Difference between revisions of "USS Welborn C. Wood"

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{{Specs-Card
 
{{Specs-Card
 
|code=us_destroyer_clemson_welborn_c_wood
 
|code=us_destroyer_clemson_welborn_c_wood
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
+
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|ArtImage_{{PAGENAME}}.png}}
 
}}
 
}}
  
 
== Description ==
 
== Description ==
 
<!-- ''In the first part of the description, cover the history of the ship's creation and military application. In the second part, tell the reader about using this ship in the game. Add a screenshot: if a beginner player has a hard time remembering vehicles by name, a picture will help them identify the ship in question.'' -->
 
<!-- ''In the first part of the description, cover the history of the ship's creation and military application. In the second part, tell the reader about using this ship in the game. Add a screenshot: if a beginner player has a hard time remembering vehicles by name, a picture will help them identify the ship in question.'' -->
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a premium rank {{Specs|rank}} American destroyer {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update "New Power"]].
+
The '''USS Welborn C. Wood (DD-195)''' is a member of the Clemson-class destroyer family. The USS Welborn C. Wood was laid down on September 24, 1918, by the Newport News Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Company in Newport News, Virginia; launched on March 6, 1920; sponsored by Miss Virginia Mary Tate; designated DD-195 during the assignment of alphanumeric hull number designations on July 17, 1920; and commissioned at the Norfolk Navy Yard on January 14, 1921. She served in the United States Coast Guard as USCGD Wood. The Royal Navy renamed her HMS Chesterfield later on. The USS Welborn C. Wood was decommissioned on August 8, 1922, in Philadelphia, after serving with the Atlantic Fleet along the east coast on an ordinary schedule of training and manoeuvres.
 +
 
 +
Introduced in [[Update "New Power"]], the USS Welborn C. Wood is an early destroyer for players who want to explore the US Navy's bluewater fleet. The USS Welborn C. Wood is a great location to start if players are new to destroyer gameplay. She is effective at sinking smaller ships due to the precision of her tiny weaponry. She also has adequate secondary weaponry and reasonable manoeuvrability for her rank. The USS Welborn C. Wood, on the other hand, is unable to deal with other destroyers due to her low firepower and inability to successfully damage them. Furthermore, because shell velocity is limited, long-range contact is difficult. Finally, no anti-aircraft weapons are available, which is a significant disadvantage, especially when opposing aircraft are present during battles.
  
 
== General info ==
 
== General info ==
Line 32: Line 34:
  
 
''Provide information about the characteristics of the primary armament. Evaluate their efficacy in battle based on their reload speed, ballistics and the capacity of their shells. Add a link to the main article about the weapon: <code><nowiki>{{main|Weapon name (calibre)}}</nowiki></code>. Broadly describe the ammunition available for the primary armament, and provide recommendations on how to use it and which ammunition to choose.''
 
''Provide information about the characteristics of the primary armament. Evaluate their efficacy in battle based on their reload speed, ballistics and the capacity of their shells. Add a link to the main article about the weapon: <code><nowiki>{{main|Weapon name (calibre)}}</nowiki></code>. Broadly describe the ammunition available for the primary armament, and provide recommendations on how to use it and which ammunition to choose.''
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
+
 
! colspan="8" | Penetration statistics
+
{{:4 inch/50 Mk.9 (102 mm)/Ammunition|4 inch HC Mk.15, 4 inch SP Common, 4 inch HC Mk.15 (base fuze)}}
|-
 
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
 
! rowspan="2" | Type of<br>warhead
 
! colspan="6" | Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)
 
|-
 
! 1,000 m !! 2,500 m !! 5,000 m !! 7,500 m !! 10,000 m !! 15,000 m
 
|-
 
| 4 inch HC Mk.15 || HE || 16 || 16 || 16 || 16 || 16 || 16
 
|-
 
| 4 inch SP Common || SP Common || 98 || 76 || 51 || 35 || 25 || 21
 
|-
 
| 4 inch HC Mk.15 (base fuze) || HE || 50 || 39 || 26 || 18 || 16 || 16
 
|-
 
|}
 
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
 
! colspan="10" | Shell details
 
|-
 
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
 
! rowspan="2" | Type of<br>warhead
 
! rowspan="2" | Velocity<br>(m/s)
 
! rowspan="2" | Projectile<br>mass (kg)
 
! rowspan="2" | Fuse delay<br>(s)
 
! rowspan="2" | Fuse sensitivity<br>(mm)
 
! rowspan="2" | Explosive mass<br>(TNT equivalent) (g)
 
! colspan="3" | Ricochet
 
|-
 
! 0% !! 50% !! 100%
 
|-
 
| 4 inch HC Mk.15 || HE || 884 || 14.97 || N/A || 0.1 || 1,210 || 79° || 80° || 81°
 
|-
 
| 4 inch SP Common || SP Common || 884 || 14.97 || 0.1 || 5 || 519.4 || 48° || 63° || 71°
 
|-
 
| 4 inch HC Mk.15 (Base Fuze) || HE || 884 || 14.97 || 0.015 || 0.1 || 1,210 || 79° || 80° || 81°
 
|-
 
|}
 
  
 
=== Secondary armament ===
 
=== Secondary armament ===
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''Some ships are fitted with weapons of various calibres. Secondary armaments are defined as weapons chosen with the control <code>Select secondary weapon</code>. Evaluate the secondary armaments and give advice on how to use them. Describe the ammunition available for the secondary armament. Provide recommendations on how to use them and which ammunition to choose. Remember that any anti-air armament, even heavy calibre weapons, belong in the next section. If there is no secondary armament, remove this section.''
 
''Some ships are fitted with weapons of various calibres. Secondary armaments are defined as weapons chosen with the control <code>Select secondary weapon</code>. Evaluate the secondary armaments and give advice on how to use them. Describe the ammunition available for the secondary armament. Provide recommendations on how to use them and which ammunition to choose. Remember that any anti-air armament, even heavy calibre weapons, belong in the next section. If there is no secondary armament, remove this section.''
 +
 +
{{:3 inch/23 Mk.4 (76 mm)/Ammunition|3 inch AA Mk.26, 3 inch Common Mk.3}}
  
 
=== Additional armament ===
 
=== Additional armament ===
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== History ==
 
== History ==
 
<!-- ''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the ship in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the ship and adding a block "/History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Ship-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <code><nowiki><references /></nowiki></code>. This section may also include the ship's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under <code><nowiki>=== In-game description ===</nowiki></code>, also if applicable).'' -->
 
<!-- ''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the ship in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the ship and adding a block "/History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Ship-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <code><nowiki><references /></nowiki></code>. This section may also include the ship's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under <code><nowiki>=== In-game description ===</nowiki></code>, also if applicable).'' -->
USS Welborn C. Wood (DD-195) was a destroyer of the [[Clemson (Family)|Clemson]] class built for the American navy just after the end of World War 1. The ship was among the most advanced destroyers of it’s time when it was commissioned in 1918 and served with the United States navy during the 1920s. She was transferred to the Coast Guard in 1931 as USCGD Wood, and was decommissioned in 1934. After the start of the Second World War, she was recommissioned and eventually transferred to the United Kingdom, where she served as HMS Chesterfield. She served as a convoy escort in WWII before being decommissioned and scrapped in 1948.
+
USS Welborn C. Wood (DD-195) was a destroyer of the [[Clemson (Family)|Clemson-class]] built for the American navy just after the end of World War I. The ship was among the most advanced destroyers of it's time when it was commissioned in 1918 and served with the United States navy during the 1920s. She was transferred to the Coast Guard in 1931 as USCGD Wood, and was decommissioned in 1934. After the start of the Second World War, she was recommissioned and eventually transferred to the United Kingdom, where she served as HMS Chesterfield. She served as a convoy escort in WWII before being decommissioned and scrapped in 1948.
  
 
=== Design and development ===
 
=== Design and development ===
 
The Clemson class was a large class of 156 destroyers built for the United States Navy (USN) just after the end of the First World War. Designed as a follow-up to the previous Wickes class, the ships were the last flush-decked destroyers built for the USN, in that their main deck was level throughout the entire ship. As well, they were the most numerous destroyers to serve in the USN until the introduction of the 175-ship Fletcher class during the Second World War. Welborn C. Wood was laid down in September of 1918 and eventually completed by January of 1921.
 
The Clemson class was a large class of 156 destroyers built for the United States Navy (USN) just after the end of the First World War. Designed as a follow-up to the previous Wickes class, the ships were the last flush-decked destroyers built for the USN, in that their main deck was level throughout the entire ship. As well, they were the most numerous destroyers to serve in the USN until the introduction of the 175-ship Fletcher class during the Second World War. Welborn C. Wood was laid down in September of 1918 and eventually completed by January of 1921.
  
Welborn C. Wood displaced 1215 tons and had a crew complement of 111 officers and men. Her main armament consisted of four 4-inch (100 mm) guns in single mounts, with one at the front, two on side sponsons and one aft. Her initial secondary armament consisted of three 3-inch (76 mm) guns in single mounts, intended for anti-aircraft defence. Finally, the Welborn C. Wood carried twelve 21-inch (533 mm) torpedo tubes in four triple mounts, with six being able to fire to each side. Powered by geared turbines, the ship was capable of 35 knots (65 km/h).
+
Welborn C. Wood displaced 1,215 tons and had a crew complement of 111 officers and men. Her main armament consisted of four 4-inch (100 mm) guns in single mounts, with one at the front, two on side sponsons and one aft. Her initial secondary armament consisted of three 3-inch (76 mm) guns in single mounts, intended for anti-aircraft defence. Finally, the Welborn C. Wood carried twelve 21-inch (533 mm) torpedo tubes in four triple mounts, with six being able to fire to each side. Powered by geared turbines, the ship was capable of 35 knots (65 km/h).
  
 
=== Operational history ===
 
=== Operational history ===
After her commissioning in 1921, the Welborn C. Wood served for a short time in fleet exercises before being placed into reserve due to the relaxed naval demand of the interwar years. However, the introduction of prohibition (preventing individuals from accessing alcohol) resulted in a rise in liquor-smuggling, particularly by sea. As a result, in 1929, the Welborn C. Wood was one of 25 old American destroyers given to the Coast Guard to enforce complete prohibition. She was thus renamed the USCGD Wood, and served on the “rum patrol”, the American destroyer force tasked with stopping ships from illegally importing alcohol. After four years of patrols, the Welborn C. Wood was again placed into reserve in 1934.
+
After her commissioning in 1921, the Welborn C. Wood served for a short time in fleet exercises before being placed into reserve due to the relaxed naval demand of the interwar years. However, the introduction of prohibition (preventing individuals from accessing alcohol) resulted in a rise in liquor-smuggling, particularly by sea. As a result, in 1929, the Welborn C. Wood was one of 25 old American destroyers given to the Coast Guard to enforce complete prohibition. She was thus renamed the USCGD Wood, and served on the "rum patrol", the American destroyer force tasked with stopping ships from illegally importing alcohol. After four years of patrols, the Welborn C. Wood was again placed into reserve in 1934.
  
After the start of war in Europe, the Welborn C. Wood was immediately reactivated to help supplement the American neutrality patrols, mainly to protect the American coastlines and shipping routes. However, in 1940, the American and British signed the Destroyers-for-bases deal. During that time, the British navy was deeply in need for destroyers as the waters around the UK were blockaded by the United Kingdom. As a result, the US agreed to exchange 50 surplus destroyers for 99-year leases on British ports such as Newfoundland and Bermuda. Welborn C. Wood was one of the 50 destroyers and was handed to the British in September of 1940.
+
After the start of war in Europe, the Welborn C. Wood was immediately reactivated to help supplement the American neutrality patrols, mainly to protect the American coastlines and shipping routes. However, in 1940, the American and British signed the Destroyers-for-bases deal. During that time, the British navy was deeply in need for destroyers as the waters around the UK were blockaded by Germany. As a result, the US agreed to exchange 50 surplus destroyers for 99-year leases on British ports such as Newfoundland and Bermuda. Welborn C. Wood was one of the 50 destroyers and was handed to the British in September of 1940.
  
 
After her transfer, Welborn C. Wood was renamed Chesterfield and served in the Atlantic theatre. She was modified for the convoy escort role through the removal of three of her four 100 mm guns and three of her four triple torpedo tubes, which reduced her weight and allowed the fitting of depth charge racks and hedgehog anti submarine mortars. From 1942 to 1943, Chesterfield served in the Atlantic where she escorted several convoys. She attempted to attack the German submarine U-268 with depth charges, but ended up damaging herself with her depth charges and returned to Plymouth for repairs. She was subsequently turned into a target ship for aircraft. She was decommissioned in late 1945, and scrapped in 1948.
 
After her transfer, Welborn C. Wood was renamed Chesterfield and served in the Atlantic theatre. She was modified for the convoy escort role through the removal of three of her four 100 mm guns and three of her four triple torpedo tubes, which reduced her weight and allowed the fitting of depth charge racks and hedgehog anti submarine mortars. From 1942 to 1943, Chesterfield served in the Atlantic where she escorted several convoys. She attempted to attack the German submarine U-268 with depth charges, but ended up damaging herself with her depth charges and returned to Plymouth for repairs. She was subsequently turned into a target ship for aircraft. She was decommissioned in late 1945, and scrapped in 1948.
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;Skins
 
;Skins
 +
 
* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=us_destroyer_clemson_welborn_c_wood Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]
 
* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=us_destroyer_clemson_welborn_c_wood Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]
  
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;Related development
 
;Related development
 +
 
* [[Clemson (Family)]]
 
* [[Clemson (Family)]]
  
Line 139: Line 110:
 
* Helgason, G. (1995). USS Welborn. Retrieved January 26, 2021, from <nowiki>https://uboat.net/allies/warships/ship/2373.html</nowiki>
 
* Helgason, G. (1995). USS Welborn. Retrieved January 26, 2021, from <nowiki>https://uboat.net/allies/warships/ship/2373.html</nowiki>
  
{{ShipManufacturer Newport News Shipbuilding & Drydock Co.}}
+
{{ShipManufacturer Newport News}}
 
{{USA destroyers}}
 
{{USA destroyers}}
 
{{USA premium ships}}
 
{{USA premium ships}}

Latest revision as of 12:36, 5 May 2024

USS Welborn C. Wood
us_destroyer_clemson_welborn_c_wood.png
GarageImage USS Welborn C. Wood.jpg
ArtImage USS Welborn C. Wood.png
USS Welborn C. Wood
AB RB SB
3.3 3.3 3.3
Purchase:250 Specs-Card-Eagle.png
Show in game

Description

The USS Welborn C. Wood (DD-195) is a member of the Clemson-class destroyer family. The USS Welborn C. Wood was laid down on September 24, 1918, by the Newport News Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Company in Newport News, Virginia; launched on March 6, 1920; sponsored by Miss Virginia Mary Tate; designated DD-195 during the assignment of alphanumeric hull number designations on July 17, 1920; and commissioned at the Norfolk Navy Yard on January 14, 1921. She served in the United States Coast Guard as USCGD Wood. The Royal Navy renamed her HMS Chesterfield later on. The USS Welborn C. Wood was decommissioned on August 8, 1922, in Philadelphia, after serving with the Atlantic Fleet along the east coast on an ordinary schedule of training and manoeuvres.

Introduced in Update "New Power", the USS Welborn C. Wood is an early destroyer for players who want to explore the US Navy's bluewater fleet. The USS Welborn C. Wood is a great location to start if players are new to destroyer gameplay. She is effective at sinking smaller ships due to the precision of her tiny weaponry. She also has adequate secondary weaponry and reasonable manoeuvrability for her rank. The USS Welborn C. Wood, on the other hand, is unable to deal with other destroyers due to her low firepower and inability to successfully damage them. Furthermore, because shell velocity is limited, long-range contact is difficult. Finally, no anti-aircraft weapons are available, which is a significant disadvantage, especially when opposing aircraft are present during battles.

General info

Survivability and armour

Armourfront / side / back
Hull16 mm (steel)
Superstructure4 mm (steel)
Number of section7
Displacement1 699 t
Crew150 people

Talk about the vehicle's armour. Note the most well-defended and most vulnerable zones, e.g. the ammo magazine. Evaluate the composition of components and assemblies responsible for movement and manoeuvrability. Evaluate the survivability of the primary and secondary armaments separately. Don't forget to mention the size of the crew, which plays an important role in fleet mechanics. Save tips on preserving survivability for the "Usage in battles" section. If necessary, use a graphical template to show the most well-protected or most vulnerable points in the armour.

Mobility

Speedforward / back
AB79 / 26 km/h
RB65 / 22 km/h

Write about the ship's mobility. Evaluate its power and manoeuvrability, rudder rerouting speed, stopping speed at full tilt, with its maximum forward and reverse speed.

Mobility Characteristics
Game Mode Upgrade Status Maximum Speed (km/h) Turn Time (s) Turn Radius (m)
Forward Reverse
AB Stock ___ ___
Upgraded 79 26
RB/SB Stock ___ ___
Upgraded 65 22

Modifications and economy

Repair cost
AB581 Sl icon.png
RB439 Sl icon.png
Total cost of modifications5 250 Rp icon.png
520 Sl icon.png
Crew training150 Sl icon.png
Experts1 000 Sl icon.png
Aces20 Ge icon.png
Research Aces145 000 Rp icon.png
Reward for battleAB / RB / SB
Talisman.png 2 × 50 / 70 / 50 % Sl icon.png
Talisman.png 2 × 75 / 75 / 75 % Rp icon.png
Modifications
Seakeeping Unsinkability Firepower
Mods new ship hull.png
Dry-Docking
Research:
600 Rp icon.png
Cost:
60 Sl icon.png
60 Ge icon.png
Mods new ship rudder.png
Rudder Replacement
Research:
410 Rp icon.png
Cost:
40 Sl icon.png
40 Ge icon.png
Mods new ship screw.png
Propeller Replacement
Mods new ship engine.png
Engine Maintenance
Research:
960 Rp icon.png
Cost:
95 Sl icon.png
100 Ge icon.png
Mods ship damage control crew.png
Damage Control Division
Mods ship fire control crew.png
Fire Division
Mods engine smoke screen system.png
Smokescreen
Research:
410 Rp icon.png
Cost:
40 Sl icon.png
40 Ge icon.png
Mods ship venting.png
Ventilation
Research:
450 Rp icon.png
Cost:
45 Sl icon.png
45 Ge icon.png
Mods ship anti fragmentation protection.png
Shrapnel Protection
Research:
450 Rp icon.png
Cost:
45 Sl icon.png
45 Ge icon.png
Mods new ship pumps.png
New Pumps
Mods ship ammo wetting.png
Ammo Wetting
Research:
960 Rp icon.png
Cost:
95 Sl icon.png
100 Ge icon.png
Mods aphebc tank.png
102mm_usa_navy_mk16_special_common_ammo_pack
Research:
600 Rp icon.png
Cost:
60 Sl icon.png
60 Ge icon.png
Mods new aux caliber turrets.png
Auxiliary Armament Targeting
Mods he frag base fuse tank.png
102mm_usa_navy_mk15_base_fuze_ammo_pack
Research:
410 Rp icon.png
Cost:
40 Sl icon.png
40 Ge icon.png
Mods new main caliber turrets.png
Primary Armament Targeting
Mods ship rangefinder.png
Improved Rangefinder

Armament

Primary armament

4 х Turret4 inch/50 Mk.9 cannon
Ammunition300 rounds
Vertical guidance-10° / 20°

Provide information about the characteristics of the primary armament. Evaluate their efficacy in battle based on their reload speed, ballistics and the capacity of their shells. Add a link to the main article about the weapon: {{main|Weapon name (calibre)}}. Broadly describe the ammunition available for the primary armament, and provide recommendations on how to use it and which ammunition to choose.

Penetration statistics
Ammunition Type of
warhead
Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)
1,000 m 2,500 m 5,000 m 7,500 m 10,000 m 15,000 m
HC Mk.15 HE 16 16 16 16 16 16
SP Common SP Common 98 76 51 35 25 21
HC Mk.15 (base fuse) HE 50 39 26 18 16 16
Shell details
Ammunition Type of
warhead
Velocity
(m/s)
Projectile
mass (kg)
Fuse delay
(s)
Fuse sensitivity
(mm)
Explosive mass
(TNT equivalent) (g)
Ricochet
0% 50% 100%
HC Mk.15 HE 884 14.97 0 0.1 1,210 79° 80° 81°
SP Common SP Common 884 14.97 0.01 5 519.4 48° 63° 71°
HC Mk.15 (base fuse) HE 884 14.97 0.015 0.1 1,210 79° 80° 81°

Secondary armament

Turret3 inch/23 Mk.4 cannon
Ammunition350 rounds

Some ships are fitted with weapons of various calibres. Secondary armaments are defined as weapons chosen with the control Select secondary weapon. Evaluate the secondary armaments and give advice on how to use them. Describe the ammunition available for the secondary armament. Provide recommendations on how to use them and which ammunition to choose. Remember that any anti-air armament, even heavy calibre weapons, belong in the next section. If there is no secondary armament, remove this section.

Penetration statistics
Ammunition Type of
warhead
Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)
100 m 1,000 m 2,000 m 3,000 m 4,000 m 5,000 m
AA Mk.26 HE-TF 7 7 7 7 7 7
Common Mk.3 Common 58 47 37 30 25 21
Shell details
Ammunition Type of
warhead
Velocity
(m/s)
Projectile
mass (kg)
Fuse delay
(m)
Fuse sensitivity
(mm)
Explosive mass
(TNT equivalent) (g)
Ricochet
0% 50% 100%
AA Mk.26 HE-TF 503 5.9 0 0.1 340 79° 80° 81°
Common Mk.3 Common 503 5.9 1.6 8 62 47° 60° 65°

Additional armament

Setup 112 x 21 in wet-heating Mk.8 torpedo
Main article: 21 in Mk.8 (533 mm)

Describe the available additional armaments of the ship: depth charges, mines, torpedoes. Talk about their positions, available ammunition and launch features such as dead zones of torpedoes. If there is no additional armament, remove this section.

Usage in battles

Describe the technique of using this ship, the characteristics of her use in a team and tips on strategy. Abstain from writing an entire guide – don't try to provide a single point of view, but give the reader food for thought. Talk about the most dangerous opponents for this vehicle and provide recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of playing with this vehicle in various modes (AB, RB, SB).

Pros and cons

Summarise and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in the bulleted list. Try not to use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - use substitutions with softer forms such as "inadequate" and "effective".

Pros:

Cons:

History

USS Welborn C. Wood (DD-195) was a destroyer of the Clemson-class built for the American navy just after the end of World War I. The ship was among the most advanced destroyers of it's time when it was commissioned in 1918 and served with the United States navy during the 1920s. She was transferred to the Coast Guard in 1931 as USCGD Wood, and was decommissioned in 1934. After the start of the Second World War, she was recommissioned and eventually transferred to the United Kingdom, where she served as HMS Chesterfield. She served as a convoy escort in WWII before being decommissioned and scrapped in 1948.

Design and development

The Clemson class was a large class of 156 destroyers built for the United States Navy (USN) just after the end of the First World War. Designed as a follow-up to the previous Wickes class, the ships were the last flush-decked destroyers built for the USN, in that their main deck was level throughout the entire ship. As well, they were the most numerous destroyers to serve in the USN until the introduction of the 175-ship Fletcher class during the Second World War. Welborn C. Wood was laid down in September of 1918 and eventually completed by January of 1921.

Welborn C. Wood displaced 1,215 tons and had a crew complement of 111 officers and men. Her main armament consisted of four 4-inch (100 mm) guns in single mounts, with one at the front, two on side sponsons and one aft. Her initial secondary armament consisted of three 3-inch (76 mm) guns in single mounts, intended for anti-aircraft defence. Finally, the Welborn C. Wood carried twelve 21-inch (533 mm) torpedo tubes in four triple mounts, with six being able to fire to each side. Powered by geared turbines, the ship was capable of 35 knots (65 km/h).

Operational history

After her commissioning in 1921, the Welborn C. Wood served for a short time in fleet exercises before being placed into reserve due to the relaxed naval demand of the interwar years. However, the introduction of prohibition (preventing individuals from accessing alcohol) resulted in a rise in liquor-smuggling, particularly by sea. As a result, in 1929, the Welborn C. Wood was one of 25 old American destroyers given to the Coast Guard to enforce complete prohibition. She was thus renamed the USCGD Wood, and served on the "rum patrol", the American destroyer force tasked with stopping ships from illegally importing alcohol. After four years of patrols, the Welborn C. Wood was again placed into reserve in 1934.

After the start of war in Europe, the Welborn C. Wood was immediately reactivated to help supplement the American neutrality patrols, mainly to protect the American coastlines and shipping routes. However, in 1940, the American and British signed the Destroyers-for-bases deal. During that time, the British navy was deeply in need for destroyers as the waters around the UK were blockaded by Germany. As a result, the US agreed to exchange 50 surplus destroyers for 99-year leases on British ports such as Newfoundland and Bermuda. Welborn C. Wood was one of the 50 destroyers and was handed to the British in September of 1940.

After her transfer, Welborn C. Wood was renamed Chesterfield and served in the Atlantic theatre. She was modified for the convoy escort role through the removal of three of her four 100 mm guns and three of her four triple torpedo tubes, which reduced her weight and allowed the fitting of depth charge racks and hedgehog anti submarine mortars. From 1942 to 1943, Chesterfield served in the Atlantic where she escorted several convoys. She attempted to attack the German submarine U-268 with depth charges, but ended up damaging herself with her depth charges and returned to Plymouth for repairs. She was subsequently turned into a target ship for aircraft. She was decommissioned in late 1945, and scrapped in 1948.

Media

Skins

See also

Related development

External links

References

  • Helgason, G. (1995). USS Welborn. Retrieved January 26, 2021, from https://uboat.net/allies/warships/ship/2373.html


Newport News Shipbuilding & Drydock Co.
Gun Destroyers (DD) 
Clemson-class  USS Welborn C. Wood · HMS Churchill*
Heavy Cruisers (CA) 
Des Moines-class  USS Newport News
Battleships (BB) 
New York-class  USS Texas
New Mexico-class  USS Mississippi
  *USS Herndon in UK service

USA destroyers
Clemson-class  USS Welborn C. Wood · USS Barker · USS Litchfield
Farragut-class  USS Aylwin
Bagley-class  USS Bagley
Porter-class  USS Porter · USS Phelps · USS Moffett
Somers-class  USS Somers · USS Davis
Fletcher-class  USS Fletcher · USS Bennion · USS Cowell
Allen M. Sumner-class  USS Sumner
Gearing-class  USS Gearing · USS Frank Knox
Mitscher-class  USS Mitscher · USS Wilkinson

USA premium ships
Motor torpedo boats  PT-3 · PT-109 · PT-174 · Thunderbolt (PT-556) · PT-658 · PT-811
Motor gun boats  LCM(6) Zippo · USS Douglas · USS Flagstaff
Sub-chasers  Carmi (PC-466)
Destroyers  USS Welborn C. Wood · USS Wilkinson · USS Bennion · USS Cowell · USS Davis · USS Moffett · USS Phelps · USS Frank Knox
Light cruisers  USS Detroit · USS Helena
Heavy cruisers  USS Des Moines
Battleships  USS Arkansas