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.
