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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
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WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060

Photo # NH 54692:  USS Delphy underway, circa 1920

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

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

USS Delphy, a 1190-ton Clemson class destroyer built at Squantum, Massachusetts, was commissioned at the end of November 1918. She operated in the western Atlantic and the Caribbean area for the next year, taking part in post-World War I anti-submarine experiments and in fleet exercises. In November 1919 Delphy was sent to the Pacific. Based at San Diego, California, she participated in active exercises until June 1920, when she went into reserve. Overhauled at the Puget Sound Navy Yard, Bremerton, Washington in the first half of 1921, Delphy then returned to limited activity out of San Diego.

Back in full service status in early 1923, Delphy steamed south to Panama to take part in Fleet Problem I in February. She cruised along the West Coast during the summer, and on 8 September 1923 left San Francisco on a voyage down the California coast to San Diego. Serving as flagship of Destroyer Squadron ELEVEN, she was the first of seven destroyers to run ashore that evening on fog enshrouded Honda Point, near the entrance to the Santa Barbara Channel. Three of her crewmen lost their lives in this tragedy, which left Delphy a capsized and broken wreck.

This page features, and provides links to, all the views we have related to USS Delphy (DD-261).

For more pictures related to USS Delphy, see:

  • USS Delphy (DD-261) -- Construction, 1918; and
  • USS Delphy (DD-261) -- Wrecked at Honda Point, September 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 98008

    USS Delphy
    (Destroyer # 261)

    Photographed in a U.S. East Coast port, circa November-December 1918.
    Note her camouflage scheme, and her number painted at the base of the forward superstructure.

    Collection of Arthur J. Rozette.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 72KB; 740 x 500 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 98009

    USS Delphy
    (Destroyer # 261)

    At the Boston Navy Yard, Charlestown, Massachusetts, 28 October 1919.
    Photographed by J. Crosby, Naval Photographer, 11 Portland St., Boston, Mass.
    Note the open face of this destroyer's pilothouse.

    Courtesy of the Naval Historical Foundation. Crosby Collection.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 49KB; 740 x 300 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 54692

    USS Delphy (DD-261)


    Underway, circa 1920, before being fitted with an enlarged deckhouse to carry her after 4"/50 gun.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 89KB; 740 x 605 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 69328

    USS Delphy (DD-261)


    In a West Coast port, 1921.
    Note Matson Navigation Company building in the left distance.

    Courtesy of ESKC Joseph L. Aguillard, USNR, 1969.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 56KB; 740 x 465 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 54691

    USS Delphy (DD-261)


    Hauled out on the marine railway at the Boston Navy Yard, Massachusetts, 1919.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 116KB; 740 x 610 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 45289

    USS Delphy (DD-261)


    Hauled out on the marine railway at the Boston Navy Yard, Massachusetts, in 1919.
    Note her starboard propeller and rudder. She carries a 3"/23 anti-aircraft gun atop her after deckhouse and has no 4"/50 gun or depth charge racks fitted on her stern.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 99KB; 740 x 605 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 50325

    Destroyers refitting at the Mare Island Navy Yard, California


    View taken circa 1921-22. Many of these ships are being modified to place the after 4"/50 gun atop an enlarged after deckhouse. Ships present are identified in Photo # NH 50325 (complete caption).

    Collection of Rear Admiral Ammen Farenholt, USN (MC), 1932.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 114KB; 740 x 510 pixels

     

    For more pictures related to USS Delphy, see:

  • USS Delphy (DD-261) -- Construction, 1918; and
  • USS Delphy (DD-261) -- Wrecked at Honda Point, September 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 24 July 2002