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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORY AND HERITAGE COMMAND
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WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060

Photo # NH 56376:  USS Benham underway during sea trials, 16 December 1913

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

USS Benham (Destroyer # 49, later DD-49), 1914-1935

USS Benham, a 1036-ton Aylwin class destroyer, was built at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She was commissioned in January 1914 and operated in the western Atlantic until May 1917, the month after the United States entered World War I, when she steamed across the Atlantic to begin anti-submarine patrol and convoy escort service in European waters. Based at Queenstown, Ireland, and after June 1918 at Brest, France, Benham had a number of encounters with German U-boats, but none resulted in confirmed damage to the enemy or in harm to the destroyer. She was, however, seriously damaged in a collision with a British warship.

Returning to the United States early in 1919, Benham operated along the East Coast and in the Caribbean area during the first half of that year, and also cruised to the Azores. Inactive from mid-1919 into 1921, she was formally designated DD-49 in July 1920. Benham returned to completely active status in 1921 and 1922, but was decommissioned in July of the latter year. She was laid up at the Philadelphia Navy Yard until March 1935 and was then scrapped.

USS Benham was named in honor of Rear Admiral Andrew E.K. Benham, USN, (1832-1905).

This page features all the views we have concerning USS Benham (Destroyer # 49, later DD-49).


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 56376

USS Benham
(Destroyer # 49)

Making 31.774 knots during sea trials, 16 December 1913.

U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

Online Image: 58KB; 740 x 610 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 56377

USS Benham
(Destroyer # 49)

Leaving Brest harbor, France, to take escort position, on 22 October 1918.
USS Lamson (Destroyer # 18) is in the left center distance.
Note the pattern camouflage worn by both destroyers.

U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

Online Image: 77KB; 740 x 535 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 105870

USS Benham
(Destroyer # 49)

Seen from astern while in a European harbor, 1918. She is painted in pattern camouflage.
The original photograph is printed on post card ("AZO") stock.

Donation of Dr. Mark Kulikowski, 2008.

U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

Online Image: 46KB; 740 x 480 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 104056

USS Downes
(DD-45), at left, and
USS Benham (DD-49)

At the Norfolk Navy Yard, Portsmouth, Virginia, 5 March 1921.
Photographed Crosby, 324 First Street, Portsmouth, Virginia.

Donation of the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum, 1970.

U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

Online Image: 73KB; 740 x 575 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 103745

USS Benham
(DD-49)

"Leaving port", off the Norfolk Navy Yard, Portsmouth, Virginia, 15 March 1921.
Panoramic photograph by Crosby, 324 First Street, Portsmouth, Virginia.
Note how distorted this photograph is, with the ship appearing much shorter than she actually was.

Donation of the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum, 1970.

U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

Online Image: 74KB; 1200 x 565 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 56378

USS Benham
(Destroyer # 49)

In port with her main deck nearly awash, after she was rammed by HMS Zinnia during World War I. She is tied up between USS Ericsson (Destroyer # 56), at right, and another ship.

Collection of Lieutenant Commander Philip W. Yeatman, USN (Retired).

U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

Online Image: 79KB; 740 x 540 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 103746

USS Benham
(Destroyer # 49)

In port with her main deck nearly awash, after a collision with HMS Zinnia during World War I. She is tied up between USS Ericsson (Destroyer # 56), at right, and another ship.

Collection of Lieutenant Commander Philip W. Yeatman, USN (Retired).

U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

Online Image: 106KB; 515 x 765 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 104057

USS Benham
(DD-49)

Ship's officers and crew posed on her after deck, at the Norfolk Navy Yard, Portsmouth, Virginia, 12 March 1921.
Panoramic photograph by Crosby, 324 First Street, Portsmouth, Virginia.

Donation of the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum, 1970.

U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

Online Image: 82KB; 1200 x 410 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 94774-KN (Color)

"Uncle Sam's Ships"

Cover for sheet music composed and written by Chief Yeoman Daisy May Pratt Erd, USNRF, during World War I. It features the names of 109 U.S. Navy ships, from battleships to tugs and patrol boats.

Donation of Miss G.H. Erd, 1973.

U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

Online Image: 136KB; 585 x 765 pixels

 


NOTES:

  • To the best of our knowledge, the pictures referenced here are all in the Public Domain, and can therefore be freely downloaded and used for any purpose.

  • Some images linked from this page bear obsolete credit lines citing the organization name: "Naval Historical Center". Effective 1 December 2008 the name should be cited as: "Naval History and Heritage Command".


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


    Return to Naval History and Heritage Command home page.

    Page made 30 August 2006
    New image added 15 December 2008