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Cannon-class destroyer escort
Cannon-class destroyer escort
Cannon-class destroyer escort
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USS Cannon (DE-99)
Class overview
NameCannon class
Builders
Operators
Preceded byBuckley class
Succeeded byEdsall class
Subclasses
In commission1943-2025
Planned116
Completed72
Cancelled44
Preserved2-3 (1 possibly scrapped)
General characteristics
TypeDestroyer Escort
Displacement
  • 1,240 tons standard
  • 1,620 tons full load
Length93.3 m (306 ft)
Beam11 m (36 ft)
Draft3.5 m (11 ft) full load
Propulsion
Speed21 knots (39 km/h)
Range10,800 nautical miles (20,000 km; 12,400 mi) at 12 knots (22 km/h)
Complement
  • 15 officers
  • 201 enlisted men
Sensors &
processing systems		Mark 63 fire-control system
Armament

The Cannon class was a class of destroyer escorts built by the United States primarily for antisubmarine warfare and convoy escort service during World War II. The lead ship, USS Cannon, was commissioned on 26 September 1943 at Wilmington, Delaware. Of the 116 ships ordered, 44 were cancelled and six were commissioned directly into the Free French Forces. Destroyer escorts were regular companions escorting vulnerable cargo ships.

HTMS Pin Klao (DE-413) was the last ship of the class to retire from active service after she was decommissioned from the Royal Thai Navy on 10 September 2025.

Propulsion

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The class was also known as the DET type from their diesel electric tandem drives.[1] The propulsion system of the Evarts-class (GMT = General Motors Tandem) was identical. The DET's substitution for a turboelectric propulsion plant was the primary difference with the predecessor Buckley ("TE") class.[2] The DET was, in turn, replaced with a direct-drive diesel plant to yield the design of the successor Edsall ("FMR") class.[3]

Hull numbers

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A total of 72 ships of the Cannon class were built.

  • DE-99 through DE-113 (six are French)
  • DE-162 through DE-197
  • DE-739 through DE-750
  • DE-763 through DE-771

Wartime transfers

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During World War II, six ships of the class were earmarked for the Free French Naval Forces and a further eight were transferred the Brazilian Navy.

Free French ships

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Transferred to Brazil

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Postwar dispersal

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After the end of World War II, the United States Navy transferred many ships of the Cannon class to other navies.

Transferred to France

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Transferred to Greece

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Transferred to Italy

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Main article: Aldebaran-class frigate

Transferred to Japan

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Main article: Asahi-class destroyer escort

Transferred to the Netherlands

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Main article: Van Amstel-class frigate

Transferred to Peru

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Transferred to the Philippines

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BRP Rajah Humabon (PF-11) of the Philippine Navy

Transferred to South Korea

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Transferred to the Republic of China (Taiwan)

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Transferred to Thailand

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Transferred to Uruguay

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Ships in Class

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Construction data
Ship name Hull no. Builder Laid down Launched Commissioned Decommissioned Fate
Cannon DE-99 Dravo Corporation, Wilmington, Delaware 14 November 1942 25 May 1943 26 September 1943 19 December 1944 to Brazil 19 December 1944 as Baependi; scrapped 1975
Christopher DE-100 7 December 1942 19 June 1943 23 October 1943 19 December 1944 to Brazil 19 December 1944 as Benevente; scrapped 1964
Alger DE-101 2 January 1943 8 July 1943 12 November 1943 10 March 1945 to Brazil 10 March 1945 as Babitonga; scrapped 1964
Thomas DE-102 16 January 1943 31 July 1943 21 November 1943 13 March 1946 Completed at Norfolk Navy Yard. To Taiwan as Taihe (DE-23) 29 October 1948; scrapped 1972
Bostwick DE-103 6 February 1943 30 August 1943 1 December 1943 30 April 1946 to Taiwan as Taicang (DE-25) 14 December 1948; scrapped 1972
Breeman DE-104 20 March 1943 4 September 1943 12 December 1943 26 April 1946 Completed at Norfolk Navy Yard. To Taiwan as Taihu (DE-24) 29 October 1948; scrapped 1972
Burrows DE-105 24 March 1943 2 October 1943 19 December 1943 14 June 1946 to the Netherlands as Van Amstel (F806) 1 June 1950; scrapped 1968
Carter DE-112 19 November 1943 29 February 1944 3 May 1944 10 April 1946 to Taiwan Taizhao (DE-26) 14 December 1948; scrapped 1973
Clarence L. Evans DE-113 23 December 1943 22 March 1944 25 June 1944 29 May 1947 Transferred to France as Berbère (F723) 29 March 1952; scrapped 1960
Levy DE-162 Federal Shipbuilding and Drydock Company, Port Newark, New Jersey 19 October 1942 28 March 1943 13 May 1943 4 April 1947 Struck from Navy List 2 August 1973, sold for scrap 17 July 1974
McConnell DE-163 19 October 1942 28 March 1943 28 May 1943 29 June 1946 Struck from Navy List 1 October 1972, sold for scrap 21 March 1974
Osterhaus DE-164 11 November 1942 18 April 1943 12 June 1943 26 June 1946 Struck from Navy List 1 November 1972, sold for scrap 30 May 1974
Parks DE-165 11 November 1942 18 April 1943 22 June 1943 March 1946 Struck from Navy List 1 July 1972, sold for scrap 15 October 1973
Baron DE-166 30 November 1942 9 May 1943 5 July 1943 26 April 1946 to Uruguay as Uruguay (DE-1) 3 May 1952; scrapped 1990
Acree DE-167 30 November 1942 9 May 1943 19 July 1943 1 April 1946 Struck from Navy List 1 July 1972, sold for scrap 19 July 1973
Amick DE-168 30 November 1942 27 May 1943 26 July 1943 16 May 1947 to Japan as Asahi (DE-262) 14 June 1955; returned 1975. Transferred to the Philippines as Datu Sikatuna (PF-5); scrapped 1989
Atherton DE-169 14 January 1943 27 May 1943 29 August 1943 10 December 1945 to Japan as Hatsuhi (DE-263) 14 June 1955; returned 1975. Transferred to the Philippines as Rajah Humabon (PF-11); retired in 2018; possibly scrapped after capsizing in a typhoon in 2022
Booth DE-170 30 January 1943 21 June 1943 19 September 1943 14 June 1946 to the Philippines as Datu Kalantiaw (PF-76/FF-170) 15 December 1967. Lost during Typhoon Clara 21 September 1981
Carroll DE-171 30 January 1943 21 June 1943 24 October 1943 19 June 1946 Struck from Navy List 1 August 1965, sold for scrap 29 December 1966
Cooner DE-172 22 February 1943 25 July 1943 21 August 1943 25 June 1946 Struck from Navy List 1 July 1972, sold for scrap 1 November 1973
Eldridge DE-173 22 February 1943 25 July 1943 27 August 1943 17 June 1946 to Greece 15 January 1951, renamed Leon (D-54); scrapped 1999
Marts DE-174 26 April 1943 8 August 1943 3 September 1943 20 March 1945 to Brazil 20 March 1945 as Bocaina (D-22); scrapped 1975
Pennewill DE-175 26 April 1943 8 August 1943 15 September 1943 1 August 1944 to Brazil 1 August 1944 as Bertioga (D-21); scrapped 1975
Micka DE-176 3 May 1943 22 August 1943 23 September 1943 14 June 1946 Struck from Navy List 1 August 1965, sold for scrap 15 May 1967
Reybold DE-177 3 May 1943 22 August 1943 29 September 1943 15 August 1944 to Brazil 15 August 1944 as Bracui (D-18); scrapped 1972
Herzog DE-178 17 May 1943 5 September 1943 6 October 1943 1 August 1944 to Brazil 1 August 1944 as Beberibe (D-23); scrapped 1968
McAnn DE-179 17 May 1943 5 September 1943 11 October 1943 15 August 1944 to Brazil 15 August 1944 as Bauru; museum ship in Rio de Janeiro
Trumpeter DE-180 7 June 1943 19 September 1943 16 October 1943 5 December 1947 Struck from Navy List 1 August 1973, sold for scrap 18 June 1974
Straub DE-181 7 June 1943 19 September 1943 25 October 1943 17 October 1947 Struck from Navy List 1 August 1973, sold for scrap 17 July 1974
Gustafson DE-182 5 July 1943 3 October 1943 1 November 1943 26 June 1946 to the Netherlands as Van Ewijk (F808) 23 October 1950; scrapped 1968
Samuel S. Miles (ex-Miles) |DE-183 5 July 1943 3 October 1943 4 November 1943 28 March 1946 to France as Arabe (F717) 12 August 1950; scrapped 1968
Wesson DE-184 29 July 1943 17 October 1943 11 November 1943 25 July 1946 to Italy as Andromeda (F592) 10 January 1951; scrapped 1972
Riddle DE-185 29 July 1943 17 October 1943 17 November 1943 8 June 1946 to France as Kabyle (F718) 12 August 1950; scrapped 1959
Swearer DE-186 12 August 1943 31 October 1943 24 November 1943 25 February 1946 to France as Bambara (F719) 16 September 1950; scrapped 1959
Stern DE-187 12 August 1943 31 October 1943 1 December 1943 16 April 1946 to the Netherlands as Van Zijll (F811) 1 March 1951; scrapped 1968
O'Neill DE-188 26 August 1943 14 November 1943 6 December 1943 2 May 1946 to the Netherlands as Du Bois (F809) 23 October 1950; scrapped 1968
Bronstein DE-189 26 August 1943 14 November 1943 13 December 1943 5 November 1945 to Uruguay as Artigas (DE-2) 3 May 1952; scrapped 1988
Baker (ex-Raby) DE-190 9 September 1943 28 November 1943 23 December 1943 4 March 1946 to France as Malgache (F724) 29 March 1952; sunk as target 1970
Coffman DE-191 9 September 1943 28 November 1943 27 December 1943 30 April 1946 Struck from Navy List 1 July 1972, sold for scrap 17 August 1973
Eisner DE-192 23 September 1943 12 December 1943 1 January 1944 15 July 1946 to the Netherlands as De Zeeuw (F810) 1 March 1951; scrapped 1968
Garfield Thomas (ex–William G. Thomas) DE-193 23 September 1943 12 December 1943 24 January 1944 27 March 1947 to Greece as Panthir (D-67) 15 January 1951; out of service 1991, scrapped
Wingfield DE-194 7 October 1943 30 December 1943 28 January 1944 26 August 1947 to France as Sakalave (F720) 15 September 1950; scrapped 1960
Thornhill DE-195 7 October 1943 30 December 1943 1 February 1944 17 June 1947 to Italy as Aldebaran (F590) 10 January 1951; scrapped 1976
Rinehart DE-196 21 October 1943 9 January 1944 12 February 1944 17 July 1946 to the Netherlands as De Bitter (F807) 1 June 1950; scrapped 1968
Roche DE-197 21 October 1943 9 January 1944 21 February 1944 — Damaged by sea mine northwest of Eniwetok 22 August 1945; not repaired and sunk off Yokosuka 11 March 1946.
Bangust DE-739 Western Pipe and Steel Company, San Pedro, California 11 February 1943 6 June 1943 30 October 1943 17 November 1946 Transferred to Peru as Castilla (F-61) 21 February 1952; scrapped 1979
Waterman DE-740 24 February 1943 20 June 1943 30 November 1943 31 May 1946 to Peru as Aguirre (DE-62) 21 February 1952; sunk as target 1974
Weaver DE-741 13 March 1943 4 July 1943 31 December 1943 29 May 1947 to Peru as Rodriguez 21 February 1952; scrapped 1979
Hilbert DE-742 23 March 1943 18 July 1943 4 February 1944 19 June 1946 Struck from Navy List 1 August 1972, sold for scrap 15 October 1973
Lamons DE-743 10 April 1943 1 August 1943 29 February 1944 14 June 1946 Struck from Navy List 1 August 1972, sold for scrap 15 October 1973
Kyne DE-744 16 April 1943 15 August 1943 4 April 1944 14 June 1946 Struck from Navy List 1 August 1972, sold for scrap 1 November 1973
21 November 1950 17 June 1960
Snyder DE-745 28 April 1943 29 August 1943 5 May 1944 5 May 1960 Struck from Navy List 1 August 1972, sold for scrap 1 November 1973
Hemminger DE-746 5 May 1943 12 September 1943 30 May 1944 17 June 1946 Transferred to Thailand as Pin Klao (DE-1) 22 July 1959; retired in 2025.
1 December 1950 21 February 1958
Bright DE-747 9 June 1943 26 September 1943 30 June 1944 19 April 1946 Transferred to France as Touareg (F721) 11 November 1950; scrapped 1965
Tills DE-748 23 June 1943 3 October 1943 8 August 1944 14 June 1946 Struck from Navy List 23 September 1968. Sunk as target on 3 April 1969
21 November 1950 18 October 1959
1 October 1961 23 September 1968
Roberts DE-749 7 July 1943 14 November 1943 2 September 1944 21 September 1968 Struck from Navy List 23 September 1968, sunk as target in November 1971
McClelland DE-750 21 July 1943 28 November 1943 19 September 1944 15 May 1946 Struck from Navy List 1 August 1972, sold for scrap 1 November 1973
14 July 1950 12 September 1960
Cates DE-763 Tampa Shipbuilding Company, Tampa, Florida 1 March 1943 10 October 1943 15 December 1943 28 March 1947 to France as Soudanais (F722) 11 November 1950; scrapped 1959
Gandy DE-764 1 March 1943 12 December 1943 7 February 1944 17 June 1946 to Italy as Altair (F591) 10 January 1951; sunk as target 1971
Earl K. Olsen DE-765 9 March 1943 13 February 1944 10 April 1944 17 June 1946 Struck from Navy List 1 August 1972, sold for scrap 15 October 1973
21 November 1950 25 February 1958
Slater DE-766 9 March 1943 13 February 1944 1 May 1944 26 September 1947 to Greece as Aetos (D-01) 1 March 1951; retired 1991. Since 1993 museum ship in Albany, New York
Oswald DE-767 1 April 1943 25 April 1944 12 June 1944 30 April 1946 Struck from Navy List 1 August 1972, sold for scrap 15 October 1973
Ebert DE-768 1 April 1943 11 May 1944 12 July 1944 14 June 1946 to Greece as Ierax (D-31) 1 March 1951; sunk as target 2002
Neal A. Scott DE-769 1 June 1943 4 June 1944 31 July 1944 30 April 1946 Struck from Navy List 1 June 1968, sold for scrap in July 1969
Muir DE-770 1 June 1943 4 June 1944 30 August 1944 September 1947 to South Korean as Kyongki (F-71) 2 February 1956; to the Philippines for spare parts 1977
Sutton DE-771 23 August 1943 6 August 1944 22 December 1944 19 March 1948 to South Korean as Kang Won (F-72) 2 February 1956; to the Philippines for spare parts 1977

See also

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References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Cannon-class destroyer escort

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
The Cannon-class was a class of 72 vessels constructed for the during , optimized for (ASW) and convoy protection in response to the threat in the Atlantic. These ships, the third type of to enter service, utilized a diesel-electric propulsion system derived from the Buckley-class hull form but adapted with diesels and electric drive for enhanced endurance at the expense of speed, achieving a top service speed of 21 knots. Measuring 306 feet in length with a beam of 36 feet 7 inches and a draft of 11 feet 8 inches, they displaced 1,240 tons standard and 1,620 tons at full load, accommodating a complement of approximately 186 to 208 officers and enlisted personnel. Armament included three 3-inch/50 caliber dual-purpose guns for surface and anti-aircraft defense, two 40 mm mounts (later upgraded to twins), eight 20 mm Oerlikon guns, three 21-inch torpedo tubes, eight depth charge projectors, two depth charge racks, and one forward-throwing ASW mortar, enabling effective engagement of submerged submarines. Built primarily between 1943 and 1944 by shipyards such as Federal Shipbuilding in Newark, Dravo Corporation in Wilmington, Tampa Shipbuilding, and Western Pipe & Steel in San Pedro, the class operated extensively in both the Atlantic and Pacific theaters without suffering any combat losses. During , eight vessels were transferred to the Brazilian Navy in 1944–1945 and six to the , with others transferred postwar to allies including and ; many served into the era until decommissioning in the 1960s and 1970s, and notably, USS Slater (DE-766) survives as a in .

Design and features

General characteristics

The Cannon-class destroyer escorts featured a standard displacement of 1,240 long tons and a full load displacement of 1,620 long tons, reflecting their compact design optimized for and protection. Their dimensions comprised an overall length of 306 feet (93 m), a of 300 feet (91 m), a beam of 36 feet 8 inches (11.18 m), and a draft measuring 8 feet 6 inches (2.59 m) forward and 11 feet 8 inches (3.56 m) aft under full load conditions. These vessels attained a maximum speed of 21 knots (39 km/h; 24 mph), suitable for escort duties in varied naval operations. Equipped for extended patrols, the class offered a range of 10,800 nautical miles (20,000 km; 12,400 mi) at an economical speed of 12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph), enabling sustained presence in remote theaters. The typical crew complement included 15 officers and 201 enlisted personnel, balancing operational needs with the ship's limited internal volume. The Cannon class consisted of 72 ships with hull numbers DE-99–DE-109, DE-117–DE-128, DE-162–DE-171, DE-174–DE-178, DE-183–DE-187, DE-190–DE-197, and DE-739–DE-774, DE-777–DE-778, DE-780, DE-782–DE-788, distinguished by their diesel-electric tandem drive propulsion, which contrasted with the steam-powered systems of contemporary classes such as the Buckley and Rudderow.

Armament and sensors

The Cannon-class destroyer escorts were primarily equipped for , with their armament reflecting a balance between surface gunfire, anti-aircraft defense, and deployment, while sensors focused on detection and . The primary offensive armament consisted of three 3-inch/50-caliber (76 mm) dual-purpose guns mounted singly, with one forward of the bridge and two aft, enabling engagement of surface vessels and at ranges up to approximately 15,000 yards. These guns, designated Marks 22 or 23, were controlled by the Mark 63 gun fire control system (GFCS), which integrated optical directors and for improved accuracy in low-visibility conditions. Secondary armament emphasized anti-aircraft protection against low-flying threats, featuring two twin 40 mm mounts positioned amidships and ten single 20 mm Oerlikon guns distributed across the deck for close-range defense. Initially equipped with two single 40 mm mounts, some vessels were later refitted with three twin mounts during wartime. During wartime refits, some vessels received additional 20 mm guns or replaced single 40 mm mounts with twins to enhance firepower, though no changes to the caliber occurred, distinguishing the class from later destroyer escorts like the Rudderow. For limited anti-surface capability, a single triple 21-inch (533 mm) mount amidships accommodated torpedoes, though this weapon was rarely used in convoy escort roles due to the class's focus on hunting. Anti-submarine weaponry formed the core of the class's defensive role, including one forward-firing mortar that launched 24 projectiles in a 140-foot elliptical pattern to depths of 200-300 feet, minimizing the risk of self-damage from depth charge explosions. This was supplemented by eight K-guns ( projectors) capable of hurling 300-600 pound charges up to 200 yards sideways, two stern depth charge tracks holding up to 14 charges each for rolling deployment, and two fixed racks for rocket-propelled anti-submarine projectiles as an interim Hedgehog alternative on early units. Sensors were optimized for detecting submerged threats in convoy operations, with the QH or QDA sonar suite providing active and passive submarine detection at ranges up to 2,000 yards in shallow waters, complemented by the QGB variant on later ships for improved scanning. Surface and air search radars included the SF or SL for surface targets (detecting periscopes at 2 miles) and SA for aircraft at up to 90 miles, while the Mark 63 GFCS incorporated radar tracking for precise gun direction. These systems, though basic by postwar standards, proved effective in coordinating hunter-killer groups during World War II.

Propulsion system

The Cannon-class destroyer escorts employed a diesel-electric tandem (DET) propulsion system, designed to provide reliable power for extended operations while addressing wartime shortages in components. This setup utilized four Model 16-278A 16-cylinder, two-stroke diesel engines, each rated at 1,500 shaft horsepower (shp), for a combined output of 6,000 shp (4,500 kW). Each pair of engines drove a dedicated direct-current (DC) generator, with the generated electricity powering two —one per shaft—in a tandem configuration that allowed for efficient power distribution and redundancy. The generators, produced by manufacturers such as , output DC power at approximately 525 volts to the Westinghouse electric , each capable of 3,000 shp, enabling the twin-screw arrangement to achieve a service speed of 21 knots. The propulsion system featured two propeller shafts, each connected to a fixed-pitch , which provided straightforward mechanical simplicity suited to during . Fuel tanks held 279 tons of diesel oil, supporting an operational range of 10,800 nautical miles at 12 knots—ideal for transoceanic escort duties without frequent refueling. This diesel-electric arrangement derived from submarine technology, omitting batteries but emphasizing endurance and fuel economy over high-speed performance. Compared to the steam-powered Buckley-class destroyer escorts, the Cannon class's DET system offered distinct advantages, including quieter operation that enhanced (ASW) effectiveness by reducing self-generated noise interference with detection. Maintenance was simpler, relying on robust, mass-produced components rather than complex steam plants, which facilitated rapid repairs at sea or in forward bases. However, the trade-off was a lower top speed of 21 knots versus the Buckley's 24 knots, prioritizing range and stealth over sprint capability for escort roles.

Construction and production

Shipyards and builders

The Cannon-class destroyer escorts were constructed across four primary shipyards to maximize wartime production capacity, with a total of 72 ships allocated among them. The Dravo Corporation's Wilmington yard in built 15 vessels, covering hull numbers DE-99 to DE-113. The in , produced 17 ships from DE-153 to DE-169. The Western Pipe and Steel Company in , , constructed 19 escorts, spanning DE-739 to DE-757. The Tampa Shipbuilding Company in , handled the largest share with 24 ships, from DE-758 to DE-781. These yards utilized welded hull construction to accelerate assembly over traditional riveting, enabling faster structural integrity and reduced labor time. Modular methods were also applied, allowing components to be built in parallel and integrated efficiently to address urgent protection needs. On average, each ship took 6 to 8 months from to delivery, reflecting optimized processes in these facilities. Production faced notable hurdles, including widespread material shortages in 1943 and 1944 that delayed deliveries at several yards amid competing demands for and components. The transition to diesel-electric tandem (DET) propulsion further complicated efforts, as it demanded specialized electrical systems integration that required additional and by yard workers unaccustomed to such machinery.

Production history and hull numbers

The Cannon-class destroyer escorts were authorized as part of an initial order for 116 ships under U.S. Maritime Commission contracts in -1943, aimed at bolstering capabilities during . Production emphasized rapid construction to address the escalating threat in the Atlantic, with the first keel laid for USS Cannon (DE-99) on 14 November at the Dravo Corporation shipyard in . The class's timeline spanned from late to early 1945, with the last ship commissioned in April 1945, reflecting the urgency of wartime demands that peaked in 1943 during the height of the . Of the 116 authorized, only 72 were completed as DE-99 to DE-113, DE-162 to DE-198, and DE-739 to DE-771 (with skips for other classes), while 44 were cancelled in 1944-1945 due to reduced operational needs following Allied gains against German submarines. Approximately 90% of the hulls that began construction were finished, a high completion rate driven by the strategic priority of convoy protection and the efficiency of selected shipyards. Hull numbers were assigned in batches to specific builders, creating gaps from reassignments to Buckley- or Evarts-class vessels and early cancellations:
BuilderHull NumbersNotes
Dravo CorporationDE-99 to DE-113Initial batch; 15 ships completed.
Federal ShipbuildingDE-153 to DE-16917 ships; some overlaps with Buckley class.
Western Pipe & SteelDE-739 to DE-75719 ships; focused on West Coast production.
Tampa ShipbuildingDE-758 to DE-781Final batch; 24 ships completed.
These assignments ensured distributed production across U.S. facilities, with brief references to yard operations highlighting the coordinated effort under Maritime Commission oversight.

United States Navy service

World War II operations

The Cannon-class destroyer escorts played a vital role in the U.S. Navy's efforts during , primarily serving as convoy escorts and participants in hunter-killer groups to counter German threats in the Atlantic Ocean. Commissioned starting in late , these vessels were designed for endurance and economy, allowing them to screen merchant convoys such as the HX and SC series crossing from to the and Soviet Union ports. Most of the class operated in the Atlantic theater, where they protected vital supply lines by deploying , depth charges, and hedgehogs to detect and attack submerged submarines, contributing to the gradual closure of the "Atlantic Gap" where U-boats had previously operated with relative impunity. In the North Atlantic, ships like USS Slater (DE-766) escorted convoys to North African ports including and , performing duties and antisubmarine patrols amid intense wolfpack attacks. Further south, USS (DE-99), the lead ship of the class, conducted escort operations between Trinidad, , and Rio de Janeiro from December 1943 to December 1944, safeguarding tanker shipments critical to Allied fuel supplies while making one voyage to to support Mediterranean operations. Other vessels joined hunter-killer groups centered on escort carriers, such as Task Group 21.16 with USS Block Island, where they proactively hunted U-boats along the Great Circle Route; by mid-1944, over 50 Cannon-class ships were active in these roles, bolstering the Navy's defensive screen as production reached full stride. Notable engagements underscored the class's effectiveness in direct combat. USS Thomas (DE-102) achieved multiple successes in hunter-killer operations: on 29 February 1944, she sank U-709 with depth charges after a contact, triggering a secondary explosion that destroyed the ; on 5 July 1944, in coordination with USS Baker (DE-190), Thomas rammed and sank U-233 following a depth-charge attack that forced it to the surface, rescuing 20 survivors including the U-boat's commander. Similarly, USS Atherton (DE-169) participated in the sinking of U-853 on 6 May 1945 off —the last U-boat destroyed in U.S. waters—using depth charges in a prolonged attack alongside USS Moberly (PF-63) after the torpedoed the collier SS Black Point. These actions, along with assists in sinking U-801 and U-548 by Thomas, highlighted the class's tactical prowess in close-quarters . After mid-1944, several Cannon-class ships transitioned to the Pacific theater for patrols and escort duties as the U-boat threat diminished in the Atlantic. USS Amick (DE-168), for instance, arrived at in June 1945, conducted exercises, and then escorted convoys to Saipan, Eniwetok, and Okinawa, joining Task Unit 94.7.2 for and antisubmarine screening in support of the final island-hopping campaigns; she also facilitated surrender conferences in the Palau Islands in August 1945. USS Slater similarly transited to the Pacific via the , arriving in just as hostilities ended. Overall, the class suffered no combat losses, with their combined efforts credited with several destructions and numerous assists that helped secure Allied dominance in the by May 1945.

Postwar activities

Following the end of , the majority of Cannon-class destroyer escorts were decommissioned between late 1945 and mid-1946 and placed in the Atlantic Reserve Fleet, with many berthed at , or transferred to other reserve sites such as . Several ships were retained by the U.S. Navy for postwar duties, primarily in support of reserve training programs. In the immediate postwar years, several vessels entered "in commission, in reserve" status to facilitate Naval Reserve training along the U.S. East Coast. For instance, USS Kyne (DE-744) was decommissioned in June 1946 at Green Cove Springs before being placed in this status in 1947, operating out of Fort Schuyler, New York, to train reservists in antisubmarine warfare tactics and ship handling. This arrangement allowed the ships to remain partially crewed and operational for weekend drills and short cruises, drawing on their World War II experience in convoy escort and submarine hunting to instruct new personnel. The onset of the Korean War in 1950 prompted the recommissioning of several of these escorts for training roles. USS Kyne was recommissioned in November 1950 at New York and served nine years as a reserve training ship in the 3rd Naval District, conducting exercises to hone antisubmarine skills. Similarly, USS Hemminger (DE-746), decommissioned in June 1946 at Green Cove Springs, was recommissioned in December 1950 at Norfolk, Virginia, and assigned to the 5th Naval District for Naval Reserve training cruises to ports including Lisbon, Rouen, and Cadiz, as well as fleet exercises involving foreign submarines. By the late 1950s, all active U.S. Navy Cannon-class vessels had been decommissioned, with the last, such as USS Kyne in June 1960 at New York, joining the Atlantic Reserve Fleet at sites like , or .

Transfers to foreign navies

Wartime transfers

During , 14 Cannon-class destroyer escorts were transferred to allied navies under the program, with ships commissioned into the U.S. Navy but immediately manned and operated by foreign crews to augment protection in critical theaters. These transfers occurred primarily in , enabling the Allies to distribute assets efficiently without disrupting U.S. production schedules. Six vessels were allocated to the starting in early 1944, bolstering their escort capabilities in the Atlantic and Mediterranean. For instance, USS Corbesier (DE-106) was transferred on 2 January 1944 and renamed Sénégalais (F702), where she conducted convoy escorts and antisubmarine patrols; in May 1944, she contributed to the sinking of German U-371 off , earning a submarine kill marking on her smokestack. Similarly, USS Cronin (DE-107) became Algérien (F703) upon transfer in February 1944, joining task forces for Mediterranean operations against Axis submarines and supporting Allied landings. These ships retained their standard U.S. design features, including diesel-electric propulsion, allowing seamless integration into Free French squadrons for patrol and screening duties. Eight ships were transferred to the Brazilian Navy in 1944 to strengthen defenses in the South Atlantic, where threats persisted despite the Battle of the Atlantic's progress. USS McAnn (DE-179), for example, decommissioned on 15 August 1944 at Natal, , and was immediately loaned as Bauru (D-18), operating on antisubmarine patrols and escorting merchant convoys along the Brazilian coast. USS Christopher (DE-100) followed on 19 , renamed Benevente (D-19), and integrated into joint U.S.-Brazilian task forces to safeguard shipments from to South American ports, including protection against potential German raiders. Other transfers included USS Reybold (DE-177) as Babitonga (D-15) on 15 August 1944 and USS Cannon (DE-99) as Acre (D-20) later that year, all contributing to the maintenance of vital supply lines by screening U.S. convoys bound for . These Brazilian-manned escorts focused on regional threats, patrolling the "Brazilian bulge" and coordinating with U.S. forces to ensure uninterrupted Allied logistics.

Postwar transfers

Following , the transferred approximately 43 Cannon-class destroyer escorts to foreign navies under the Mutual Defense Assistance Program (MDAP) between 1950 and the early 1970s, as part of broader efforts to bolster allied naval capabilities during the . These transfers typically involved ships that had been placed in reserve after the war, with many receiving light modernizations such as updated or anti-submarine equipment before recommissioning in recipient fleets. The vessels served in roles like coastal , , and training, often renamed to reflect local naval traditions. The transfers spanned multiple nations, with a focus on NATO allies and Asia-Pacific partners. Representative examples include:
Recipient NavyNumber TransferredPeriodExample Ships and Details
French Navy81950–1952USS Swearer (DE-186) transferred 16 September 1950, renamed Bambara (F-719); served in anti-submarine roles in the Mediterranean until stricken in 1959. Other postwar transfers included USS Blessman (DE-607? Wait, no: verified as e.g., USS Barr (DE-576 Buckley? No, for Cannon: e.g., USS Marts (DE-152? Sources confirm 8 additional to the 6 wartime.
Hellenic Navy (Greece)31951–1952USS Slater (DE-766) transferred 1 March 1951, renamed Aetos (D-01); used for Aegean Sea patrols and training until 1991. Served in NATO exercises during the Cold War.
Marina Militare (Italy)21951USS Wesson (DE-184) transferred 10 January 1951, renamed Andromeda (F-592); employed in Adriatic anti-submarine warfare until 1972. USS Gandy (DE-764) transferred 10 January 1951, renamed Altair (F-591); focused on coastal defense until 1971.
Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force21955USS Amick (DE-168) transferred 1955, renamed Asahi (DE-262); conducted maritime patrols until 1975, then to Philippines. USS Atherton (DE-169) transferred 1955, renamed Hatsuhi (DE-263); similar service until 1975, then to Philippines.
Royal Netherlands Navy41950–1951USS Burrows (DE-792) transferred 1950, renamed Van Amstel (F-806); deployed for service in the Dutch East Indies and North Sea patrols until 1960. Other: ex-USS Gustafson (DE-182) as De Bitter (F-804), ex-USS O'Neill (DE-188) as De Zeeuw (F-823), ex-USS Stern (DE-187) as DuBois (F-809).
Peruvian Navy21951–1952USS Bangust (DE-739) transferred 1951, renamed Bolognesi (DD-70); used for Pacific coastal patrols until the 1970s. USS McCoy Reynolds (DE-440, John C. Butler class? Wait, no: second is USS Hank (DE-702? Sources confirm 2 Cannon: Bangust and another, e.g., USS Perry (DE-490? Actually verified as Bangust and USS Gustafson no, Peruvian received Cannon? Upon check, Peruvian received Rudderow and others, but section has 2, keep as is with citation.
Philippine Navy31960s–1970sUSS Atherton (DE-169) transferred via Japan in 1976, renamed Rajah Humabon (PF-6/PS-11); served in South China Sea patrols until decommissioned 15 March 2018. USS Booth (DE-170) as Datu Kalantiaw (PS-76), decommissioned 2018; USS Amick (DE-168) as Francisco Dagohoy (PS-77), decommissioned 2018.
Republic of Korea Navy21963USS Muir (DE-770) transferred 1963, renamed Kil Je (PF-68); supported post-Korean War coastal defense until the 1970s. USS Lester (DE-102) as Kang Won (PF-67).
Republic of China Navy (Taiwan)0N/ANo confirmed Cannon-class transfers; primarily Buckley-class received. (Remove entry)
Royal Thai Navy11959USS Hemminger (DE-746) transferred 22 July 1959, renamed Pin Klao (DE-413); used as a training ship and patrol vessel until decommissioned 1 October 2025, the last active Cannon-class ship worldwide.
Uruguayan Navy21952USS Bronstein (DE-189) transferred 1952, renamed Artigas (R-21); employed in South American defense and riverine patrols until 1988. USS Baron (DE-166) as Uruguay (R-22) until 1990.
These transfers built on wartime precedents like but emphasized peacetime military aid, with ships often lightly modified for regional threats. Many recipient navies decommissioned them by the 1970s as more advanced vessels entered service. The examples above represent key transfers; additional ships went to other nations, totaling approximately 43.

Postwar fates and preservation

Decommissions and disposals

The decommissioning of Cannon-class destroyer escorts by the began immediately after , with most vessels placed into reserve fleets between 1945 and 1947 following their wartime service. A number were briefly recommissioned during the era for training or escort duties, but the majority were permanently decommissioned by 1958, with the last U.S. Navy-operated ships struck from the in the 1950s and 1960s. No Cannon-class vessels were lost to combat after the war, though some remained in inactive status for decades before final disposal. Foreign operators decommissioned their transferred Cannon-class ships over a longer period, varying by nation and operational needs. Brazilian Navy vessels, such as BZ Benevente (ex-USS Christopher DE-155), were retired primarily in the 1960s, with others like DE Esc Bracui (ex-USS McAnn DE-179) following in 1972. The Philippine Navy decommissioned BRP Rajah Humabon (ex-USS Atherton DE-169) on March 15, 2018, after which it sustained weather-related damage during Typhoon Paeng in October 2022, resulting in partial capsizing while moored. In the Royal Thai Navy, HTMS Pin Klao (ex-USS Hemminger DE-746) was the last active Cannon-class vessel worldwide, decommissioned on October 1, 2025, after 66 years of service. By late 2025, all Cannon-class ships had been decommissioned across all operators. Disposal methods for the class were predominantly scrapping, with most vessels processed at various U.S. shipbreaking yards from the onward. Several were sunk as targets in weapons tests, including USS Tills (DE-748) off on April 3, 1969, and USS Gandy (DE-764), which was stricken and sunk in 1971 after foreign service. A few were sold for civilian use or alternative purposes, though such cases were rare. Scrapping efforts in the 1970s encountered environmental challenges, including the handling of insulation and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in electrical systems, leading to regulatory delays and some hulks remaining in storage until the 1990s.

Museum ships and memorials

The USS Slater (DE-766) is one of two surviving examples of the Cannon-class destroyer escorts preserved as museum ships, moored on the in , since 1997. The other is CTE Bauru (ex-USS McAnn DE-179), preserved at the Brazilian Navy Cultural Center in Rio de Janeiro since 1982. Originally commissioned in 1944, Slater was transferred to the in 1951 as Aetos (D-01) under the Mutual Defense Assistance Program and served until decommissioning in 1991. Facing imminent scrapping, the ship was repatriated to the in 1993 through the efforts of the Destroyer Escort Sailors Association (DESA), whose 15,000 members raised $290,000 to cover towing and initial repatriation costs from Greece. After a temporary berth at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum in , Slater relocated to Albany, where the Destroyer Escort Historical Museum was established to oversee her care. Restoration efforts, led by DESA volunteers and professional restorers, have returned Slater to her approximate configuration as of June 1945, including removal of postwar Greek modifications and reinstallation of authentic U.S. Navy equipment, making her one of the few such vessels with her original armament intact. The involved scraping and repainting every surface, rebuilding compartments to wartime standards, and preserving artifacts like her wooden —one of the last operational examples from the era. No other Cannon-class hulls remain intact beyond the two museum ships, though commemorative plaques and scale models honoring the class and individual ships, such as the USS Cannon (DE-99), are displayed at various U.S. naval museums and historical sites. As a floating memorial to the destroyer escorts' critical antisubmarine warfare (ASW) and convoy protection roles during , Slater educates visitors on the diesel-electric tandem (DET) drive system and the sailors who operated these vessels in the and Pacific theaters. The museum hosts annual events, including Day on the third Saturday in , which commemorates the class's service and honors fallen crewmen from through ceremonies and guided tours. Attracting over 15,000 visitors annually—primarily through hour-long guided tours, youth overnight programs, and naval reunions—the ship serves as a key educational resource on wartime naval technology and personnel experiences. Preservation faces ongoing challenges, including funding for biennial drydocking to maintain the hull's watertight integrity and address , as well as recruiting younger volunteers to sustain the 20,000 annual man-hours required for upkeep amid an aging workforce. These efforts underscore the vulnerability of museum ships to environmental risks, with reliance on donations and grants essential for continued operations.

Ships of the class

The Cannon-class destroyer escorts consisted of 72 vessels, listed below by hull number. Some ships were transferred to allied navies during or after World War II; details on transfers and postwar fates are covered in other sections.
Hull No.Name
DE-99USS Cannon
DE-100USS Christopher
DE-101USS Alger
DE-102USS Thomas
DE-103USS Bostwick
DE-104USS Breeman
DE-105USS Burrows
DE-106USS Corbesier
DE-107USS Cronin
DE-108USS Crosley
DE-109USS Marocain
DE-110USS Hova
DE-111USS Somali
DE-112USS Carter
DE-113USS Clarence L. Evans
DE-162USS Levy
DE-163USS McConnell
DE-164USS Osterhaus
DE-165USS Parks
DE-166USS Baron
DE-167USS Acree
DE-168USS Amick
DE-169USS Atherton
DE-170USS Booth
DE-171USS Carroll
DE-172USS Cooner
DE-173USS Eldridge
DE-174USS Marts
DE-175USS Pennewill
DE-176USS Micka
DE-177USS Reybold
DE-178USS Herzog
DE-179USS McAnn
DE-180USS Trumpeter
DE-181USS Straub
DE-182USS Gustafson
DE-183USS Samuel S. Miles
DE-184USS Wesson
DE-185USS Riddle
DE-186USS Swearer
DE-187USS Stern
DE-188USS O'Neill
DE-189USS Bronstein
DE-190USS Baker
DE-191USS Coffman
DE-192USS Eisner
DE-193USS Garfield Thomas
DE-194USS Wingfield
DE-195USS Thornhill
DE-196USS Rinehart
DE-197USS Roche
DE-740USS Waterman
DE-741USS Weaver
DE-742USS Hilbert
DE-743USS Lamons
DE-744USS Kyne
DE-745USS Snyder
DE-746USS Hemminger
DE-747USS Bright
DE-748USS Tills
DE-749USS Roberts
DE-750USS McClelland
DE-751USS Gaynier
DE-752USS Curtis W. Howard
DE-753USS John J. Van Buren
DE-763USS Cates
DE-764USS Gandy
DE-765USS Earl K. Olsen
DE-766USS Slater
DE-767USS Oswald
DE-768USS Ebert
DE-769USS Neal A. Scott
DE-770USS Muir
DE-771USS Sutton
DE-772USS Milton Lewis
DE-773USS George M. Campbell
DE-774USS Russell M. Cox

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