Home Ships Destroyers USS Preston

The First Destroyer Built by New York Ship

The Samuel W. Preston was the first destroyer built by the Yard. She was one of the first American ships to be powered by the then revolutionary Parson Turbines and made 28 knots with 9,969 horsepower.
Hull #: 62
Named for: Samuel William Preston (1840–1865), an officer in the US Navy during the American Civil War, who was killed in action during the Second Battle of Fort Fisher.
Launched: July 14, 1909
Length: 293 ft 10 in
Speed: 31 kn
Fate: Sold to T. A. Scott Co., New London on November 21, 1919; broken up for scrap.
Trivia: The USS Preston (DD-19) was the third ship named for Samuel W. Preston.

The Samuel W. Preston was the first destroyer built by the Yard. She was one of the first American ships to be powered by the then revolutionary Parson Turbines and made 28 knots with 9,969 horsepower.

USS Preston (DD-19) underway in 1912.