# USS Rowe

> Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/USS_Rowe
> Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/USS_Rowe.md
> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Rowe
> Source revision: 1327182138
> License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)

Fletcher-class destroyer

USS Rowe in open sea History United States Namesake John Rowe Builder Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corporation Laid down 7 December 1942 Launched 30 September 1943 Commissioned 13 March 1944 to 31 January 1947 5 October 1951 to 6 November 1959 Stricken 1 December 1974 Fate Sunk as a target off the coast of Puerto Rico on 23 February 1978 General characteristics Class & type Fletcher-class destroyer Displacement 2,050 tons Length 376 ft 6 in (114.7 m) Beam 39 ft 8 in (12.1 m) Draft 17 ft 9 in (5.4 m) Propulsion 60,000 shp (45 MW); 2 propellers Speed 35 knots (65 km/h) Range 6500 nmi. (12,000 km) @ 15 kt Complement 329 Armament 5 × 5 in (130 mm), 4 × 40 mm AA guns, 4 × 20 mm AA guns, 10 × 21 inch (533 mm) torpedo tubes, 6 × depth charge projectors, 2 × depth charge tracks

**USS *Rowe* (DD-564)** was a [*Fletcher*-class](/source/Fletcher-class_destroyer) [destroyer](/source/Destroyer) of the [United States Navy](/source/United_States_Navy).

## Namesake

John Rowe was appointed [midshipman](/source/Midshipman) in the Navy on 2 December 1799. He volunteered for [Lieutenant](/source/Lieutenant) [Stephen Decatur](/source/Stephen_Decatur)'s expedition into [Tripoli](/source/Tripoli%2C_Libya) Harbor during the [First Barbary War](/source/First_Barbary_War). On 16 February 1804, [USS *Intrepid*](/source/USS_Intrepid_(1798))'s crew boarded and set fire to [USS *Philadelphia*](/source/USS_Philadelphia_(1799)), destroying the [frigate](/source/Frigate), which had fallen into enemy hands. He was commissioned lieutenant on 21 March 1807 and resigned from the Navy on 27 August 1808.

## Construction and commissioning

*Rowe* was laid down 7 December 1942 by the [Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Co.](/source/Seattle-Tacoma_Shipbuilding_Co.), [Seattle, Wash.](/source/Seattle%2C_Wash.); [launched](/source/Ship_naming_and_launching) 30 September 1943; sponsored by Mrs. Louise Bradley Roberson; and [commissioned](/source/Ship_commissioning) 13 March 1944.

## World War II

Following shakedown off San Diego, *Rowe* got underway for [Pearl Harbor](/source/Pearl_Harbor) 24 May 1944. After 2 weeks of additional underway training in the Hawaiian Islands, she completed a round-trip escort run to [Eniwetok](/source/Eniwetok), 16 June to 2 July, and on 3 August 1944 sailed as [flagship](/source/Flagship) of Destroyer Squadron 57 (DesRon 57) for [Adak, Alaska](/source/Adak%2C_Alaska), to report for duty with the [9th Fleet](/source/U.S._9th_Fleet). She engaged in underway training there, and participated in three strikes against the [Kurils](/source/Kurils); [Matsuwa To](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Matsuwa_To&action=edit&redlink=1) Island on 21 November 1944, [Suribati Wan](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Suribati_Wan&action=edit&redlink=1) on 3 January 1945, and [Kurabu Zaki](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kurabu_Zaki&action=edit&redlink=1), [Paramushiro](/source/Paramushiro) Island on 18 February 1945. On 18 April, Destroyer Division 113 (DesDiv 113) was detached from the [North Pacific Force](/source/North_Pacific_Force) and sailed for Pearl Harbor.

*Rowe* seen here in 1944.

Following repairs and training, *Rowe* sailed on 11 May for [Ulithi](/source/Ulithi) with [aircraft carrier](/source/Aircraft_carrier) [*Ticonderoga*](/source/USS_Ticonderoga_(CV-14)) and her destroyer division. Arriving 22 May, she joined the [5th Fleet](/source/U.S._5th_Fleet) for duty and a week later left Ulithi in convoy for [Okinawa](/source/Okinawa_Island). Reaching the [Ryukyus](/source/Ryukyus) 2 June, *Rowe* began [radar picket](/source/Radar_picket) duty. Fifteen days later, with DesDiv 113, she escorted the [battleship](/source/Battleship) [*Mississippi*](/source/USS_Mississippi_(BB-41)) out of [Hagushi](/source/Hagushi) anchorage and steamed for the Philippines, reaching [San Pedro Bay](/source/San_Pedro_Bay_(Philippines)), [Leyte Gulf](/source/Leyte_Gulf), 20 June.

Standing out of Leyte Gulf on 1 July, *Rowe* rendezvoused with [Task Force 38](/source/Task_Force_38) (TF 38) for screening and plane guard duties during attacks against the Japanese home islands—[Honshū](/source/Honsh%C5%AB), [Shikoku](/source/Shikoku) and [Hokkaidō](/source/Hokkaid%C5%8D). The first strike was launched on 10 July against airfields and installations in the vicinity of Tokyo. Temporarily detached on 23 July 1945, *Rowe* participated in the bombardment of the town of [Omura](/source/%C5%8Cmura%2C_Nagasaki) on [Chichi Jima](/source/Chichi_Jima), then rejoined the carrier force.

When the official [Japanese Instrument of Surrender](/source/Japanese_Instrument_of_Surrender) was signed in Tokyo Bay on 2 September 1945, *Rowe* was still steaming with Task Group 38.4 (TG 38.4) in a patrol area east of Honshū Island, while the group's planes performed air observation missions over [prisoner of war camps](/source/Prisoner_of_war_camp). Following a round-trip run to Eniwetok, *Rowe* steamed out of Tokyo Bay 18 November for Pearl Harbor and the United States.

Touching at [San Diego, Calif.](/source/Naval_Station_San_Diego), *Rowe* transited the [Panama Canal](/source/Panama_Canal) 17 December and reached [Philadelphia, Pa.](/source/Philadelphia_Navy_Yard) 23 December. Arriving [Charleston, S.C.](/source/Charleston_Navy_Yard) 20 March 1946, *Rowe* decommissioned 31 January 1947 and was berthed at Charleston as a unit of the [Atlantic Reserve Fleet](/source/Atlantic_Reserve_Fleet).

## 1951–1959

After almost 5 years, on 20 September 1951, *Rowe* was brought out of mothballs and recommissioned 5 October 1951. Following shakedown in the [Guantanamo Bay](/source/Guantanamo_Bay_Naval_Base) area, *Rowe* conducted shore bombardment exercises at [Culebra Island](/source/Culebra_Island), Puerto Rico, and returned to [Norfolk, Va.](/source/Naval_Station_Norfolk) 12 March 1952 for local operations with DesDiv 322. In July she steamed to [Halifax](/source/Halifax_(former_city)%2C_Nova_Scotia) returning to Charleston in late August for a yard availability.

Following further training exercises in the Caribbean in early 1953, she made a [midshipman cruise](/source/Midshipman_cruise) to Europe during the summer, and, during the fall, she undertook hunter-killer [antisubmarine warfare](/source/Antisubmarine_warfare) exercises with [Task Group 81.2](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Task_Force_81&action=edit&redlink=1) in the Caribbean.

On 20 April 1954 *Rowe*, with ComDesRon 32 embarked, got underway for duty in the Far East. Steaming via Panama, she reached [Yokosuka](/source/U.S._Fleet_Activities_Yokosuka), Japan, 28 May 1954. Three days later she and [*Fechteler*](/source/USS_Fechteler_(DD-870)) got underway for [Sasebo](/source/U.S._Fleet_Activities_Sasebo), thence to [Pusan](/source/Pusan) for patrol duties. Arriving the same day, they relieved [*Douglas H. Fox*](/source/USS_Douglas_H._Fox_(DD-779)) and [*Laffey*](/source/USS_Laffey_(DD-724)) on Korean patrol. On 4 June *Rowe* assisted crash boats and aircraft in a search for a United States Air Force plane that had crashed between Korea and Japan. Six members of the plane's crew and passengers were rescued. *Rowe* then towed an Air Force [seaplane](/source/Seaplane), which was unable to take off in the rough seas, to port. On 28 August 1954, *Rowe* completed her tour with the [Seventh Fleet](/source/U.S._7th_Fleet) and prepared for the homeward leg of her round-the-world journey. Steaming via Suez and the Mediterranean, the division arrived in Norfolk 28 October 1954.

*Rowe* in the late 1950s.

The following months were spent in tender availability, upkeep, leave and local operations. On 20 June 1955, while conducting high-speed night carrier operations with [*Bennington*](/source/USS_Bennington_(CV-20)), *Rowe* rescued a downed pilot. From 18 July through 19 September, *Rowe* participated in various CONVEX events and training exercises while operating with Commander, Anti-Submarine Warfare Forces, [Atlantic Fleet](/source/U.S._Atlantic_Fleet). *Rowe* returned to Mediterranean duty on 5 November and served in the [6th Fleet](/source/U.S._6th_Fleet) returning to Norfolk 26 February 1956.

In June and July 1956, *Rowe* conducted another midshipman cruise, then resumed operations out of Norfolk. Attached to the 6th Fleet, 21 October 1957 to 5 March 1958, *Rowe* returned to European waters in June to call at ports in Sweden and Germany. Back in Norfolk in early August, she operated off the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coasts until decommissioned in November 1959 and berthed at Norfolk, where she remained until struck from the [Navy Directory](/source/Navy_Directory) on 1 December 1974.

## Honors

*Rowe* earned three [battle stars](/source/Battle_star) for [World War II](/source/World_War_II) service.

## References

- *This article incorporates text from the [public domain](/source/Public_domain)*[Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships](/source/Dictionary_of_American_Naval_Fighting_Ships)*. The entry can be found [here](http://www.history.navy.mil/research/histories/ship-histories/danfs/r/rowe.html).*

## External links

- [Photo gallery](http://www.navsource.net/archives/05/564.htm) of USS *Rowe* at NavSource Naval History

v t e Fletcher-class destroyers Completed Fletcher Radford Jenkins La Vallette Nicholas O'Bannon Chevalier Saufley Waller Strong Taylor De Haven Bache Beale Guest Bennett Fullam Hudson Hutchins Pringle Stanly Stevens Halford Leutze Philip Renshaw Ringgold Schroeder Sigsbee Conway Cony Converse Eaton Foote Spence Terry Thatcher Anthony Wadsworth Walker Brownson Daly Isherwood Kimberly Luce Abner Read Ammen Mullany (ex-Beatty) Bush Trathen Hazelwood Heermann Hoel McCord Miller Owen The Sullivans (ex-Putnam, Sullivan) Stephen Potter Tingey Twining Yarnall Boyd Bradford Brown Cowell Capps David W. Taylor Evans John D. Henley Franks Haggard Hailey Johnston Laws Longshaw Morrison Prichett Robinson Ross Rowe Smalley Stoddard Watts Wren Aulick Charles Ausburne Claxton Dyson Harrison John Rodgers McKee Murray Sproston Wickes William D. Porter Young Charrette Conner Hall Halligan Haraden Newcomb Bell Burns Izard Paul Hamilton Twiggs Howorth Killen Hart (ex-Mansfield) Metcalf Shields Wiley Abbot Braine Erben Hale Sigourney Stembel Albert W. Grant Caperton Cogswell Ingersoll Knapp Bearss John Hood Van Valkenburgh Charles J. Badger Colahan Dashiell Bullard Kidd Bennion Heywood L. Edwards Richard P. Leary Bryant Black Chauncey Clarence K. Bronson Cotten Dortch Gatling Healy Hickox Hunt Lewis Hancock Marshall McDermut McGowan McNair Melvin Hopewell Porterfield Stockham Wedderburn Picking Halsey Powell Uhlmann Remey Wadleigh Norman Scott Mertz Callaghan Cassin Young Irwin Preston Benham Cushing Monssen Jarvis Porter Colhoun Gregory Little Rooks Cancelled Percival Watson DD-523 (Unnamed) – DD-525 (Unnamed) DD-542 (Unnamed) DD-543 (Unnamed) DD-548 (Unnamed) DD-549 (Unnamed) Other operators Argentine Navy Brown class Almirante Brown (ex-Heermann) Espora (ex-Dortch) Rosales (ex-Stembel) Almirante Domecq García (ex-Braine) Almirante Storni (ex-Cowell) Brazilian Navy Pará class Pará (ex-Guest) Paraíba (ex-Bennett) Paraná (ex-Cushing) Pernambuco (ex-Hailey) Piauí (ex-Lewis Hancock) Santa Catarina (ex-Irwin) Maranhão (ex-Shields) Chilean Navy Blanco Encalada (ex-Wadleigh) Cochrane (ex-Rooks) (Charles J. Badger was purchased by the Chilean Navy for spare parts) Republic of China Navy Heng Yang class Kwei Yang (ex-Twining) Chiang Yang (ex-Mullany) An Yang (ex-Kimberly) Kun Yang (ex-Yarnall) Colombian National Navy Antioquia (ex-Hale) German Navy Zerstörer 1 class Zerstörer 1 (ex-Anthony) Zerstörer 2 (ex-Ringgold) Zerstörer 3 (ex-Wadsworth) Zerstörer 4 (ex-Claxton) Zerstörer 5 (ex-Dyson) Zerstörer 6 (ex-Charles Ausburne) Hellenic Navy Aspis (ex-Conner) Kimon (ex-Zerstörer 2) Lonchi (ex-Hall) Navarinon (ex-Brown) Nearchos (ex-Zerstörer 3) Sfendoni (ex-Aulick) Thyella (ex-Bradford) Velos (ex-Charrette) (Claxton and Dyson were purchased by the Hellenic Navy for spare parts) Marina Militare Fante class Geniere (ex-Pritchett) Lanciere (ex-Taylor) Fante (ex-Walker) Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Ariake class Ariake (ex-Heywood L. Edwards) Yūgure (ex-Richard P. Leary) Republic of Korea Navy Chungmu class Chung Mu (ex-Erben) Seoul (ex-Halsey Powell) Pusan (ex-Hickox) Mexican Navy Cuauhtémoc (ex-Harrison) Cuitláhuac (ex-John Rodgers) Peruvian Navy Villar (ex-Benham) Almirante Guise (ex-Isherwood) (La Vallette and Terry were purchased by the Peruvian Navy for spare parts) Spanish Navy Lepanto (ex-Capps) Almirante Ferrandíz (ex-David W. Taylor) Almirante Valdés (ex-Converse) Alcalá Galiano (ex-Jarvis) Jorge Juan (ex-McGowan) Turkish Navy İstanbul (ex-Clarence K. Bronson) İzmir (ex-Van Valkenburgh) İzmit (ex-Cogswell) İskenderun (ex-Boyd) İçel (ex-Preston) Preceded by: Gleaves class Followed by: Allen M. Sumner class List of destroyers of the United States Navy

v t e Shipwrecks and maritime incidents in 1978 Shipwrecks 26 Jan: USS Ross 23 Feb: USS Rowe 16 Mar: Amoco Cadiz 23 Mar: Kronos 7 Apr: Astron 17 Jun: Whippoorwill 25 Jun: Chantal 28 Jun: Margaret Smith 8 Jul: USS Sealion 18 Jul: Birgo 23 Jul: Jayawag 30 Jul: Locuste 3 Aug: SAS Transvaal 27 Aug: USS Cree 3 Oct: HMCS Kapuskasing 18 Oct: HMS Eagle, USS Mackerel 20 Oct: USCGC Cuyahoga 30 Oct: Kiowa 8 Nov: Glacier Queen 16 Nov: Manureva November (unknown date): HMS Undaunted 10 Dec: MV Holoholo 12 Dec: SAS Good Hope 13 Dec: München 30 Dec: Ben Asdale Other incidents 26 Nov: Star Canopus 1977 1979

---
Adapted from the Wikipedia article [USS Rowe](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Rowe) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Rowe?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.