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| USN Porter-class destroyer 1,850 Tons 381' x 36' 2" x 10' 5" As Built Mk 35 Fire Control System 8 x 5" 38 cal SP (4x2) 8 x 1.1" AA guns (2x4) 8 x 21" torpedo tubes (2x4) Conversion 1944 Mk 37 Fire Control System 5 x 5" 38 cal DP (2x2, 1x1) 4 x 40mm AA 8 x 20mm AA 2 x Depth Charge racks   USN October 1943 |
Ship History Built by New York Shipbuilding Corporation at Camden in New Jersey. Laid down December 18, 1933. Launched April 18, 1936 as USS Selfridge (DD-357) the second ship named for Rear Admiral Thomas O. Selfridge (1804–1902) and his son Thomas O. Selfridge, Jr. (1836–1924). Commissioned November 25, 1936 in the U.S. Navy (USN) at Philadelphia. During January 1937 conducted a shakedown cruise in the Mediterranean. In February 1937 returned via the Caribbean to the east coast of the United States. During April 1937, began a post shakedown overhaul and training based at Philadelphia. During September 1937 escorted U.S. President Roosevelt to Poughkeepsie, NY then to Norfolk, VA then departs for the Panama Canal Zone. In November 1937 returns to Norfolk, VA for another Presidential escort mission. On December 9, 1937 departs via the Panama Canal and later in the month arrives San Diego. Selfridge was assigned to the Pacific Fleet, Destroyer Squadron 4 (DesRon 4) as flagship and participates in training exercises and fleet problem off California. During 1940 begins operating from Pearl Harbor. During early December 1941 escorts a convoy to Palmyra then returns to Pearl Harbor. Wartime History On December 7, 1941 moored in berth X-9 in Pearl Harbor and went into action against the first wave of attacking Japanese planes. In the afternoon, patrols off Hawaii and screens USS Saratoga (CV-3) to Wake Island then escorts the carrier to Pearl Harbor. On January 20, 1942 escorts a transport bound for Canton arriving a week later. Afterwards, patrols off Canton and makes a depth charge attack against a possible submarine then returns to Pearl Harbor. On February 9, 1942 departs Pearl Harbor escorts damaged USS Saratoga (CV-3) to Bremerton. During March 1942 returns to Pearl Harbor and continues to screen transports and convoys to Canton. During April 1942 transports U.S. Marine Corps personnel and mail to Palmyra and Christmas then to Bora Bora and escorts convoys with reinforcements to Samoa and Tonga. On May 21, 1942 departs Tonga via New Hebrides and Australia and escorts convoys assigned to Task Force 44 (TF 44). During July 1942 departs Australia bound for Fiji and participates in amphibious training and departs for the Solomon Islands as part of the screening force transports during "Operation Watchtower". On August 7, 1942 at 1:20am arrives off Guadalcanal escorting the invasion force. At 6:20am opens fire on a Japanese lighter entering Tulagi Harbor then covers the invasion beaches and defends against a Japanese air raid. On August 8, 1942 continues to screen the transports and rescues two downed Japanese aviators from the sea. On August 9, 1942 rescues survivors of the Battle of Savo Island and with USS Ellet (DD-398) scuttles damaged HMAS Canberra (D33) with the pair firing over 260 rounds of 5" shells and several torpedoes into the damaged cruiser then departs escorting transports to Nouméa. Afterwards, assigned to Task Force 44 (TF 44) as an escort. On August 31, 1942 departs for Brisbane. For the next nine months, operates in the Coral Sea. During May 1943 reassigned to the 3rd Fleet. On May 12, 1943 arrives Nouméa and operates with Task Force 36 (TF 36) and Task Force 37 (TF 37) and undergoes training and escort duty. During September 1943 escorts a convoy of Landing Ship Tanks (LSTs) to Vella Lavella and operates in the Solomon Islands. Naval Battle of Vella Lavella On October 6, 1943 departs with USS O'Bannon (DD-450), and USS Chevalier (DD-451) under the command of Captain Frank R. Walker via Kula Gulf bound for northern Vella Lavella to intercept Japanese warships. At 11:30pm the Naval Battle of Vella Lavella begins when they encounter Japanese force of six destroyers and three destroyer transports plus smaller armed craft roughly twelve miles off Marquana Bay as it attempted to evacuate Japanese personnel from Horoniu (Horaniu) on northern Vella Lavella. Despite the enemy's numerical advantage, the trio of destroyers attack. At 10:55pm, the U.S. destroyers made radar contact with the two groups of enemy destroyers. At 10:55pm, the Americans fired a half salvo of torpedoes aimed at the first group of destroyers. At 10:56 the destroyers opened fire at the same force. At 11:00pm, USS Selfridge (DD-357) turned to starboard to engage the second force. At 11:01pm, USS Chevalier (DD-451) was hit by a torpedo from Yūgumo and lost power and began to slow. At 11:02 accidentally rammed by USS O'Bannon (DD-450). At 11:04pm, USS Selfridge (DD-357) spotted a torpedo 2,000 yards off the port beam on a parallel course. At 11:05, two more torpedoes were spotted off the port bow and ordered full left rudder but countermanded the order as a torpedo was reported close to starboard bow and instead ordered full right rudder, reducing speed to 25 knots. A few moments later, a torpedo wake crossed the bow from starboard to port within 25 yards and another torpedo was spotted 400 yards away and switched to left full rudder. At 11:06pm Selfridge was hit in the starboard side of the bow around frame 40 by a torpedo from Shigure or Samidare. Moments later, a second torpedo hit the port side at frame 30 at roughly Lat 7°27'S, Long 156°13'E. The damage severed bow broke free and floated to the starboard. Aboard, the destroyer suffers 36 missing, 13 killed and 11 wounded. Damaged, Selfridge withdrew at 10 knots to Purvis Bay for emergency repairs and the damage was photographed with the no. 2 turret hanging forward. Afterwards, to Nouméa for temporary repairs then across the Pacific to Mare Island Naval Shipyard on Mare Island. During the repairs, a new bow was installed and s armament and systems upgraded. Afterwards, commences training operating from San Diego. On May 10, 1944 arrives Pearl Harbor assigned to Task Group 50.11 (TG 50.11) and joins the invasion force bound for the Mariana Islands. In early June 1944, assigned to Task Force 58 (TF 58) at Majuro. On June 11, 1944 serves as a screen for USS Bunker Hill for a sweep to Guam. On June 13, 1944 participates in a shore bombardment of Saipan to cover mine sweeping operations. On June 14, 1944 continues fire support missions. On June 15, 1944 covers the transports landing on Saipan. Afterwards, provides day screening and night fire support bombardment of shore targets. On June 17, 1944 rejoins Task Force 58 (TF 58) and takes station between TG's 58.7 and 58.3 during the Battle of the Philippine Sea but saw no action as no enemy planes came within range. On June 24, 1944 resumes screening transports off Saipan and fire support duty. On July 11, 1944 departs Saipan and four days later arrives at Eniwetok. On July 18, 1944 departs for Guam On July 22, 1944 arrives off Agat Bay and for three weeks serves as a screen, fire support for shore bombardments and anti-barge patrols. On August 10, 1944 departs via Eniwetok then onward to Pearl Harbor. On August 21, 1944 assigned to the Atlantic Fleet and departs via the Panama Canal to New York for overhaul then joins Task Force 65 (TF 65) and becomes the flagship. Afterwards, escorts Allied convoys from the east coast of the United States to Tunisia. On April 23, 1945 at Casco Bay, Maine when USS Eagle 56 (PE-56) exploded and aids in rescue efforts and depth charges a suspected U-Boat. Resumes escort duty until the surrender of Germany. On June 7, 1945 returns to New York for upkeep and training in the Caribbean then to Maine for training until the end of the Pacific War and World War II. On September 15, 1945 returns to New York and prepared for inactivation. Fate On October 15, 1945 decommissioned. On November 1, 1945 stricken off charge. On December 20, 1946 sold to George Nutman Inc., Brooklyn, NY and afterwards broken up for scrap. Awards Selfridge earned four battle stars for her World War II service. References NARA Destroyer Report Torpedo and Mine Damage and Loss in Action 17 October 1941 to 7 December 1944 May 1, 1945 pages 39-40, Plate VII description, Plate VII drawing, October 6, 1943 NavSource - USS Selfridge (DD-357) Contribute
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