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USS Semmes (DDG-18)

USS Semmes (DDG-18), was the second Navy ship named for Commander (USN), Rear Admiral (CSN), Brigadier General (CSA) Raphael Semmes (1809–1877). Semmes was a Charles F. Adams-class guided-missile destroyer of the United States Navy. Entering service in 1962, Semmes spent most of her career in the Atlantic and Mediterranean theaters. Decommissioned in 1991, Semmes was transferred to the Hellenic Navy and renamed Kimon. The destroyer was decommissioned for the final time in 2004 and sold for scrap in 2006.

USS Semmes at Charleston in 1988
History
United States
NameSemmes
NamesakeRaphael Semmes
Ordered21 July 1959
BuilderAvondale Marine Ways, Inc.
Laid down15 August 1960
Launched20 May 1961
Acquired30 November 1962
Commissioned10 December 1962
Decommissioned14 April 1991
Stricken14 April 1991
Identification
MottoDare to Excel
FateSold to Greece, 13 September 1991
Badge
Greece
NameKimon
NamesakeKimon
Commissioned13 September 1991
Decommissioned17 June 2004
IdentificationHull number: D218
FateScrapped, Fall 2006
General characteristics
Class and typeCharles F. Adams-class destroyer
Displacement3,277 tons standard, 4,526 full load
Length437 ft (133 m)
Beam47 ft (14 m)
Draft15 ft (4.6 m)
Propulsion
Speed33 knots (61 km/h; 38 mph)
Range4,500 nautical miles (8,300 km) at 20 knots (37 km/h)
Complement354 (24 officers, 330 enlisted)
Sensors and
processing systems
  • AN/SPS-39 3D air search radar
  • AN/SPS-10 surface search radar
  • AN/SPG-51 missile fire control radar
  • AN/SPG-53 gunfire control radar
  • AN/SQS-23 Sonar and the hull mounted SQQ-23 Pair Sonar for DDG-2 through 19
  • AN/SPS-40 Air Search Radar
Armament

Construction and career edit

Semmes was laid down by Avondale Marine Ways, Inc. at Avondale, Louisiana on 15 August 1960 and launched on 20 May 1961 by Mrs. Felix Edward Hébert. Semmes was commissioned on 10 December 1962.

Following shakedown, Semmes joined Destroyer Division (DesDiv) 62, Destroyer Squadron (DesRon) 6, at Charleston, South Carolina, in July 1963; and, into the summer of 1964, participated in various fleet exercises in the Atlantic and Caribbean. After September 7, 1964 she sailed east for a six-week NATO exercise, "Masterstroke/Teamwork," in the North Atlantic-Norwegian Sea area; and, on 22 September, she crossed the Arctic Circle. Two months later, on 28 November, she deployed to the Mediterranean for her first tour, of four months, with the 6th Fleet. She returned to Charleston in time to participate in the 2nd Fleet's exercises during the spring of 1965. She then took part in support operations off the Dominican Republic.

From February to July 1966, the guided missile destroyer conducted her second tour with the 6th Fleet; and, on her return to the United States, changed her home port from Charleston to Norfolk, Virginia, effective 1 August, in anticipation of her first major overhaul at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard. In April 1967, Semmes resumed operations with refresher training in the Caribbean. In July, she rejoined DesRon 6 at Charleston; and, in August, she deployed for her third tour with the 6th Fleet. She participated in fleet and NATO exercises into January 1968; then returned to Charleston, arriving on 31 January for a month's rest before resuming operations in the Caribbean and off the east coast.

On 10 June, Semmes again sailed east. During that month and into July, she visited Germany and Denmark; then turned south for another 6th Fleet deployment. On 15 November, she was relieved by the destroyer USS John King at Rota, Spain; and, 11 days later, she returned to Charleston where she remained in port for the rest of the year.

In January 1969, she cleared Charleston to participate in ASW and "Springboard" exercises in the Puerto Rican operating area; then returned to her homeport. In April, she returned to the Caribbean for 2d Fleet exercises.

1970s edit

Through the summer, Semmes continued to conduct exercises in the Caribbean and off the southeastern seaboard. In late September, she again crossed the Atlantic for a seven-month deployment with the 6th Fleet; and, on 10 February 1970, while moored at Naples, she was struck by the Greek freighter, SS Mautric. The damage sustained to her bow was quickly repaired; and, before the end of the month, she had resumed operations. By mid-March, she had arrived at Barcelona for turnover with USS Conyngham. On 18 March she departed the Mediterranean; and, on 28 March, she returned to Charleston.

During 1971, her schedule remained basically the same; but her annual tour with the 6th Fleet, 16 July to 11 October, was followed by visits to the Netherlands and to Denmark for bi-national and NATO operations. On 20 December, Semmes returned to South Carolina; and, in January 1972, she entered the Charleston Naval Shipyard for conversion of her engineering plant to the Navy Distillate Fuel Oil System. With the spring, she resumed operations off the east coast and in the Caribbean. In September, she participated in NATO exercise "Strong Express," which again took her above the Arctic Circle and which was followed by visits to Norway and Denmark. In October, she returned to Charleston. In November, she conducted exercises in the Caribbean; and, in December, she prepared for another deployment in the Mediterranean with NATO's Standing Naval Force, Atlantic.

After sea trials in the Charleston operating area, Semmes got underway from that port on 4 January 1973. She arrived in Portsmouth, England, on 15 January, joining the NATO naval force there. For the next seven months, the guided missile destroyer cruised the Atlantic visiting ports on both sides of that ocean and participating in three exercises: NATO Exercise "Sunny Seas", in January and February; Canadian Exercise MARCOT 2/73, in April and May; and Norwegian Exercise "Midnight Sun" in June. On 1 July, Semmes changed operational control back to the 2d Fleet and, nine days later, returned to Charleston.

Following a month of post-deployment standdown, from 10 July until 10 August, she resumed operations along the eastern seaboard and in the Caribbean. In November and December, she took part in Exercises "Fun in the Sun" and LANTREADEX 2–74. Semmes reentered Charleston on 19 December to prepare for overhaul.

Greek service edit

Semmes was decommissioned and stricken from the Naval Vessel Register on 14 April 1991, sold to Greece on 13 September 1991 and renamed Kimon. She was decommissioned on 17 June 2004, placed in reserve at Souda Bay, Crete until scrapped fall 2006.

External links edit

  • USS Semmes DDG-18 Association

References edit

semmes, other, ships, with, same, name, semmes, second, navy, ship, named, commander, rear, admiral, brigadier, general, raphael, semmes, 1809, 1877, semmes, charles, adams, class, guided, missile, destroyer, united, states, navy, entering, service, 1962, semm. For other ships with the same name see USS Semmes USS Semmes DDG 18 was the second Navy ship named for Commander USN Rear Admiral CSN Brigadier General CSA Raphael Semmes 1809 1877 Semmes was a Charles F Adams class guided missile destroyer of the United States Navy Entering service in 1962 Semmes spent most of her career in the Atlantic and Mediterranean theaters Decommissioned in 1991 Semmes was transferred to the Hellenic Navy and renamed Kimon The destroyer was decommissioned for the final time in 2004 and sold for scrap in 2006 USS Semmes at Charleston in 1988History United States NameSemmes NamesakeRaphael Semmes Ordered21 July 1959 BuilderAvondale Marine Ways Inc Laid down15 August 1960 Launched20 May 1961 Acquired30 November 1962 Commissioned10 December 1962 Decommissioned14 April 1991 Stricken14 April 1991 IdentificationCallsign NGMV Hull number DDG 18 MottoDare to Excel FateSold to Greece 13 September 1991 Badge Greece NameKimon NamesakeKimon Commissioned13 September 1991 Decommissioned17 June 2004 IdentificationHull number D218 FateScrapped Fall 2006 General characteristics Class and typeCharles F Adams class destroyer Displacement3 277 tons standard 4 526 full load Length437 ft 133 m Beam47 ft 14 m Draft15 ft 4 6 m Propulsion2 General Electric steam turbines providing 70 000 shp 52 MW 2 shafts 4 Combustion Engineering 1 275 psi 8 790 kPa boilers Speed33 knots 61 km h 38 mph Range4 500 nautical miles 8 300 km at 20 knots 37 km h Complement354 24 officers 330 enlisted Sensors and processing systemsAN SPS 39 3D air search radar AN SPS 10 surface search radar AN SPG 51 missile fire control radar AN SPG 53 gunfire control radar AN SQS 23 Sonar and the hull mounted SQQ 23 Pair Sonar for DDG 2 through 19 AN SPS 40 Air Search Radar Armament1 x Mk 13 single arm missile launcher DDG 15 24 for RIM 24 Tartar SAM system or later the RIM 66 Standard SM 1 and Harpoon anti ship missile 2 5 in 127 mm 54 caliber Mark 42 gun 1 RUR 5 ASROC launcher 4 12 8 in 325 mm ASW torpedo tubes 2 x Mk 32 surface vessel torpedo tubes Contents 1 Construction and career 1 1 1970s 1 2 Greek service 2 External links 3 ReferencesConstruction and career editSemmes was laid down by Avondale Marine Ways Inc at Avondale Louisiana on 15 August 1960 and launched on 20 May 1961 by Mrs Felix Edward Hebert Semmes was commissioned on 10 December 1962 Following shakedown Semmes joined Destroyer Division DesDiv 62 Destroyer Squadron DesRon 6 at Charleston South Carolina in July 1963 and into the summer of 1964 participated in various fleet exercises in the Atlantic and Caribbean After September 7 1964 she sailed east for a six week NATO exercise Masterstroke Teamwork in the North Atlantic Norwegian Sea area and on 22 September she crossed the Arctic Circle Two months later on 28 November she deployed to the Mediterranean for her first tour of four months with the 6th Fleet She returned to Charleston in time to participate in the 2nd Fleet s exercises during the spring of 1965 She then took part in support operations off the Dominican Republic From February to July 1966 the guided missile destroyer conducted her second tour with the 6th Fleet and on her return to the United States changed her home port from Charleston to Norfolk Virginia effective 1 August in anticipation of her first major overhaul at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard In April 1967 Semmes resumed operations with refresher training in the Caribbean In July she rejoined DesRon 6 at Charleston and in August she deployed for her third tour with the 6th Fleet She participated in fleet and NATO exercises into January 1968 then returned to Charleston arriving on 31 January for a month s rest before resuming operations in the Caribbean and off the east coast On 10 June Semmes again sailed east During that month and into July she visited Germany and Denmark then turned south for another 6th Fleet deployment On 15 November she was relieved by the destroyer USS John King at Rota Spain and 11 days later she returned to Charleston where she remained in port for the rest of the year In January 1969 she cleared Charleston to participate in ASW and Springboard exercises in the Puerto Rican operating area then returned to her homeport In April she returned to the Caribbean for 2d Fleet exercises 1970s edit Through the summer Semmes continued to conduct exercises in the Caribbean and off the southeastern seaboard In late September she again crossed the Atlantic for a seven month deployment with the 6th Fleet and on 10 February 1970 while moored at Naples she was struck by the Greek freighter SS Mautric The damage sustained to her bow was quickly repaired and before the end of the month she had resumed operations By mid March she had arrived at Barcelona for turnover with USS Conyngham On 18 March she departed the Mediterranean and on 28 March she returned to Charleston During 1971 her schedule remained basically the same but her annual tour with the 6th Fleet 16 July to 11 October was followed by visits to the Netherlands and to Denmark for bi national and NATO operations On 20 December Semmes returned to South Carolina and in January 1972 she entered the Charleston Naval Shipyard for conversion of her engineering plant to the Navy Distillate Fuel Oil System With the spring she resumed operations off the east coast and in the Caribbean In September she participated in NATO exercise Strong Express which again took her above the Arctic Circle and which was followed by visits to Norway and Denmark In October she returned to Charleston In November she conducted exercises in the Caribbean and in December she prepared for another deployment in the Mediterranean with NATO s Standing Naval Force Atlantic After sea trials in the Charleston operating area Semmes got underway from that port on 4 January 1973 She arrived in Portsmouth England on 15 January joining the NATO naval force there For the next seven months the guided missile destroyer cruised the Atlantic visiting ports on both sides of that ocean and participating in three exercises NATO Exercise Sunny Seas in January and February Canadian Exercise MARCOT 2 73 in April and May and Norwegian Exercise Midnight Sun in June On 1 July Semmes changed operational control back to the 2d Fleet and nine days later returned to Charleston Following a month of post deployment standdown from 10 July until 10 August she resumed operations along the eastern seaboard and in the Caribbean In November and December she took part in Exercises Fun in the Sun and LANTREADEX 2 74 Semmes reentered Charleston on 19 December to prepare for overhaul Greek service edit For other ships with the same name see Greek destroyer Kimon Semmes was decommissioned and stricken from the Naval Vessel Register on 14 April 1991 sold to Greece on 13 September 1991 and renamed Kimon She was decommissioned on 17 June 2004 placed in reserve at Souda Bay Crete until scrapped fall 2006 External links editUSS Semmes DDG 18 AssociationReferences editThis article incorporates text from the public domainDictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships The entry can be found here This article includes information collected from theNaval Vessel Register which as a U S government publication is in the public domain The entry can be found here Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title USS Semmes DDG 18 amp oldid 1137425696, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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