The USS Spangler (DE 696), named for Donald H. Spangler, LTJG, USN of Indiana, killed in action during in 1942 near the Solomon Islands, was constructed at DeFoe Shipbuilding Corp. in Bay City, Michigan.. It was commissioned at New Orleans on Oct. 31, 1943.The Spangler was a 306-foot Buckley-class destroyer, having a 36-feet beam width, a drought of 11-feet and weighing 1,740 tons. Primary operating equipment included two "D" class express boilers, G.E. turbines with electric drive. Normal cruising speed was 15 knots with a maximum speed of 24 knots.Armament included three MK22 3-inch 50mm dual purpose open mount main guns, six 40mm and eight Mk4 20mm anti-aircraft guns, one MK3 21-inch triple torpedo tube mounts, Mark 15 Torpedos (3x1)'s, one MK10 (144 rounds) Hedgehog Projector, eight Mk 6 K-Gun depth charge projectors, two Mk 9 depth charge tracks. - Source: Navsource OnlineEleven other ships of the Buckley Class were constructed at the DeFoe Shipbuilding yard in Bay City, MI. These include the USS Bull 693, USS Bunch 694, USS Rich 695, USS George 697, USS Raby 698, USS Marsh 699, USS Currier 700, USS Earl V. Johnson 702, USS Holton 703, USS Cronin 704, USS Frybarger 705, and USS Osmus 701. Source: DeFoe Shipbuilding Co.On completion of constuction the DeFoe Shipbuilding yard in Bay City, MI on July 15, 1943, the Spangler traveled through the Great Lakes (Lake Huran and Lake Michigan) to Chicago, IL in time to participat in the Treasury-Navy Tribune Exhibition on Sept. 24, 1943. She then traveled down the Missouri River to the New Orleans Navy Shipyard for the ship's commissioning on Oct. 31. 1943.Source:http://ussspangler.com/DE696/history.htmClass: Buckley Type: TE (turbine-electric drive, 3" guns)Displacement: 1,400 tons (std) 1,740 tons (full) Dimensions: 306' (oa), 300' (wl) x 36' 9" x 13' 6" (max)Armament: 3-3"/50 Mk22 (1x3), 1-1.1"/75 Mk2 quad AA (4x1), 8 x 20mm Mk 4 AA, 3 x 21" Mk15 TT (3x1),1 Hedgehog Projector Mk10 (144 rounds), 8 Mk6 depth charge projectors, 2 Mk9 depth charge tracksMachinery: 2 "D" Express boilers, G.E. turbines with electric drive, 12000 shp, 2 screwsSpeed: 24 knots Range: 4,940 nm @ 12 knots Crew: 15 / 198Operational and Building DataLaid down by Defoe Shipbuilding, Bay City MI on 28 April 1943Launched 15 July 1943, Commissioned 31 October 1943Decommissioned 8 October 1958, Stricken 1 March 1972Fate: Sold for scrapping, 20 November 1972, to Zidell Explorations, Inc. of Portland OR
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