USS Hopewell (DD-181)

The first USS "Hopewell" (DD–181) was a "Wickes" class destroyer in the United States Navy following World War I. She was later transferred to the Royal Navy as HMS "Bath" (I-17), a Town class destroyer.

History

Named for Pollard Hopewell, she was launched by Newport News Shipbuilding, Newport News, Virginia 8 June 1918; sponsored by Mrs. Orote Hutcheson; and commissioned 22 March 1919 at Portsmouth, Virginia, Lieutenant Commander R. E. Rodgers in command.

"Hopewell" sailed from Norfolk 19 April 1919 to join the 3d Destroyer Squadron in New England waters, and in May was on observation station off the Azores during the historic crossing of the Atlantic by Navy seaplanes. The destroyer returned to New York 8 June to complete her interrupted fitting out, and rejoined her squadron in August for firing tests. The winter of 1920 was spent on intensive training and target practice in Caribbean waters.

The ship returned to New England in early May, where she remained until September training reservists and engaging in division maneuvers. Arriving Charleston 22 September, "Hopewell" carried out similar operations out of the South Carolina port, returning to New York in May 1921 for reserve training. Sailing from Newport 10 October, the destroyer was placed in reserve at Charleston until 10 April, when she departed for Philadelphia. "Hopewell" decommissioned there 17 July 1922.

She recommissioned 17 June 1940 as America prepared for World War II, and after operating with the Neutrality Patrol off New England arrived Halifax 18 September. She decommissioned 23 September 1940 and was transferred to Great Britain as part of the destroyers-bases exchange.

As HMS "Bath" and HNoMS "Bath"

Renamed HMS "Bath", she was manned by Royal Norwegian Navy sailors, in April 1941. As HNoMS "Bath" she began operation as part of the "Liverpool Escort Force" early in June, but had a very brief subsequent career, being sunk by the German u-boat U-204 on 19 August 1941, while escorting the convoy, OG-71, bound for Gibraltar. She was hit in the engine room with a torpedo and broke in two, sinking in three minutes. Of her 128 crew, only 42 survived.

References

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

External links

* [http://www.geocities.com/Hopewell_1951/HMSBath.htm USS Hopewell Association page for DD-181]
* [http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/sh-usn/usnsh-h/dd181.htm HMS Bath]
* [http://www.uboat.net/allies/warships/ship/4304.html Uboat.net on HNoMS Bath (I 17)]
* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/05/181.htm NavSource Photos]
* [http://www.warsailors.com/freefleet/survivorsb.html#bath List of "Bath" casualties]
* [http://www.uboat.net/ops/convoys/battles.htm?convoy=OG-71 Information on Convoy OG-71]