USS ASHEVILLE

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History of the USS ASHEVILLEs

The first Asheville (Gunboat No. 21) was a  single-screw, steelhulled gunboat laid down on the 9th of June 1918 at the Charleston (S.C.) Navy Yard; launched on 4 July 1918; sponsored by Miss Alyne J. Reynolds, daughter of Dr. Carl V. Reynolds, MD, a rominent citizen of Asheville; and commissioned on 6 July 1920, Comdr. Elliot Buckmaster-who would later command the carrier Yorktown (CV-5) during World War II-in temporary command.

World War TWO Service

The Japanese victory in the Battle of the Java Sea marked the end of the Asiatic Fleet and all remaining Allied ships were ordered to retreat to Australia or Ceylon (now Sri Lanka). Hampered by engine troubles and sailing alone, Asheville was sunk south of Java by a Japanese squadron on 3 March 1942. One survivor, Fred Brown from Ft.Wayne, Indiana, was picked up by a Japanese destroyer. Mr. Brown later died in P.O.W. camp in the Celebes, N.E.I., in March 1945.

Asheville was one of the few American surface ships lost with no known survivors at the end of the war.

The USS ASHEVILLE received one battle star for her WWII service.

Construction

View taken on 11 September 1918, showing a marine railway under construction in the foreground. Asheville is fitting out in the left middle distance. In front of her is USS Walter Adams (SP 400). USS SC-368, with dark numbers painted on her bow, is further to the right.
U.S. Navy photo NH 45247

The present USS ASHEVILLE