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THE BEALE1H


NAVY DEPARTMENT
OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF NAVAL OPERATIONS
DIVISIONS OF NAVAL HISTORY (Op29)
SHIP'S HITORIES SECTION

HISTORY OF SHIPS NAMED BEALE

Two ships of the Fleet have been named in honor of Lieutenant Edward Fitzgerald Beale, USN, who was born in Washington, D. C.,4 February 1822. The son of Paymaster George Beale, USN, who received a Congressional Medal for gallantry in the Battle on Take Champlain, 11 September l8l4, his mother was the former Emily Truxtun, youngest daughter of the famous Commodore.
On 14 December 1836, Beale was appointed by President Jackson to the Naval School, Philadelphia, and was warranted a passed midshipman, 1 July 1842. Early in October 1845, he, sailed in frigate CONGRESS, under Commodore Stockton for California, but twenty days later was sent back with important dispatches to Washington, arriving in March 1846. He afterwards sailed to Panama and rejoined CONGRESS at Callao,Peru in May, 1846.

Hostilities with Mexico had already begun when CONGRESS reached Monter'ey in July 1846. Beale was detached as one of a small force under Lieutenant Gillespie that left San Diego to join and guide General Kearny`s escort of the First dragoons into that garrison and joined General Kearny`s column just before the disastrous battles of San Pasqual and "San Bernardino", 6 and 7 December 1846. Attacked by twice his number in troops, General Kearny's was surrounded by a superior force well-mounted, and cut off from all provisions of every kind. Incumbered with wounded, without means for their transportation and his men on foot, it was necessary to send word of his condition to Commodore Stockton at the garrison of San Diego. Beale volunteered for this service, taking with him Kit Carson. He succeeded in crawling upon his hands and knees through the pickets and sentries of the enemy, at one time so close, that, for fear of discovery from the rattling of their canteens, they buried them under some bushes. This later caused intense suffering as the mountains to which they kept afforded no water. They had set out after dark and after extreme toil and suffering, separated about the same hour the next evening. Beale was in San Diego at 9 p.m., arriving before Kit Carson who followed the next morning The night of his arrival (27 hours after leaving General Kearny`s camp), two hundred men were sent to the re1ief of General Kearny by Commodore Stockton, and the gallant General was safely escorted into the garrison at San Diego. In February 1847, Beale was sent east with Kit Carson and a small guard, arriving in Washington in June 1847.

During the years 1848-1849, Beale made six journeys from ocean. to ocean. Perhaps the most remarkable was the second of these during which he was in constant danger of his life from bandits, so prevalent after the Mexican War, which lined the way of his travel as he crossed Mexico and brought the first authentic news of the gold discoveries in California and a bag of the precious metal. On this journey, Midshipman Beale left the port of La Paz, near the foot of the Peninsula of California, 1 August 1848, and on 5 August arrived at Mazatlan on the west coast of Mexico. Thence he made passage in a small Mexican goleta to the harbor of San Blas where on 12 August he commenced a land journey, southeast one thousand miles by way of Guadaijara and Mexico City to Vera Cruz. Here, Midshipman Beale boarded sloop-of-war GFRMANTOWN for passage to Mobile and from there took the mail line to Washington, D. C., where he arrived 16 September 1848. His travel, including all delays (4 days detention at Vera Cruz and the long passage to Mobile) was accomplished from La Paz, on the coast of California, to Washington in forty-seven days.

Appointed to the grade of Master, 1 August 1849 and to Lieutenant, 28 February 1850, Beale resigned from the Navy 5 March 1852 to serve as superintendent of Indian.Affairs for California and Nevada. During the time of this service, he made a preliminary survey for a railroad traversing southern Colorado and southern Utah to Los Angeles. In 1857, by appointment of President Buchanan, he commanded an expedition to survey a wagon road from Fort Defiance, Mexico to the Colorado River. In 1858-1859 he surveyed another road from Fort Smith, Arkansas to the Colorado River. Shortly after the inauguration of President Lincoln, he was appointed Surveyor General of California and Nevada, retaining this post until the close of the Civil War. He then. retired to the Ranch Tejon, an immense tract that he had bought near the site of the present-day Bakersfield, California. He later bought the Decatur house in Washington and from about 1870, usually spent half the year in each home. Under appointment by President Grant, he served as Minister to Augtria-Hungary from 1876 to 1877. Lieutenant Beale died at his home in. Washington, D. C., 22 April 1893.

The first BEALE, destroyer Number 40, was built by William Cramp and Sons Ship and Engine Building Company of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Her keel was laid 8 May 1911 and she was launched 30 April 1912 under the sponsorship of Mrs. John R. McLean, daughter of Lieutenant Edward F. Beale, USN. The ship was placed in commission 30 August 1912, when Lieutenant (j. g.) C. T. Blackburn, USN, assumed command.

BEALE's over-all length was 293 feet 11 inches; extreme beam, 2'( feet; normal displacement, 742 tons; mean draft, 8 feet 4 inches; design speed, 29.50 knots; complement, 4 officers and 79 men; armament, four 3-inch .50 caliber rapid fire guns, and six 18-inch torpedo tubes.

Following her shakedown cruise, BEALE was assigned to the Fifth Group, Torpedo Flotil1a, Atlantic Fleet. She cruised along the Atlantic Coast, in the Gulf of Mexjco, and in the Caribbean Sea until assigned to the Second Reserve Flotilla (Organized) on 13 December 1915. On 5 January 1916 she was reactivited with a reduced crew and served on neutrality patrol along the Atlantic Coast until placed in full commission, 22 March 1917.

BEALE' became a unit of the Atlantic Destroyer Force. On 9 January, 1918, she sailed for Queenstown, Ireland, arriving Februery 1918. Based in the British Isles, she performed convoy and patrol duty for the remainder of World War I, making numerous depth charge attacks upon enemy submarines during this period. On 26 December 191S BEALE sailed for the United States and was assigned duty with the Atlantic Fleet until placed out of commission at the Navy Yard, Philadelphia, 25 October 1919.

On 28 April 1924 BEALE was transferred to the United States Coast Guard for use in enforcing the Prohibition Act. She was returned to Navy custody 18 October 1930 and was remanded to inactive status at the Philadelphia Navy Yard. In accordance with the London Treaty for the limitation of naval armaments, BEALE was sold on 2 May 1934.

The second BEALE (DD 471) was built by the Bethlehem Steel Company of Staten Island, New York. Her keel was laid 19 December 1941 and she was launched 8 August 1942 under the sponsorship of Miss Nancy Beale, great-grandniece of Lieutenant Edward F. Beale, USN. The ship was placed in commission at the New York Navy Yard 23 December 1942, when Commander J. B. Cochran, USN, assumed command.

BEALE conducted training at Casco Bay, Maine and sailed on shakedown cruise to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, returning to New York for post-shakedown repairs and alterations, 14 February 1943. Departing 11 March, she steamed via Norfolk, enroute to Trinidad as plane guard for carrier ESSEX. She returned to New York 10 April 1943.

Departing New York 21 April 1943, BEALE transited the Panama Canal, made brief calls at San Diego and San Francisco, and then steamed for gunnery and anti-submarine warfare exercises in the Hawaiian area. Upon return to San Diego, 11 July, she conducted amphibious training exercises with the 9th Amphibious Force off Monterey. On 29 July 1943 she sailed from San Francisco, forming part of the screen for heavily loaded transports, with other units of Destroyer Squadron 24, enroute to Alaska.

On 5 August 1943 BEALE was assigned to patrol and escort duty among the Aleutian Islands. She supported the landings on Kiska Island (16 August) and continued escort and patrol in the Aleutians until 21 November 1943. She then departed Dutch Harbor with other units of Destroyer Squadron 24, enroute to New Guinea. Steaming via Pearl Harbor and Funafuti, Ellice Island, she arrived at Milne Bay, New Guinea, 18 December 1943 and commenced patrol, escort, and screening duties along the southeast coast of New Guinea. While acting as screen for amphibious forces during the landings on Cape Gloucester, New Britain, 26 December, she assisted in repelling attacks of Japanese dive bombers, splashing one. Later in the day she took another bomber under fire which crashed off her port bow. She conducted bombardment in support of the Saidor landings, 2 January 1944, and interupted escort of amphibious units between Cape Sudest and Saidor, 8 January 1944, to participate in the bombardment of Sio.

On 5 February 1944 she steamed for a brief stay at Sydney, Australia. She returned to Milne Bay 27 February 1944 and reported for duty with Task Force 74 That same day she took part in the assault and bombardment of Los Negroes, Admiralty Islands. On 4 March she screened units during bombardment of Hauwei Island and on 7 March, conducted bombardment of the entrances to Seeadler Harbor, Manus, Admiralty Island. She made anti-shipping sweeps out of Milne Bay and, on 18-19 March, bombarded tbe Wewak-Hollandia area. On 22 April 1944 she provided screen and bombardment support for the landings at Hollandia, also taking part in the bombardment of Wakde, 30 April 1944.

On 12 May 1944, in company with ABNER, READ, and BACHE, she conducted bombardment on the Wewak area for the destruction of enemy gun emplacements which were endangering the operations of motor torpedo boats. On. 17 May she took part in the bombardment and assault of the Wakde-Toem area in support of landings, followed by the bombardment and assault on Biak Island, 27 May 1944. She then acted as part of the covering force to prevent enemy reinforcement in the Biak area. While engaged in this duty the night of 8-9 June, five Japanese destroyers were Intercepted. They reversed course at high speed and a running battle ensued as BEALE and other units opened with all guns and continued chase until the early morning hours of 9 June 1944.

On 29 June 1944 BEALE sailed from Seeadler Harbor and on 2 July took part in the assault and bombardment of Noemfoor Island. On the night of 16 July, in company with HUTCHINS, she conducted harassing fire on trucking on coastal roads in the Marubian-Sowan area of New Guinea. She then patrolled the Dandriwad River east to Karawop Cape, 18-19 July, to destroy Japanese barges attempting to reinforce troops attacking Aitape and to harass trucking and shore activities. She continued patrol in the New Guinea area, intervened by a visit to Sydney, Australia (11-25 August). On 15 September 1944 she conducted shore bombardment of the Halmahera-Morotai area in support of the landings and then operated between Humboldt Bay and Sceadler Harbor until early October 1944.

On 13 October 1944 BEALE departed Humboldt Bay as a unit of the Northern Attack Force to take part in the liberation of the Philippine Islands. On 20 October she arrived off San Pedro Bay, Leyte, and furnished bombardment support of the landings. She conducted call fire missions in support of the ground troops until 24 October when all available ships of the Fleet prepared for action against the Japanese Fleet which was closing the Philippines.

The Japanese attack was three-pronged. One force came up from the south, through the Sulu Sea toward surigao Strait, south of Leyte. A central force passed north of Palawan into the Sibuyan Sea headed for San Bernardino Strait, north of Samar. a northern force sailed south from Japan, directly toward Samar and Leyte. The resulting Battle for Leyte Gulf developed in three parts, known respectively as, the Battle of Surigao Strait, the Battle off Samar, and the Battle off Cape Engano.

On 24 October 1944 BEALE and other ships of Destroyer Squadron 24 joined Rear Admiral Oldendorf`s Force to take part in the Battle of Surigao Strait. By nightfall, motor torpedo boats were stationed at the southern entrance of the strait, while farther north, destroyers and cruisers took station on either flank of the enemy`s line of approach, augmented by ships of the battle line which steamed slowly back and forth across the northern entrance. BEALE with ships of Destroyer Squadron 24 and HMAS ARUNTA were stationed off the eastern shore of Leyte, near the mouth of Surigac Strait.

In the early morning of 25 October, attacks of motor torpedo boats,. followed by torpedo attacks by ships of Destroyer Squadron 54, sank battleship FUSO and destroyer MIOHISHIO. At 0315 the remaining enemy force ran straight into a torpedo and gunfire barrage, when Destroyer Squadron 24, led by HMAS ARUNTA, attacked the enemy battle line. BEALE fired a spread of five torpedoes towards battleship YAMASHIRO and cruiser MOGAMI. As she laid down smoke and prepared to take the enemy under fire with her main battery, she was twice straddled by heavy shells, some of which passed through her antennae as the squadron reversed course and retired to the north. The enemy was next beseiged by attacks from other destroyers, joined shortly thereafter by the battleships and cruisers. The Japanese had run head on into a perfect trap. Rear Admiral Oldendorf had executed the dream of every naval tactician by crossing the enemy`s "T". The Japanese lost two battleships and three destroyers in the Battle of Surigao Strait. The cruiser MOGAMI in comany with a destroyer, all that remained of the enemy force, managed to escape, and the MOGAMI was sunk the next day by carrier planes. Rear Admiral Oldendorf`s force did not suffer the loss of a single vessel and only one ship, destroyer ALBERT W. GRANT, was damaged.

BEALE operated as part of the covering force in the vicinity of San Pedro Bay until 29 October 1944. She then steamed to Seattle,via Ulithi and Pearl Harbor, arriving on 26 November 1944. She underwent overhaul and, after refresher training, departed San Diego 31 January 1945. Upon arrival at Pearl Harbor, 8 February, she commenced intensive gunnery and anti-submarine warfare exercises in the Hawaiian area, On 5 March she departed and sailed via Ulithi to Leyte, Philippine Islands, arriving 17 March 1945. She got underway 27 March and screened a transport group enroute for the amphibious assault on Okinawa.

BEALE arrived off Olcinawa 1 April 1945 and furnished gunfire support for the landings which were made on the southwestern beaches of that island. For the next 82 days her prirnary duty was that of fire support ship, one of the most diffIcult ever performed by destroyers. By day, it was not unusual to have to shoot down or drive off enemy suicide planes while in restricted waters and then undergo further heckling by enemy aircraft during the night. Fire support missions required the firing on several targets, sometimes as many as ten, and at night; additional areas had to be illuminated by starshells at the same time Many shoals and variable currents were a further hazard in maintaining a good firing position. Meticulous care was required in piloting and in alertness against enemy suicide planes, mines, and shore batteries. Additional duties included the maintenance of anti-submarine, as well as anti-aircraft, screen for the heavy ships of the covering force.

On 6 April 1945, while operating with a night retirement and covering group, squadrons of Japanese suicide torpedo bombers attacked the force. BEALE took eight planes under fire, four of which crashed in the water. Four suicide planes crashed destroyer NEWCOMB (DD 586) turning her into a fiery furnace Destroyer LEUTZE came alongside NEWCOMB and passed hoses when a fifth suicide plane hurtled down and exploded a bomb on LEUTZE`s fantail. She lost steering control and her stern settled in the water. She succeeded in getting clear and stood off to fight her own damage. As LEUTZE limped away, BEALE moved alongside the flaming NEWCOMB and passed six hoses. In less than 30 minutes the fires were under control and BEALE screened NEWCOMB in to Kerama Retto.

On 16 April BEALE patrolled a screen sector in the vicinity of Ie Shima, she came under attack by three suicide planes. The first vas taken under fire, damaged in its approach, and crashed clear. The other two enemy planes were taken under fire but BEALE ceased fire as a Marine fighter was spotted in pursuit. Short1y thereafter, all three planes crashed into the sea, the Marine pilot being rescued by a nearby destroyer-escort. On 28 May BEALE splashed another enemy plane before it could complete its suicide run. On 3 June 1945 she participated in the bombardment, assault, and occupation of Iheya shima off northorn Okinawa. By 21 June enemy resistance ceased and the capture of Okinawa was complete. BEALE had continuously supported the campaign since 1 April. She had first given direct gunfire support to troops off the southwestern landing beaches, moved in as fire support ship in Nakagasuku Harbor in support of troops on eastern. Okinawa; thence to western Okinawa where she continued gunfire support; and finally shifted to assist in eliminating the last enerny resistance in southern Okinawa. On 25 June she departed Hagushi, Okinawa, and steamed for San Pedro Bay, Leyte, arriving 27 June 1945.

On 13 July 1945 BEALE departed San Pedro Bay to conduct anti-shipping sweep off the east China coast. This sweep was completed 24 July when she entered Buckner Bay, Okinawa. Operating from that port, she made one anti-shipping sweep in the Yellow Sea (27-29 July) and one in the sourthern area of the Sea of Japan (1-7 August 1945). Departing Buckner Bay, 6 September, she arrived at Nagasaki, Japan, 15 September 1945.

From 15 September to 15 November 1945 BEALE's primary duties were as an escort of troop laden vessels and as a courier between the ports of Nagasaki, Wakayama, and Sasebo, Japan. Other duties were the escort of troopships through the Van Diemen Straits and inspection of Japanese naval vessels for proper disarming and material maintenance. On 15 November she departed Sasebo for the east coast of the United States. Sai1ing via Pearl Harbor (28-30 November) and San Diego (6-10 December), she transited the Panama Canal (18 December), and arrived at Charleston, South Carolina, 23 December 1945. She underwent pre-inactivation overhaul and was placed out of commission in reserve 11 April 1946, assigned to Commander Charleston Group, 16th Fleet.

Reclassified as a destroyer escort vessel 2 January 1951, BEALE`S hull designation was changed to (DDE 471). She underwent conversion in the Boston Navy Yard where she was recommissioned, 1 November 1951, under command of Commander Frank H. Price, USN.

Departing Boston 8 January 1952, BEALE carried out shakedown training at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and then returned to Boston for post-shakedown overhaul, 19 March 1952. She departed 3 May and, after local operations out of Norfolk, sailed 28 May enroute to Pensacola as plane guard for the carrier CABOT (CVL 28). returning to Norfolk 4 July 1952, she maintained a schedule of local operations off the Virginia Capes until 20 January 1953 when she sailed as plane guard for carrier MIDWAY, enroute to Mayport, Florida. On 22 January during this voyage, sho rescued the pilot of a plane which had crashed into the sea during air exercises off Jacksonville, Florida. She returned to Norfolk 28 January 1953.

On 19 February 1953 BEALE departed Norfolk to take part in Fleet training operations, which included Atlantic Fleet Amphibious Exercises in areas off Cuba and Puerto Rico. She returned to Norfolk 13 March 1953. She again sailed on 17 April, and after arrival at Londonderry, North Ireland, 4 May, was engaged in anti-submarine "hunter-killer" exercises in the North Ireland operating area. She sailed from Plymouth, England, on 19 May conducting exercises enroute to Golfe Juan, France, and thence to Naples, Italy, where she arrived 9 June 1953. She returned to Norfolk 26 June, and continued a schedule of operations off the Virginia capes with one training cruise to Halifax, Nova Scotia (17 August - 4 3eptember 1953).

From 3 October 1953 to 3 January 1954, BEALE underwent overhaul in the Brooklyn Naval Shipyard. She then conducted anti-submarine warfare training out of Key West, Florida (18 January - 4 February), and, after refresher training in waters off Cuba returned to Norfolk 27 March 1954. On 11 May she sailed for a tour of duty with the 6th Fleet. Steaming via Lisbdn, Portugal, (20-24 May), she arrived at Naples, Italy, 28 May 1954. In the following months her principal ports of call were Marseille, France; Taranto, Venice, San Remo, and La Spozia, Italy; Castellon., Spain; Trieste, Sicily; and Rhodes and Pireaus, Greece. Departing Gibraltar 30 September, she returned to Norfolk 10 October 1954.

BEALE remained at Norfolk until 31 January 1955 when she sailed for a second spring training cruise to the Caribbean, returning on 4 March 1955. On 9 May she departed Norfolk and, after a visit to Havana, Cuba, took part in submarine tactical exercises at Key West. She then. steamed via Miami, Florida, to Norfolk, arriving on 26 May 1955.

On 7 July 1955 BEALE joined carriers and other Fleet; units at Newport, Rhode Island, for advance anti-subtnarinc warfare exercise) which included evaluation exercises in waters off Bermuda With NAUTILUS, the Navy's first nuclear powered submarine. On 6 August she returned to Norfolk for local operations. From 7 september to 23 October she made a cruise to Lisbon, Portugal, participated in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization exercises CENTERBOARD and NEW BROOM IV. She conducted refresher training in the Caribbean (25 February -19 March 1956) and was then engaged in training operations with carriers while based at Pensacola, Florida (4 June - 29 June 1956). After a visit to Galveston, Texas, she returned to Norfolk and underwent overhaul from 16 July to 1 November 1956, followed by refresher training at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

On 18 March 1957 BEALE departed Norfolk and, after a brief call at the Azores, steamed to Freetown, Sierra Leon, Africa (30-31 March); Simonstown, Union of South Africa (1012 April); thence via the Cape of Good Hope and up the east coast of Africa to Mombassa, Kenya (20-21 April). She called at Qishni Island, Iran, on 27 April 1957. The next day BEALE arrived at Bahrein, Saudia Arabia. Departing 23 May, she steamed via the Suez Canal (1-2 June) to Pireaus, Greece. After further visits at Barcelona and Cartagena, Spain, she sailed to GIbraltar Departing Gubraltar 16 July, she returned to Norfolk 26 July 1957.

BEALE sailed from Norfolk 3 September 1957 and, after arrival at Plymouth, England, 14 September, participated in North Atlantic Treaty Organization exercises "STAND FIRM". This exercise was followed by a visit to Cherbourg, France (1-11 October). She returned to Norfolk 22 October 1957 and remained there for local operations and Fleet exercises until 24 February 1958. She then steamed to Key West, Florida, for anti-submarine warfare training and development operations. She returned to Norfolk, 13 April 1958.

BEALE was awarded six battle stars for operations listed below:


1. Star/BISMARCK ARCHIPELAGO OPERATION:
Cape Gloucester, New Britain: 26-28 Dec 1943; 23-27 Jan 1944; 30 Jan-1 Feb 1944
Admiralty Island Lnding: 28 Feb - 8 Mar 1944

1 Star/EASTERN NEW GUINEA OPERATION:
Saidor Occupation: 2-3 Jan 1944; 6-9 Jan 1944; 15-17 Jan 1944; 20-22 Jan 1944
Wewak-Aitape Operations: 16-19 Jul 1944; 23-24 Jul 1944

1 Star/HOLLANDIA OPERATION:
AITAPE HUMBOLDT BAY-TANAMERAH BAY: 24 Apr 1944

1 Star/WESTERN New Guinea OPERATION:
Toem-Wakie-Sermi Area Operetion: 17 May 1944
Biak Island Operation: 27 May 1944; 4-5 June l944;
8-9 June 1944
Noemfoor Island Operation: 2 Jul 1944
Cape sansapor Operation: 30 Jul 1944
Morotai Landings: 15 sep 1944

1 Star/OKINAWA GUNTO OPERATION:
Assault and Occupation of Okinawa Gunto:1 Apr - 24 Jun 1945

1 Star/THIRD FLEET OPERATION AGAINST JAPAN: 26 Jul - 7 Aug 1945


ORIGINAL STATISTICS


LENGTH OVER-ALL............376'5"
EXTREME BEAM:...............39'7"
NORMAL DISPLACEMENT:
Tons:......................2,050
Mean draft:................13'9"
DESIGN SPEED:
Knots:.......................35
DESIGN COMPLEMENT:
Officer:......................9
Enlisted:...................264
ARMAMENT:
Primary:...............(5) 5"/38
Secondary..............(2) 40 mm twin mounts
.......................(5) 20 mm
Torpedo Tubes.........(10) 21"
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