USS Stewart

[John Odom]

The story of the USS Stewart, DD224, is an interesting one. She served in the USN, and was scuttled, in drydock by the USN. The IJN raised her and put her into service. She was recovered in Japan after the war and returned to San Francisco under tow. She was recommisioned, and finally used as a target.

One of the men from the USS oklahoma, that I met at a reunion served on her, His stories are wonderful.

[Commodore Armiger]

I guess she was in dry dock in the Philippines, since the USN would have been unlikely to have one of its vessels repaired in Japan. Or am I mistaken?

[John Brown]

Commodore

The dry dock was in Surabaya on Java.

Regards...John

[Commodore Armiger]

Thanks John for drawing this fascinating story to our attention. Wikipedia now has service histories of numerous warships, particularly American. I looked up USS Stewart and came up with three. DD224 was the second (the third - DE238 - is a museum ship at Galveston).

Here's an extract from Wiki relating to DD224's strange tale:

Stewart joined Admiral Karel Doorman's striking force under the American-British-Dutch-Australian Command on 14 February 1942 for an attack on Japanese forces advancing along the northern coast of Sumatra. During the approach, Stewart had to back her engines to avoid a Dutch destroyer ahead of her which had run aground on a reef in Stolze Strait; and, on the following day, 15 February, she survived numerous air attacks in the Bangka Strait. Although they damaged no Allied ships, the air attacks convinced Admiral Doorman that further advance without air cover would be foolhardy; and the Allied force retired. Stewart was detached on 16 February to fuel at Ratai Bay in Sumatra.

Admiral Doorman's forces were scattered when the Japanese landed on Bali on 19 February, and he threw his ships against the enemy in three groups on the night of 19 and 20 February in the Battle of Badung Strait. Stewart was lead ship in the second group and, in several brief but furious night engagements, came under extremely accurate fire from Japanese destroyers. Her boats were shot away, her torpedo racks and galley were hit, and a crippling shot hit the destroyer aft below her water line, opening her seams and flooding the steering engine room. However, the steering engine continued to operate under two feet of water; and the destroyer was able to maintain her station in column and return to Surabaya the next morning.

Stewart, as the most severely damaged ship, was the first to enter the floating drydock at Surabaya on 22 February. However, she was inadequately supported in the dock; and, as the dock rose, the ship fell off the keel blocks onto her side in 12 feet of water, bending her propeller shafts and causing further hull damage. With the port under enemy air attack and in danger of falling to the enemy, the ship could not be repaired. Responsibility for the destruction of the ship was given to naval authorities ashore, and Stewart's last crew members left the embattled port on the afternoon of 22 February.

Subsequently, demolition charges were set off within the ship, a Japanese bomb hit amidships further damaged her; and, before the port was evacuated on 2 March, the drydock containing her was scuttled. Her name was struck from the Navy list on 25 March 1942 and was soon assigned to a new destroyer escort, DE-238.

The full story is at:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Stewart_%28DD-224%29

[Kevin Denlay]

Hi folks,

Back after some time at sea on a dive expedition.

Below some photos of Stewart in various stages of her life.

From the book ‘Playing For Time. Life on an Asiatic Fleet Destroyer’ by Lodwick Alford.

Highly recommended book too. If you want to know what it was like on 'Asia Station’ pre war, and then what it was like as the Japanese juggernaught rolled on through, then this is the book!

PS. Can't say I generally place much faith in Wikipedia but they get it right some of the time, as in the above 'quote'.

K

[astraltrader]

Nice to see you back Kevin and thanks for the book recommendation. I will keep my eye open for it - looks a good read.

[Commodore Armiger]

Kevin:

The point about Wikipedia is that if you know more about the subject than the contributor, or if there are errors, you can do something about it. A bit easier than trying to get something changed in Encyclopedia Britannica!

[Kevin Denlay]

Right you are, but.........................what if you know less and take what is written as Gospel, as some/many do, and its incorrect? It then just perpetuates, even if inadvertantly, factual errors.

K

[herakles]

Your criticism of Wiki could just as easily be applied to the entire net Kevin. Every man and his dog can and does write. But how much of it is true?

It concerns me that school children are using the net to get information for their work. Concerns me because there isn't much discrimination being used.

Then again, are books any more reliable? You know the old adage - histories are written by the victors.

[rimbo]

Hello Gentlemen nice to see you talking about a ship i have ?? about and that is would you know if there were any casualties during her war service,as my research progresses this info.gets a bit harder.

[John Odom]

My knowledge of the USS Stewart came from a USS Oklahoma survivor I met at the Okie reunion when I presented the flag. He was transfered from The USS Oklahoma to the Stewart Just in time for her loss. I don't recall his name right now, but I think he has since died. It was a Polish name. We shared a table with him at the banquet.

On Wikipedia: If it isn't right correct it. Document your sources.

[Don Boyer]

I am going back into my submarine books for source data, but if I remember correctly, the loss of the USS Harder under CDR Sam Dealey off Dasol Bay in the Philippines on August 24, 1944 was originally attributed to the old Thai destroyer Phra Ruang, taken over by the Japanese at the beginning of the war. Subsequent research indicates that the ship that sank Harder was actually the USS Stewart. The Stewart had been seen and recognized as some type of former American ship by other submarines, her hull lines being rather obvious, but her four stacks having been modified by the Japanese. She was assigned to the Philippines during the war by the Japanese.

[Don Boyer]

I was finally able to track down the reference: Calvert, James F. (VAdm., USN, Ret.) Silent Running: My Years on a World War II Attack Submarine." John Wiley and Sons, Inc. NY. 1995. Page 206.

The information must have come from code interceptions, as Calvert states: "Much later I learned from Chester Nimitz that the destroyer-minesweeper that had killed the Harder was probably the former USS Stewart (DD 224) an American destroyer captured by the Japanese at Surabaya at the beginning of the war.....her topsides were modified to take on Japanese lines so she would not be attacked by her own forces..."

[steve roberts]

Hi Don. This is wierd! I have just mentioned USS harder,indirectly on the Run to The South thread!! Regards Steve. PS In Ed Beache's book "SUBMARINE" I think it was well known that CDR Dealey had little chance of surviving the war,as his favorite Tactic when attacking an Escort,was a Down the Throat Shot!! I Think she is the only Sub loss of the war to be actually witnessed by another American sub.But her name eludes me at present. Regards Steve.:(

[Don Boyer]

Steve -- I saw that post. Nice of the gentleman to provide the references, but he was apparently unwilling to discuss the origins of Spanish gold.

Sam Dealey's "down the throat" tactic was definitely a dangerous way to go, especially against fast and maneuverable destroyers. However, he was also a highly skilled submarine commander who did not use the technique recklessly. Other subs used the technique quite successfully, if not against a series of destroyers. Wahoo, Tang and Barb come to mind.

The issue of Sam's loss aboard Harder has more to do with his state of mind rather than any recklessness on his part. Those close to him stated that they thought he was tired, burned out, and in need of a rest before his last patrol. His exec, Tiny Lynch was qualified for command and ready to take over. Apparently, Sam thought there was some advantage to be accrued from making one more patrol in command, and ADM Christie agreed when he probably shouldn't have.

Thus the Harder was lost. ADM Christie obviously spent a lot of time second-guessing himself, as shown by his eventually successful push to get Sam Dealey the Medal of Honor.

[steve roberts]

Hi Don. Thanks for that post,really informative,as always.Regards Steve.:)

[spruso]

Some more photos of Stewart
Cheers
Bruce

[steve roberts]

Hi Guys.From the before and aftershots,the Japanese really went to some lenghts to make her look more like a Japanese Destroyer.Especially with the Trunking of her two Fwd Funnels. Regards Steve.

[John Odom]

There is a pair of photos of her in USN and in UJN service in the Wikipedia article on the USS Stewart.

[steve roberts]

Hi John.Yes I have just compared them a little while ago.You don't happen to Know the name of the US Sub that witnessed USS Harder's destruction,do you? I know it was mentioned in Beach's book SUBMARINE,but I seem to have lost my copy somewhere. Regards Steve.:)

[John Odom]

I have known, But I can't recall. I forget more each day than I manage to learn!

[steve roberts]

Hi John.I know the feeling,having studied for a couple of year's for a degree in Naval History.Sat the exam Monday.Seemed to go ok,but they threw me a curve ball,by asking a question about the fore to aft sail arrangements on an 18th century Man-O-War.By some guiding light I had studied/revised that very subject on Sunday night!!!!.I think the sub we were on about may well of been USS Trigger,as Ed B. States that Dealy had deliberately drawn an attack to relieve her of intense pressure from a convoy escort.Regards Steve.:)

[Don Boyer]

At the time of Harder's loss, Dealey was in command of a wolf pack consisting of his ship along with Haddo, under Chester Nimitz, Jr. and Hake, under a new commander, Frank Haylor. Additionally, there were other boats in the patrol area that concentrated on what became known as "the Paluan Bay convoy" -- Ray, Guitarro and Raton. The Pacific in late 44 was really heating up for Imperial merchantmen and naval vessels...

While a continuous series of attacks from various subs decimated the big convoy in the vicinity, Harder along with Haddo eventually rendezvoused off Dasol Bay in an attempt to get at a damaged destroyer that they had thought had been towed inside. Dealey offered Haylor first shot at the ship if she came out.

Early in the morning of August 24, 1944, Haylor picked up screws on sonar and spotted two ships emerging from the bay, Phra Ruang, and old Thai ship and a "minesweeper." The old destroyer turned back while the minesweeper kept on, and Haylor made an approach he eventually didn't like and began an evasion. As he was turning out, he spotted Harder's periscope at 0647. He later said: "I believe that at 0710 the minesweeper actually had two targets, Sam and myself, and was probably somewhat confused. But at any rate, at 0728 we heard a string of fifteen depth charge explosions."

That was the end of the Harder.

This incident was not only tragic in the loss of a great submarine commander, it also contributed heavily to the rift growing between Admiral Christie and Admirals Kincaid and Lockwood.

Source: Clay Blair, Jr. "Silent Victory," Vol. 2. pp. 694-695.

Dealey, by the way, was a nephew of George Bannerman Dealey, an early editor of the Dallas Morning News and the man for whom Dealey Plaza in Dallas, TX is named for. Dealey Plaza is of course now sadly famous as the place where President John F. Kennedy was assassinated.

[steve roberts]

Hi Don. Thanks for that post. That clears that issue up completely.Cheers. Steve.

[mike d]

This particular thread is a facinating read!!! I had the good fortune to get a battered but free paper-back copy of 'Submarine' from a box of books that were due to be disposed of. (The same school dumpster where I got my W Fred Mitchell naval prints!)
Stewart is also one of the four ships I have guessed correctly on the Mystery Ships quiz!!:D

[Don Boyer]

Well, the Stewart thread may not be exactly the place for it, but for all who love submarines and submariners, Ingrid Beach has announced that a biography of her late husband, Captain Edward L. Beach, is due out soon. I am sure it will be a fascinating read, like Tuohy's "The Bravest Man."

During the research for my "upcoming" book, I corresponded with the late Captain Beach regarding his father's service aboard the USS Baltimore during the Battle of Manila Bay. Beach, who of course was President Eisenhower's naval aide, and who walked among the mighty and powerful, wrote letters to me, someone he'd never met, as the kindest of friends and the humblest of men. There was not a bit of pomposity in the man. He also graciously gave permission for me to quote from his letters. We had planned further correspondence and use of his father's files regarding his father's service on Baltimore and in the Philippines, but he was called back to duty by the Supreme Commander before we could finish. I do believe he was the very last of the "greats" from the World War II submarine service alive at the time. God Bless him, he will be missed "on patrol."

[steve roberts]

:(Well, the Stewart thread may not be exactly the place for it, but for all who love submarines and submariners, Ingrid Beach has announced that a biography of her late husband, Captain Edward L. Beach, is due out soon. I am sure it will be a fascinating read, like Tuohy's "The Bravest Man."

During the research for my "upcoming" book, I corresponded with the late Captain Beach regarding his father's service aboard the USS Baltimore during the Battle of Manila Bay. Beach, who of course was President Eisenhower's naval aide, and who walked among the mighty and powerful, wrote letters to me, someone he'd never met, as the kindest of friends and the humblest of men. There was not a bit of pomposity in the man. He also graciously gave permission for me to quote from his letters. We had planned further correspondence and use of his father's files regarding his father's service on Baltimore and in the Philippines, but he was called back to duty by the Supreme Commander before we could finish. I do believe he was the very last of the "greats" from the World War II submarine service alive at the time. God Bless him, he will be missed "on patrol."

Hi Don.Sad to hear of this great man's Death.Perhaps if you post it on the Naval obituaries page,it will attract more attention.Cheers Steve.

[Don Boyer]

Ed Beach passed in 2002, so it is pretty well known in American circles. The US Naval Academy has named one of its buildings Beach Hall after both Ed and his father, both noted naval officers and writers.

I forget these things might pass unnoticed on the other side of the ocean, but I will leave the obituaries pages to those who normally post there.

Regards,

[steve roberts]

Thank you Don.I personally had heard nothing on this side of the pond. Steve.:confused:

[Abbeywood.]

I think the 'Stewart' was the only US DD to have been sunk twice during WW2. Once by each of the protagonists.
As mentioned, having been damaged by gunfire, she was dry-docked at Soerabaya, for repairs, and although scuttled with demolition charges, she was found to be recoverable by the invading Japanese.
Repaired, she was inducted into the IJN as Patrol Boat, P.102.
Recovered by the USN at the end of the war, (August 1945), she was returned to the USA, where she remained with her Japanese identity.
Her name, having previously been stricken from the Navy List, was later re-issued to a DE (238), in November 1942.
P.102 was sunk for the second time, this time by the USN, as a target, on 24th May 1946.
The 'Stewart' was actually the second DD to carry that name, as DD 216 had been intended to have that name, but was re-named 'John D. Edwards' during building, at the Philadelphia yard of William Cramp & Son.

[astraltrader]

A stock picture of DD24 USS Stewart.

[Graham Barnes]

Hello,

This is an endlessly fascinating subject, especially for those with a soft spot for the old flushdecker destroyers of the Asiatic Fleet. However, it is more than a little misleading to say that STEWART was "scuttled by demolition charges." Her fate would have been different had she been, but she wasn't...

After shell-hits in the messy Battle of Badoeng Strait, STEWART rolled off her blocks in a drydock at Surabaja & was more seriously damaged...Much too seriously for repairs to be undertaken there at the time, with the port under daily air attack and the island of Java in immediate danger of invasion. It was then decided to disable her with scuttling charges, but these only did minor damage. The great fear that remained, however, was well-founded: that she might be repaired, refloated, and re-used by the Japanese. This is precisely what happened.

In the final week of the Java campaign frantic efforts were made to remove useful items from the old destroyer, and everything from new mattresses to coding machines appear to have been removed or destroyed. She had no torpedoes aboard in the end. I have seen communications stating that there were only a small number of men left with her (four, in fact) to see to the removal and/or destruction of the huge amounts of papers--some classified or secret, one gathers--and there were fears this could not be done in time before the enemy arrived...AFAIK this did not occur, thankfully.

I am attaching two images of note: one a Japanese article on STEWART's fate as Patrol Boat 102, and another painting showing her wartime salvage.

[ludsie]

Amazing thread I think he Japanese also captured an old RN destroyer in WW2 and put her into service as a Patrol boat