was escorted by USS Thomas, USS Baker, USS Bostwick, USS Breeman and USS Bronstein. The Chesapeake Bay section of the convoy arrived at its destination in the evening of 29 May 1944.

The remaining ships, 48 in total, proceeded to New York with the remainder of the escort. The New York section of the convoy arrived at its destination in the morning of 30 May 1944.

24 Jun 1944

Convoy GUS 44.

This convoy departed Port Said on 24 June 1944.

On departure from Port Said the convoy was made up of the following transports / tankers; Baron Herries (British, 4574 GRT, built 1940), British Governor (British (tanker), 6840 GRT, built 1926), British Tradition (British (tanker), 8443 GRT, built 1942), Cardinal Gibbons (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942), Fernbrook (Norwegian, 4633 GRT, built 1932), George K. Fitch (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Jan Slievens (Dutch, 7178 GRT, built 1942), John Fitch (American, 7181 GRT, built 1942), Lewis Emery Jr. (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Malvina (Dutch (tanker), 8249 GRT, built 1932), Meonia (Danish, 5214 GRT, built 1927), Oscar Underwood (American, 7207 GRT, built 1944), Sampford (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943), Sherman O Houghton (American, 7207 GRT, built 1944), Wayne Macveach (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943) and William M. Meredith (American, 7180 GRT, built 1943).

On departure from Port Said the convoy was escorted by the frigate HMS Shiel (Lt. H.P. Crail, DSC, RNR, with Cdr. J.T. Jones, RD, RNR, (S.O. 49th Escort Group) no board) and minesweeper HMS Sharpshooter (Lt.Cdr. W.L. O'Mara, DSC, RN).

On 25 June 1944 the following transports joined the convoy coming from Alexandria; Empire Lionel (British, 7030 GRT, built 1942), Fort Meductic (British, 7134 GRT, built 1943), Nathaniel Macon (American, 7177 GRT, built 1943) and Samphire (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943). They were escorted by the corvettes HMS Gloxinia (Lt. D. Perry, DSC, RNR) and HMS Primula (T/Lt. E.N. Wilding, RNVR) which also joined the convoy.

On 28 June 1944 the following transports / tankers departed Augusta to join the convoy; Beaconsfield (British, 4635 GRT, built 1938), Beckenham (British, 4636 GRT, built 1937), Charles A. Warfield (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Cistula (Dutch (tanker), 8097 GRT, built 1939), Edward N. Hurley (American, 7191 GRT, built 1943), Edward Richardson (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Edwin L. Godkin (American, 7198 GRT, built 1943), Empire Cobbett (British (tanker), 9811 GRT, built 1942), Empire Harbour (British (tanker), 797 GRT, built 1943), Empire Nugget (British (tanker), 9807 GRT, built 1942), Empire Stength (British, 7355 GRT, built 1942), Empire Wordsworth (British (tanker), 9891 GRT, built 1942), Fort Clatsop (British, 7157 GRT, built 1943), Furnifold M. Simmons (American, 7177 GRT, built 1943), Hopestar (British, 5267 GRT, built 1936), Houston Volunteers (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Joseph T. Robinson (American, 7196 GRT, built 1943), Kola (British, 1538 GRT, built 1924), Louis McLane (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), M.M. Guhin (American, 7180 GRT, 1943), Mactra (British (tanker), 6193 GRT, built 1936), Madras City (British, 5080 GRT, built 1940), Moray Coast (British, 687 GRT, built 1940), Moses Rogers (American, 7181 GRT, built 1942), Pronto (Norwegian, 2201 GRT, built 1920), Regent Lion (British (tanker), 9551 GRT, built 1937), Sun (American (tanker), 9002 GRT, built 1928), Thomas Hart Benton (American, 7187 GRT, built 1943), Thomas Sumter (American, 7177 GRT, built 1942), Trondheim (Norwegian (tanker), 8258 GRT, 1939), Walter E. Ranger (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943) and Zaanstroom (Dutch, 1646 GRT, built 1920).

The following transports / tankers were detached to August where the arrived on 28 June 1944; British Tradition, Empire Lionel, Fort Meductic, George K. Fitch, Jan Lievents, Malvina, Oscar Underwood, Sampford and Samphire.

On 29 June 1944, the transport Robert Newell (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943) joined the convoy coming from Malta.

On 30 June 1944, the transport Meonia arrived at Tunis after having been detached from the convoy.

On 30 June 1944, the transports Baron Herries , Empire Harbour, Furnifold M. Simmons and Hopestar arrived at Benghazi after having been detached from the convoy while the following transports / tankers joined the convoy coming from Benhazi; Haakon Hauan (Norwegian (tanker), 6582 GRT, built 1935), Jobshaven (Dutch, 3528 GRT, built 1916), Murena (Dutch (tanker), 8252 GRT, built 1931), Neritina (British (tanker), 8228 GRT, built 1943) and Tarleton Brown (American, 7191 GRT, built 1943).

Also the current escort, which arrived at Bizerta on 30 June 1944, was relieved by a new escort which was made up of the AA cruiser HMS Caledon (Capt. R.F. Nichols, RN), the cutter USCGC Ingham (Cdr. K.O.A. Zittel, USCG, with COMTASKFOR 65, T/Capt. W.R. Headden, USN on board) and the escort destroyers USS Price (Lt.Cdr. J.W. Higgins, Jr., USNR, with COMCORTDIV 58, T/Cdr. E.E. Garcia, USN on board), USS Stanton (Lt.Cdr. P.J. Tiffany, USNR), USS Strickland (Lt.Cdr. A.J. Hopkins, USNR), Forster (Lt. J.N. Clayton, USNR), Stockdale (Lt.Cdr. R.W. Luther, USNR), Hissem (Lt.Cdr. W.W. Low, USNR), USS Otter (Lt.Cdr. D.M. Kerr, USNR, with COMCORTDIV 62, T/Cdr. J.F. Bowling, Jr., USN), USS Hubbard (Lt.Cdr. L.C. Mabley, USNR), USS Hayter (Lt.Cdr. H.J. Theriault, USNR), USS Varian (Lt.Cdr. C.W. Petrie, USNR), USS Scroggings (T/Lt.Cdr. H. Kriloff, USN) and USS Jack W. Wilke (T/Cdr. R.D. Lowther, USN).

Around 0037B/1, the destroyers USS Madison (T/Cdr. D.A. Stuart, USN) and USS Livermore (T/Cdr. H.E. Siedel, Jr., USN) joined for jammer duty (against German radio controlled bombs).

Around 0415B/1, the transports Beaconsfield, Kola and Pronto were detached to Bone. Later the Jobshaven was detached to Philippeville.

Around 0550B/1, the rescue tugs HMRT Mindful and HMRT Aspirant joined the convoy.

Around 0643B/2, the transports / tankers Beckenham, British Governor, Fort Clatsop and Zaanstroom as well as HMRT Mindful were detached to Algiers.

Around 0715B/2, the transports / tankers Bourgogne (French (tanker), 9357 GRT, built 1937), Empire Dickens (British (tanker), 9819 GRT, built 1942), Empire Falcon (British, 4970 GRT, built 1918), Fomalhaut (French, 5795 GRT, built 1936) and Peribonka (British, 5673 GRT, built 1937) joined coming from Algiers.

Around 0410B/3, HMS Caledon parted company with the convoy to proceed to Gibraltar.

At 0620B/3, USS Madison and USS Livermore parted company to proceed to Oran Bay taking the transports Edward N. Hurley, Edward Richardson, Edwin L. Godkin, Joseph T. Robinson, Louis McClane, M.M. Guhin, Moses Rogers, Tarleton Brown, Thomas Hart Benton and Thomas Sumter with them. Around the same time the following transports joined from Oran Bay; Belgian Airman (Belgian, 6960 GRT, built 1942), Gulfcoast (American, 7140 GRT, built 1937) and Samhope (7210 GRT, built 1944). Also joining were the naval tanker USS Merrimack (T/Capt. R.A. MacKerracher, USN), stores ship USS Polaris (T/Cdr. C.R. Miller, USN) and the tug USS Cocopa (Lt. J.C. Hutcheson, USNR) which was towing the damaged destroyer USS Laub (T/Cdr. A.C. Roessler, USN).

Around 0815A/4, the following transports Empire Strength, Moray Coast and Peribonka were detached to Gibraltar.

At 1740A/4, the following tankers Haakon Hauan, Neritina and Trondheim were detached to Casablanca escorted by the minesweeping sloop La Boudeuse and the patrol vessels L'Eveille and USS PC-482 (Lt. D.W. Hunter, USNR).

Around the same time the transports Hopecrest (British, 5099 GRT, built 1935) and Sambanka (British, 7219 GRT, built 1944) as well as the tug USS Cherokee (Lt. L.G. Johnson, USN) which was towing the damaged destroyer escort USS Barr (Lt.Cdr. P.T. Dickie, Jr., USNR) joined coming from Casablanca. They had been escorted to the rendezvous by the same escorts that were now escorting the above listed vessels to Casablanca.

On 6 July 1944, all escorts fuelled from USS Merrimack.

Around 0400O/9, USS Menges parted company to contact the ships joining from the Azores. Around 0800O/9 she returned with the tanker Norsol (Norwegian (tanker), 8236 GRT, built 1941) as well as the tug USS Carib (Lt. A.T. Terrio, USN) which was towing the damaged destroyer escort USS Menges (Lt.Cdr. F.M. McCabe, USCG). These ships had been escorted to the rendezvous by the A/S trawler HMS Paynter (T/Lt. T.B.S. Brown, RNVR). HMS Paynter did not join the convoy.

Around 0615Q/16, when in position 35°31'N, 65°40'E, USS Merrimack parted company with the convoy to proceed to Bermuda. To escort her to that place the escort destroyers USS Jesse Rutherford (Lt.Cdr. B.M. Henry, USNR), USS Traw (Lt.Cdr. J.T. Kilbreth, Jr., USNR) and USS Leland E. Thomass (Lt.Cdr. L.E. Rosenberg, USNR) had joined. They arrived at Bermuda around 2130Q/16.

Around 1320Q/16, the three tugs with their tows were detached to Bermuda. To escort them the escort destroyers USS Price and USS Stockdale. They arrived at Bermuda around 2000Q/17. The two destroyer escorts remained out patrolling of Bermuda and arrived at Bermuda around 0600Q/18.

Around 1900Q/16, the ' Chesapeake Bay Section ' of the convoy made up of 15 transports / tankers parted company. They were escorted by the destroyer escorts USS Hubbard (which now had COMCORTDIV 62 on board), USS Hayter, USS Scroggings and USS Jack W. Wilke. The ' Chesapeake Bay Section ' entered Chesapeake Bay in the morning of the 17th. The four destroyer escorts then proceeded to New York.

Around 0800Q/17, the ' Delaware Section ' of the convoy, which was made up of thee tankers (Gulfcoast, Norsol and Sun), parted company escorted by USS Varian. Around 0348Q/18, the tankers entered the swept channel and USS Vervain parted company to proceed to New York where she arrived in the afternoon.

The bulk of the convoy arrived at New York in the morning of 18 July 1944.

30 Jun 1944
The AA cruiser HMS Caledon (Capt. R.F. Nichols, RN), the cutter USCGC Ingham (Cdr. K.O.A. Zittel, USCG, with COMTASKFOR 65, T/Capt. W.R. Headden, USN on board) and the escort destroyers USS Price (Lt.Cdr. J.W. Higgins, Jr., USNR, with COMCORTDIV 58, T/Cdr. E.E. Garcia, USN on board), USS Stanton (Lt.Cdr. P.J. Tiffany, USNR), USS Strickland (Lt.Cdr. A.J. Hopkins, USNR), Forster (Lt. J.N. Clayton, USNR), Stockdale (Lt.Cdr. R.W. Luther, USNR), Hissem (Lt.Cdr. W.W. Low, USNR), USS Otter (Lt.Cdr. D.M. Kerr, USNR, with COMCORTDIV 62, T/Cdr. J.F. Bowling, Jr., USN), USS Hubbard (Lt.Cdr. L.C. Mabley, USNR), USS Hayter (Lt.Cdr. H.J. Theriault, USNR), USS Varian (Lt.Cdr. C.W. Petrie, USNR), USS Scroggings (T/Lt.Cdr. H. Kriloff, USN) and USS Jack W. Wilke (T/Cdr. R.D. Lowther, USN) departed Bizerta for escort duty with convoy GUS 44.

[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy GUS 44 ' for 24 June 1944].

5 Jul 1944
German U-boat U-233 was sunk south-east of Halifax, in position 42°16'N, 59°49'W by ramming, depth charges and gunfire from the US destroyer escorts USS Baker and USS Thomas.

16 Jan 1945
German U-boat U-248 was sunk in the North Atlantic in position 47°43'N, 26°37'W, by depth charges from the US destroyer escorts USS Hayter, USS Otter, USS Varian and USS Hubbard.

3 Apr 1945
USS Carp (Lt.Cdr. J.L. Hunnicutt, USNR) conducted exercises in Long Island Sound together with USS Gilette (Lt.Cdr. J.W. Daniel, Jr. USNR) and USS Baker (Lt.Cdr. N.C. Hoffman, USNR).

4 Apr 1945
USS Carp (Lt.Cdr. J.L. Hunnicutt, USNR) conducted exercises in Long Island Sound together with USS Gilette (Lt.Cdr. J.W. Daniel, Jr. USNR) and USS Baker (Lt.Cdr. N.C. Hoffman, USNR).

9 Apr 1945
USS Moray (T/Cdr. F.L. Barrows, USN) conducted exercises in Long Island Sound with USS Blakeley (Lt.Cdr. D. Silberstein, USNR), USS Breeman (Lt. A.J. McCrudden, USNR), USS Bronstein (Lt. J.H. Longley, USNR) and USS Baker (Lt.Cdr. N.C. Hoffman, USNR).

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Destroyers of World War Two

Whitley, M. J.


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