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Photo # NH 54688  Launching of USS Delphy, 18 July 1918

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

USS Delphy (Destroyer # 261, later DD-261), 1918-1923 --
Construction, 1918

USS Delphy was constructed at the Bethlehem Shipbuilding Company's "Victory Destroyer Plant". Located at Squantum, Massachusetts, not far from Quincy, this large facility was built during World War I to mass-produce destroyers on indoor shipways. Delphy was the first of thirty-five Clemson class destroyers completed there in 1918-1920. Laid down on 20 April 1918, she was launched three months later, on 18 July 1918, sponsored by Mrs. William S. Sims, wife of the Admiral then commanding U.S. Naval Forces in Europe. Delphy's commissioning, on 30 November 1918, came three weeks too late for her to participate in First World War operations.

This page features all the views we have related to the construction of USS Delphy (Destroyer # 261).

For other images related to USS Delphy, see:

  • USS Delphy (Destroyer # 261, later DD-261), 1918-1923.


    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 98006

    USS Delphy
    (Destroyer # 261)

    Mrs. William S. Sims (Anne Hitchcock), ship's Sponsor and wife of Admiral William S. Sims, at Delphy's christening ceremonies, Squantum, Massachusetts, 18 July 1918. With her are her daughters Adeline and Margaret, and Rear Admiral Spencer S. Wood, Commandant of the First Naval District.

    Collection of the Society of Sponsors of the United States Navy.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 73KB; 740 x 535 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 54690

    USS Delphy
    (Destroyer # 261)

    Spectators at her launching, at the Bethlehem Steel Company's Victory Destroyer Plant, Squantum, Massachusetts, 18 July 1918.
    Note skiff in the left center and Sailor guards with M1903 "Springfield" rifles at right.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 147KB; 740 x 615 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 54682

    USS Delphy
    (Destroyer # 261)

    Ready for launching, at the Victory Destroyer Plant, Squantum, Massachusetts, 18 July 1918.
    Note that she was launched with her propellers and rudder in place.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 116KB; 595 x 765 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 54686

    USS Delphy
    (Destroyer # 261)

    Sliding into the water during her launching, at the Victory Destroyer Plant, Squantum, Massachusetts, 18 July 1918.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 115KB; 740 x 615 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 54685

    USS Delphy
    (Destroyer # 261)

    Sliding into the water during her launching, at the Victory Destroyer Plant, Squantum, Massachusetts, 18 July 1918.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 137KB; 740 x 620 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 54688

    USS Delphy
    (Destroyer # 261)

    Sliding down the building ways during launching at the Victory Destroyer Plant, Squantum, Massachusetts, 18 July 1918.
    Note the large flag hung across her bow.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 76KB; 590 x 765 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 54683

    USS Delphy
    (Destroyer # 261)

    Comes afloat during her launching, at the Victory Destroyer Plant, Squantum, Massachusetts, 18 July 1918.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 85KB; 740 x 605 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 54689

    USS Delphy
    (Destroyer # 261)

    Afloat just after her launching at the Victory Destroyer Plant, Squantum, Massachusetts, 18 July 1918.
    Note tugs coming alongside and canoes in the foreground.
    The tug Nellie is at left.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 99KB; 740 x 620 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 54687

    USS Delphy
    (Destroyer # 261)

    In charge of tugs, immediately after she was launched at the Victory Destroyer Plant, Squantum, Massachusetts, 18 July 1918.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 102KB; 590 x 765 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 54684

    USS Delphy
    (Destroyer # 261)

    Tugs moving her to a fitting out berth, just after her launching at the Victory Destroyer Plant, Squantum, Massachusetts, 18 July 1918.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 119KB; 740 x 615 pixels

     

    For other images related to USS Delphy, see:

  • USS Delphy (Destroyer # 261, later DD-261), 1918-1923.


    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.

    Page made 25 July 2002