USS Perry (DD-11) facts for kids

USS Perry, 27.65 knots on speed trials in San Francisco Bay April 30, 1902.
Quick facts for kids History
United States
Name	Perry
Namesake	Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry awarded Congressional Gold Medal
Builder	Union Iron Works, San Francisco
Laid down	19 April 1899
Launched	27 October 1900
Commissioned	4 September 1902
Decommissioned	2 July 1919
Stricken	15 September 1919
Fate	Sold, 3 January 1920 and broken up for scrap
General characteristics
Class and type	Bainbridge-class destroyer
Displacement	420 long tons (430 t) (standard) 592 long tons (601 t) (full load)
Length	245 ft (74.7 m) (pp) 250 ft (76.2 m) (oa)
Beam	23 ft 7 in (7.2 m)
Draft	6 ft 6 in (2.0 m) (mean)
Installed power	4 × Thornycroft boilers 8,000 ihp (6,000 kW)
Propulsion	2 × Vertical triple expansion engines 2 × Propellers
Speed	29 kn (54 km/h; 33 mph) (designed speed)
Complement	3 officers 72 enlisted men
Armament	2 × 3 in (76 mm)/50 caliber guns 5 × 6-pounder (57 mm (2.2 in)) guns 2 × 18 in (457 mm) torpedo tubes

The USS Perry was a special type of ship called a destroyer in the United States Navy. She was the second ship to be named Perry. This ship was named after Oliver Hazard Perry, a famous naval hero. The Perry was part of the Bainbridge class of destroyers.

Building the USS Perry

The Perry started being built on April 19, 1899. She was constructed by Union Iron Works in San Francisco, California. The ship was officially launched on October 27, 1900. A young woman named Miss Maude O'Connor helped launch the ship. The Perry was ready for service and joined the Navy on September 4, 1902.

Before World War I

USS Perry and USS Chicago in Portland during the Lewis and Clark Exposition, June 1905

The Perry was part of the Pacific Torpedo Flotilla. This group of ships was based at Mare Island in California. Her missions took her to many places. She sailed north to Alaska and south along the coast of Mexico. In the fall of 1908, the Perry took part in large fleet exercises near Hawaii.

Helping San Francisco in 1906

One of the most important moments for the Perry happened on April 18, 1906. A huge earthquake hit San Francisco. A terrible fire followed, destroying much of the city. For four days, the crew of the Perry worked hard to help. They fought fires and patrolled areas to stop looting. They also gave medical help to many injured people.

Watching the Mexican Revolution

In 1914, the Perry was sent to watch the naval battles in the Gulf of California. This was during the Mexican Revolution. She was present at the Fourth Battle of Topolobampo. This was the last naval fight of that campaign.

During World War I

When the United States joined World War I, the Perry first patrolled off the California coast. Then, on July 28, 1917, she sailed to Panama. Her job there was to guard the entrance to the very important Panama Canal.

On May 30, 1918, the Perry moved to Key West, Florida. She helped patrol the Florida Keys. After the war ended, she sailed to the Delaware Bay on January 29, 1919. The Perry stayed at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard until she was taken out of service on July 2, 1919. Her name was removed from the Navy's list of ships on September 15, 1919. Finally, on January 5, 1920, she was sold to a company to be taken apart for scrap metal.

Commanding Officers

Some notable officers commanded the USS Perry:

• Frank Herman Schofield: He was a Lieutenant Commander from 1904 to 1905. He later became a Rear Admiral.
• Edgar Brown Larimer: He was a Lieutenant from 1907 to 1909. He also became a Rear Admiral and led the Bureau of Ordnance.
• Harry Adrian McClure: He was a Lieutenant Junior Grade from 1915 to 1916. He later became a Commodore.