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Photo # NH 70866:  USS S.P. Lee rigged for Short Range Battle Practice, circa 1923

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).


If you want higher resolution reproductions than the digital images presented here, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."

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

 
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

 
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

 


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

     
    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

     
    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

     
    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

     
    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

     
    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

     
    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

     

    For more pictures of USS S.P. Lee's wreck, see:

  • USS S.P. Lee (DD-310) -- Wrecked at Honda Point (additional views).


    If you want higher resolution reproductions than the digital images presented here, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."


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    Page made 16 July 2002