Home > USS Chauncey (DD-296)

The second USS Chauncey (DD-296) was a Clemson-class destroyer in the United States Navy.

Chauncey was launched 29 September 1918 by Union Iron Works, San Francisco, California; sponsored by Miss D. M. Todd; commissioned 25 June 1919, Commander W. A. Glassford, Jr. , in command ; and reported to the Pacific Fleet.

From the time of her commissioning, Chauncey sailed from San Diego and Mare Island to Hawaii and along the Pacific coast taking part in fleet exercises, gunnery practice, and other training activities. From 15 July 19201920 is a leap year starting on Thursday (link will take you to calendar) Events January January 7 Forces of Russian White admiral Kolchak surrender in Krasnoyarsk. January 9 Britain announces it will build 100,000 homes for war veterans. January 10 Leagu to 14 October 1921Events January 2 The first religious radio broadcast ( KDKA AM in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) January 2 Spanish liner Santa Isabel sinks off Villa Garcia 244 dead January 2 DeYoung Museum in Golden Gate Park San Francisco opens. January 20 Republic of Turke, she was in ready reserve at San Diego and Mare Island, then returned to active duty as flagshipA flagship is the ship used by the commanding officer of a group of naval ships. The term originates from the custom of the commanding officer (usually, but not always, an admiral) to fly a distinguishing flag. Used in this way, "flagship" is fundamentall of Destroyer Division 31.

On the evening of 8 September 1923Centuries: 19th century 20th century 21st century Decades: 1870s 1880s 1890s 1900s 1910s 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s Years: 1918 1919 1920 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 Events January 1 Grouping of all UK railway companies into four larg, Chauncey in company with a large group of destroyers was sailing through a heavy fog from San Francisco to San Diego, when a navigational error on board the first ship in her column turned that destroyer and the six that followed toward the rocky California coast rather than on a reach down Santa Barbara ChannelThe Santa Barbara Channel is that part of the Pacific Ocean which separates the mainland of California from the northern Channel Islands. It is generally south of the city of Santa Barbara, and west of the city of Ventura. It trends east-west, is approxim. All seven destroyers, including Chauncey, went aground on the jagged rocks off Point Pedernales , in what was called the Honda Point DisasterThe Honda Point Disaster was the largest peacetime loss of ships the U. Navy ever experienced. On the evening of September 8, 1923, nine destroyers, while travelling at 20 knots, ran aground at Honda Point, a few miles from the northern side of the Santa.

Chauncey stranded upright, high on the rocks, near USS Young (DD-312) , which had capsized. With none of her men lost, Chauncey at once went to the aid of her stricken sister, passing a line by which 70 of Young's crew clambered hand-over-hand to Chauncey. Swimmers from Chauncey then rigged a network of lifelines to the coastal cliffs, and both her men and Young's reached safety by this means. The abandoned Chauncey was wrecked by the pounding surf, and was decommissioned 26 October 1923. All the hulks were sold for salvage and removal as of 25 September 1925.

See USS Chauncey for other ships of this name.

This article includes text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.