Navy | The US Navy |
Type | Destroyer |
Class | Clemson |
Pennant | DD 221 |
Built by | William Cramp and Sons (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.) |
Ordered | |
Laid down | 9 Oct 1919 |
Launched | 28 Apr 1920 |
Commissioned | 3 Nov 1920 |
End service | 29 Mar 1946 |
History | Reclassified as Auxiliary AG-97 on 25 May 1945 |
Commands listed for USS Simpson (DD 221)
Please note that we're still working on this section
and that we only list Commanding Officers for the duration of the Second World War.
Commander | From | To | |
1 | Lt.Cdr. Hubert Winthrop Chanler, USN | 12 Jun 1939 | 9 Aug 1940 |
2 | Lt.Cdr. Daniel Newman Cone, Jr., USN | 9 Aug 1940 | 20 Jun 1941 |
3 | Lt.Cdr. Alexander MacIntyre, USN | 20 Jun 1941 | 19 Sep 1941 |
4 | Lt.Cdr. Francis Douglas McCorkle, USN | 19 Sep 1941 | 7 Dec 1941 |
5 | Lt. Edward Joseph Burke, USN | 7 Dec 1941 | 8 Jan 1943 |
6 | T/Cdr. Robert Schley Fahle, USN | 8 Jan 1943 | 16 Aug 1943 |
7 | Lt.Cdr. Leigh Winfield Sedgwick, USNR | 16 Aug 1943 | 1 Mar 1945 |
8 | Lt. Donald James Donahue, USNR | 1 Mar 1945 | 29 Mar 1946 |
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Notable events involving Simpson include:
4 Mar 1942
HMS H 43 (Lt. R.B. Lakin, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with USS Mayo (Lt.Cdr. I.T. Duke, USN) and USS Simpson (Lt.Cdr. E.J. Burke, USN). (1)
14 Apr 1942
HrMs O 10 (Lt. J.H. Geijs, RNN) participated in A/S exercises off Lough Foyle together with USS Mayo (Lt.Cdr. I.T. Duke, USN), HNoMS Rose, HMS Venomous (Cdr. H.W. Falcon-Steward, RN), HMS Burwell (Lt.Cdr. S.R.J. Woods, RNR), HNoMS Acanthus, USS Simpson (Lt.Cdr. E.J. Burke, USN), HNoMS Potentilla and HNoMS Eglantine. (2)
28 Jul 1943
HMS P 511 (Lt. C.W. Taylor, RNR) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle together with USS Broome (Lt. C.S. Arthur, Jr., USN), USS Simpson (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Fahle, USN), HMS Walker (Lt.Cdr. A.N. Rowell, RN), HMS Walker (Lt.Cdr. A.N. Rowell, RN), HMS Highlander (Cdr. E.C.L. Day, RN) and USS Charles F. Hughes (T/Cdr. B.S. Copping, USN). (3)
29 Jul 1943
HMS P 511 (Lt. C.W. Taylor, RNR) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle together with USS Broome (Lt. C.S. Arthur, Jr., USN) and USS Simpson (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Fahle, USN). (3)
7 Nov 1943
Convoy GUS 21.
This convoy departed Port Said on 7 November 1943.
On departure from Port Said this convoy was made up of the following merchant vessels; Algenib (Dutch, 5483 GRT, built 1937), British Character (British (tanker), 8453 GRT, built 1941), City of Bristol (British, 8424 GRT, built 1943), City of Capetown (British, 8046 GRT, built 1937), City of Kimberley (British, 6169 GRT, built 1925), Fort Connolly (British, 7133 GRT, built 1943), Fort Remy (British, 7127 GRT, built 1943), Franklin K. Lane (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), George E. Pickett (American, 7244 GRT, built 1943), Hoegh Silverstar (Norwegian, 5415 GRT, built 1938), John F. Steffen (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Lublin (Polish, 1409 GRT, built 1932), Ocean Traveller (British, 7178 GRT, built 1942), Samos (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943), Sampenn (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943), Sun-Yat-Sen (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943) and Wilson P. Hunt (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943).
On departure from Port Said the convoy was escorted by the frigate HMS Dart (Cdr. J.T. Jones, RD, RNR) and minesweeper HMS Rye (A/Lt.Cdr. J.A. Pearson, DSC and Bar, RNR).
On the 8th the following merchant vessels departed Alexandria and joined the convoy; Alexander H. Stephens (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Cerion (British, 2588 GRT, built 1938), Euryades (British, 5801 GRT, built 1913), Fort Cadotte (British, 7128 GRT, built 1943), Fort Glenlyon (British, 7132 GRT, built 1943), Llangibby Castle (British, 11951 GRT, built 1929), Ocean Valentine (British, 7174 GRT, built 1942), Samhain (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943) and Starstone (British, 5702 GRT, built 1938).
They were escorted by corvette HMS Gloxinia (Lt. M.C. English, RNR) and A/S whaler HMSAS Protea (Lt. A. Thomas, DSC, SANF) which also joined the convoy.
On 12 November 1943, the Lublin arrived at Bari after having detached from the convoy earlier.
Also on 12 November 1943, the Cerion, Euryades, Fort Cadotte, Fort Connolly, Fort Remy and Ocean Valentine arrived at Augusta after having been detached from the convoy.
Departing Augusta on the 12th to join the convoy were the following merchant vessels; Carrillo (American, 5013 GRT, built 1911), Charles Gordon Curtis (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Esek Hopkins (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942), James Monroe (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), John Jay (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Noah Webster (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Pierre S. Dupont (American, 7176 GRT, 1942), Roger Moore (American, 7176 GRT, 1943), Samuel Ashe (American, 7177 GRT, 1942), Thomas Cresap (American, 7200 GRT, built 1943), Thomas Todd (American, 7176 GRT, 1943), Thorshov (Norwegian (tanker), 9955 GRT, built 1935), Walter E. Ranger (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Walter Reed (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), William Floyd (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942) and William S. Thayer (American, 7176 GRT, 1943).
The attack transport USS Samuel Chase (Capt. R.C. Heimer, USCG) also joined coming from Augusta.
Thorshov however did not join (or only brielfy) but turned back to Augusta.
On 12 November 1943, the following ship joined coming from Malta; Lynghaug (Norwegian, 2829 GRT, built 1919). Also joining from Malta were the AA cruiser HMS Delhi (Capt. A.T.G.C. Peachey, RN) and the submarine HMS Trident (Lt. P.E. Newstead, RN).
Also on the 12th, HMS Gloxinia was detached to Malta to make some repairs after which she was to rejoin the convoy which she did around 1345A/13.
Around 2055A/13, HMS Rye parted company.
Around 2110A/13, HMS Trident dropped astern of the convoy due to engine trouble. HMSAS Protea was also detached from the convoy to escort her. They were soon able to rejoin.
On 14 November 1943, the following ships arrived at Bizerta after having been detached from the convoy; British Character, Esek Hopkins, James Monroe, Noah Webster, Pierre S. Dupont, Walter Reed and the USS Samuel Chase while the following ships joined the convoy off Bizerta; Abraham Lincoln (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942), Andrew Moore (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Benjamin Franklin (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Carter Braxton (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942), Cornelius Harnett (American, 7177 GRT, built 1942), Daniel H. Hill (American, 7177 GRT, built 1942), Erinna (Dutch (tanker), 6233 GRT, built 1936), Ethan Allen (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Frithjof Nansen (Norwegian, 7177 GRT, built 1943), James Barbour (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Joel R. Poinsett (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), John Fiske (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Mannington (British, 1127 GRT, built 1943), Sidney Sherman (American, 7244 GRT, built 1943) and Thomas W. Bickett (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943).
Later on the 14th the merchant vessel George W. Childs (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943) departed Bone and joined the convoy.
On 15 November 1943, the Mannington arrived at Bougie after having been detached from the convoy.
On 16 November 1943, the Llangibby Castle arrived at Algiers after having been detached from the convoy while the following merchant vessels joined the convoy coming from Algiers; Artemas Ward (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Edwin M. Stanton (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Empire Day (British, 7242 GRT, built 1941), John Langdon (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Knute Rockne (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Lou Gehrig (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Paul de Rousiers (French, 3548 GRT, built 1942), Solomon Juneau (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943) and Ville de Bougie (French, 1237 GRT, built 1907).
On 17 November 1943, the following merchant vessels arrived at Oran after having been detached from the convoy; Carrillo, Charles Gordon Curtis, Paul de Rousiers, Samuel Ashe, Thomas Todd, Ville de Bougie, Walter E. Ranger, William Floyd and William S. Thayer.
The following merchant vessels joined the convoy coming from Oran; Archbishop Lamy (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Atenas (American, 4962 GRT, built 1909), Bernard Carter (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942), Brandywine (American (tanker), 11401 GRT, built 1943), Cornelius Gilliam (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Edward Bates (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), James M. Wayne (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Jonathan Edwards (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Joseph Warren (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Nicholas Gilman (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Reverdy Johnson (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942) and William Rawle (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942).
The French submarine Perle also joined the convoy.
On 18 November 1943, the following merchant vessels arrived at Gibraltar after having been detached from the convoy; Carter Braxton, City of Bristol, City of Capetown, City of Kimberley, Ocean Traveller, Samhain, Samos and Starstone. Also detached from the convoy were the AA cruiser HMS Delhi and submarines HMS Trident and Le Perle.
The following merchant vessels joined the convoy coming from Gibraltar; Fort Albany (British, 7131 GRT, built 1943) and Frans van Mieris (Dutch, 7170 GRT, built 1942).
Off Gibraltar the destroyer Simoun, minesweeping sloop Commandant Delage and patrol vessel USS PC-480 (Lt. F.W. Meyers, Jr., USNR) joined.
Around 1630A/18, HMS Dart, HMS Gloxinia, HMS Rye and HMSAS Protea were relieved by the destroyer escorts USS Evarts (Lt.Cdr. T.G. Bremer, Jr., USNR, with COMCORTDIV 5, T/Cdr. C.M.E. Hoffman, USN, on board), USS Wyffels (Lt. C.S. Farmer, USNR), USS Decker (Lt.Cdr. D.M. Kerr, USNR), USS Dobler (Lt. R.E. Parker, USNR), USS Smartt (Lt. B.H. Katschinski, USNR) and USS Walter S. Brown (Lt. T.H.P. Whitney, USNR). The original escorts then proceeded to Gibraltar where they arrived later the same day.
Around 0740A/19, the Casablanca section joined the convoy. It was made up of the following merchant vessels; Elorn (French, 5482 GRT, built 1930) and Harpalyce (British, 7269 GRT, built 1942). Also with this section was the naval tanker USS Chiwawa (Lt.Cdr. J.P. Goza, USNR). They were escorted by the destroyers USS Gillespie (T/Cdr. J.S. Fahy, USN), USS Hobby (T/Cdr. G.W. Pressy, USN, with COMDESDIV 38, T/Capt. C.L. Winecoff, USN, on board) and USS Kalk (T/Lt.Cdr. H.D. Fuller, USN).
At 0830A/19, the Lynghaug was detached to Casablanca escorted by Simoun, Commandant Delage and USS PC 480. They arrived at Casablanca later the same day.
At 1215Z/21, the escort carrier USS Santee (T/Capt. H.F. Fick, USN) and the destroyers USS Bainbridge (T/Lt.Cdr. H.C. Transue, USN), USS Simpson (Lt.Cdr. L.W. Sedgwick, USNR) and USS MacLeish (Lt.Cdr. R.P. Winkel, USNR) joined the convoy so that the destroyers could refuel from USS Chiwawa. Fuelling operations however had to be abandoned due to the rough sea. Only USS MacLeish had been refuelled.
On 21 November 1943, USS Bainbridge and USS Simpson fuelled from USS Chiwawa which subsequently also topped off USS MacLeish.
Around 1600Z/21, USS Santee, USS Bainbridge, USS Simpson and USS MacLeish parted company with the convoy.
On 23 November 1943, USS Chiwawa first refuelled USS Kalk, then USS Gillespie and finally USS Hobby.
On 24 November 1943, USS Chiwawa refuelled the destroyer escorts in the following order; USS Evarts, USS Decker, USS Smartt, USS Walter S. Brown, USS Dobler and USS Wyffels.
On 27 November 1943, USS Chiwawa first refuelled USS Hobby, then USS Gillespie and finally USS Kalk.
At 1914Q/3, USS Chiwawa left the convoy for Norfolk, Virginia due to an urgent medical case. She proceeded unescorted. She arrived at Norfolk in the afternoon of 4 December 1943.
Around 0720Q/4, the Chesapeake Bay section of the convoy (21 ships) parted company to proceed to its destination. Escort for this section was proviced by USS Hobby, USS Gillespie and USS Kalk. It arrived in Chesapeake Bay in the morning of 5 December 1943.
Around 0800Q/4, the Delaware section of the convoy parted company. Escort for this section was provided by USS Wyffels and USS Dobler. It arrived in the Delaware estuary in the morning of 5 December 1943.
The New York section of the convoy, with the remaining four destroyer escorts, arrived at its destination in the morning of 5 December 1943.
5 Feb 1945
Convoy CU 57.
This convoy departed New York on 5 February 1945.
On departure it was made up of the following ships (New York Section); Alden Besse (American, 8258 GRT, built 1944), Arawa (British, 14462 GRT, built 1922), Athos II (French, 15276 GRT, built 1927), Cape Corwin (American, 5124 GRT, built 1943), Cape Nome (American, 5124 GRT, built 1944), Carnifex Ferry (American (tanker), 10297 GRT, built 1945), Chatterton Hill (American (tanker), 10172 GRT, built 1944), Chickamauga (American (tanker), 10195 GRT, built 1943), Esso Camden (American (tanker), 10297 GRT, built 1944), Examiner (American, 6737 GRT, built 1942), Fort Fetterman (American (tanker), 10172 GRT, built 1944), Fort Stevens (American (tanker), 10172 GRT, built 1944), Grand River (American (tanker), 10172 GRT, built 1944), Hubbardton (American (tanker), 10296 GRT, built 1944), Java (Dutch, 9250 GRT, built 1939), Karsten Wang (Norwegian (tanker), 10296 GRT, built 1944), Marine Eagle (American, 11500 GRT, built 1943), Marine Panther (American, 11758 GRT, built 1944), Mobile Bay (American (tanker), 10172 GRT, built 1945), Ocala Victory (American, 7607 GRT, built 1945), Pit River (American (tanker), 10172 GRT, built 1945), Rangitata (British, 16737 GRT, built 1929), Raphael Semmes (American, 6165 GRT, built 1942), Rosemont (Panamanian, 4956 GRT, built 1938), Sandy Creek (American (tanker), 10297 GRT, built 1944), Santa Rosa (American, 9135 GRT, built 1932), The Yakima (American (tanker), 10172 GRT, built 1944), Yellow Tevern (American (tanker), 10296 GRT, built 1944) and York (American (tanker), 10448 GRT, built 1943).
The following ships were also part of the convoy; escort carrier (in an aircraft ferry role) HMS Pursuer (A/Capt. H.R. Graham, DSO, DSC, RN) and naval troop transport USS Hermitage (23254 GRT, built 1925) (T/Capt. J.T. Talbert, USN).
On departure from New York the convoy was escorted by the destroyers USS McDougal (T/Cdr. E.W. Logsdon, USN, with COMTASKGR 61.5, T/Capt. E.D. Poole, USN, on board), USS Simpson (Lt.Cdr. L.W. Sedgwick, USNR) and the destroyer escorts USS Robert E. Peary (Lt. D. McKinlay, Jr., USNR), USS Blair (Lt. W. Gadsby, Jr., USNR) and USS Sturtevant (Lt.Cdr. J.M. Mertz, USNR).
On 6 February the Boston Section of the convoy departed that place, it was made up of the following ship; Brazil (American, 20614 GRT, built 1929), Cape Borda (American, 5124 GRT, built 1944), Cape Race (American, 5124 GRT, built 1944), Excelsior (American, 6737 GRT, built 1943), Kokomo Victory (American, 7607 GRT, built 1945), Oneida Victory (American, 7607 GRT, built 1944), Pachaug Victory (American, 7607 GRT, built 1944), Sea Tiger (American, 7886 GRT, built 1944) and Thomas H. Barry (American, 11250 GRT, built 1930).
On departure from New York this section was escorted by the escort destroyers USS Jacob Jones (Lt. Frank L. Sullivan, USNR, with COMCORTDIV 3, T/Cdr. C.W. Musgrave, USN, on board), USS Brough (Lt. M.A. Stein, USNR), USS Roy O. Hale (Lt. H.C. Pogue, Jr., USNR) and USS Dale W. Peterson (Lt.Cdr. A.S. Bigelow, USNR).
Around 1015Q/7, the Boston Section of the convoy joined the main convoy. USS Simpson then parted company to proceed to Hampton Roads, Virginia.
Around 1800O/9, the merchant vessel Waiwera (British, 12435 GRT, built 1934) joined the convoy coming from the Panama Canal.
Around 0950O/10, the destroyer escorts USS Hammann (Lt.Cdr. C.L. Gould, USNR) and USS Martin H. Ray (Lt. H.V. Tucker, Jr., USNR), which had been delayed in sailing with the convoy due to the need for repairs, joined the convoy.
Around 1915N/11, the merchant vessels Hororata (British, 13945 GRT, built 1942) and Westerley Victory (American, 7607 GRT, built 1944) joined the convoy coming from the Panama Canal and Horta, Azores respectively.
Around 1530N/12, the merchant vessel Empire Rawlinson (British, 9912 GRT, built 1944) joined the convoy coming from Ascension.
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Around 1700N/12, the Irish Sea / west coast section of the convoy parted company. This section was made up of the following merchant vessels; Arawa, Carnifex Ferry, Chatteron Hill, Empire Rawlinson, Esso Camden, Fort Stevens, Grand River, Hororata, Mobile Bay, Pit River, Rangitata, Sandy Creek, The Yakima, Waiwera and York. HMS Pursuer was also part of this section. They were escorted by USS Jacob Jones, USS Hammann, USS Robert E. Peary, USS Brough and USS Roy O. Hale.
Around 1245Z/13, the merchant vessel Empire Grace (British, 13478 GRT, built 1942) joined the Irish Sea / west coast section. She came from the Panama Canal.
Around 1645A/15, ' Force 33 ' (21st Escort Group) reinforced the escort. This were the frigates HMS Conn (Lt.Cdr. R. Hart, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Byron (Lt. J.B. Burfield, DSC, RN), HMS Deane (T/Lt.Cdr. F. Brock, RCNVR), HMS Fitzroy (Lt.Cdr. O.G. Stuart, RCNVR), HMS Redmill (Lt. J.R.A. Denne, RN) and HMS Rupert (Lt. P.C.S. Black, RN).
Around 1730A/15, HMS Redmill was detached for other escort duties.
Around 1945A/15, ' Force 37 ' (31st Escort group) joined and took over from ' Force 33 ' which then parted company. ' Force 37 ' was made up of the corvettes HMS Berkeley Castle (Cdr. N.W. Duck, DSC and Bar, RD, RNR), HMS Carisbrooke Castle (T/Lt. W.H. Forster, RNR), HMS Dumbarton Castle (T/A/Lt.Cdr. R.C. Heron, RNVR) and HMS Lancaster Castle (T/A/Lt.Cdr. W.S. Joliffe, RNR).
Around 2140A/15, the Esso Camden parted company to proceed to the Clyde. USS Brough went with her as escort. They arrived in the Clyde the following morning.
Around 2225A/15, HMS Pursuer was detached to Belfast Lough where she arrived around an hour later.
Around 0200A/16, ' Force 37 ' parted company having been relieved by the 19th Escort Group which was made up of the frigate HMS Loch Shin (Cdr. J.P. de W. Kitcat, RN), HMS Loch Insh (T/A/Lt.Cdr. E.W.C. Dempster, RNVR), HMS Anguilla (T/A/Lt.Cdr. C. Morrison-Payne, RNVR), HMS Cotton (Lt.Cdr. I.W.T. Beloe, RN) and HMS Goodall (Lt.Cdr. J.V. Fulton, RNVR).
Around 0300A/16, the Bristol Channel section of the convoy parted company. This was made up of the following merchant vessels; Arawa, Chatterton Hill, Empire Grace, Fort Stevens and Pit River. They all arrived at Avonmouth on 16 / 17 February 1945. USS Robert E. Peary and USS Roy O. Hale went with them as escorts and they arrived at Cardiff in the evening of 16 February. This section of the convoy was supported by ships of the ' 25th Escort Group ' from 0700A/16 until the vicinity of Milford Haven. The 25th Escort Group was made up of the frigates HMCS Orkney (A/Cdr. V. Browne, RCNR), HMCS La Hulloise (Lt.Cdr. J. Brock, RCNVR), HMCS Strathadam (A/Lt.Cdr. H.L. Quinn, DSC, RCNVR) and HMCS Thedford Mines (Lt. J.A.R. Allan, DSC, RCNVR).
The remaining ships of the Irish Sea / west coast section arrived off the Bar light ship off Liverpool around 1030A/16 and the ships then started to enter the harbour.
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The remaining ships made up the Channel / east coast section.
Around 1200A/15, the destroyers HMS Faulknor (Cdr. D.E. Holland-Martin, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN), HMCS Iroquois (Capt. K.F. Adams, RCN) and escort destroyers HMS Tanatside (Cdr. B.J. de St. Croix, DSC, RN) and HMS Brissenden (Lt. D.D.E. Vivian, DSC, RN) joined.
Around 0355A/16, the Java suffered a steering defect and collided with the Westerly Victory. HMS Tanatside was ordered to standby them. They arrived at Plymouth later on the 16th. Java being towed into port by the rescue tug HMRT Allegiance.
Around 0730A/16, the Fort Fetterman and Yellow Tavern were detached to Weymouth Bay where they arrived later the same day.
Around 1000A/16, HMS Faulknor, HMCS Iroquois and HMS Brissenden parted company after the destroyer HMS Vidette (T/A/Lt.Cdr. G.S. Wooley, RNVR), frigates HMS Hargood (Cdr. P.G. MacIver, DSO, RD, RNR), HMS Kingsmill (Lt. G.H. Cook, RN) and L'Escarmouche joined.
Around 1400A/16, the ' London ' Section of the convoy parted company. This section was made up of the following merchant vesssels; Chicamauga, Hubbardton and Karsten Wang. HMS Vidette went with them as escort.
The remaining ships arrived in Le Havre Roads in the evening of 16 February. (4)
Media links
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Sources
- ADM 173/17247
- File 2.12.03.6379 (Dutch Archives, The Hague, Netherlands)
- ADM 173/17926
- War diaries of several USS warships + ADM 217/762 + ADM 217/765 + ADM 217/774 + File RG24-D-2 / Vol. 7419 (Library and Archives Canada)
ADM numbers indicate documents at the British National Archives at Kew, London.
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