Name Bristol Laid down 5 May 1944 Decommissioned 21 November 1969 Construction started 5 May 1944 Length 115 m Displacement 1.996 million kg | Namesake Mark Lambert Bristol Commissioned 17 March 1945 Struck 21 November 1969 Launched 29 October 1944 Weight 2,235 tons | |
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Builders Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation, San Pedro | ||
USS Bristol (DD-857), an Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer, was the second ship of the United States Navy to be named for Rear Admiral Mark Lambert Bristol, who served as Commander-in-Chief North Atlantic Fleet from 1901 to 1903.
Contents
The second Bristol was launched on 29 October 1944 by Bethlehem Steel Co., San Pedro, California, sponsored by Mrs. August Frederick Eberly; and commissioned on 17 March 1945, Commander K. P. Letts in command.
World War II
Bristol departed San Diego on 13 June 1945, en route to Pearl Harbor, arriving on 19 June 1945. Arriving at Guam on 29 July she joined Task Group 30.8, a logistic support group supplying Task Force 38. On 5 August 1945, Bristol collided with Ashtabula. Bristol's bow was damaged and she returned to Guam for repairs. Repairs were completed on 1 September, afterwards she departed for Far Eastern occupation duty. Her tour of duty ended on 21 February 1946, and she returned to San Pedro on 15 March.
Post-war
In April 1946, Bristol proceeded to the east coast and reported to the Atlantic Fleet. She operated along the east coast until February 1947, when she steamed to England for a cruise in European waters that lasted until August. Between August 1947 and September 1948, she conducted local operations in the Atlantic and, from September 1948 until January 1949, made a second tour of Europe.
Upon return, she was designated as a Reserve training ship and operated for the next 18 months out of New Orleans, Louisiana. During the summer and fall of 1950, Bristol visited several Caribbean ports, with interim periods of training at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
Bristol's homeport was changed to Newport, Rhode Island on 21 October 1950, and, after refresher training at Guantanamo Bay, she reported to Newport for general duty. On 5 March 1951, Bristol proceeded to the Mediterranean for duty with the 6th Fleet, returning to Newport during the summer. On 2 October 1951, she commenced a round-the-world cruise which took her first to Korea where she served from 31 October 1951 to 27 February 1952. She then returned to Newport via the Suez Canal and the Mediterranean, arriving 21 April 1952.
Awards
Bristol received one battle star for her World War II service and two battle stars for her Korean service.