USS Laffey (DD-724) | |
|---|---|
| Country | USA |
| Class and type | Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer |
| Launched | 21 November 1943 |
| Out of service | 9 March 1975 |
USS Laffey (DD-724) is an Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer, which was constructed during World War II, laid down and launched in 1943, and commissioned in February 1944. The ship earned the nickname “The Ship That Would Not Die” for her exploits during the D-Day invasion and the battle of Okinawa when she successfully withstood a determined assault by conventional bombers and the most unrelenting kamikaze air attacks in history. Today, Laffey is a U.S. National Historic Landmark and is preserved as a museum ship at Patriots Point, outside Charleston, South Carolina.
Source: USS Laffey (DD-724) on Wikipedia
| USS Laffey Walk Around | |
|---|---|
| Photographer | Don Alen |
| Localisation | Museum ship berthed at Patriots Point |
| Photos | 26 |
See also:
General Characteristics and Role
The USS Laffey (DD-724) was a destroyer in the United States Navy’s Allen M. Sumner-class, launched in 1943. These destroyers were a highly successful class, designed with a wider beam than their predecessors to accommodate a stronger battery of anti-aircraft weapons and an improved fire-control system. The Laffey’s primary role was as a fleet escort, providing anti-submarine and anti-aircraft protection for larger capital ships and aircraft carriers, and participating in shore bombardment missions. She earned the nickname “The Ship That Would Not Die” for her actions during the Battle of Okinawa.
| Property | Typical Value (DD-724) |
|---|---|
| Class / Type | Allen M. Sumner-class Destroyer |
| National Origin | United States |
| Manufacturer | Bath Iron Works, Maine |
| Commissioned | 8 February 1944 |
| Decommissioned | 1975 (Final time) |
| Displacement (Standard) | 2,200 long tons (2,235 t) |
| Length (Overall) | 114.8 m (376 ft 6 in) |
| Beam | 12.5 m (41 ft 1 in) |
| Crew | Approx. 336 officers and enlisted men |
| Status | Preserved museum ship (Patriots Point, SC) |
Propulsion and Performance
- Propulsion: 4 x Babcock & Wilcox boilers; 2 x General Electric geared steam turbines.
- Power Output: 60,000 shaft horsepower (shp).
- Shafts: 2
- Maximum Speed: 34 knots (63 km/h).
- Operational Range: Approximately 6,500 nautical miles at 15 knots.
Armament and Historic Action
Wartime (1944) Armament:
- Main Guns: 6 x 5-inch (127 mm)/38 caliber guns in 3 twin mounts (dual purpose).
- Torpedoes: 10 x 21-inch (533 mm) torpedo tubes in 2 quintuple mounts.
- Anti-Aircraft (AA): 12 x 40 mm Bofors guns in quad mounts and 11 x 20 mm Oerlikon cannons.
- Anti-Submarine (ASW): 6 x K-gun depth charge projectors, and 2 x depth charge tracks.
The “Ship That Would Not Die” (Okinawa, April 16, 1945):
- Action: While on radar picket duty, Laffey was attacked by at least 22 Japanese aircraft, including multiple Kamikazes and dive-bombers, over a harrowing 80-minute period.
- Damage: The ship was hit by 4 bombs and 5 or 6 Kamikaze planes, resulting in 32 men killed and 71 wounded. The crew’s determination and skillful maneuvering kept the heavily damaged ship afloat and saved it from sinking.
- Legacy: For this action, she was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation and earned 5 battle stars for World War II service.
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