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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
805 KIDDER BREESE SE -- WASHINGTON NAVY YARD
WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060

Online Library of Selected Images:
-- U.S. NAVY SHIPS --

USS Cassin (DD-372), 1936-1947

USS Cassin, a 1,500-ton Mahan class destroyer, was built at the Philadelphia Navy Yard, Pennsylvania. Commissioned in August 1936, she operated in the Atlantic and Caribbean into 1938, steaming as far south as Brazil. In early 1938, Cassin went to the Pacific, where she remained for almost all of the rest of her career. She took part in U.S. Fleet exercises, and, as tensions with Japan increased in 1941, cruised in the South Pacific as far west as Australia.

When the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941, Cassin was in drydock at the Pearl Harbor Navy Yard. Bombs and fire severely damaged her, causing her to roll off the blocks and capsize against USS Downes (DD-375), which was alongside. Both of these wrecked destroyers were the subjects of major salvage undertakings over the next months. Though the ship's hull was beyond repair, her machinery and armament were sent to the Mare Island Navy Yard, California, where they were installed in a new hull, which carried the original ship's hull number of DD-372.

The "new" USS Cassin was commissioned in February 1944. She served on escort duties in the Central Pacifc through the summer of 1944, and took part in a bombardment of Marcus Island in early October. During the Battle of Leyte Gulf later in that month, Cassin was part of the escort for the fast carriers' Task Force 38. During the rest of the Pacific War she operated out of the Marianas, bombarding Iwo Jima in November 1944 and January 1945, and playing a supporting role in the conquest of that island during February and March. She survived an encounter with a typhoon in June and was active in the Iwo Jima area into August. USS Cassin was sent to the Atlantic later in 1945 and decommissioned at Norfolk, Virginia, in December. She was sold for scrapping in November 1947.

This page features, or provides links to, all our views of USS Cassin (DD-372).

For additional images of USS Cassin, see:

  • USS Cassin -- Damaged at Pearl Harbor, 7 December 1941; and
  • USS Cassin -- Salvage, December 1941 - February 1942.

    If you want higher resolution reproductions than the digital images presented here, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."

    Click on the small photograph to prompt a larger view of the same image.

    Photo #: NH 97327

    USS Cassin (DD-372)


    Off the Philadelphia Navy Yard, Pennsylvania, 2 February 1937.

    Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center.

    Online Image: 102KB; 740 x 550 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 97328

    USS Cassin (DD-372)


    Off the Philadelphia Navy Yard, Pennsylvania, 2 February 1937.

    Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center.

    Online Image: 74KB; 740 x 600 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 97329

    USS Cassin (DD-372)


    Underway in the Pacific Ocean, 15 December 1939.
    Photographed by O.A. Tunnell.

    Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center.

    Online Image: 86KB; 740 x 525 pixels

     
    Photo #: 19-N-62324

    USS Cassin (DD-372)


    Off the Mare Island Navy Yard, California, 26 February 1944.
    The ship, which had been wrecked in the 7 December 1941 Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, has just completed a total reconstruction, with her original machinery and main battery installed in a new hull and superstructure.

    Photograph from the Bureau of Ships Collection in the U.S. National Archives.

    Online Image: 78KB; 740 x 610 pixels

    Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

     
    Photo #: 19-N-64799

    USS San Diego (CL-53)


    At the Mare Island Navy Yard, California, 9 April 1944, following overhaul. She is painted in camouflage Measure 33, Design 24d.
    In the background are USS Cassin (DD-372) and USS Denver (CL-58).

    Photograph from the Bureau of Ships Collection in the U.S. National Archives.

    Online Image: 111KB; 740 x 615 pixels

    Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

     
    Photo #: 19-N-64801

    USS San Diego (CL-53)


    At the Mare Island Navy Yard, California, 9 April 1944, following overhaul.
    The destroyer in the background is USS Cassin (DD-372).
    Note San Diego's after 5"/38 gun mounts, 40mm quad anti-aircraft machine gun mount and depth charges on her fantail, and floating crane alongside.

    Photograph from the Bureau of Ships Collection in the U.S. National Archives.

    Online Image: 136KB; 595 x 765 pixels

    Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

     
    Photo #: 80-PR-1663

    USS Cassin (DD-372)


    Scene in the crew's mess, circa Autumn 1941.
    Note crewmen's attire, tattoo on the man seated second from left, soup bowls, galvanized pitcher and details of mess tables.

    Photograph from Department of the Navy collections in the U.S. National Archives.

    Online Image: 103KB; 740 x 610 pixels

     
    Photo #: 80-PR-1665

    USS Cassin (DD-372)


    Scene in the crew's mess, circa Autumn 1941.
    Note crewmen's "Short White" uniforms, mess gear and details of mess tables.

    Photograph from Department of the Navy collections in the U.S. National Archives.

    Online Image: 96KB; 740 x 605 pixels

     

    For additional images of USS Cassin, see:

  • USS Cassin -- Damaged at Pearl Harbor, 7 December 1941; and
  • USS Cassin -- Salvage, December 1941 - February 1942.


    If you want higher resolution reproductions than the digital images presented here, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."


    Return to Naval Historical Center home page.

    19 September 2000