USS Bulmer (DD-222)

USS "Bulmer" (DD-222/AG-86) was a "Clemson"-class destroyer in the United States Navy during World War II. She was named for Roscoe Carlyle Bulmer.

History

"Bulmer" was launched 22 January 1920 by William Cramp and Sons; sponsored by Miss Anita Paor Bulmer, daughter of Captain Bulmer; and commissioned 16 August 1920, Lieutenant Commander J. C. Jennings in command.

In 1920 "Bulmer" joined the Pacific Fleet, based at San Diego, California. In 1923 she joined the U.S. Naval Forces, Europe, and later the U. S. Naval Detachment in Turkish Waters. Early in 1925 she was assigned to the Asiatic Fleet. She operated as a unit of Destroyer Division 14 Squadron 5, alternately based in the winter at Manila and Cavite, Philippine Islands, and in the summer at Chefoo, China. Early in 1939 "Bulmer" was assigned to the South China Patrol and was later reassigned to Destroyer Division 58, Squadron 29; on Neutrality Patrol under the Commandant, 16th Naval District. In January 1941 she participated in the Asiatic Fleet Problem and then continued patrolling in the Philippines.

World War II

When the United States entered World War II "Bulmer" was still assigned to the Asiatic Fleet and stationed in the Philippines. During the early months of the war she engaged in patrol, escort, and antisubmarine duties throughout the southwest Pacific.

As a unit of TF 5, Destroyer Squadron 29, "Bulmer" took part in the Battle of Bali Sea on 4 February 1942, where the allies were defeated. She also took part in the unsuccessful Allied attempt to intercept Japanese invasion convoys off Palembang, Sumatra. On 19 February 1942, along with "Barker" (DD-213) and "Black Hawk" (AD-9), she departed Tjilatjap, Java, for Exmouth Gulf, Australia, and an overhaul.

"Bulmer" served on patrol duty at various Australian ports until May 1942. She arrived at Pearl Harbor 16 June 1942 and reported to Commander, Service Force, Pacific Fleet, for duty. Between June 1942 and May 1943 she operated as an escort vessel for convoys sailing between Pearl Harbor and San Francisco and return.

"Bulmer" was assigned to the Atlantic Fleet in May 1943 and arrived at New York 14 June. Her first Atlantic assignment was as a unit of the offensive antisubmarine patrol TG 21.12 (14 June-22 September). During this sweep of the North Atlantic, aircraft from the group's flagship "Core" (CVE-13) sank the German submarine U-487 on 13 July 1943.

"Bulmer" next made a trans-Atlantic voyage to Swansea Wales and then commenced convoy escort duty between northeastern Atlantic ports and North Africa (4 October 1943-31 July 1944). On 13-14 January 1944 during one of these voyages, "Bulmer" and other escorts made several attacks against a German wolf pack of submarines in the eastern Atlantic. "Bulmer" conducted her attacks very aggressively and although not officially credited she there is a chance that she sank or severely damaged the German submarine U-377. On the morning of 14 January she rescued 17 German survivors, including the captain, of a sunken German submarine believed to have been U-231 which was sunk 13 January by a British flying boat.

Fate

From 1 August until 4 October 1944 she conducted operations in Narragansett Bay. "Bulmer's" designation was changed to AG-86, 1 December 1944. She reported to the Panama Canal Zone 27 December 1944 for training duty with newly commissioned submarines. In July 1945 she returned to the United States and was assigned to the operational control of Commander, Air Force, Atlantic Fleet, and operated out of Port Everglades, Florida. "Bulmer" was decommissioned 16 August 1946 and sold 19 February 1947.

She received two battle stars for her World War II service.

As of 2005, no other ship has been named "Bulmer".

References

*DANFS|http://www.hazegray.org/danfs/destroy/dd222txt.htm

External links

*http://www.navsource.org/archives/05/222.htm