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| USN Clemson-class destroyer Auxiliary seaplane tender 1,215 tons 314' 4" x 31' 8" x 9' 10" As Destroyer 4 × 4" guns 1 × 3" guns 4×3 21" torpedo tubes |
Sinking History Built by New York Shipbuilding Corporation in Camden, New Jersey. Laid down July 31, 1918 as a Clemson-class destroyer. Launched March 30, 1920 as USS McFarland (DD-237) named for American Civil War sailor John McFarland who earned the Medal of Honor, sponsored by Miss Louisa Hughes. Commissioned September 30, 1920 in the U.S. Navy (USN) as part of the Atlantic Fleet. On November 30, 1920 departs for England and operates in the English Channel. On January 31, 1921 departs for Gibraltar then steams to Split in Croatia and for the next four months with the Adriatic Detachment. During July 1921 departs for Constantinople and joins the Turkish Waters Detachment. During July 1922 until October 22, 1922 returns to the United States, then returns to the Black Sea and eastern Mediterranean performing humanitarian and quasi-diplomatic roles until early 1923. On September 15, 1923 returns to New York and assigned to the Scouting Fleet at Newport in Rhode Island and operates off the east coast and Caribbean. In 1925 conducts a cruise to Hawaii to participate in the fleet problem exercise then returns to regular duty. On September 19, 1923 in the early morning, heavily damaged when accidentally rammed in the port side forward of her bridge by USS Arkansas during night maneuvers off of Cape Cod Canal and was towed by USS USS Sturtevant (DD-240) to Boston for repairs then returns to regular duty. Decommissioned January 20 1931 at Philadelphia. Recommissioned June 13 1932. Decommissioned June 10 1935 in Brooklyn. Afterwards, Converted into an auxiliary seaplane tender. On August 2, 1940 reclassified as a seaplane tender (destroyer) AVD-14. On October 5, 1940 recommissioned at Philadelphia and assigned to the Pacific Fleet and transits the Panama Canal and operates from Pearl Harbor. Wartime History On December 7, 1941 McFarland was conducting anti-submarine maneuvers off Maui when informed of the Japanese attack against Pearl Harbor and Oahu and patrols to the southwest. On December 9, 1941 returns to Pearl Harbor and for the next seven months operates off Hawaii and makes voyages to Palmyra Atoll and Johnston Atoll transporting U.S. Marines and returning with evacuated civilians. On June 2, 1942 departs for the South Pacific. On June 16, 1942 arrives Noumea. On July 15, 1942 made contact with an enemy submarine in Bulari Pass. During August 1942 assigned tender duty between Espiritu Santo and the Santa Cruz Islands. Her mission includes scouting, transporting supplies and evacuates wounded. On October 15, 1942 arrives at Lunga Point on Guadalcanal to deliver desperately needed aviation fuel. On October 16, 1942 In the afternoon, McFarland was unloading cargo and embarking wounded personnel off Lunga Point on Guadalcanal when targeted by nine D3A1 Vals from 31st Kōkūtai (31st Air Group). The first seven Vals failed to score any bomb hits. The eight Val hit a gasoline barge being towed alongside the starboard quarter. Although the flaming barge was cut loose, the ninth Vals scored at least one bomb hit on the stern knocking out her rudder and steering at Lat 09°24'S Long 160°02'E. The crew claimed one dive bomber shot down. During the attack, eleven crew were lost including five KIA, six MIA and 12 critically wounded. For this action, McFarland earned the first ever U.S. Navy Presidential Unit Citation. Afterwards, towed to Florida Island and moored to the beach in the upper channel of Tulagi Harbor later renamed "McFarland Channel" where emergency repairs were made to her damaged hull. By late November 1942 ready to steam to Espiritu Santo for further repairs. On December 17, 1942 departs Espiritu Santo across the Pacific bound fro Hawaii. On December 29, 1942 arrives Pearl Harbor for further repairs. By the middle of April 1943 full repaired, departs for the west coast. On December 1, 1943 redesignated as destroyer DD-237 based in San Diego. In the middle of 1944 the destroyer was to be converted into a high-speed transport designated APD-26 but canceled on July 10 1944. supports aircraft carriers performing flight training until the end of World War II. On September 30, 1945 departs via the Panama Canal to the east coast. On November 8, 1945 decommissioned in Philadelphia. On December 19, 1945 struck from the Navy register. Fate On October 17, 1946 sold to Ship Shape Inc. On October 26, 1946 scrapped by Northern Metals Company in Philadelphia and broken up for scrap. Awards McFarland earned two battle stars for her World War II service and the first ever U.S. Navy Presidential Unit Citation for her actions on October 16, 1942. References NavSource - USS McFarland (DD-237 / AVD-14 / APD-26) Contribute
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