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Destroyer Escort Cannon Class |
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USS Atherton DE 169 |


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TRIM BUT DEADLY |
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U.S. Naval Institute Photo Archive |

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The USS Atherton (DE-169) is a Cannon-class destroyer escort named for Lt. John McDougal Atherton, who died when the USS Meredith (DD-434) sank near Guadalcanal during World War II. |
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The USS Cannon (DE-99) is the lead ship of 72 in this class, commissioned on 26 September 1943 at Wilmington, Delaware. Destroyer Escorts were built to escort cargo ships and provide protection against submarines. |
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Seen here is the Rajah Humabon, still active in the Philippine Navy |
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USS Atherton DE 169 Reunion CLICK HERE for more information |
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“MIGHTY A” |
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SITE MAP |
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SPECIFICATIONS |
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TYPE: |
DET—Diesel-electric tandem motor drive, long hull, 3” guns) |
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DISPLACEMENT: |
1,240 tons (std), 1,620 tons (full) |
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DIMENSIONS: |
Length: 306 ft (93.6m) Beam: 36 ft 8 in Draft: 8 ft 9 in |
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SPEED: |
21 knots |
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RANGE: |
10,800 mi at 12 knots |
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CREW: |
15 / 201 |
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ARMAMENT: |
3x3”/50 Mk22 (1x3) 1 twin 40mm Mk1AA 8 x 20mm Mk4 AA 3 x 21” Mk15 torpedo tubes (1 x 3) 8 Mk6 depth charge projectors 1 x hedgehog projector Mk10 (144 rounds) 2 Mk9 depth charge tracks |
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Ordered: |
1942 |
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Laid Down: |
14 January 1943 Federal Shipbuilding, Port Newark, NJ |
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Launched: |
27 May 1943 |
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Commissioned: |
29 August 1943 |
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Decommissioned: |
19 June 1945 |
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Transferred to the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force |
14 June 1955, renamed Hatsuhi (DE-263)
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Stricken |
15 June 1975 |
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Fate: |
To Philippines 13 September 1976, Renamed Rajah Humabon, still active in Philippine Navy |