USS Barker DD-213

The USS Barker (DD-213) was a four-stack Clemson-class destroyer. Although this type of vessel was obsolete by 1941, several were still operational and served in numerous support capacities during World War II. Measuring more than 314 feet and capable of traveling at 35 knots, the Clemson-class carried a crew complement of 132.

The Barker was the product of William Cramp and Sons Shipbuilding company of Philadelphia, which also built the first modern U.S. battleship in 1893. The USS Barker was one of the last projects of the yard before it was taken over by the American Ship and Commerce Corporation. The vessel was commissioned and placed under the command of Lieutenant Commander C. A. Windsor.

Early Service

During the early years of the USS Barker's career, the vessel participated in U.S. relief efforts of Armenia after the collapse of the Ottoman Empire. After this, she sailed for the Pacific for a four-year tour of duty with the USN Asiatic Fleet, operating primarily around the Philippines until 1925. Her next assignment was to patrol the Atlantic coast, followed by three weeks off the coast of Nicaragua in January 1927 and a two-year publicity tour of European ports.

1930s and World War II

At a time when most Clemson-class destroyers were being decommissioned and scrapped or sold, the Barker remained on active duty with the Asiatic Fleet. Her primary duty was to support protection measures on behalf of American and European corporate interests in China at times when anti-imperialist sentiment among the Chinese was running high.

On 7 December 1941, the Barker was stationed near Tarakan Island off the northwest coast of Borneo. Upon receiving news of the Pearl Harbor attack, she commenced patrols and convoy escort duty in the area for the next seven weeks. During the Japanese invasion of Banka Island off the coast of Sumatra on 15 February 1942, the Barker incurred damage from nearby explosions, necessitating her withdrawal to Exmouth Gulf, Australia for repairs and overhaul.

After the completion of repairs, Barker was stationed at Fremantle, Australia, conducting routine patrols and convoy escort for the next three months. Her next post was Tonga Island, where she remained for six weeks before heading home on 29 June to undergo an extensive overhaul at Mare Island Navy Yard northeast of San Francisco.

Work was completed by October 1942, after which the USS Barker was assigned to escort convoys sailing between San Francisco and Pearl Harbor until mid-May 1943. After a brief stop at San Diego, she was ordered to join the Atlantic Fleet for anti-submarine duty with Task Group 21.12. During the summer of 1943, the Task Group sank German U-Boats 487, 185, and 534 and the USS Barker rescued survivors from the first two.

Final Years

From September 1943 until the end of the war, the Barker served with other older destroyers as a convoy escort, making several crossings of the Atlantic. Following the German surrender, the Barker was ordered to stand down and report to Philadelphia in June 1945 for decommissioning. She was sold for scrap at the end of November of that year.

Asbestos Risks

Aboard American Navy ships throughout World Wars I and II, the substance known as asbestos was commonly installed as compartment insulation and was utilized for its fireproofing abilities. While boilers and mechanical spaces were generally the most common spaces where someone aboard a vessel could inhale asbestos fibers, essentially all sections of a ship such as the USS Barker presented a real danger of asbestos exposure. Increased risk of asbestos inhalation occurred when a vessel was damaged, whether during the course of battle or through daily operations, as asbestos-contaminated components could then break off and enter the air where they could be inhaled or ingested by anyone in the area. Exposure to asbestos can cause the development of serious asbestos-related illnesses such as mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer.

As is the case with people on the other craft of her type, the sailors who sailed aboard the USS Barker were in danger of asbestos intake. The USS Barker experienced minimal combat damage, but it nevertheless went through regular renovations and patch jobs. In spite of the lack of large-scale combat damage, those who worked aboard the USS Barker were still at risk for asbestos in the ordinary duties of their service. Those who served aboard the vessel or worked during the construction or repairs of the ship may wish to learn more about asbestos exposure and mesothelioma. Please click here for a complimentary comprehensive packet.

Sources:

Destroyers Index