USS Luce (DD-99)

The first USS "Luce" (DD-99) was a "Wickes"-class destroyer in the United States Navy during World War I and the years following. She was named in honor of Stephen B. Luce.

History

"Luce" was laid down by Fore River Shipbuilding Corporation, Quincy, Massachusetts, 9 February 1918; launched 29 June 1918; sponsored by Mrs. Boutelle Noyes, daughter of Rear Admiral Luce; and commissioned 11 September 1918, Lieutenant Commander R. C. Parker in command.

"Luce" departed Boston 19 September 1918 and reported to Commander Cruiser Force, Atlantic Fleet, in New York 2 days later. She sailed with Troop Convoy 67 for France 23 September. Upon arrival at the Azores 1 October, she was detached and proceeded to Gibraltar 19 October. "Luce" performed escort and patrol duty in the Mediterranean for the duration of the war.

On 26 November she departed for the Adriatic and for 5 months patrolled the area in cooperation with the Food Commission. After voyaging to the eastern Mediterranean, Aegean, and Black Seas in May and June 1919, she returned to Gibraltar 27 June en route to the United States. She arrived New York 10 July and proceeded to Boston for overhaul.

On 29 October she was transferred to Reserve Squadron 1, Atlantic Fleet, and 18 March 1920 was reclassified Light Mine Layer (DM-4). In April she departed Boston for Newport, Rhode Island, where she operated with the destroyer force until July. On 5 July 1921 she joined Mine Squadron 1, Gloucester, Massachusetts, and participated in tactical exercises until October. After a cruise to the Caribbean in January 1922, "Luce" arrived Philadelphia where she decommissioned 30 June 1922.

"Luce" recommissioned 19 March 1930 and sailed to Panama 18 April where she operated with submarines of the Canal Zone Control Force until May. She returned to the east coast 4 June and trained with Mine Squadron 1 until steaming to Boston where she decommissioned 31 January 1931. "Luce" was sold to Schiavone-Bonomo Corporation, New York, 29 September 1936 and scrapped 13 November 1936.

References

*DANFS|http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/l33/luce-i.htm

External links

* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/05/099.htm NavSource Photos]