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| 17k | Joel Abbot was born on 18 January 1793 in Westford, Mass. He was appointed a midshipman on 18 June 1812 and served with distinction during the War of 1812. In 1852, he was chosen by Commodore Matthew C. Perry to command the frigate Macedonian, one of the ships in Perry's expedition to Japan. During this journey, Abbot visited the Japanese, Bonin, and Philippine Islands, as well as Formosa. Upon Perry's return to the United States, Abbot assumed command of the squadron. Commodore Abbot died of malaria on 14 December 1855 at Hong Kong. | Bill Gonyo |
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107k | November 15, 1919, location unknown. | Jim Flynn |
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168k | Circa 1920, location unknown. | Walt Baranger |
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43k | Circa 1940, location unknown. | Walt Baranger |
On British Service
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HMS Charlestown (ex-USS Abbot, DD-184) transferred at Halifax, NS on 23 September 1940 and refitted at Devonport, completing 4 November 1940, subsequent defects delayed her arrival at Kyle of Lochalsh to join the 17th Division until 6 January 1941, the unit with which she was to serve until February 1943. In addition to escorting 1st Minelaying Squadron in its work on the Northern Barrage, the ship was also used extensively to cover the Icelandic Ferry convoys, and also served as local escort for major troop convoys sailing from the Clyde. Charlestown, refitted with Beverley, at Palmers on Tyneside during April and May 1941, and again refitted at Grimsby from mid-November 1941. This refit was prolonged as she was rammed by Marple while alongside, and reapirs did not complete until 20 February 1942. After further service, again often with the Icelandic convoys, Charlestown went for refit at Newport, Mon, in late-October 1942, transferring to Cardiff when she hit the dockside while leaving for trials; repairs in fact lasted until February 1943. Following the newport refit and subsequent work up at Tobermory Charlestown came under the command of Admiral Commanding Orkney and Shetland until August 1943, the Minelaying Squadron having disbanded. repairs were then needed which were done at Belfast, and in October 1943 Charlestown transferred to Rosyth Command for duty on the East Coast convoy toute. While so serving, Charlestown collided with the steamer Florizel off Harwich on 10 December 1944. The damage incurred, the age and condition of the ship all
combined to decide that no further effort would be be expended and Charlestown was paid off in her damaged state and laid up at Grangemouth. She passed to the control of British Iron & Steel Corporation on 4 March 1947, and arived at Sunderland in tow on 3 december 1948 to be broken up by Thomas Young & Sons Ltd. (History thanks to Robert Hurst.) |
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102k | Undated, HM King George VI inspecting an ex-American destroyer, the HMS Charleston (I 21), now part of the Home Fleet. He is just walking beneath one of the ship's cutters. Source: Imperial War Museum Admiralty Official Collection, Photo No.© IWM(A 4712). | Mike Green |
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156k | Circa 1943, location unknown. | Walt Baranger |
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63k | As the HMS Charlestown July 1943, location unknown. | Robert Hurst |