USS Truxtun (DD-14)

Destroyer Warship (1902)

Naval Warfare

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USS Truxtun DD-14 was the lead ship of the three-strong Truxtun-class, destroyer warships of the United States Navy prior to World War 1.

Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 09/26/2018 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site.

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USS Truxtun (DD-14) headed the new Truxtun-class group of naval surface destroyers of the United States Navy (USN) at the turn of the last century. The class numbered three and included USS Whipple (DD-15) and USS Worden (DD-16). All were constructed by the shipbuilders of the Maryland Steel Company of Sparrows Point, Maryland and laid down on November 13th, 1899, launched on August 15th, 1901 and commissioned on September 11th, October 21st and December 31st, 1902, respectively.

As built, USS Truxtun was given a displacement of 440 tons under normal load and 615 tons under full load. Dimensions included a running length of 259.5 feet, a beam of 23.2 feet and a draught of 9.9 feet. Power was from 4 x Thornycroft boiler units (coal-fired) feeding 2 x Vertical triple-expansion engines developing 8,300 horsepower to 2 x Shafts. Maximum speed could reach 30 knots in ideal conditions. The warship was crewed by up to 78 personnel (three officers).

USS Truxtun was officially taken into USN service in April of 1903 where she underwent various exercises and regional journeys along the American East Coast and across the Caribbean. In December of 1907 she was set up for presidential review along with other USN warships as part of the "Great White Fleet". This battle fleet was used to travel the world in a show of American naval strength, making friendly port-of-calls when possible. After this, Truxtun operated along the American West Coast.

War in Europe broke out in mid-1914 to begin World War 1 (1914-1918) but America did not declare war on Germany until April of 1917. Many American destroyers, Truxtun included were mainly used as deterrents and fleet / convoy protection for their part in the war. USS Truxtun showed her force in the Panama Canal region while keeping a wary eye on German ship movements in and around Latin / Central America. She crossed the Panama Canal to reach Atlantic waters in July of 1917 and, that August, she journeyed to the Azores and served as escort and attempted rescue of a torpedoed ship. She then attempted to attack what was believed to be a German U-boat but failed to net her prize. In November of 1918, World War 1 ended with the Armistice of November 15th and Truxtun returned to home waters that December-January with other USN destroyers.

On July 18th, 1919, she was officially decommissioned from service and struck from the Naval Register on September 15th. In January of 1920, her hulk was sold off to one Joseph G. Hitner to be converted into a merchantman along with her sister ships. Beyond this, the now-civilian market ship was scrapped once her usefulness was expended.

Specifications

Service Year

1902

Origin

United States

Status

DECOMMISSIONED
Destroyed, Scrapped.

Complement

78
PERSONNEL

Class

Truxton-class

Number-in-Class

3
VESSELS

Ships-in-Class

USS Truxtun (DD-14); USS Whipple (DD-15); USS Worden (DD-16)

United States

(OPERATORS list includes past, present, and future operators when applicable)

✓ Offshore Bombardment
Offshore bombardment / attack of surface targets / areas primarily through onboard ballistic weaponry.

✓ Land-Attack
Offshore strike of surface targets primarily through onboard missile / rocket weaponry.

✓ Maritime Patrol
Active patroling of vital waterways and maritime areas; can also serve as local deterrence against airborne and seaborne threats.

✓ Airspace Denial / Deterrence
Neutralization or deterrence of airborne elements through onboard ballistic of missile weaponry.

✓ Fleet Support
Serving in support (either firepower or material) of the main surface fleet in Blue Water environments.

Length

259.5 ft
79.10 m

Beam

22.2 ft
6.77 m

Draught

6.0 ft
1.83 m

Displacement

440
tons

Installed Power: 4 x Thornycroft coal-fired boiler units feeding 2 x Vertical triple-expansion engines developing 8,300 horsepower to 2 x Shafts under stern.

Surface Speed

30.0 kts
(34.5 mph)

2 x 3" (76mm) /50 caliber main guns.

6 x 6-pdr (57mm) secondary guns.

2 x 18" (450mm) torpedo tubes (four torpedo reloads).

Supported Types

Graphical image of a historical warship turreted main gun armament

Graphical image of an aircraft aerial torpedo

(Not all weapon types may be represented in the showcase above)

None.

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