USS Roe (DD-24)

The first USS "Roe" (DD-24) was a Sclass|Paulding|destroyer in the United States Navy during World War I, and later in the United States Coast Guard designated CG-18. She was named for Francis Asbury Roe.

"Roe" was laid down 18 January 1909 by the Newport News Shipbuilding Company, Newport News, Virginia; launched 24 July 1909; sponsored by Mrs. Reynold T. Hall; and commissioned 17 September 1910, Lieutenant C. H. Woodward in command.

Following commissioning, "Roe" conducted exercises in the Norfolk, Virginia area until December with one interruption, a voyage to Newport, Rhode Island, and back in early November. On 17 December she got underway for Key West and winter exercises in the Gulf of Mexico. With the spring, she returned to Norfolk and until January 1913 remained active off the mid-Atlantic and southern New England sea coasts. From January to April 1913, she participated in maneuvers in the Caribbean, then, into the fall, operated off New England. On 30 October, she arrived at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania where she was placed in reserve 3 November. In March 1914 she was assigned to the newly organized Reserve Torpedo Flotilla and until World War I rotated between reserve and active duty with the Atlantic Fleet. During the late summer and fall of 1914, she operated off the mid-Atlantic seaboard and from February to April 1915 again participated in winter maneuvers in the Caribbean. During the summer she was off southern New England; and, in November, she put into Charleston, South Carolina, where she was given a reduced complement status.

In March 1917, "Roe", fully manned, was placed in full commission status. With the new month, April, she was assigned to Squadron 2, Division 5, Patrol Force and ordered to assist Treasury and Labor Department officials at Wilmington, North Carolina, in preventing the destruction or escape of German merchant vessels. On the 6th, as the United States entered World War I, she sent an armed guard on board "Hohenfelde" (see "Long Beach" (AK-9)).

At mid month "Roe" was transferred to Newport, whence she conducted antisubmarine patrols and carried out escort assignments for the next 6 months. On 9 November, she sailed for France where for the next year, she performed coastal patrol and escort duty.

On 5 November 1918, "Roe" departed Brest for the United States. She arrived at New York 1 December and at midmonth she returned to Charleston where she remained until July 1919. She then proceeded to Philadelphia where she was decommissioned 1 December and berthed with the Reserve Fleet.

Designated DD-24 on 17 July 1920, "Roe" was activated in 1924 and transferred to the Treasury Department. From 7 June 1924 to 18 October 1930, she was operated by the United States Coast Guard. Based in Stapleton, New York, she served as part of the Rum Patrol.

On her return to the Navy, she was again berthed at League Island where she remained until sold for scrap 2 May 1934 in accordance with the terms of the London Naval Treaty.

ee also

*List of United States Navy destroyers