USS Thorn (DD-988), a Spruance-class destroyer, was the second ship of the United States Navy to be named for Lieutenant Jonathan Thorn (1779–1811), who took part in Decatur's expedition to destroy the captured frigate Philadelphia in 1804.[1]

USS Thorn in July 1984, Cartagena, Colombia
History
United States
NameThorn
NamesakeJonathan Thorn
Ordered15 January 1975
BuilderIngalls Shipbuilding
Laid down29 August 1977
Launched3 February 1979
Acquired21 January 1980
Commissioned16 February 1980
Decommissioned25 August 2004
Stricken25 August 2004
Identification
MottoSharply Perseverant
FateSunk as target, 22 July 2006
Badge
General characteristics
Class and typeSpruance-class destroyer
Displacement8,040 long tons (8,170 t) full load
Length
Beam55 ft (17 m)
Draft29 ft (8.8 m)
Propulsion4 × General Electric LM2500 gas turbines, 2 shafts, 80,000 shp (60 MW)
Speed32.5 knots (60.2 km/h; 37.4 mph)
Range6,000 nmi (11,000 km; 6,900 mi) at 20 knots (37 km/h; 23 mph)
Complement19 officers, 315 enlisted
Sensors and
processing systems
Electronic warfare
& decoys
Armament
Aircraft carried2 × Sikorsky SH-60 Seahawk LAMPS III helicopters
Aviation facilitiesFlight deck and enclosed hangar for up to two medium-lift helicopters

Construction and career

edit

Thorn was laid down on 29 August 1977 by Ingalls Shipbuilding, Pascagoula, Miss.; launched on 22 November 1978 (Thorn was christened on 3 February 1979 by Mrs. Patricia Ansley); and commissioned on 16 February 1980.[2]

Thorn was decommissioned and stricken from the Navy list on 25 August 2004.

Thorn was sunk as a test/target at 08:50 on 22 July 2006 off the United States East Coast.

edit

References

edit
  1. ^ "USS Thorn (DD-988) (+2006)". Wrecksite.eu.
  2. ^ "Thorn (DD 988)". Naval Vessel Register. August 7, 2006.
edit