USS Preston (DD-327)

The fourth USS "Preston" (DD-327) was a "Clemson"-class destroyer in the United States Navy following World War I. She was named for Samuel W. Preston.

History

"Preston" was laid down 19 July 1919 by the Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation, San Francisco, California; launched 7 August 1920; sponsored by Mrs. Josephus Daniels, wife of the Secretary of the Navy; and commissioned 13 April 1921, Cmdr. G. T. Swasey in command.

Following shakedown, the flush-decked destroyer remained on the west coast on temporary duty. Until December, 1921, she conducted exercises out of San Diego, California, then got underway for assignment with the Atlantic Fleet Destroyer Force. With that force for most of her naval career, she operated along the east coast, regularly sailing south for winter exercises in the Caribbean. In June 1925 she interrupted that schedule for a tour with US Naval Forces in European Waters. On that tour she cruised from the waters off Scandinavia to the Mediterranean. In July 1926, she returned to New York and resumed her former schedule of east coast and Caribbean employment.

Fate

"Preston" decommissioned at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 1 May 1930 and was assigned to the Norfolk Navy Yard for strength tests. Her name was struck from the Navy List 6 November 1931 and on 23 August 1932 her hulk was sold for scrap.

See USS|Preston for other ships of this name.

References

*DANFS|http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/p11/preston-iv.htm

External links

*http://www.navsource.org/archives/05/327.htm