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

Photo # NH 59880:  USS Balch at anchor, circa 1915-1916

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

USS Balch (Destroyer # 50, later DD-50), 1914-1935.
Renamed DD-50 in 1933

USS Balch, a 1036-ton Aylwin class destroyer built at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was placed in commission in March 1914. She served along the U.S. Atlantic Coast during the next three years. In October and November 1917, several months after the United States entered World War I, Balch steamed across the Atlantic to Queenstown, Ireland. Based at that port during the remainder of the conflict, she conducted convoy and patrol operations in southwestern British waters, helping to protect shipping against German U-boats. In January and May 1918 the destroyer twice engaged enemy submarines and in November of that year rescued survivors of a sinking merchant ship. She was also damaged aft in a 20 October 1918 collision with USS Paulding but was repaired in a few weeks.

Balch returned to the U.S. soon after the 11 November 1918 Armistice brought the fighting to an end. Though not usually active during the post-war years, in the spring of 1919 she took part in fleet maneuvers in the Caribbean and in 1921 operated along the Atlantic coast. Decommissioned in June 1922, Balch was laid up at the Philadelphia Navy Yard. She lost her name in November 1933, becoming just DD-50, and was scrapped in 1935.

USS Balch was named in honor of Rear Admiral George B. Balch, USN, (1821-1908).

This page features all the views we have concerning USS Balch (Destroyer # 50, later DD-50).


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 103740

USS Balch
(Destroyer # 50)

Underway at high speed, while running trials, probably on 22 February 1914.
The original image was printed on postal card ("AZO") stock bearing the name and address of John W. Dawson, Marine Photographer, 2209 Richmond St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Collection of Lieutenant Commander Abraham DeSomer, USN.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 43KB; 740 x 465 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 56319

USS Balch
(Destroyer # 50)

Steaming at 12.337 knots during Run # 21 of her trials, 22 February 1914.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 52KB; 740 x 535 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 59880

USS Balch
(Destroyer # 50)

At anchor, circa 1915-1916.

Courtesy of Captain C.J. Moore, USN.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 44KB; 740 x 445 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 100429

USS Balch
(Destroyer # 50)

Moored in European waters, circa 1917 or early 1918.
Note her camouflage scheme.

Courtesy of Ted Stone, 1985.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 48KB; 740 x 500 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 88085

USS Balch
(Destroyer # 50)

Underway in 1918, while serving in the European war zone.
Note her "dazzle" camouflage.
Photographed by Shaffer.

Courtesy of Donald M. McPherson, 1978.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 67KB; 740 x 485 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 56320

USS Balch
(Destroyer # 50)

Underway with her sea detail on deck, 26 February 1919.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 52KB; 740 x 550 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 103514-D

USS Balch
(DD-50)

In the North River off New York City, 20 May 1921.
Cropped from NH 103514, a panoramic photograph by Himmel and Tyner, New York.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 48KB; 740 x 545 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 76420

U.S. Atlantic Fleet at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, circa 1916-1917


Third section from right (of six) of a panoramic photograph taken from the Naval Station radio tower.
Among the ships present are: destroyer Balch (left center) and hospital ship Solace (right foreground).
See Photo # s NH 76415 and NH 76416 for a reproduction of the entire original panoramic image.

Courtesy of the Naval Historical Foundation, Washington, D.C. Donation of MMC Jesse Forton, USN (Retired), 1972.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 97KB; 740 x 555 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 103514

Destroyer Squadron 14


In the North River, off New York City, 20 May 1921.
Panoramic photograph by Himmel and Tyner, New York.
U.S. Navy ships present are (from left to right):
USS Cummings (DD-44);
USS Wainwright (DD-62);
USS Parker (DD-48);
USS Balch (DD-50);
USS McDougal (DD-54);
USS Ericsson (DD-56); and
USS Dixie (AD-1), squadron flagship.
Note what appears to be a yacht club in the lower left.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 86KB; 1200 x 340 pixels

NOTE:
Photo #s NH 103514-A; NH 103514-B; NH 103514-C; NH 103514-D; NH 103514-E; NH 103514-F and NH 103514-G are cropped from the original print for NH 103514.

 


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


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Page made 29 August 2006