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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 Shaw (DD-373), 1936-1946

USS Shaw, a 1,500-ton Mahan class destroyer built at the Philadelphia Navy Yard, Pennsylvania, was commissioned in September 1936. She made a trans-Atlantic shakedown cruise in 1937, steamed to South America in mid-1938, and transfered to the Pacific soon thereafter. Operations along the west coast and in Hawaiian waters followed in 1939-41. When the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941, Shaw was in drydock at the Navy Yard there. Enemy bombs set her afire and her forward magazines exploded, severing her bow and wrecking her bridge area.

However, Shaw's midships and stern portions were still essentially intact. Following temporary repairs at Pearl Harbor, in February 1942 she went to the Mare Island Navy Yard for a new bow and general overhaul. When this work was completed in late June 1942, Shaw spent several months in training and convoy escort duties. Sent to the South Pacific in October 1942, she participated in the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands late in that month. While supporting the Guadalcanal Campaign, she ran aground at New Caledonia on 10 January 1943, requiring a trip to Pearl Harbor for extensive repairs.

Shaw returned to the war zone in October 1943 and took part in operations around New Guinea and New Britain. She was hit in an air attack off Cape Gloucester on 26 December 1943. After repair of that damage, she operated in the Central Pacific, including participation in the invasion of Guam. From October 1944 into 1945, Shaw escorted Western Pacific convoys and help liberate Luzon and other parts of the Philippines. When the Pacific war ended in August 1945, Shaw had just completed another overhaul, including major enhancement of her anti-aircraft armament. However, she was too old for retention in the post-war fleet and was sent to the U.S. east coast for inactivation. Decommissioned in October 1945, USS Shaw was scrapped in July 1946.

This page features all our pre-World War II views of USS Shaw, plus a few taken during the 7 December 1941 Pearl Harbor Raid, and provides links to virtually all our other images of this ship.

For other views of USS Shaw, see:

  • USS Shaw during the Pearl Harbor Attack;
  • Pearl Harbor Attack Damage to USS Shaw;
  • USS Shaw -- Temporary Repair of Pearl Harbor Attack Damage, January-February 1942;
  • USS Shaw -- Views taken in 1942-46;
  • USS Shaw -- On Board and Close-up Views.

    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 97419

    USS Shaw (DD-373)


    Off the Philadelphia Navy Yard, Pennsylvania, 26 January 1937.

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

    Online Image: 78KB; 740 x 570 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 97418

    USS Shaw (DD-373)


    Off the Philadelphia Navy Yard, Pennsylvania, 26 January 1937.

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

    Online Image: 71KB; 740 x 580 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 97420

    USS Shaw (DD-373)


    Entering Rio de Janeiro harbor, Brazil, 1 September 1938.
    Taken by a USS Enterprise (CV-6) photographer.

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

    Online Image: 107KB; 740 x 615 pixels

     
    Photo #: 80-G-K-14467 (Color)

    Destroyer Division Six, Destroyer Squadron Three (DesDiv6, DesRon3)

    At San Diego, California, in October 1941. Ships are (from inboard):
    USS Clark (DD-361), Squadron flagship;
    USS Case (DD-370), Division flagship;
    USS Cummings (DD-365);
    USS Shaw (DD-373);
    USS Tucker (DD-374).
    Note that these destroyers are painted in at least two different camouflage schemes.
    There is a tuna boat passing in the background.

    Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

    Online Image: 82KB; 740 x 520 pixels

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

     
    Photo #: 80-G-474789

    Pearl Harbor Attack, 7 December 1941


    View from Pier 1010, looking toward the Pearl Harbor Navy Yard's drydocks, with USS Shaw (DD-373) -- in floating drydock YFD-2 -- and USS Nevada (BB-36) burning at right, 7 December 1941.
    In the foreground is the capsized USS Oglala (CM-4), with USS Helena (CL-50) further down the pier, at left. Beyond Helena is Drydock Number One, with USS Pennsylvania (BB-38) and the burning destroyers Cassin (DD-372) and Downes (DD-375).

    Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

    Online Image: 119KB; 740 x 610 pixels

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

     
    Photo #: 80-G-32580

    Pearl Harbor Attack, 7 December 1941


    View looking toward the Pearl Harbor Navy Yard from Ford Island, with a dredge in the middle distance, 7 December 1941.
    USS Downes (DD-375) and USS Cassin (DD-372) are burning in the front of Drydock Number One, center, with USS Pennsylvania (BB-38) also in the dock, at left center. USS Shaw (DD-373) is burning at right.

    Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

    Online Image: 75KB; 740 x 605 pixels

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

     

    For other views of USS Shaw, see:

  • USS Shaw during the Pearl Harbor Attack;
  • Pearl Harbor Attack Damage to USS Shaw;
  • USS Shaw -- Temporary Repair of Pearl Harbor Attack Damage, January-February 1942;
  • USS Shaw -- Views taken in 1942-46;
  • USS Shaw -- On Board and Close-up Views.


    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.

    5 November 2000