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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
805 KIDDER BREESE SE -- WASHINGTON NAVY YARD
WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060
Online Library of Selected Images:
-- U.S. NAVY SHIPS --
USS S.P. Lee (DD-310), 1920-1923
USS S.P. Lee, a 1190-ton Clemson class destroyer,
was built at San Francisco, California. She was commissioned in
late October 1920 and spent the next two years in the "rotating
reserve" with a relatively small caretaker crew. Early in
1923 S.P. Lee was brought up to full operating status in
order to participate in major maneuvers off the Panama Canal Zone.
She remained part of the active fleet thereafter and, during June-August
of that year, visited U.S. West Coast ports and took part in more
exercises as part of Destroyer Squadron ELEVEN.
On 8 September 1923, S.P. Lee's squadron left San Francisco,
California, on a voyage to San Diego. That evening, in conditions
of very limited visibility, the formation turned eastward into
what their leader believed was the entrance to the Santa Barbara
Channel. Due to faulty navigation, however, the ships were several
miles too far north and seven
of them soon went ashore on Point Pedernales (locally called Honda
Point). S.P. Lee, the second destroyer in the column,
struck quite close to the cliffs on the northern side of the point.
Her crew suffered no losses but USS S.P. Lee could not be
saved and, after salvage of some of her equipment, was broken
up by the surf over the next year.
USS S.P. Lee was named in honor of Rear
Admiral Samuel Phillips Lee (1812-1897), who commanded the
North Atlantic Blockading Squadron during the Civil War.
This page features, and provides links to, all the views
we have related to USS S.P. Lee (DD-310).
Click on the small photograph to prompt
a larger view of the same image.
Photo #: NH 70866
USS S.P. Lee (DD-310)
Photographed circa 1923, flying the "Zero" flag at
her foremast head, indicating that she was serving as "guard"
ship at the time.
Note the Short Range Battle Practice target rigged amidships,
for pointer-trainer-check sight drill on other ships steaming
in company.
Courtesy of Donald M. McPherson, 1970.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 66KB; 740 x 565 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 77265
USS S.P. Lee (DD-310)
Being taken in tow by USS Cuyama (AO-3), circa 1923.
Photographed from on board Cuyama.
Courtesy of Mrs. C.R. DeSpain, 1973. From the scrapbooks of Fred
M. Butler.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 94KB; 740 x 465 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 69453
USS S.P. Lee (DD-310)
In drydock during the early 1920s.
Note the unshaded hull number painted on her bow.
Courtesy of ESKC Joseph L. Aguillard, USNR, 1969.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 90KB; 740 x 535 pixels |
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The following photographs all show the wreck of USS S.P.
Lee (DD-310), after she was lost at Honda Point, California,
on 8 September 1923.
For more pictures of USS S.P. Lee's wreck, see:
USS S.P. Lee (DD-310) --
Wrecked at Honda Point (additional views).
Photo #: NH 66723
Honda Point Disaster, September 1923
Aerial view of the disaster area, showing the seven destroyers
that ran aground in a fog during the night of 8 September 1923.
Photographed from a plane assigned to USS Aroostook (CM-3).
Ships are: USS Nicholas (DD-311), in the left center;
USS S.P. Lee (DD-310), astern of Nicholas;
USS Delphy (DD-261), capsized in small cove (center);
USS Young (DD-312), capsized in the center of the view;
USS Chauncey (DD-296), upright ahead of Young;
USS Woodbury (DD-309) on the rocks in the center;
and USS Fuller (DD-297), closest to the camera.
Courtesy of the Naval Historical Foundation. Collection of Admiral
William V. Pratt.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 99KB; 740 x 610 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 66721
Honda Point Disaster, September 1923
Aerial view of the disaster area, showing all seven destroyers
that ran aground on Honda Point during the night of 8 September
1923. Photographed from a plane assigned to USS Aroostook
(CM-3).
Ships are: USS Nicholas (DD-311), in the upper left;
USS S.P. Lee (DD-310), astern of Nicholas;
USS Delphy (DD-261), capsized in the left center;
USS Young (DD-312), capsized in the center of the view;
USS Chauncey (DD-296), upright ahead of Young;
USS Woodbury (DD-309) on the rocks in the center;
and USS Fuller (DD-297), in the lower center.
The Southern Pacific Railway's Honda Station is in the upper
left.
Courtesy of the Naval Historical Foundation. Collection of Admiral
William V. Pratt.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 113KB; 740 x 605 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 42174
Honda Point disaster, September 1923
USS S.P. Lee (DD-310) and USS Nicholas (DD-311)
-- partially visible in upper left -- on the rocks at Honda Point,
California, shortly after they ran aground in a fog during the
night of 8 September 1923.
Note life rafts alongside S.P. Lee.
Donation of BMGC Ralph E. Turpin, 1963.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 77KB; 740 x 435 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 67123
Honda Point Disaster, September 1923
USS S.P. Lee (DD-310) wrecked at Honda Point, California,
soon after she ran aground in a fog during the night of 8 September
1923.
Courtesy of Leonard Aquillard, 1969.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 84KB; 530 x 765 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 84820
Honda Point Disaster, September 1923
USS S.P. Lee (DD-310), at right, and USS Nicholas
(DD-311) wrecked at Honda Point, California, soon after the night
of 8 September 1923, when they went ashore in a fog.
Photograph by Aston.
Donation of Captain George M. Grening, USN (Retired).
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 85KB; 740 x 540 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 86414
Honda Point Disaster, September 1923
Wrecked destroyers on Honda Point, California, soon after the
night of 8 September 1923, when they went ashore in a heavy fog.
USS Nicholas (DD-311) is at left and USS S.P. Lee
(DD-310) is in the center, close to the rocks.
Collection of Edward C. Knapp, Sr., courtesy of John E. Knapp,
1978.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 62KB; 740 x 480 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 86412
Honda Point Disaster, September 1923
USS Nicholas (DD-311) and USS S.P. Lee (DD-310),
at far right, wrecked at Honda Point, California, soon after
the night of 8 September 1923, when they went ashore in a heavy
fog.
Collection of Edward C. Knapp, Sr., courtesy of John E. Knapp,
1978.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 62KB; 740 x 550 pixels |
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For more pictures of USS S.P. Lee's wreck, see:
USS S.P. Lee (DD-310) --
Wrecked at Honda Point (additional views).
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Page made 16 July 2002