| The second USS Conyngham (“Cunningham”), DD 371, was launched 14 September 1934 by Boston Navy Yard, sponsored by Mrs. A. C. G. Johnson and commissioned 4 November 1936,  Gustavus Conyngham was born ca. 1744 in County Donegal, Ireland. He commanded merchant brig Charming Peggy in 1775. When his ship was interned in Europe, Conyngham sought and in 1777 obtained a captain's commission in the Continental Navy.
As commanding officer of Surprise and Revenge, he became a terror to British shipping, taking some sixty prizes in 18 months. As a privateer, he was captured in 1779, escaped to Europe, and was recaptured while returning to America in 1780. Exchanged a year later, he was in France preparing to cruise against the British when the war ended.
Captain Conyngham returned to the merchant service and commanded the armed brig Maria during the Quasi-War with France. As a member of the Common Council of Philadelphia, he assisted in the defense of that city during the War of 1812. He died there 27 November.
|
Commander G. C Hoover in command.
In the spring of 1937, Conyngham made her maiden cruise to ports of northern Europe, and after overhaul at Boston, sailed for San Diego where from 22 October she conducted training exercises. Operations along the west coast, in the Hawaiian Islands and in the Caribbean continued until 2 April 1940, when she sailed from San Diego for Pearl Harbor, and duty with the security patrol. In March 1941, she sailed on a cruise to Samoa Fiji, and Australia, returning to local operations from Pearl Harbor.
On 7 December 1941, when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, Conyngham joined in splashing several planes, and by 1700 was underway for patrol. She continued to patrol from Pearl Harbor through December, and after a brief overhaul at Mare Island, had escort duty between the west coast and the New Hebrides. With all available forces organized for action as the Japanese threatened Midway in June 1942, Conyngham's escort duties were interrupted to screen carriers in the Battle of Midway, the turning point of the war, fought on 4, 5, and 6 June. In this decisive victory the Japanese were crippled by the loss of four carriers, and their best trained and most experienced aviators a loss from which they never fully recovered.
Conyngham returned to escort duties until 16 October 1942, when she put out from Pearl Harbor to screen Enterprise (CV-6) for action in the Southwest Pacific. She defended the carriers in the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands 26 October, as the American task force encountered heavy air opposition in its turning back of a larger Japanese force bound for Guadalcanal. On 2 November, Conyngham bombarded Kokumbona, and while maneuvering in close quarters, collided with another destroyer. The resulting. damage was repaired at Nouméa and Pearl Harbor, and Conyngham returned to Espiritu Santo 4 February 1943 to resume her support of the Guadalcanal operation. On 7 February she bombarded Doma Cove, and for the next 5 months, continued patrol and escort duties between bases in the South Pacific and Australia. (continued) | |
