Pictorial—“A Destroyer Named Smith"

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“For outstanding performance during action against enemy Japanese forces off Santa Cruz Islands, October 26, 1942. Although a hostile torpedo plane crashed on her forecastle and exploded at the height of battle, the Smith, with her forward topside abandoned and aflame, gallantly held to her screening position on an aircraft carrier and fought off attacking planes until the fire could be extinguished. Her survival is a distinctive tribute to the invincible fighting spirit of her officers and men.”

For the President,
/s/ Frank Knox
Secretary of the Navy.

On 27 October 1934, the keel of the USS Smith (DD-378) was truly and fairly laid at the Navy Yard, Mare Island, California. It was a special ceremony, appropriate to the observation of Navy Day, with the Smith’s sister, the USS Preston (DD-379), being laid down with her in the adjacent shipway. Construction was authorized under an NIRA^[*] Executive Order of 16 June 1933 and in accordance with the terms of the 1930 London Naval Treaty.

The DD-378 was the second ship to bear the name; the first being DD-17, a four-piper with raised forecastle commissioned in 1909. They were named in honor of Lieutenant Joseph Bryant Smith, USN, who was the senior officer on board the U. S. Frigate Congress when she was attacked and sunk by the CSS Virginia (ex-USS Merrimack) on 8 March 1862. Lieutenant Smith was killed during the engagement.

The Mahan-class (DD-364-379) were the first destroyers authorized after World War I. The Farragut (DD-348-355) and Porter (DD-356-363) classes, though not begun until 1932 and 1933, were actually authorized in 1916. About 200 four-pipers remained from World War I, but those in service were becoming weary, and rust was taking its toll of those in reserve. This construction was to be the first replacement for overage destroyers. It would also help to reestablish shipbuilding skills and ease some of the unemployment of the Depression period.

The hull design featured a stem with a slight rake and a modest bulbous bow to reduce resistance and increase hull efficiency at higher speeds. A raised forecastle extended aft about one-third the length of the ship with the break adjacent to the superstructure. A short skeg supported the after portion of the hull and, underneath the round, full fantail, was a single balanced rudder on the centerline, and two propellers.

Details of the superstructure and other external design features are evident from the accompanying drawing.

The hull was divided into three main compartments: The A section forward with two platform decks, B section amidships for machinery, and the C section aft with one platform deck. Officer and CPO accommodation and crew’s messing were forward while crew accommodations were aft. The machinery section was divided into three spaces. Four boilers were located forward in two fire rooms, supplying steam to two main engines occupying the remaining space aft.

When commissioned in 1936, the Smith was assigned to DesDiv 4 of DesRon 2, San Diego. The Smith was with DesRon 5 at Mare Island when war came. After an intensified training period, she departed the San Francisco Bay area for the Western Pacific. In the four years that followed, the Smith participated in six major operations, receiving the Presidential Unit Citation. The outstanding performance of her crew possibly made her the most decorated ship in the U. S. Navy.

Some of the memorable moments in the life of the USS Smith (DD-378) have been captured by the camera and are presented on the following pages.

NUMBER OF “STAR” OPERATIONS PARTICIPATED IN.

STATISTICAL DATA

[Line drawing of starboard side]

In the months following her keel-laying, the many plates and shapes from the rolling mills are fashioned into beams, girders, bulkheads and decks. Some are made into sub-assemblies in the shops and others are assembled in position until a definite shape can be seen emerging.

As soon as the ship is complete enough to be in a stable condition in the water, preparations are made for the launching. Operations proceed in an exact sequence since the entire weight of the ship must be transferred from the hundreds of pieces of shoring to the poppets which slide on the shipway.

After launching, the tedious job of outfitting commences. The superstructure must be finished, armament installed and furniture and gear placed on board. The entire ship must be painted and the countless valves, pipes, cables, and compartments must be labeled.

1. Construction progress of the Smith and Preston on 4 January 1935. Smith is on the right. The complete length of the keel of both ships is in place and the machinery spaces are formed.

2. Mean high tide, 20 February 1936—a ship is born.

3. Final hull inspection is being made. Note workman inspecting the sea chest for underwater sound equipment. Main armament is installed and gun shields will be fabricated in place.

4. Two days after commissioning, the Smith looks fine and trim. Her light condition indicates that ammunition, fuel, and stores have not yet been taken aboard.

5. Two years after commissioning, the Smith operates with DesRon 5 at San Francisco.

[accompanying numbered photographs]

The first major alterations that affected the appearance of the Smith were made in 1941. Early radar was available to some ships outfitting in the states, and the new 20-mm. Oerlikon was now ready. To accommodate the new armament and gear, every effort was made to reduce weight topside.

1. Early model air search radar was fitted to a new foremast, and the bridge has been extended on the first superstructure level. Starboard anchor and port whaleboat have been removed in this photo, taken 13 January 1942.

2. In July 1942, new 20-mms. have been installed aft of the former location of the No. 3 3-inch gun mount which has also been removed.

3. The bridge has been extended forward, to provide ready service and gun crew shelter space on top of which a 20-mm. is installed.

4. On 28 July 1942, the Smith stands out of Mare Island for operations in the Western Pacific.

[accompanying numbered photographs]

On 26-27 October 1942, the Smith participated in the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands. As part of the screen for the Enterprise (CV-6) and South Dakota (BB-57), the Smith was hit by a lone Japanese torpedo bomber still carrying her torpedo. In this action, the South Dakota received the nickname “Battleship-X” for her efficient anti-aircraft gunnery (Proceedings cover February 1963). The Smith earned the Presidential Unit Citation.

1. The Smith is shown escorting the Enterprise only minutes before being hit. Opening photo, page 70, shows explosion at the moment of impact of the Japanese suicide plane.

2. With her fo’c’s’le ablaze, the Smith, controlled from her secondary conning station, closed the South Dakota. Photo was taken from the South Dakota.

3. The Smith was maneuvered close to the stem of the South Dakota and through her wake, which quenched the fires that were raging out of control. Close-up of damage shows evidence of the intense heat. Nevertheless, the Smith maintained her station for the remainder of the action.

4. Soon afterwards, the Smith returned to the States for repairs, and is shown departing again for the Western Pacific 25 January 1943.

[accompanying numbered photographs]

In June 1944, the Smith completed her last major overhaul and departed Mare Island for the Western Pacific and the liberation of the Philippines. During 1944, “confusion”-type camouflage, Measure 32-Medium Pattern System, was applied to most vessels operating in the Pacific. It afforded the greatest protection against recognition and made determination of the target angle difficult.

1. The Smith leaving Mare Island Navy Yard 12 June 1944 for post-overhaul trials. Note that new air search and fire control radar has been installed.

2. Different camouflage patterns were applied to each side of the ship to produce different target angle effects.

3. Camouflage patterns were carried across the bow which made approach angles difficult to determine.

4. The stem was usually painted a medium shade of gray to blend in with the wake.

5. Additional 20-mm. armament and the new radar are clearly visible in this view.

6. The 20-mms. on the after shelter deck have been replaced by twin 40-mms. and their directors. Note the secondary conning station.

7. At Pearl Harbor, en route to the West Coast, the Smith is met by a tug to assist her in berthing for her brief stay. Note boom on fo’c’s’le for handling paravanes for minesweeping. Many destroyers were so equipped after the war to assist in the monumental job of clearing the sea lanes. This aerial view was seen by many Japanese planes. Her guns now silent, the Smith stands out of Pearl Harbor en route home to her appointment with the Reserve fleet and the junkman’s torch.

[accompanying numbered photographs]

PRINCIPAL REFERENCES

Navy Department Archives
Navy Department Library
Navy Department Naval History Division
All photographs are official U. S. Navy from the personal collection of the author.

[*] National Industrial Recovery Act