SP-7057 GEARING-CLASS DESTROYERS USS DD-743 SOUTHERLAND 1945

The USS Southerland (DD-743) was an American destroyer that was launched in October 1944 with final completion in December of the same year. The total length of the ship at the time of launching was 119 m, width 12.5 m, with a full displacement of approx. 3,500 tons. The maximum speed was up to 34 knots. The armament of the unit at the time of launching mainly consisted of: 6 127 mm guns, 16 40 mm anti-aircraft guns and 10 533 mm torpedo tubes. The USS Southerland (DD-743) was one of 98 Gearing-class destroyers built for the US Navy between 1944 and 1946. Structurally, this type of units was largely based on the design of the Allen M. Summer class destroyers. The main difference between the two types was a slightly different arrangement of the space in the amidships, an extension of the hull by about 7 meters (compared to the first Allen M. Summer ships) and the improvement of the sailing range. With time, it also turned out that Gearing units were much more susceptible to modernization. Undoubtedly, they were very successful units with considerable combat value and great capabilities - for those times - of fighting air targets. The USS Southerland (DD-743) was built at the Bath Iron Works shipyard in Bath, Maine, and, upon entering service, took part in raids by American ships against Japanese mother islands in the final phase of World War II. The unit took part in the Korean War (1950-1953), supporting amphibious operations in the Incheon region in September 1950, and in the years 1963-1964 under the FRAM I program underwent a major modernization, as a result of which it received new electronic equipment and significantly improved its ZOP (combating submarines). The unit also took part in the Vietnam War (1964 / 1965-1975). In the period 1972-1980 she was a training ship, and in 1981 she was definitely withdrawn from service.