- USS Lamson (DD-18)
The first USS "Lamson" (DD–18) was a "Smith" class
destroyer in theUnited States Navy duringWorld War I . She was named for Roswell Hawks Lamson."Lamson" was laid down
18 March 1908 byWilliam Cramp & Sons ,Philadelphia, Pennsylvania .; launched16 June 1909 ; sponsored by Mrs. Henry S. Gore; and commissioned10 February 1910 , Lieutenant CommanderJ. M. Ludy in command.Assigned to the
Atlantic Squadron , "Lamson" operated along the east coast and in theCaribbean from 1910 until 1916 participating in torpedo exercises, fleet maneuvers, and coastal patrol. DepartingKey West, Florida 7 May 1916 , the destroyer arrivedDominican Republic 2 days later to support the U.S. Marines sent by PresidentWoodrow Wilson to protect American interests during the Dominican revolt.She returned to Key West in mid-June before sailing on the 28th for Vera Cruz. She joined other American ships in Mexican waters, as the Mexican political situation was still in turmoil. Following her return to Key West
11 July , "Lamson" operated along the east coast and in theGulf of Mexico until the United States enteredWorld War I .During the early months of the war she patrolled the coastline before preparing for oversea service. Arriving
Ponta Delgada ,Azores ,26 July 1917 , the destroyer performed escort and patrol duty for the next 3 months. "Lamson" departed the Azores6 October for escort operations out of Brest,France . She assisted survivors of "Finland" on28 October after the merchant ship had been torpedoed by a Germansubmarine .The destroyer continued escort and patrol operations for the rest of the war, and aided in the victory of Allied forces by neutralizing the German
U-boat threat to convoys. After theArmistice "Lamson" departed Brest11 December 1918 and arrivedCharleston, South Carolina ,31 December . She decommissioned15 July 1919 and was sold21 November 1919 .References
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