Tuesday, July 22, 2014

USS Rizal (DD-174; DM-14)


Figure 1:  USS Rizal (DD-174) photographed circa 1919 to 1920, prior to conversion to a minelayer. Courtesy of Donald M. McPherson, 1970. US Naval Historical Center Photograph. Click on photograph for larger image.



Figure 2:  USS Rizal (DD-174) photographed circa 1919 to 1920, prior to conversion to a mine layer. Courtesy of Donald M. McPherson, 1970. US Naval Historical Center Photograph. Click on photograph for larger image. 



Figure 3:  USS Rizal (now DM-14) photographed following conversion to a mine layer, circa 1921 to 1930. Courtesy of W.G. Kelly, 1970. US Naval Historical Center Photograph. Click on photograph for larger image.



Figure 4:  USS Rizal (DM-14) in Chefoo Harbor, Chefoo, China, 9 September 1928. Collection of Franklin Moran. US Naval Historical Center Photograph. Click on photograph for larger image. 




Figure 5:  USS Rizal (DM-14) underway in Chefoo Harbor, Chefoo, China, 9 September 1928. Collection of Franklin Moran. US Naval Historical Center Photograph. Click on photograph for larger image. 

 

Named after the martyred Filipino patriot Jose Rizal (1861-1896), the 1,060-ton USS Rizal (DD-174) was a Wickes class destroyer that was built by the Union Iron Works at San Francisco, California, and was commissioned on 28 May 1919. In an amazing act of friendship, the destroyer was a gift donated to the United States Navy by the Philippine Legislature and the majority of the crew that served on board the ship were Filipinos as well. Rizal was approximately 314 feet long and 31 feet wide, had a top speed of 35 knots, and had a crew of 101 officers and men. The destroyer was armed with four 4-inch guns, two 3-inch guns, 12 21-inch torpedo tubes, and depth charges.

After being commissioned, Rizal was assigned to the US Pacific Fleet and patrolled along America’s west coast, usually on naval exercises or training duties. The ship then was modified for service as a light minelayer and re-classified DM-14. Rizal left San Diego, California, on 25 March 1920 and headed to the Far East, making stops at Honolulu, Hawaii; Midway Island, and Guam before reaching her destination of Cavite in the Philippines on 1 May to assume the duties of flagship of the Mine Detachment Division of the US Asiatic Fleet. 
 
Rizal remained with the Asiatic Fleet for the next 10 years. She spent long months anchored in Chinese ports, making frequent stops at Shanghai, Chefoo, Chinwangtao, and Hong Kong. Rizal steamed eastward to Apra Harbor, Guam, in November 1928 and visited Yokohama, Japan, in April 1929.

Rizal spent most of her winters (from November to March) anchored in Manila Bay in the Philippines. Upon resuming active service each spring, she usually patrolled off the coast of the Philippines for several weeks before going to China. Rizal was ordered back to the United States late in 1930 and reached San Diego by the end of the year.

Rizal was decommissioned on 20 August 1931 at San Diego and was towed northward to Mare Island, California, on 31 August. Although initially placed in reserve, the ship was struck from the Navy list on 11 November 1931. USS Rizal was dismantled and then sold for scrapping on 25 February 1932, in accordance with the provisions of the London Naval Treaty for the reduction and limitation of naval armament.