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Edsall-class destroyer escort
Edsall-class destroyer escort
Edsall-class destroyer escort
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USS Edsall
Class overview
NameEdsall class
Builders
Operators
Preceded byCannon class
Succeeded byRudderow class
In commission1943–2015
Planned85
Completed85
Lost5
Retired84
Scrapped75
Preserved1
General characteristics
TypeDestroyer escort
Displacement
  • 1,253 tons standard
  • 1,590 tons full load
Length306 ft (93.3 m)
Beam36 ft 7 in (11.2 m)
Draft10 ft 5 in (3.2 m)
Propulsion2-shaft Fairbanks-Morse geared diesel engines, 6,000 bhp (4,500 kW)
Speed21 kn (39 km/h; 24 mph)
Range10,800 nmi (20,000 km; 12,400 mi) at 12 kn (22 km/h; 14 mph)
Complement186
Sensors &
processing systems		1 × SC radar
Armament

The Edsall-class destroyer escorts were destroyer escorts built primarily for ocean antisubmarine escort service during World War II. The lead ship, USS Edsall, was commissioned on 10 April 1943 at Orange, Texas. The class was also known as the FMR type from their Fairbanks-Morse reduction-geared diesel drive, with a type of engine used in the submarines of the time. The FMR's substitution for a diesel-electric power plant was the essential difference from the predecessor Cannon ("DET") class.[1] This was the only World War II destroyer escort class in which all the ships originally ordered were completed as United States Navy destroyer escorts.[2]

Destroyer escorts were regular companions escorting the vulnerable cargo ships. Late in the war, plans were made to replace the 3-inch (76 mm) guns with 5-inch (127 mm) guns, but only Camp was refitted (after a collision). In total, all 85 were completed by two shipbuilding companies: Consolidated Steel Corporation, Orange, Texas (47), and Brown Shipbuilding, Houston, Texas (38). Most were en route to the Pacific Theater when Japan surrendered. One of the ships participated in Operation Dragoon and two were attacked by German guided missiles.

Hull numbers

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A total of 85 Edsall-class destroyer escorts were built.

Fate

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Destroyed or damaged in combat

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Transferred to US Coast Guard from 1951 to 1954

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USS Lansing in 1963

Transferred to other countries

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Notable ships of class

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Ships in Class

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Construction data
Ship name Hull no. Builder Laid down Launched Commissioned Decommissioned Fate
Edsall DE-129 Consolidated Steel Corporation, Orange, Texas 2 July 1942 1 November 1942 10 April 1943 11 June 1946 Struck from Navy List 1 June 1968, sold for scrap in July 1969
Jacob Jones DE-130 16 June 1942 29 November 1942 29 April 1943 26 July 1946 Struck from Navy List 2 January 1971, sold for scrap 22 August 1973
Hammann) (ex-Langley) DE-131 10 July 1942 13 December 1942 17 May 1943 24 October 1945 Struck from Navy List 1 October 1972, sold for scrap 18 January 1974
Robert E. Peary DE-132 30 June 1942 2 January 1943 31 May 1943 13 June 1947 Struck from Navy List 1 July 1966, sold for scrap 6 September 1967
Pillsbury DE-133 18 July 1942 10 January 1943 7 June 1943 1 May 1947 Reclassified DER-133 in August 1954. Struck from Navy List 1 July 1965, sold for scrap in 1966
15 March 1955 20 June 1960
Pope DE-134 14 July 1942 12 January 1943 25 June 1943 17 May 1946 Struck from Navy List 2 January 1971, sold for scrap 22 August 1973
Flaherty DE-135 7 November 1942 17 January 1943 26 June 1943 17 June 1946 Struck from Navy List 1 April 1965, sold for scrap 4 November 1966
Frederick C. Davis DE-136 9 November 1942 24 January 1943 14 July 1943 N/a Torpedoed and sunk by German U-546 in Western Atlantic on 24 April 1945
Herbert C. Jones DE-137 30 November 1942 19 January 1943 21 July 1943 2 May 1947 Struck from Navy List 1 July 1972, sold for scrap 19 July 1973
Douglas L. Howard DE-138 8 December 1942 24 January 1943 29 July 1943 17 June 1946 Struck from Navy List 1 October 1972, sold for scrap 14 May 1974
Farquhar DE-139 14 December 1942 13 February 1943 5 August 1943 14 June 1946 Struck from Navy List 1 October 1972, sold for scrap 21 March 1974
J. R. Y. Blakely DE-140 16 December 1942 7 March 1943 16 August 1943 14 June 1946 Struck from Navy List 2 January 1971, sold for scrap 22 August 1973
Hill DE-141 21 December 1942 28 February 1943 16 August 1943 7 June 1946 Struck from Navy List 1 October 1972, sold for scrap 18 January 1974
Fessenden DE-142 4 January 1943 9 March 1943 25 August 1943 24 June 1946 Reclassified DER-142 1 October 1951. Struck from Navy List 1 September 1966, sunk as a target off Pearl Harbor, Hawaii on 20 December 1967
4 March 1952 30 June 1960
Fiske DE-143 4 January 1943 14 March 1943 25 August 1943 N/a Torpedoed and sunk by German U-804 north of the Azores on 2 August 1944
Frost DE-144 13 January 1943 21 March 1943 30 August 1943 18 June 1946 Struck from Navy List 1 April 1965, sold for scrap 29 December 1966
Huse DE-145 11 January 1943 23 March 1943 30 August 1943 27 March 1946 Struck from Navy List 1 August 1973, sold for scrap 24 June 1974
3 August 1951 30 June 1965
Inch DE-146 19 January 1943 4 April 1943 8 September 1943 17 May 1946 Struck from Navy List 1 October 1972, sold for scrap 21 March 1974
Blair DE-147 19 January 1943 6 April 1943 13 September 1943 28 June 1946 Reclassified DER-147 1 November 1956. Struck from Navy List 1 December 1972, sold for scrap 20 September 1974
5 October 1951 13 November 1956
2 December 1957 15 June 1960
Brough DE-148 22 January 1943 10 April 1943 18 September 1943 22 March 1946 Struck from Navy List 1 November 1965, sold for scrap 13 October 1966
7 September 1951 30 June 1965
Chatelain DE-149 25 January 1943 21 April 1943 22 September 1943 14 June 1946 Struck from Navy List 1 August 1973, sold for scrap 24 June 1974
Neunzer DE-150 29 January 1943 27 April 1943 27 September 1943 January 1947 Struck from Navy List 1 July 1972, sold for scrap 1 November 1973
Poole DE-151 13 February 1943 8 May 1943 29 September 1943 January 1947 Struck from Navy List 2 January 1971, sold for scrap 30 January 1974
Peterson DE-152 28 February 1943 15 May 1943 29 September 1943 1 May 1946 Struck from Navy List 1 August 1973, sold for scrap in 1974
2 May 1952 June 1965
Stewart DE-238 Brown Shipbuilding, Houston, Texas 15 July 1942 22 November 1942 31 May 1943 January 1947 Struck from Navy List 1 October 1972; Donated as a museum ship in Galveston, Texas on 25 June 1974
Sturtevant DE-239 15 July 1942 3 December 1942 16 June 1943 24 March 1946 Reclassified DER-239 1 November 1956. Struck from Navy List 1 December 1972, sold for scrap 20 September 1973
3 August 1951 31 October 1956
5 October 1957 June 1960
Moore DE-240 20 July 1942 21 December 1942 1 July 1943 30 June 1947 Struck from Navy List 1 August 1973, sunk as a target off Virginia on 13 June 1975
Keith (ex-Scott) DE-241 4 August 1942 21 December 1942 19 July 1943 20 September 1946 Struck from Navy List 1 November 1972, sold for scrap in 1973
Tomich DE-242 15 September 1942 28 December 1942 27 July 1943 20 September 1946 Struck from Navy List 1 November 1972, sold for scrap 20 January 1974
J. Richard Ward (ex-James R. Ward) DE-243 30 September 1942 6 January 1943 5 July 1943 13 June 1946 Struck from Navy List 2 January 1971, sold for scrap 10 April 1972
Otterstetter DE-244 9 November 1942 19 January 1943 6 August 1943 21 September 1946 Reclassified DER-244 in December 1951. Struck from Navy List 1 August 1974, sunk as a target off Puerto Rico on 15 February 1976
6 June 1952 20 June 1960
Sloat DE-245 21 November 1942 21 January 1943 16 August 1943 6 August 1947 Struck from Navy List 2 January 1971, sold for scrap 10 April 1972
Snowden DE-246 7 December 1942 19 February 1943 23 August 1943 29 March 1946 Struck from Navy List 23 September 1968, sunk as a target off Newport, Rhode Island 23 June 1969
6 June 1951 August 1960
2 October 1961 23 September 1968
Stanton DE-247 7 December 1942 21 February 1943 7 August 1943 2 June 1947 Struck from Navy List 1 December 1970
Swasey DE-248 30 December 1942 18 March 1943 31 August 1943 15 January 1946 Struck from Navy List 1 November 1972, sold for scrap 30 January 1974
Marchand DE-249 30 December 1942 20 March 1943 8 September 1943 25 April 1947 Struck from Navy List 2 January 1971, sold for scrap 30 January 1974
Hurst DE-250 27 January 1943 14 April 1943 30 August 1943 1 May 1946 Struck from Navy List 1 December 1972. Transferred to Mexico as Comodoro Manual Azueta on 1 October 1973
Camp DE-251 27 January 1943 16 April 1943 16 September 1943 1 May 1946 Reclassified DER-251 21 October 1951. Transferred to South Vietnam as Tran Hung Dao 13 February 1971. Struck from Navy List while in South Vietnamese service on 30 December 1975. Escaped to the Philippines and transferred to the Philippine Navy as Rajah Lakandula 5 April 1976
31 July 1956 13 February 1971
Howard D. Crow DE-252 6 February 1943 26 April 1943 27 September 1943 22 May 1946 Struck from Navy List 23 September 1968, sold for scrap in October 1970
6 July 1951 23 September 1968
Pettit DE-253 6 February 1943 28 April 1943 23 September 1943 6 May 1946 Struck from Navy List 1 August 1973, sunk as a target off Puerto Rico on 30 September 1974
Ricketts DE-254 16 March 1943 10 May 1943 5 October 1943 17 April 1946 Struck from Navy List 1 November 1972, sold for scrap 18 January 1974
Sellstrom DE-255 16 March 1943 12 May 1943 12 October 1943 13 June 1946 Reclassified DER-255 21 October 1955. Struck from Navy List 1 November 1965, sold for scrap in April 1967
1 October 1956 June 1960
Harveson DE-316 Consolidated Steel Corporation, Orange, Texas 9 March 1943 22 May 1943 12 October 1943 9 May 1947 Reclassified DER-316 13 September 1950. Struck from Navy List 1 December 1966, sunk as a target off California on 10 October 1967
12 February 1951 30 June 1960
Joyce DE-317 8 March 1943 26 May 1943 30 September 1943 1 May 1946 Reclassified DER-317 13 September 1950. Struck from Navy List 1 December 1972, sold for scrap 11 September 1973
28 February 1951 17 June 1960
Kirkpatrick DE-318 15 March 1943 5 June 1943 23 October 1943 1 May 1946 Reclassified DER-318 1 October 1951. Struck from Navy List 1 August 1974, sold for scrap 12 March 1975
23 February 1952 24 June 1960
Leopold DE-319 24 March 1943 12 June 1943 18 October 1943 N/a Torpedoed and sunk by German U-255 south of Iceland on 10 March 1944
Menges DE-320 22 March 1943 15 June 1943 26 October 1943 January 1947 Torpedoed in stern by German U-371 in the Gulf of Bougie on 3 May 1944; stern repaired at Brooklyn Navy Yard using the stern of the damaged Holder and returned to service 26 September 1944. Struck from Navy List 2 January 1971, sold for scrapping 10 April 1972.
Mosley DE-321 6 April 1943 26 June 1943 30 October 1943 15 March 1946 Struck from Navy List 2 January 1971, sold for scrap 22 August 1973
Newell DE-322 5 April 1943 29 June 1943 30 October 1943 20 November 1945 Commissioned into the United States Coast Guard as USCGC Newell (WDE-422) on 20 July 1951. Decommissioned from the USCG and returned to the US Navy 1 June 1954. Reclassified DER-322 1 November 1956. Struck from Navy List 23 September 1968, sold for scrap 15 December 1971
20 August 1957 21 September 1968
Pride DE-323 12 April 1943 3 July 1943 13 November 1943 26 April 1946 Commissioned into the United States Coast Guard as USCGC Pride (WDE-423) on 20 July 1951. Decommissioned from the USCG and returned to the US Navy 1 June 1954. Struck from Navy List 2 January 1971, sold for scrap 30 January 1974
Falgout DE-324 26 May 1943 24 July 1943 15 November 1943 18 April 1947 Commissioned into the United States Coast Guard as USCGC Falgout (WDE-424) on 24 August 1951. Decommissioned from the USCG and returned to the US Navy 21 May 1954. Reclassified DER-324 28 October 1954. Struck from Navy List 1 June 1975, sunk as a target off California 12 January 1977
30 June 1955 10 October 1969
Lowe DE-325 24 May 1943 28 July 1943 22 November 1943 1 May 1946 Commissioned into the United States Coast Guard as USCGC Lowe (WDE-425) on 20 July 1951. Decommissioned from the USCG and returned to the US Navy 1 June 1954. Reclassified DER-325 28 October 1954. Struck from Navy List 23 September 1968, sold for scrap 3 September 1969
15 January 1955 23 September 1968
Thomas J. Gary (ex-Gary) DE-326 15 June 1943 21 August 1943 27 November 1943 7 March 1947 Renamed from Gary 1 January 1945 to free the name for Light Cruiser CL-147. Reclassified DER-326 1 November 1956. Struck from Navy List 22 October 1973. Transferred to Tunisia and renamed President Bourgiba on 22 October 1973
2 August 1957 22 October 1973
Brister (ex-O'Toole) DE-327 14 June 1943 24 August 1943 30 November 1943 4 October 1946 Reclassified DER-327 21 October 1955. Struck from Navy List 23 September 1968, sold for scrap 3 November 1971
21 July 1956 21 September 1968
Finch DE-328 29 June 1943 28 August 1943 13 December 1943 4 October 1946 Commissioned into the United States Coast Guard as USCGC Finch (WDE-428) on 21 August 1951. Decommissioned from the USCG and returned to the US Navy 23 April 1954. Reclassified DER-328 21 October 1955. Struck from Navy List 1 February 1974, sold for scrap 27 September 1974
17 September 1956 1 October 1973
Kretchmer DE-329 28 June 1943 31 August 1943 27 December 1943 20 September 1946 Reclassified DER-329 21 October 1955. Struck from Navy List 30 September 1973, sold for scrap 14 May 1974
22 September 1956 1 October 1973
O'Reilly DE-330 29 July 1943 2 October 1943 28 December 1943 15 June 1946 Struck from Navy List 15 January 1971, sold for scrap 10 April 1972
Koiner DE-331 26 July 1943 5 October 1943 27 December 1943 4 October 1946 Commissioned into the United States Coast Guard as USCGC Koiner (WDE-431) on 20 June 1951. Decommissioned from the USCG and returned to the US Navy 14 May 1954. Reclassified DER-328 28 October 1954. Struck from Navy List 23 September 1968, sold for scrap 3 September 1969
26 August 1955 23 September 1968
Price DE-332 24 August 1943 30 October 1943 12 January 1944 16 May 1947 Reclassified DER-332 21 October 1955. Struck from Navy List 1 August 1974, sold for scrap 12 March 1975
1 August 1956 30 June 1960
Strickland DE-333 23 August 1943 2 November 1943 10 January 1944 15 June 1946 Reclassified DER-333 1 October 1951. Struck from Navy List 1 December 1972, sold for scrap 10 September 1974
2 February 1952 17 June 1960
Forster DE-334 31 August 1943 13 November 1943 25 January 1944 15 June 1946 Commissioned into the United States Coast Guard as USCGC Forster (WDE-434) on 29 June 1951. Decommissioned from the USCG and returned to the US Navy 25 May 1954. Reclassified DER-334 21 October 1955. Struck from Navy List 25 September 1971. Transferred to South Vietnam and renamed Tran Khanh Du on 25 September 1971. Captured by North Vietnam and renamed Dai Ky 29 April 1975, retained in Vietnamese service after fall of South Vietnam
23 October 1956 25 September 1971
Daniel DE-335 30 August 1943 16 November 1943 24 January 1944 12 April 1946 Struck from Navy List 15 January 1971, sold for scrap 30 January 1974
Roy O. Hale DE-336 13 September 1943 20 November 1943 3 February 1944 11 July 1946 Reclassified DER-336 21 October 1955. Struck from Navy List 1 August 1974, sold for scrap 12 March 1975
29 January 1957 15 July 1963
Dale W. Peterson DE-337 25 October 1943 22 December 1943 17 February 1944 27 March 1946 Struck from Navy List 2 January 1971, sold for scrap 10 April 1972
Martin H. Ray DE-338 27 October 1943 29 December 1943 28 February 1944 March 1946 Struck from Navy List 1 May 1966, sold for scrap 30 March 1967
Ramsden DE-382 Brown Shipbuilding, Houston, Texas 26 March 1943 24 May 1943 19 October 1943 13 June 1946 Commissioned into the United States Coast Guard as USCGC Ramsden (WDE-482) on 1 April 1952. Decommissioned from the USCG and returned to the US Navy 28 June 1954. Reclassified DER-382 1 November 1956. Struck from Navy List 1 August 1974, later sunk as a target
10 December 1957 23 June 1960
Mills DE-383 26 March 1943 26 May 1943 12 October 1943 14 June 1946 Reclassified DER-383 on 1 November 1956. Struck from Navy List 1 August 1974, sold for scrap 12 March 1975
3 October 1957 27 October 1970
Rhodes DE-384 19 April 1943 29 June 1943 25 October 1943 13 June 1946 Reclassified DER-384 on 28 October 1954. Struck from Navy List 1 August 1974, sold for scrap 12 March 1975
1 August 1955 10 July 1963
Richey DE-385 19 April 1943 30 June 1943 30 October 1943 January 1947 Commissioned into the United States Coast Guard as USCGC Richey (WDE-485) on 1 April 1952. Decommissioned from the USCG and returned to the US Navy 28 June 1954. Struck from Navy List 30 June 1968, sunk as a target off California in July 1969
Savage DE-386 30 April 1943 15 July 1943 29 October 1943 13 June 1946 Reclassified DER-386 on 28 October 1954. Struck from Navy List 1 June 1975, sunk as a target off California 25 October 1982
18 February 1955 17 October 1969
Vance DE-387 30 April 1943 16 July 1943 1 November 1943 27 February 1946 Commissioned into the United States Coast Guard as USCGC Vance (WDE-487) on 9 May 1952. Decommissioned from the USCG and returned to the US Navy 16 June 1954. Reclassified DER-387 21 October 1955. Struck from Navy List 1 June 1975, later sunk as a target in 1985
5 October 1956 10 October 1969
Lansing DE-388 15 May 1943 2 August 1943 10 November 1943 25 April 1946 Commissioned into the United States Coast Guard as USCGC Lansing (WDE-488) on 15 June 1952. Decommissioned from the USCG and returned to the US Navy 29 March 1954. Reclassified DER-388 21 October 1955. Struck from Navy List 1 February 1974, sold for scrap 16 August 1974
18 December 1956 21 May 1965
Durant DE-389 15 May 1943 3 August 1943 16 November 1943 27 February 1946 Commissioned into the United States Coast Guard as USCGC Durant (WDE-489) on 9 May 1952. Decommissioned from the USCG and returned to the US Navy 16 June 1954. Reclassified DER-389 7 December 1955. Struck from Navy List 1 April 1974, sold for scrap 16 August 1974
7 December 1956 June 1964
Calcaterra DE-390 28 May 1943 16 August 1943 17 November 1943 1 May 1946 Reclassified DER-390 28 October 1954. Struck from Navy List 2 July 1973, sold for scrap 14 May 1974
12 September 1955 2 July 1973
Chambers DE-391 28 May 1943 17 August 1943 22 November 1943 22 April 1946 Commissioned into the United States Coast Guard as USCGC Chambers (WDE-491) on 11 June 1952. Decommissioned from the USCG and returned to the US Navy 30 July 1954. Reclassified DER-391 28 October 1954. Struck from Navy List 1 March 1975, sold for scrap 24 September 1975
1 June 1955 20 June 1960
Merrill DE-392 1 July 1943 29 August 1943 27 November 1943 1 May 1946 Struck from Navy List 2 April 1971, sold for scrap 30 September 1974
Haverfield DE-393 1 July 1943 30 August 1943 29 November 1943 30 June 1947 Reclassified DER-393 2 September 1954. Struck from Navy List 2 June 1969, sold for scrap 15 December 1971
4 January 1955 2 June 1969
Swenning DE-394 17 July 1943 13 September 1943 1 December 1943 18 June 1946 Struck from Navy List 1 July 1972, sold for scrap 17 January 1974
Willis DE-395 17 July 1943 14 September 1943 10 December 1943 14 June 1946 Struck from Navy List 1 July 1972, sold for scrap later in 1972
Janssen DE-396 4 August 1943 4 October 1943 18 December 1943 19 June 1946 Struck from Navy List 1 July 1972, sold for scrap 15 October 1973
Wilhoite DE-397 4 August 1943 5 October 1943 16 December 1943 19 June 1946 Reclassified DER-397 2 September 1954. Struck from Navy List 2 July 1969, sold for scrap 19 July 1972
29 January 1955 2 July 1969
Cockrill DE-398 31 August 1943 29 October 1943 24 December 1943 21 June 1946 Struck from Navy List 1 August 1973, sunk as a target off Florida on 19 November 1974
Stockdale DE-399 31 August 1943 30 October 1943 31 December 1943 15 June 1946 Struck from Navy List 1 July 1972, sunk as a target off Florida on 24 May 1974
Hissem DE-400 6 October 1943 26 December 1943 13 January 1944 15 June 1946 Reclassified DER-400 21 October 1955. Struck from Navy List 1 June 1975, sunk as a target off California on 24 February 1982
31 August 1956 15 May 1970
Holder DE-401 6 October 1943 27 December 1943 18 January 1944 13 September 1944 Torpedoed by German aircraft northeast of Algiers on 11 April 1944. Struck from Navy List 23 September 1944. Stern used to repair Menges. Remainder of ship sold for scrap 19 June 1947

References

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Edsall-class destroyer escort

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from Grokipedia
The Edsall-class destroyer escorts were a class of 85 vessels constructed for the during , designed specifically for ocean convoy escort duties against U-boat threats. These ships, built between 1942 and 1945 by yards such as and Houston Shipbuilding Corporation, featured a distinctive diesel-powered system using two Fairbanks-Morse engines delivering 6,000 shaft horsepower to two screws, which provided a top speed of 21 knots and an endurance of 10,800 nautical miles at 12 knots. With a standard displacement of 1,253 tons and full load of approximately 1,590 tons, they measured 306 feet in length, 36 feet 7 inches in beam, and 10 feet 5 inches in draft, accommodating a complement of 186 officers and enlisted personnel. Armed for versatile escort operations, the Edsall-class carried three 3-inch/50 caliber dual-purpose guns for surface and anti-aircraft defense, supplemented by two 40 mm Bofors mounts, eight to ten 20 mm Oerlikon cannons, three 21-inch tubes, a forward-throwing , eight depth charge projectors, and two depth charge tracks. Unlike contemporary steam-powered classes like the Buckley or Evarts, the Edsall's diesel machinery offered reliable reverse gearing for rapid maneuvers but required higher maintenance, contributing to their role in hunter-killer groups alongside escort carriers. The lead ship, USS Edsall (DE-129), was commissioned in , with the class entering service across both the Atlantic and Pacific theaters by mid-1944. During the war, Edsall-class ships escorted vital merchant convoys, engaged in attacks on submarines, and supported amphibious operations, earning multiple Presidential Unit Citations and Navy Unit Commendations for actions such as those by USS Pillsbury (DE-133) in hunter-killer operations. Tragically, four vessels—USS Leopold (DE-319), USS Holder (DE-401), USS Fiske (DE-143), and USS Frederick C. Davis (DE-136)—were lost to enemy action, primarily German U-boats in the Atlantic. Post-war, many were decommissioned by the late 1940s, though over a dozen were converted to escorts (DERs) in the 1950s for air defense duties, serving until the mid-1960s; some were transferred to allied navies under the Mutual Defense Assistance Program.

Design and Development

Background and Requirements

In the early stages of , the U.S. Navy faced an urgent need for escorts due to escalating German attacks on Allied shipping in the Atlantic, which threatened to sever vital supply lines to Britain and the itself. By , operations had intensified, sinking hundreds of merchant vessels and prompting the expansion of convoy protection efforts, as the existing fleet of older destroyers proved insufficient for the growing threat. The development of the Edsall class drew from earlier designs, including the Evarts and Buckley classes, but prioritized diesel propulsion to achieve greater operational endurance over systems. Specifically, the Edsall class incorporated Fairbanks-Morse opposed-piston diesel engines, adapted from applications, to enable extended patrols without frequent refueling, addressing the limitations of fuel efficiency in turbine-powered escorts. Authorized in 1942 as part of the massive program initiated by the 1940 , the Edsall class emphasized rapid mass production to bolster convoy defenses in both the Atlantic and Pacific theaters. This expansion aimed to counter wolf packs through economical, versatile vessels that could be built quickly by multiple yards. Key design objectives included a sustained speed of 21 knots for keeping pace with convoys, a range of 10,800 nautical miles at 12 knots to support transoceanic operations, and a complement of 186 officers and enlisted personnel to mitigate wartime manpower shortages compared to larger destroyers requiring over crew members. Unlike the turbine-powered Buckley class, which balanced speed and power through turbo-electric drive, the Edsall's diesel configuration offered superior endurance for prolonged antisubmarine duties.

Specifications and Features

The Edsall-class destroyer escorts were characterized by a standard displacement of 1,253 long tons and a full load displacement of 1,590 long tons, providing a balance of maneuverability and endurance suitable for escort duties. These vessels measured 306 feet (93.3 meters) in overall length, with a beam of 36 feet 7 inches (11.2 meters) and a draft of 12 feet 3 inches (3.7 meters) at full load. The hull design featured a long-hull configuration derived from the Buckley class, enhancing stability during anti-submarine operations in varied sea states. This included a molded beam of 36 feet 7 inches, allowing for agile handling in coastal and open-ocean environments. The typical complement consisted of 8 officers and 178 enlisted personnel, supporting efficient crew operations on extended patrols. Unique to the class was the integration of geared diesel propulsion, which offered greater reliability for prolonged transoceanic missions compared to turbine-driven contemporaries, achieving a superior operational range. Adaptations for rapid wartime included the use of prefabricated hull sections and sub-assemblies, enabling quicker assembly at multiple shipyards.

Construction and Commissioning

Builders and Production

The Edsall-class destroyer escorts were constructed exclusively by two shipyards: in , which produced 47 vessels, and Brown Shipbuilding Company in Houston, Texas, which produced 38. A total of 85 ships were authorized for the class. Contracts for the Edsall class were awarded in 1942, marking the start of production amid urgent wartime needs for antisubmarine escorts. The first keel was laid on 2 July 1942 for the lead ship, USS Edsall (DE-129), at Consolidated Steel. Construction continued through 1943, with the final vessel, USS Holder (DE-401), launched on 27 November 1943 at Brown Shipbuilding and commissioned on 18 January 1944; all ships were delivered to the U.S. Navy by April 1944. These vessels were designed for rapid, economical under wartime constraints, incorporating modular methods to assemble pre-built sections and accelerate output. The average build time per ship was approximately 9 to 13 months, enabling the swift completion of the entire class. This efficiency was further enhanced by the adoption of diesel , which eliminated the need for complex boilers and turbines, simplifying assembly compared to -powered designs.

Initial Commissioning

The of the Edsall class, USS Edsall (DE-129), was commissioned on 10 April 1943 at the shipyard in , marking the entry of the diesel-powered escorts into U.S. Navy service. Subsequent vessels followed in quick succession to bolster capabilities amid escalating U-boat threats in the Atlantic, with 85 ships ultimately entering service through rapid wartime production; examples include USS Jacob Jones (DE-130) on 29 April 1943 and USS Stewart (DE-238) on 31 May 1943, extending into 1944 as the shipyards accelerated output. Following commissioning, Edsall-class ships typically proceeded to shakedown cruises and initial training to ensure operational readiness, often conducting these in strategic coastal areas such as the , near , or offshore . For instance, USS Edsall served as a schoolship at from 20 June to 6 August 1943, training precommissioning crews for other escort vessels, before moving to for exercises with the Training Center; similarly, USS Jacob Jones completed shakedowns in waters starting 13 May 1943. These periods emphasized tactics, including deployments and operations, alongside familiarization with the Fairbanks-Morse diesel engines that powered the class. Crew training presented notable challenges, particularly in adapting to diesel propulsion systems, which differed significantly from the steam turbines familiar to most naval personnel from larger destroyers. Specialized instruction was required for engine room operations, often delivered through dedicated training programs at facilities like or Casco Bay, Maine, to address the unique maintenance and maneuvering characteristics of the direct-drive diesel-electric setup. Wartime urgency also led to minor refits post-shakedown, such as adjustments to or racks, to rectify construction haste without delaying deployment. By mid-1943, the majority of commissioned Edsall-class ships were fitted out and assigned to Atlantic escort duties, integrating into divisions like Escort Division 59 to protect merchant shipping routes from U.S. ports to destinations including New York, , , and . Early operations focused on transatlantic patrols, with vessels like USS Stewart joining convoys to and by March 1944; a smaller number received orders for Pacific transfers later in the war, leveraging the class's endurance for long-range missions.

Armament and Capabilities

Weapons Systems

The Edsall-class destroyer escorts featured a main battery consisting of three single 3-inch/50 caliber dual-purpose guns, arranged with one mount forward and two aft to provide balanced fire against surface threats while supporting limited anti-aircraft defense. These guns, capable of firing 15 rounds per minute per barrel, were selected for their versatility in the convoy escort role, allowing the ships to engage on the surface or deter small enemy craft. For , the primary offensive capability included a single triple 21-inch mount amidships, loaded with torpedoes for use against surfaced submarines and surface targets. Complementing this were racks and throwers, with two stern racks and eight K-gun projectors enabling patterned attacks. A forward-firing Hedgehog mortar, launching 24 projectiles in a spread pattern, further enhanced close-range ASW effectiveness by allowing attacks without revealing the ship's position through wake. Anti-aircraft armament initially comprised two 40 mm guns in twin mounts and eight single 20 mm/70 caliber Oerlikon guns, positioned for all-around coverage to protect against low-flying during duties. Early fits sometimes substituted a quadruple 1.1-inch for one 40 mm mount, but this proved inadequate against evolving aerial threats. Wartime modifications from 1943 onward significantly bolstered defensive capabilities, with many ships adding a quadruple 40 mm mount and up to two additional twin 40 mm mounts, alongside extra 20 mm Oerlikons for improved volume of fire. By 1944, upgrades also increased capacity and integrated fire control improvements for the , prioritizing ASW persistence and aerial protection without altering the core hull design.

Propulsion and Electronics

The Edsall-class destroyer escorts utilized a geared diesel propulsion system consisting of four Fairbanks-Morse 38D8-1/8 opposed-piston, two-stroke diesel engines, each rated at 1,500 horsepower, for a total output of 6,000 shaft horsepower driving two shafts through single reduction gears. This FMR (Fairbanks-Morse reduction-geared) configuration, adapted from designs, emphasized endurance over high-speed performance. The system delivered a maximum speed of 21 knots on trials and in service, with a cruising range of 10,800 nautical miles at 12 knots, supported by a fuel capacity of approximately 320 tons of diesel oil. The diesel setup provided reliable operation for prolonged patrols, though it limited top speed compared to turbine-driven escorts capable of 24 knots; the reduction gearing contributed to effective maneuverability during anti-submarine operations. The diesel generators also ensured a stable electrical supply to support armament functions. In terms of electronics, the class featured QCL or QCJ active systems for detection, alongside SG surface-search for identifying surface targets and high-frequency direction-finding (HF/DF) equipment to locate enemy radio signals. Later wartime modifications included installation of the SC on many vessels for enhanced surface detection capabilities at greater ranges. These systems, standard for escorts, prioritized detection reliability in adverse conditions over advanced processing.

Operational History

World War II Service

The Edsall-class destroyer escorts played a vital role in the , primarily serving as (ASW) escorts for transatlantic convoys such as the HX (fast) and SC (slow) series departing from North American ports to the and Mediterranean destinations. These vessels, with their long endurance and diesel propulsion enabling extended patrols, formed part of escort groups that protected merchant shipping from German wolfpacks, particularly during the critical period of 1943–1944 when Allied survival rates improved dramatically due to enhanced ASW tactics and technology. For instance, ships like USS Edsall (DE-129) guarded multiple convoys between New York and , responding to contacts with depth charges and mortars while coordinating with larger escorts. In hunter-killer operations paired with escort carriers such as USS Bogue and USS , Edsall-class ships contributed to several sinkings, including USS Pillsbury (DE-133)'s role in sinking U-515 on 9 April 1944 with USS . Despite their effectiveness, the class suffered significant losses in the Atlantic and Mediterranean theaters. Four Edsall-class ships were lost to enemy action during World War II: three to U-boats and one to aircraft attack. USS Leopold (DE-319) was torpedoed and sunk by U-255 south of Iceland on 9 March 1944 while escorting convoy SC-152, resulting in 171 deaths. USS Holder (DE-401) was struck by German aircraft-launched torpedoes off Algiers on 11 April 1944 during convoy UGS-38 operations, suffering damage beyond repair with 17 crewmen killed. USS Fiske (DE-143) fell to U-804 north of the Azores on 2 August 1944 amid ASW patrols, with 33 lives lost. USS Frederick C. Davis (DE-136) was the last, torpedoed by U-546 in the North Atlantic on 24 April 1945 during a hunter-killer sweep, sinking rapidly with 115 of 186 aboard lost; the escorts later avenged her by depth-charging U-546 to the bottom. Many other ships endured damage from U-boat attacks or air raids but were repaired and returned to service, underscoring the class's resilience in convoy protection duties. In addition to Atlantic operations, several Edsall-class escorts supported Mediterranean campaigns, including anti-submarine screens for convoys to and invasions such as , while others transferred to the Pacific in late 1944 for ASW patrols and invasion support. Vessels like USS Howard D. Crow (DE-252) shifted to Pacific duties, conducting ASW sweeps and escorting troop transports during operations in the and approaches. The class's contributions included assists in sinking at least five s through hunter-killer groups, with ships like USS Frost (DE-144), USS Haverfield (DE-393), and USS Stanton (DE-247) earning Presidential Unit Citations for their ASW successes, which helped reduce U-boat effectiveness and bolstered Allied supply lines critical to the war effort.

Post-War Roles and Transfers

Following the end of , the majority of the Edsall-class destroyer escorts were decommissioned between late 1945 and mid-1946 and placed in the Atlantic Reserve Fleet at facilities such as , and , to await potential future needs. This inactivation reflected the rapid demobilization of U.S. naval forces, with ships like USS Wilhoite (DE-397) and USS Robert E. Peary (DE-132) entering reserve status by June 1946 and May 1947, respectively, after brief postwar ferry duties. In response to the buildup, several Edsall-class vessels were reactivated between 1951 and 1957 for antisubmarine and patrol roles, while 14 were transferred to the U.S. from 1951 to 1954 and redesignated as ocean station vessels (WDEs) for weather reporting and search-and-rescue patrols in the Atlantic and Pacific. These transfers augmented the 's limited fleet during the conflict; examples include USCGC Durant (WDE-489, ex-USS Durant, DE-389), which served on ocean stations until returned to the Navy in 1958. The ships operated primarily in non-combat roles, focusing on maritime safety amid tensions. Postwar modernizations were limited but significant for select vessels, with 34 Edsall-class ships converted to escorts (DERs) in the as part of the Continental Air Defense Command, featuring enhanced systems for airborne early warning support. A few, such as USS Camp (DE-251), received additional upgrades including rearming with 5-inch/38-caliber guns in 1945, extending their utility as DERs into antisubmarine warfare through the 1960s. These DERs later supported operations in the , interdicting coastal resupply efforts until the early 1970s. Over 30 Edsall-class ships were transferred to allied navies under programs like the Mutual Defense Assistance Program, serving in roles from to into the late . Notable examples include USS Hurst (DE-250) to the Mexican Navy as ARM Comodoro Manuel Azueta (A-06) in 1973 for coastal defense, decommissioned in 2015 as the last active vessel of the class; USS Camp (DE-251) to as RVNS Tran Hung Dao (HQ-1) in 1971, then to the as BRP Rajah (PF-4) in 1976 for duties; and USS Forster (DER-334) to as RVNS Tran Khanh Du (HQ-4) in 1971, captured by North Vietnamese forces in 1975 and repurposed as a hulk. All remaining U.S. Navy ships were stricken by 1975, with preserved as a at in , since 1993.

Ships of the Class

Hull Numbers and Fates

The Edsall-class destroyer escorts consisted of 85 vessels, constructed across four shipyards between 1942 and 1944, with ships commissioned between 1943 and 1944. Hull numbers were assigned in non-sequential blocks: DE-129 through DE-152 (24 ships) built by in ; DE-238 through DE-255 (18 ships) by Brown Shipbuilding in ; DE-316 through DE-338 (23 ships) by Houston Shipbuilding Corporation in ; and DE-382 through DE-401 (20 ships) by Federal Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company in . Of these, four were lost during combat operations: USS Frederick C. Davis (DE-136), sunk by German submarine U-546 on 24 April 1945 with the loss of 115 crewmen out of 192; USS Fiske (DE-143), torpedoed by U-804 on 2 August 1944; USS Leopold (DE-319), torpedoed by U-255 on 9 March 1944; and USS Holder (DE-401), damaged by from Italian explosive motor boat on 11 April 1944 and later sunk while under tow. Following the war, approximately 75 vessels were decommissioned between 1945 and 1947 and placed in reserve, with most ultimately scrapped between 1946 and 1975; for instance, the USS Edsall (DE-129) was decommissioned in 1946, struck in 1969, and sold for scrap. Eighteen ships were transferred to the between 1951 and 1954 for use as ocean station weather vessels under the WDE designation, including USS Vance (DE-387, WDE-448) and USS Durant (DE-389, WDE-444); all were returned to Navy custody by 1960 and subsequently scrapped. Over 30 vessels were exported to allied navies post-war, with notable transfers including 14 to France between 1953 and 1954 (e.g., USS Cockrill (DE-398) as FRL Corvettes d'Escorte), five to in 1955 (e.g., (DE-173) as JDS Okikaze (DE-237)), and others to the , , and ; many served into the 1970s before being decommissioned and scrapped. As of 2025, all Edsall-class ships have been decommissioned, with the majority scrapped or sunk as targets. The sole surviving example is USS Stewart (DE-238), preserved as a museum ship at the Galveston Naval Museum in Texas since 1992, following her post-war service with the Indonesian Navy as KRI Matjandoer (DE-238). It is the only preserved Edsall-class vessel and one of only two preserved destroyer escorts in the United States.
Hull NumberNameBuilderCommissionedFate
DE-129EdsallConsolidated Steel, Orange, TX10 Apr 1943Decommissioned 1946; scrapped 1970
DE-136Frederick C. DavisConsolidated Steel, Orange, TX14 Jul 1943Sunk 24 Apr 1945 by U-546
DE-143FiskeConsolidated Steel, Orange, TX29 Jul 1943Sunk 2 Aug 1944 by U-804
DE-319LeopoldHouston Shipbuilding, , TX18 May 1943Sunk 9 Mar 1944 by U-255
DE-401HolderFederal Shipbuilding, Kearny, NJ18 Jan 1944Sunk 11 Apr 1944 by
DE-238StewartBrown Shipbuilding, , TX31 May 1943 since 1992
DE-398CockrillFederal Shipbuilding, Kearny, NJ9 Dec 1943Transferred to France 1953 as FRL Corvettes d'Escorte; scrapped 1975
DE-387VanceBrown Shipbuilding, , TX20 Sep 1943Transferred to USCG as WDE-448 (1951); returned 1960; scrapped 1973
This table provides representative examples across fate categories; full construction and disposition details for all 85 ships are documented in U.S. Navy archives.

Notable Vessels

The of the Edsall class, USS Edsall (DE-129), was commissioned on 10 April 1943 and primarily conducted escort duties in the Atlantic, including transatlantic runs to , New York, and Argentia, Newfoundland, as well as exercises in . She assisted in rescuing survivors from a tanker collision in April 1945 and was transferred to the Pacific Fleet in June 1945, though the war's end limited her operations there. Decommissioned on 11 June 1946 at , she was stricken from the on 1 June 1968 and sold for scrapping in July 1969. USS Herbert C. Jones (DE-137) gained distinction during the Anzio invasion in January 1944 as one of two Edsall-class vessels modified with electronic jamming equipment to counter German guided glide bombs targeting Allied shipping. Operating alongside her USS Frederick C. Davis, she provided critical electronic warfare support to protect the invasion fleet from these precision weapons, which had previously damaged heavy cruisers like USS Savannah. Her contributions helped mitigate the threat of radio-controlled munitions in the Mediterranean theater, showcasing the adaptability of the class in antisubmarine and antiair roles. USS Frederick C. Davis (DE-136), commissioned on 14 July 1943, earned a and four battle stars for her service, including convoy escorts and support for the landings where she also jammed signals. On 24 April 1945, while hunting German submarines during in the North Atlantic, she was struck by an from U-546, breaking in two and sinking within 15 minutes approximately 650 miles northwest of the , resulting in the loss of 115 crew members out of 192. As the last U.S. surface vessel sunk by a in the European theater, her sacrifice underscored the persistent submarine threat late in the war; U-546 was sunk later that day by USS Connolly. USS Stewart (DE-238), commissioned on 31 May 1943, escorted multiple Atlantic convoys from 1944 to 1945 and participated in antisubmarine actions, including depth charge attacks on the Italian submarine Rea in May 1943. After the war, she served in training roles at Norfolk before decommissioning in January 1947 and entering reserve status at various East Coast ports. Stricken on 1 October 1972, she was donated to the city of Galveston, Texas, on 25 June 1974 and now serves as a memorial and museum ship at Seawolf Park on Pelican Island, the only preserved Edsall-class vessel and one of only two preserved destroyer escorts in the United States. USS Camp (DE-251), commissioned on 16 September 1943, escorted convoys across the Atlantic to and U.K. ports without losses and supported European operations, including repairs after a collision that included installation of a new bow and twin 5-inch/38-caliber guns in —one of the few such upgrades in the class. Reclassified as a ship (DER-251) and recommissioned on 31 July 1956, she patrolled the North Atlantic for airborne early warning duties until 1960. Decommissioned again in 1968 and transferred to the on 13 February 1971 as RVNS Tran Hung Dao (HQ-4), she continued service in Southeast Asian waters until the fall of Saigon in 1975, after which she escaped to the and was commissioned in the as BRP Rajah Lakandula (DE-10) on 5 April 1976, serving until decommissioned on 26 July 1993 and later sunk as a target.

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