The Robert H. Smith class of destroyer minelayers was built by the United States during World War II.

These vessels were all originally laid down as Allen M. Sumner class destroyers and converted during construction throughout 1944. In that time the United States produced 12 Robert H. Smith class destroyer minelayers. None of the Robert H. Smith class vessels ever laid a mine in wartime, though they were frequently employed in minesweeping. Otherwise they were used interchangeably with other destroyer types.

General characteristics

• Displacement: 2,200 tons (standard)
• Length: 376 ft 6 in (114.8 m)
• Beam: 40 ft 10 in (12.5 m)
• Draft: 18 ft 10 in (5.8 m)
• Complement: 363 standard
• Armament
• 6 × 5 in.(127 mm)/38 guns (in 3 twin Mk 38 mounts)
• 8 × 40 mm/60 AA guns (Mk 2 and Mk 1 mounts)
• 12 × 20 mm/70 AA guns
• 2 × depth charge tracks
• 4 × depth charge projectors
• 80 × mines
• Speed: 34 knots (63 km) max
• Power: 60,000 shp (45 MW)
• Boilers: 4 Babcock & Wilcox
• Drive: 2 screws; geared turbine
• Fuel: 740 tons oil (max)
• Range: 4,600 NM at 15 knots

Robert H. Smith class ships

• USS Robert H. Smith (DM-23)
• USS Thomas E. Fraser (DM-24)
• USS Shannon (DM-25)
• USS Harry F. Bauer (DM-26)
• USS Adams (DM-27)
• USS Tolman (DM-28)
• USS Henry A. Wiley (DM-29)
• USS Shea (DM-30)
• USS J. William Ditter (DM-31)
• USS Lindsey (DM-32)
• USS Gwin (DM-33)
• USS Aaron Ward (DM-34)

External links

• http://www.destroyerhistory.org/sumner-gearingclass/conversions.html