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USS LAWRENCE (DD-250)


Flag Hoist/Radio Call Sign - NUQQ

CLASS - CLEMSON As Built.
Displacement 1,215 Tons, Dimensions, 314' 5" (oa) x 31' 8" x 9' 10" (Max)
Armament 4 x 4"/50, 1 x 3"/23AA, 12 x 21" tt..
Machinery, 26,000 SHP; Westinghouse Turbines, 2 screws
Speed, 35 Knots, Crew 114
Operational and Building Data
Laid down by New York Shipbuilding on August 14 1919.
Launched July 10 1920 and commissioned April 18 1921.
Decommissioned January 6 1931, Recommissioned June 13 1932.
Decommissioned September 13 1938, Recommissioned September 26 1939.
Decommissioned October 24 1945.
Stricken August 13 1945.
Fate Sold October 1 1946 to Boston Metals, Baltimore and broken up for scrap.

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Lawrence 84kJames Lawrence was born in Burlington, New Jersey, on 1 October 1781. Though educated in the field of law, he joined the infant United States Navy in September 1798 as a Midshipman and served in the ship Ganges and frigate Adams during the undeclared war with France. Commissioned in the rank of Lieutenant in 1802, he served in the schooner Enterprise during the War with Tripoli, taking part in a successful attack that burned enemy craft ashore on 2 June 1803. In February 1804 he was second in command of ketch Intrepid during the daring expedition to destroy the captured frigate Philadelphia in Tripoli harbor. Later in the conflict he commanded Enterprise and a gunboat in battles with the Tripolitans. He was also First Lieutenant of the frigate John Adams and, in 1805, commanded the small Gunboat Number 6 during a voyage across the Atlantic to Italy. Subsequently, Lieutenant Lawrence commanded the warships Vixen, Wasp and Argus. In 1810 he also took part in trials of an experimental spar-torpedo. Promoted to the rank of Master Commandant in November 1810, he took command of the sloop of war Hornet a year later and sailed her to Europe on a diplomatic mission. From the beginning of the War of 1812, Lawrence and Hornet cruised actively, capturing the privateer Dolphin on 9 July 1812. Later in the year Hornet blockaded the British sloop Bonne Citoyenne at Bahia, Brazil, and on 24 February 1813 captured HMS Peacock. Upon his return to the United States in March, Lawrence learned of his promotion to Captain. Two months later he took command of the frigate Chesapeake, then preparing for sea at Boston, Massachusetts. She left port on 1 June 1813 and immediately engaged the Royal Navy frigate Shannon in a fierce battle. Captain Lawrence, mortally wounded by small arms fire, ordered "Don't give up the ship" as he was carried below. However, his crew was overwhelmed by British boarders shortly afterwards. James Lawrence died of his wounds on 4 June, while Chesapeake was being taken to Halifax, Nova Scotia, by her captors. His body was later repatriated to New York for burial. Photo #: KN-2579. Master Commandant James Lawrence, USN (1781-1813) oil on wood, 28.5" x 23.5", by Gilbert Stuart (1755-1828), Boston, circa 1812. Painting in the U.S. Naval Academy Museum Collection. Bequest of George M. Moffett, 1952. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.Tony Cowart/Robert M. Cieri
Lawrence 53kArtist's conception of the Lawrence as built by the renowned graphic illustrator John Barrett with the text written by naval author and historian Robert F. Sumrall. Their company Navy Yard Associates offers prints of most destroyers, destroyer escorts, submarines and aircraft carriers in various configurations during the ship's lifetime. The prints can be customized with ship's patches, your photograph, your bio, etc. If you decide to purchase artwork from them please indicate that you heard about their work from NavSource.Navy Yard Associates
Lawrence 124kUndated, destroyers moored at San Diego, California, prior to World War II. These ships are (from left to right): USS Barry (DD-248); USS Bainbridge (DD-246); USS Reuben James (DD-245); USS Williamson (DD-244); USS Fox (DD-234); USS Lawrence (DD-250); and USS Hovey (DD-208). Courtesy of the U.S. Naval Institute Photo Collection. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.Fred Weiss
Lawrence 76kUndated, location unknown.David Buell
Lawrence 178kUndated, location unknown. Photo from the collection of the Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum.Darryl Baker
Lawrence 239kUndated, New York City in background. Photo from the collection of the Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum.Darryl Baker
Lawrence 75kUndated, location unknown.Paul Rebold
Lawrence 70kUndated, location unknown.Richard Miller BMCS USNR RET.
Lawrence 51kUndated, location unknown.Richard Miller BMCS USNR RET.
Lawrence 131kNew York Shipbuilding Corporation Shipyard, Camden, New Jersey. Eleven destroyers fitting out in the Wet Basin between Piers 3 and 4. Photo is dated 28 September 1920. Ships present are identified as (from left to right): Childs (DD-241), commissioned 22 Oct. 1920; Reuben James (DD-245), commissioned 24 Sept. 1920; McFarland (DD-237), commissioned 30 Sept. 1920; Sturtevant (DD-240), commissioned 21 Sept. 1920; Williamson (DD-244), commissioned 29 Oct. 1920; Sands (DD-243), commissioned 10 Nov. 1920; Lawrence (DD-250), commissioned 18 April 1921; Hopkins (DD-249), commissioned 21 March 1921; Bainbridge (DD-246), commissioned 9 Feb. 1921; Goff (DD-247), commissioned 19 Jan. 1921; and Barry (DD-248), commissioned 28 Dec. 1920.Robert Hurst
Lawrence 83kUSS Lawrence (DD-250) at anchor, circa 1921. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.Fred Weiss
Lawrence 181kBattleship Pennsylvania (BB-38) during the Naval Review of 1921. Among the ships in the background is the destroyer Lawrence (DD-250) off the stern of the Pennsylvania. Photo LOC31027u courtesy of Harris and Ewing Collection, Library of Congress via George Lane.George Lane
Lawrence 79kPhoto #: NH 78347, a French launch, under tow, transfers Vinh-Long survivors from USS Bainbridge (DD-246), from which the photograph was taken, to the French armored cruiser Waldeck Rousseau, off Constantinople, Turkey, 16 December 1922. Vinh-Long had burned in the sea of Marmora earlier that day. USS Lawrence (DD-250) and USS Overton (DD-239) are in the background, at left. Donation of Frank A. Downey, 1973. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.Paul Rebold
Lawrence 103kUSS Lawrence (DD-250) in harbor, 1924. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.Fred Weiss
Lawrence 113kPhoto #: NH 72403, U.S. Navy Destroyers steaming out to sea through the Golden Gate, off San Francisco, California, 15 April 1925. These ships are (from left to right): USS Sturtevant (DD-240); USS Lawrence (DD-250); USS James K. Paulding (DD-238); and an unidentified sister ship. Courtesy of Charles M. Loring, 1970. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.Paul Rebold
Lawrence 147kUSS Lawrence (DD-250) photographed during the 1920s or 1930s. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.Fred Weiss
Lawrence 123kUSS Lawrence (DD-250) underway during the 1920s or 1930s. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.Fred Weiss
Lawrence 128kPhoto #: NH 51263, USS Lawrence (DD-250) in the Panama Canal, during the 1920s or 1930s. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.Paul Rebold
Lawrence 154kU.S. destroyers moored side-by-side after a day's manoeuvers in Haitian Waters, circa the late 1920s or the 1930s. These ships are (from front to rear): USS Kane (DD-235); USS Hatfield (DD-231); USS Brooks (DD-232) and USS Lawrence (DD-250). The first three destroyers carry 5"/51 guns mounted on their sterns, while Lawrence has the normal 4"/50 gun mounted atop her after deckhouse, with a 3"/23 anti-aircraft gun on her stern. Note bedding airing on the ships' lifelines. U.S. Naval Historical Centre photo # NH 52227.Robert Hurst
Lawrence 143kUSS Lawrence (DD-250) in San Diego harbor, California, 1933. USS Eagle 11 (PE-11) is in the right background. Donation of Franklin Moran, 1967. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.Fred Weiss
Lawrence 301kBalboa Harbor, Panama Canal Zone. Aerial photograph taken 23 April 1934, with U.S. Fleet cruisers and destroyers moored together. Ships present include (left to right in lower left): USS Elliot (DD-146); USS Roper (DD-147); USS Hale (DD-133); USS Dorsey (DD-117); USS Lea (DD-118); USS Rathburne (DD-113); USS Talbot (DD-114); USS Waters (DD-115); USS Dent (DD-116); USS Aaron Ward (DD-132); USS Buchanan (DD-131); USS Crowninshield (DD-134); USS Preble (DD-345); and USS William B. Preston (DD-344). (left to right in center): USS Yarnall (DD-143); USS Sands (DD-243); USS Lawrence (DD-250); (unidentified destroyer); USS Detroit (CL-8), Flagship, Destroyers Battle Force; USS Fox (DD-234); USS Greer (DD-145); USS Barney (DD-149); USS Tarbell (DD-142); and USS Chicago (CA-29), Flagship, Cruisers Scouting Force. (left to right across the top): USS Southard (DD-207); USS Chandler (DD-206); USS Farenholt (DD-332); USS Perry (DD-340); USS Wasmuth (DD-338); USS Trever (DD-339); USS Melville (AD-2); USS Truxtun (DD-229); USS McCormick (DD-223); USS MacLeish (DD-220); USS Simpson (DD-221); USS Hovey (DD-208); USS Long (DD-209); USS Litchfield (DD-336); USS Tracy (DD-214); USS Dahlgren (DD-187); USS Medusa (AR-1); USS Raleigh (CL-7), Flagship, Destroyers Scouting Force; USS Pruitt (DD-347); and USS J. Fred Talbott (DD-156); USS Dallas (DD-199); (four unidentified destroyers); and USS Indianapolis (CA-35), Flagship, Cruisers Scouting Force. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.Fabio Peņa
Lawrence 153kPhoto #: NH 64432, USS Lawrence (DD-250) underway in San Diego harbor, California, 1935. Photographed from USS Dobbin (AD-3). Donation of Franklin Moran, 1967. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.Paul Rebold
Lawrence 118kCirca 1935-1936.Larry K. Fugh
Lawrence 22kSame.Larry K. Fugh
Lawrence 102kPhoto #: NH 98376, USS Lawrence (DD-250) alongside a wharf at the Mare Island Navy Yard, California, 20 June 1942. This view looks forward from over the ship's after deckhouse, and shows her midships' 4"/50 guns and smokestacks. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center.Paul Rebold
Lawrence 156kPhoto #: NH 98377, USS Lawrence (DD-250) alongside a wharf at the Mare Island Navy Yard, California, 20 June 1942, seen from a shipyard crane. This view looks down on the ship's after half, showing triple torpedo tubes, boats and other details. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center.Paul Rebold
Lawrence 67kUSS Lawrence (DD-250) Off the Mare Island Navy Yard, California, 23 June 1942. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center.Fred Weiss
Lawrence 65kPhoto #: NH 98374, USS Lawrence (DD-250) off the Mare Island Navy Yard, California, 23 June 1942. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center.Paul Rebold
Lawrence 80kPhoto #: NH 98373, USS Lawrence (DD-250) off the Mare Island Navy Yard, California, 23 June 1942. Note that her after smokestack and after torpedo tubes have been removed, but she still retains 4"/50 guns. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center.Paul Rebold
Lawrence 803kUSS Lawrence (DD-250) off the Mare Island Navy Yard, California, 23 June 1942. Note the numerous barrage balloons in the background. Navy photo DD 250 3427-6-42, from files of Vallejo Naval & Historical MuseumDarryl Baker
Lawrence 860kUSS Lawrence (DD-250) off the Mare Island Navy Yard, California, 23 June 1942. Navy photo DD 250 3429-6-42, from files of Vallejo Naval & Historical MuseumDarryl Baker
Lawrence 127kPhoto #: 80-G-652604. Navy and Marine Corps Reserve Training Center, Trenton, New Jersey. Dedication of the bell from USS Lawrence (DD-250) at the Reserve Training Center, 2 October 1954. Those present in the photograph include (from left to right): Electronics Technician 3rd Class R.F. Gilton, USNR; Dr. H.H. Bisbee, of Burlington, N.J.; Mr. Anthony Greski, Mayor of Burlington, N.J.; Lieutenant Commander C.W. Summers, USN, Commanding Officer of the Reserve Training Center; Chief Yeoman C.W. Green, USNR, Senior Stationkeeper; and Sergeant H.L. Pancost, USMCR. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.Bill Gonyo
View the Special Photo Feature of Ralph Fugh, Torpedoman Third Class who served aboard the Lawrence from 1935 to 1936.
View the Special Photo Feature of Stephen Urbani, Electricians Mate First Class who served aboard the Lawrence in the late 1930's.

USS LAWRENCE DD-250 History
View This Vessels DANFS History Entry
(Located On The hazegray Web Site, This Is The Main Archive For The DANFS Online Project.)

Commanding Officers
Thanks to Wolfgang Hechler & Ron Reeves


ENS Levi Dee York    Apr 18 1921 - Aug 15 1921

LCDR John Howard Wellbrock    Apr 15 1921 - May 13 1922

CDR Edwin Armin Wolleson    May 13 1922 - Oct 20 1924

CDR Russell Willson    Oct 20 1924 - Dec 3 1924 (Later VADM)

LCDR John Jackson London    Dec 3 1924 - Jan 1 1926

LCDR Lorain Anderson    Jan 1 1926 - ?

LCDR John Douglas Jones    Jun 30 1928 - Jan 6 1931

(Decommissioned Jan 6 1931 - Jun 13 1932)

LCDR Thomas Francis Downey    Jun 13 1932 - Mar 31 1933

LCDR Wallace Howard Gregg    Mar 31 1933 - Jun 11 1935

LCDR Ross Ainsworth Dierdorff    Jun 11 1935 - Jaun 21 1937

LT Frank Wadsworth MacDonald    Jun 21 1937 - Sep 13 1938

(Decommissioned Sep 13 1938 - Sep 26 1939)

CDR Horace Donald Clarke    Sep 26 1939 - Oct 1 1940 (Later RADM)

LCDR Claude Arthur Dillavou    Oct 1 1940 - Oct 10 1941 

LCDR Henry Thompson Jarrell    Oct 10 1941 - Jan 10 1943

LCDR Thomas Boyd Hutchins III    Jan 10 1943 - Sep 30 1943

LT Edward Robert Hanford    Sep 30 1943 - Jun 21 1945

LT Douglas Arthur Noonan    Jun 21 1945 - Oct 24 1945


Crew Contact And Reunion Information

Contact Name: Ralph Wegener
Address: 6215 Sterling, Raytown,Mo.64133
Phone: 816-353-0178
E-mail: RGWege@aol.com


Note About Contacts.

The contact listed, Was the contact at the time for this ship when located. If another person now is the contact, E-mail me and I will update this entry. These contacts are compiled from various sources over a long period of time and may or may not be correct. Every effort has been made to list the newest contact if more than one contact was found.


Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
USS Lawrence website
Tin Can Sailors Website
Destroyer History Foundation
Destroyers Online Website
Official U.S.Navy Destroyer Website

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This page was created by Fred Willishaw (ex ARG-4, AS-11 & DD-692) and is maintained by David L. Wright
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Last Updated 02 May 2018