USS Hopkins (DD-6)

The first USS "Hopkins" (DD-6) was a "Bainbridge"-class destroyer in the United States Navy named for Esek Hopkins.

"Hopkins" was launched by Harlin & Hollingsworth Company, Wilmington, Delaware, on 24 April 1902; sponsored by Mrs. Alice Gould Hawes, great great granddaughter of Esek Hopkins; commissioned at Philadelphia Navy Yard on 23 September 1903, Lt. M. M. Taylor commanding.

"Hopkins" sailed from Philadelphia on 12 May 1904, and joined the Fleet at Norfolk. That summer the destroyer deployed with the Coast Squadron for the midshipmen at sea training. During the following 3 years she ranged into the Caribbean Sea, exercising with the Flotilla, engaging in torpedo practice, and Fleet problems. In September 1906, "Hopkins" was present for the Presidential Review off Oyster Bay. On 29 September she and "Lawrence" escorted the President in "Mayflower" to Cape Cod Bay to witness record target practice. In 1907-1908 "Hopkins", as part of the Torpedo Flotilla, accompanied the Atlantic Fleet on a practice cruise to the Pacific. They sailed from Hampton Roads on 2 December 1907, exchanging courtesies at various Mexican and South American ports en route. After target practice in Magdelena Bay, the Flotilla arrived at San Francisco on 6 May 1908, in time for the review of the combined Atlantic and Pacific Fleets by the Secretary of the Navy.

On 1 June June. "Hopkins" joined the Pacific Torpedo Fleet for tactics along the West Coast, at sea training north to Alaskan waters, and south to the coast of Mexico. On 30 April 1917, after the United States entry into World War I, "Hopkins" departed San Diego for the Panama Canal Zone. She performed patrol duty, convoyed submarines and assisted them in torpedo proving. On 3 August she arrived at Hampton Roads, for escort and patrol ranging along the coast to Bermuda.

"Hopkins" entered the Philadelphia Navy Yard on 29 January 1919, and decommissioned there 20 June. She was sold for scrapping on 7 September 1920 to the Denton Shore Lumber Company.

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References

*DANFS|http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/h7/hopkins-i.htm