American Destroyer USS Peary (DD-226)

The U.S. Navy destroyer USS Peary (DD-226) at anchor, circa 1921.

USS Peary (DD-226) was a Clemson-class destroyer of the United States Navy. She was commissioned in 1920 and sunk by Japanese aircraft at Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia, on 19 February 1942.

Peary was laid down by William Cramp & Sons of Philadelphia on 9 September 1919. The destroyer was launched on 6 April 1920, sponsored by Mrs. Edward Stafford daughter of Admiral Peary. The vessel was commissioned on 22 October 1920.

Peary served in the Far East from 1922 onward. With the Yangtze River Patrol from 1923 to 1931, she made annual deployments in Chinese waters protecting American interests from 1931 to the outbreak of World War II.

Peary was moored at Cavite, Philippines, when news of the Pearl Harbor raid reached her and was caught in the raid on the Cavite Navy Yard, Philippines, two days later. On the early afternoon of 10 December more than 50 two-engined high level bombers appeared over Cavite and, cruising leisurely above the range of anti-aircraft fire, destroyed practically the entire base.

Peary, tied up at a small pier, took one bomb forward which damaged the superstructure and stack and killed eight of her crew. She found herself in a precarious position, as fires began to set off torpedo warheads in a torpedo overhaul shop on the wharf next to her. USS Whippoorwill towed her out. Whippoorwill and USS Pillsbury came alongside and their fire hoses extinguished the fire in five minutes. Her commanding officer, Commander H. H. Keith was wounded in this engagement and was relieved by Commander J. M. Bermingham.

On 26 December 1941, Peary was underway when the Japanese came over again and dropped several bombs near the ship.

By the morning of 27 December, Peary was in Campomanes Bay, Negros Island, where she decided to put in for the day. Her crew camouflaged her with green paint and palm fronds, hoping to elude Japanese patrol bombers. Five passed overhead without spotting the ship that morning and when darkness fell she set out through the Celebes Sea for Makassar Strait.

A Japanese bomber spotted Peary the next morning, and shadowed her until early afternoon when three other bombers joined her in a two-hour attack. The planes dropped 500-pound (230 kg) bombs and then launched two torpedoes only 500 yards (460 m) from the ship. Peary quickly backed on one engine and both torpedoes narrowly missed the bow. Seconds later, two more missed the stern by ten yards (9.1 m). The bombers then withdrew.

The New Year found Peary at Darwin, Australia. During January and a part of February, she operated out of Darwin, principally on anti-submarine patrol. On 15–16 February, Peary took part in a mission to transport reinforcements and supplies to Allied forces in Dutch Timor, but this was aborted after coming under intense air attack. On 19 February 1942 Darwin experienced a massive Japanese air attack. Peary was attacked by Japanese dive bombers, and was struck by five bombs. The first bomb exploded on the fantail, the second, an incendiary, on the galley deck house; the third did not explode; the fourth hit forward and set off the forward ammunition magazines; the fifth, another incendiary, exploded in the after engine room. A .30 caliber machine gun on the after deck house and a .50 caliber machine gun on the galley deck house fired until the last enemy plane flew away.

Lost with the ship were 88 officers and men, including Bermingham. There were 53 enlisted survivors and one officer, LTJG R.L. Johnson. LT W.J. Catlett, who was ashore during Peary's final battle, was tasked with writing the official US Navy report on the sinking. Peary was the first destroyer of the Asiatic Fleet to be sunk in World War II. She was struck from the Navy List on 8 May 1942. In July 2020 an announcement was made by the Northern Territory government that the propellers from the ship had been found some kilometres from the known wreck site, prompting further investigation into Peary's final battle.

Awards

Yangtze Service Medal

China Service Medal

American Defense Service Medal with "Fleet" clasp

Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with one battle star

World War II Victory Medal

Commander	From	To
Lt.Cdr. William George Lalor, USN	8 May 1939	28 Dec 1939
Lawrence Elliot Duvall, USN	28 Dec 1939	28 Dec 1940
Lt.Cdr. Harry H. Keith, USN	28 Dec 1940	10 Dec 1941
Lt.Cdr. John Michael Bermingham, USN	10 Dec 1941	19 Feb 1942 (+)

 Present Day

Memorial

There is a memorial in Darwin in honor of the lives lost. This memorial, in Bicentennial Park, consists of a plaque and one of the 4-inch deck guns recovered from Peary. This gun is aimed towards Peary's resting place in the harbor. In the words of Peter Grose, author of An Awkward Truth: The Bombing of Darwin, February 1942, "The doomed yet magnificent reply by the destroyer USS Peary in Darwin harbor as Japanese dive-bombers swarmed around her deserves a place in the legend books of American military history". The memorial was visited by President Obama and Prime Minister Gillard on November 17, 2011 as part of a ceremony dedicated to the veterans of World War II, at the end of the 60th anniversary of ANZUS Presidential visit to Australia.

Wreck

Peary lies in 89 feet (27 m) of water in Darwin Harbour, at coordinates 12°28′30″S 130°49′45″E. The wreck itself is a memorial to those who lost their lives in the first bombing raid on Australian soil and to those who defended Darwin.

References

Alford, Lodwick. Playing for Time: War on an Asiatic Fleet Destroyer. Bennington, Vt. : Merriam Press, 2008.

Clark, Paul. Ten shipwrecks of the Northern Territory. [Darwin, N.T.]: Museums & Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, 2008.

McCarthy, Sophie. World War II Shipwrecks and the First Japanese Air Raid on Darwin, 19 February 1942. Darwin: Northern Territory Museum of Arts & Sciences, 1992.

Mullin, J. Daniel. Another Six-hundred: A True History in Narrative Form, on the Employment of Destroyer Division 59, and other U.S. Asiatic Fleet Destroyers during the First 85 Days of World War II, Written by a Man about Himself and Others Who Were There. New York, N.Y.: J.D. Mullin, 1984.

Steinberg, David. Raising the War: Japanese Salvage Divers and Allied Shipwrecks in Post-war Darwin. Bulletin of the Australasian Institute for Maritime Archaeology, v.33, 2009: 11–18

Wilde, E. Andrew Jr. (Ed). U.S.S. Peary (DD-226) in World War II, Manila to Darwin, 12/10/41-2/19/42 : Needham, Mass.: The Editor, 2007.

Robert Edwin Peary, born at Cresson, Pennsylvania, 06 May 1856, was commissioned a Lieutenant in the Navy 26 October 1881. In addition to his Arctic explorations, he was in charge of the Nicaragua Canal survey 1887–1888. He invented a type of tolling lock gates for the canal. His first Arctic expedition was in 1886 and on his eighth expedition he became the first man to reach the North Pole over the ice, arriving 06 April 1909, following a final dash covering 130 miles in five days. He was promoted to Rear Admiral and given the thanks of Congress by a special act of 30 March 1911. Rear Admiral Peary received honors from numerous scientific societies of Europe and America for his Arctic explorations and discoveries and wrote several books on his experience in the polar regions. He died in Washington, D.C., 20 February 1920.

USS Peary (DD-226) in the early 1920s.

A series of four views from Cramp Shipyard of the launch and christening party of USS Peary (DD-226) on April 6, 1920. Admiral Robert E Peary's daughter Marie Peary Stafford christened the vessel. The Admiral's island home on Casco Bay, Maine, is now the museum "Peary's Eagle Island", a Maine Historic Site. These photos are presented courtesy of The Friends of Peary's Eagle Island.

USS Peary christening party with Marie Ahnighito Peary.

Peary leaving the ways.

Peary after launching.

USS Peary (DD-226) in the early 1920s.

USS Peary (DD-226) in the early 1920s.

The U.S. Navy destroyers USS Noa (DD-343) and USS Peary (DD-226) in the early 1920s.

The U.S. Navy destroyers USS Noa (DD-343) and USS Peary (DD-226) in the early 1920s.

The U.S. Navy destroyers USS Noa (DD-343) and USS Peary (DD-226) in the early 1920s.

The U.S. Navy destroyers USS Noa (DD-343) and USS Peary (DD-226) in the early 1920s.

USS Black Hawk with the USS Pillsbury (DD-227), USS Pope (DD-225), USS Ford (DD-228), USS Paul Jones (DD-230), USS Peary (DD-226) and USS Parrott (DD-218) alongside in Chefoo, China.

View at Amoy, China taken from Kulangsoo. Showing the port and U.S. destroyers anchored there, circa 1928. Two of the ships identifiable are: USS Peary (DD-226), on right, and USS Pruitt (DD-347) on left. Sightseeing sailors and marines are on the hill to left in the foreground.

USS Sicard (DD-346) in Manila Bay, circa 1930, while serving with the U.S. Asiatic Fleet. USS Peary (DD-226) is in left background.

The U.S. Navy destroyer tender USS Whitney (AD-4) with six Clemson-class destroyers alongside: USS Stewart (DD-224), USS Pope (DD-225), USS Pillsbury (DD-227), USS John D. Ford (DD-228), USS Truxtun (DD-229), and USS Peary (DD-226), in the 1930s.

Peary moored in Chinese waters, circa 1931. 31 January 1932.

Taken June 1933 from the breakwater in Chefoo of the USS Black Hawk (AD-9) with the USS Bulmer (DD-222), USS Pillsbury (DD-227), USS Pope (DD-225), USS Ford (DD-228), USS Edsall (DD-219) and USS Peary (DD-226) alongside.

USS Black Hawk (AD-9). Panoramic photograph of the ship moored at Chefoo, China, with destroyers and a minesweeper nested alongside, circa the late 1930s. Ships alongside Black Hawk are (from left to right): USS Paul Jones (DD-230); USS John D. Ford (DD-228); USS Peary (DD-226); and USS Heron (AVP-2), wearing her old minesweeper number: AM-10. A Grumman JF amphibian, one of the airplanes tended by Heron is moored at right.

Peary with a smashed bow after a strong tide carried her into Houston (CA-30) at Shanghai, 7 October 1933.

Peary on station during the rescue of the crew of the SS Silverhazel, which wrecked in San Bernadino Channel, 9 November 1935.

June 1936 in Chinese waters, ship's enlisted men.

Commander John L. Hall, USN (left), incoming Commander Destroyer Division 15, and Commander Paulus P. Powell, USN, outgoing Commander Destroyer Division 15 onboard the Division flagship, USS Peary (DD-226), in Chinese waters, at the time of the DesDiv15 change of command, June 1936. The small brass plaque between them identifies the location on the ship as "Frame No. 40".

The U.S. Navy Destroyer Division 15 (DESDIV 15) at sea, circa 1938. The view was taken from USS John D. Ford (DD-228). The other ships in the view are either USS Pillsbury (DD-227), USS Peary (DD-226), or USS Pope (DD-225). This is one of the few views taken of actual high-seas operations of the U.S. Asiatic Fleet Destroyers in this time period. Of these destroyers, only John D. Ford survived the Second World War.

The U.S. Navy Northampton-class heavy cruiser USS Houston (CA-30) with the Clemson-class destroyer USS Peary (DD-226) at Darwin, Northern Territories, Australia on 15 February 1942. These ships, together with HMAS Swan (U74) and HMAS Warrego (U73) formed the naval escort of the convoy which made an unsuccessful attempt to reinforce the Timor garrison. Among the ships in the background, to the left, are the auxiliary minesweeper HMAS Terka (FY98) and SS Zealandia.

The U.S. Navy Northampton-class heavy cruiser USS Houston (CA-30) and the Clemson-class destroyer USS Peary (DD-226) at Darwin, Northern Territories, Australia, in February 1942. Houston departed Darwin on 15 February 1942 with a small convoy to reinforce the garrison on Timor and was not present when Japanese aircraft raided Darwin four days later. The photo was taken from the Australian Bathurst-class Corvette, HMAS Warrnambool (J202).

USS Peary, Darwin Harbor, 19 February 1942.

A U.S. Navy Consolidated PBY Catalina at Darwin, Northern Territories (Australia), in February 1942. Two Australian corvettes and a Clemson-class destroyer (probably USS Peary (DD-226)) are in the background.

The U.S. Navy Clemson-class destroyer USS Peary (DD-226) in the Timor Sea 19 February 1942. The photo was taken from the Grimsby-class sloop HMAS Swan (U74) and was probably taken during the abortive Koepang voyage.

The U.S. Navy Clemson-class destroyer USS Peary (DD-226) burning heavily after a Japanese air attack at Darwin, Northern Territories, Australia on 19 February 1942. The photo was taken from the hospital ship Manunda.

The U.S. Navy destroyer USS Peary (DD-226) exploding after Japanese dive bombers scored five direct hits during the first Japanese air raid on Darwin, Australia, on 19 February 1942. The first bomb exploded on the fantail, the second, an incendiary, on the galley deck house; the third did not explode; the fourth hit forward and set off the forward ammunition magazines; the fifth, another incendiary, exploded in the after engine room. A .30 caliber machine gun on the after deck house and a .50 caliber machine gun on the galley deck house fired until the last enemy plane flew away. Peary suffered 88 men killed and 13 wounded; she sank stern first.

The forward magazine of the U.S. Navy Clemson-class destroyer USS Peary (DD-226) explode during a Japanese air attack at Darwin, Northern Territories, Australia, on 19 February 1942.

The U.S. Navy Clemson-class destroyer USS Peary (DD-226) burning heavily after a Japanese air attack at Darwin, Northern Territories (Australia) on 19 February 1942.

The U.S. Navy Clemson-class destroyer USS Peary (DD-226) sinking after a Japanese air attack at Darwin, Northern Territories (Australia) on 19 February 1942. The bow of the damaged hospital ship Manunda is visible on the right.

The tanker SS British Motorist (left) burns and lists to port after being attacked by carrier based aircraft of the Imperial Japanese Navy at Darwin, Northern Territories, Australia, on 19 February 1942. The U.S. Navy Clemson-class destroyer USS Peary (DD-226) (right) is adrift and slowly sinking at the stern after being hit by bombs and blowing up.

Darwin Raid, 19 February 1942. Wharf and SS Neptunia burning at left. USS Peary (DD-226) and SS Zealandia can be seen faintly at right.

Lewis .30 cal. machine gun is from the USS Peary DD-226.

USS Peary Memorial in Darwin, Australia.

Plaque on USS Peary (DD-226) Memorial in Darwin, Australia.

A roll of honor, which omits the names of Lawrence Jackson Cross, Chief Gunners’ Mate 320-59-69 of Seattle, Washington. MIA 19 February 1942 Russell Eldon Keener, Carpenter’s Mate 1st Class 393-13-07. Son of George Hampton Keener of Yakima Washington. MIA 19 February 1942. The Plaque includes these names in error:
Ensign Calvin S. George Jnr. retired from the Navy in 1946
Frank A. Glover Seaman 2nd Class 274-47-08, was rescued by an Australian motor boat on 19th February, and remained AWOL for 18 months, before surrendering himself in 1943. He was serving on YMS-46, a Yard Mine Sweeper in February 1944.
Alonzo Denison Hall Machinist’s mate 2nd Class 206-96-23, was wounded on 10th December 1941 in Cavite in the Philippines. He survived being a POW of the Japanese. He was the son of Alonzo B. Hall of Normandie Ave. Los Angeles, California.
John Tinsley Jr. Torpedoman 2nd class 380-78-02, was wounded at Cavite Navy Yard on 10 December 1941, and survived being a POW of the Japanese. He was repatriated from Manila 15 September 1945. He was the son of John Tinsley Snr. of 309 10th St. Huntington Beach, California.
Robert Doyle White Machinist's Mate 2nd Class 268-34-15. Enlisted Macon Georgia 17 Jan 1939. Served on Peary from 28 April 1940. Transferred to Naval receiving station 31 March 1942 from USS Langley via USS Mt. Vernon. .Joined USS PC 563 on 18 June 1942. Discharged from LSM 423 September 1945.
Other errors on the plaque:
John R. Mather should be John Raymond Mathews Ship’s Cook 2nd Class 382-09-38
Forest C. Mathews should be Forest Cortland Matthews Watertender 1st Class 371-65-85
William G. Matler should be William Granville Mailer Yeoman 2nd Class 283-42-32
James W. Palmero should be James William Palermo Fireman 2nd Class 223-88-16
George S. Radinski should be George Smith Radzinski Machinists Mate 2nd Class 375-97-32.
Victor F. Radinski should be Victor Frederick Radzinski Machinists Mate 2nd Class 375-96-97.