USS Tattnall: The Versatile Career of a Navy Destroyer and High-Speed Transport
The USS Tattnall was a vessel of remarkable adaptability, serving the United States Navy through the interwar period and the intensity of World War II. Beginning its life as a destroyer and later evolving into a high-speed transport, the ship operated across three oceans, participating in strategic ruses, amphibious invasions, and the perilous picket lines of the Pacific.
Early Service and Interwar Years
Following initial trials off the coast of New England, the Tattnall began its active service in the eastern Mediterranean. Arriving in Constantinople on July 27, the ship spent nearly a year operating in Turkish waters, while also facilitating the transport of mail and passengers to ports in Syria, Russia, Greece, and Egypt.
In June 1920, the ship began its return voyage to the United States. During this journey, on July 17, 1920, the Navy transitioned to an alphanumeric designation system, and the vessel was officially designated DD-125. After stopping in France and Italy, it arrived in New York on July 22.
The following years were marked by a transition to the Pacific Fleet. After visiting Mexico, Nicaragua, Cuba, and the Panama Canal Zone, the Tattnall reached San Diego on December 17. It operated along the California coast until it was decommissioned and placed in reserve on June 15, 1922.
The ship returned to active duty on May 1, 1930, serving with the Battle Force on the West Coast. By July 1, 1931, it was transferred to the East Coast to join the Scouting Force Destroyers as part of Destroyer Division 7. Throughout the mid-1930s, the Tattnall alternated between periods in the rotating reserve and active duty with the Scouting Force Training Squadron, eventually joining the Training Detachment, United States Fleet, in late 1937.
World War II: From Escort to High-Speed Transport
On November 17, 1938, the Tattnall joined the Special Service Squadron, based in the Canal Zone. Following the U.S. entry into World War II, the ship focused on escorting coastwise convoys in the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico. It frequently navigated the Windward Passage—the stretch of water between Cuba and Hispaniola—which was a high-risk zone during the Caribbean U-boat blitz. While the crew conducted numerous depth charge attacks after sonar contacts, no kills were officially confirmed.
In July 1943, the ship underwent a significant transformation. After arriving in Charleston, South Carolina, on July 10, it was converted into a high-speed transport (a fast vessel designed to deliver troops quickly to shore) and redesignated APD-19 on July 24. By September 6, 1943, the conversion was complete, and the ship began rigorous amphibious training in Maryland and Florida.
Strategic Operations in the Mediterranean
By April 1944, the Tattnall became the flagship of Transport Division (TransDiv) 13, the only high-speed transport division in the Atlantic theater. After deploying to Oran, Algeria, and Corsica, the ship played a critical role in a strategic deception. It was ordered to feign a landing near Civitavecchia, Italy, to distract German reinforcements from the American breakthrough at Monte Cassino. The ruse was successful, leading German radio to announce an Allied invasion north of Rome.
On June 17, the Tattnall participated in the actual invasion of the Elba and Pianosa Islands. Later, in August, the ship embarked members of the American-Canadian 1st Special Service Force to capture the fortified Hyeres Islands east of Toulon. On August 15, TransDiv 13 landed 1,600 troops, securing the islands within three days. The Tattnall then spent several weeks shuttling supplies and reinforcements into southern France and evacuating prisoners of war and wounded soldiers.
The Pacific Campaign and Kamikaze Encounters
After a brief period of maintenance in Norfolk, the Tattnall departed for the Pacific on January 31, 1945. It transited the Panama Canal and stopped at Pearl Harbor, Eniwetok, and Ulithi before arriving at Okinawa on April 19.
The ship was assigned to screen stations, protecting the fleet from kamikazes (suicide aircraft). On the night of April 29 and 30, the Tattnall engaged enemy aircraft. After shooting down one twin-engined plane, the ship narrowly avoided a second kamikaze by turning hard to port. While debris pierced the hull above the waterline, there were no casualties or serious damage.
The intensity of the campaign was evident on May 25, when the crew remained at general quarters for 18 consecutive hours. During this period, sister ships Barry (which sank) and Roper were struck by kamikazes.
In June, the Tattnall was assigned to the Philippine Sea Frontier, conducting patrols in the Philippines and escorting convoys to Hollandia and Ulithi. It finally returned to San Francisco on October 30, 1945.
Final Disposition
The USS Tattnall was decommissioned at the Puget Sound Navy Yard on December 17, 1945, and struck from the Navy list on January 8, 1946. It was sold to the Pacific Metal Salvage Company of Seattle on October 17, 1946. The hull was towed to Royston, British Columbia, where it was beached to serve as a breakwater; portions of the hull remained visible as of 2009.
Key Facts
- Designations: Originally a destroyer (DD-125), later converted to a high-speed transport (APD-19).
- Key Theaters: Eastern Mediterranean, Caribbean, Atlantic (Southern France/Italy), and the Pacific (Okinawa/Philippines).
- Major Achievement: Served as the flagship of TransDiv 13, the only high-speed transport division in the Atlantic.
- Combat Experience: Participated in the capture of Elba, Pianosa, and Hyeres Islands; survived kamikaze attacks at Okinawa.
- Final Fate: Scrapped and used as a breakwater in Royston, British Columbia.
| Period | Role/Designation | Primary Area of Operation |
|---|---|---|
| 1919–1922 | Destroyer | Mediterranean & US West Coast |
| 1930–1938 | Destroyer (Training/Reserve) | US East & West Coasts |
| 1938–1943 | Destroyer (Escort) | Caribbean & Gulf of Mexico |
| 1943–1945 | High-Speed Transport (APD-19) | Mediterranean & Pacific |
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the purpose of the Tattnall's conversion to APD-19?
The conversion transformed the ship from a standard destroyer into a high-speed transport, allowing it to rapidly deliver troops and equipment to shore during amphibious operations.
How did the Tattnall contribute to the capture of Rome?
The ship participated in a strategic ruse by feigning a landing near Civitavecchia, which successfully diverted German reinforcements away from American forces breaking through at Monte Cassino.
Did the USS Tattnall sink any submarines?
No. Although the ship made many sonar contacts and conducted numerous depth charge attacks during the Caribbean U-boat blitz, it registered no confirmed kills.
What happened to the Tattnall during the Battle of Okinawa?
The ship served on picket duty and successfully shot down one kamikaze aircraft and evaded another, suffering only minor damage from debris.
Where is the USS Tattnall located today?
The ship was sold for scrap in 1946, and its hull was towed to Royston, British Columbia, where it was beached to serve as a breakwater.