USS Abel P. Upshur

Vessel name on Arrival: HMS Clare

Original Builder: Newport News Shipbuilding & Drydock Coy., Virginia, USA

Original Yard No: 235

Official Number:

Vessel Type: destroyer

GRT: 1190

Year Built: 1920

Arrival Date: 02/03/1947

Breakup Started: 06/03/1947

Date First Beached: 07/07/1947

Date Breakup Completed: 04/11/1947

Draught For’d: 6' 6"

Draught Aft: 12' 0"

Name Changes:

 

A 'Clemson'-Class Destroyer launched as the USS Abel P. Upshur for the American Navy, Pennant No. DD-193

Other Information:

 

20-08-1918  :  Keel laid down

14-02-1920  :  Launched

23-11-1920  :  Completed

Propulsion  :  Steam Turbines giving the ship a maximum speed of 35 knots.

Dimensions & Tonnages  :   95.8 metres x 9.7 metres                        Gross – 1,190 tons / Deadweight – 1,725 tons

 

Held in Reserve until 1939 then transferred to the Royal Navy in 1940 under the Lease-Lend Agreement. 

 

Commissioned into the Royal Navy on 09-09-1940, arrived Plymouth on 26-09-1940, renamed HMS Clare on 02-10-1940 then, from 09-10-1940, took up Convoy Escort duties with the 17th Destroyer Flotilla, operating in the N. W. Approaches.

 

From 1940 through 1944 HMS Clare served mainly as Convoy Escort, was involved in the invasions of North Africa and Sicily – Battle Honours : Atlantic 1941-1943, North Africa 1942-1943, Sicily 1943.

 

In 1945 she was paid off and de-stored, then laid up at Barrow in the Reserve Fleet, until placed on the Disposal List.  HMS Clare was sold to the West of Scotland Shipbreaking Company on 25-08-1945 for breaking up.