Why do they call the ship a Destroyer Escort?

Contrary to what the name implies, Destroyer Escorts did not escort destroyers.  Destroyer Escorts had three primary roles: 

• escort duty:  escorting and protecting convoys of merchant (cargo) ships across the ocean
• hunter/killer:   small groups of Destroyer Escorts whose sole purpose was to search for, and destroy enemy submarines
• picket duty:  guarding the outside perimeter of a naval task force (all military ships) against attacks by surface ships, submarines, and aircraft

The 'Destroyer Escort' name came from the first role described above.

What was the purpose of the convoys to Great Britain?

Starting in September 1939, Germany invaded and controlled Poland, Holland, Denmark, France, and most of western Europe.  Next on Germany's agenda was the invasion and control of Great Britain.  With Germany controlling much of the continent of Europe and the European Allies, Great Britain was not able to provide all of the materials needed to fight a war against Germany. 

Convoys sailed from various points of the western hemisphere (New York harbor for the USS Enright convoys) carrying the various items to support the war effort.  Troops, ammunition, fuel, aircraft, tanks, weapons, and food are some of the items that were transported from the western hemisphere to Great Britain.

The ships carrying these materials were called 'merchant ships'.  While the crew of these ships were called the 'merchant marines'. 

How did Destroyer Escorts participate in convoys?

Merchant ships were basically cargo ships and carried very little, if any weapons to protect themselves.  A means of protection against German submarines and the occasional surface ships was devised.

For protection against the Germany Navy, the merchant ships traveled in convoys of typically 30-40 ships.  Destroyer Escorts were used to arm the convoys.  Six Destroyer Escorts formed a defensive perimeter around the merchant ships.  Two 'tools' were need to make the Destroyer Escorts effective defending & fighting ships, 'electronic eyes' and weapons.

How did Destroyer Escorts find submarines and surface ships?

Sonar was used to send sound pings in the water (similar to the chirp of a bat).  If an object was nearby underwater, the sonar ping would bounce off the object (typically a submarine) and bounce back to the Destroyer Escort.  The sonar operator detects this echo and could get a good estimate of a submarines location by knowing which direction the sonar ping was sent, and by how long the echo took to return.

Another 'electronic eye' was the ship's radar.  The radar antenna was mounted high on the mast, about 120-150 feet above the water.  Radar sends out a ping and listens for an echo, very similar to how sonar works.  The primary difference with radar, is that it can see surface craft (ships and submarines which are sailing on the surface).  The radar could see about 12 miles.

How did Destroyer Escorts attack submarines and surface ships?

For submerged submarines, depth charges and hedgehogs were used.  Depth charges are explosive devices, mounted within large cylinders about 2-3 feet in diameter and about 4 feet long.  Depth charges have pressure sensors that trigger the explosion once the depth charge reaches a predetermined depth in the ocean.  This depth can be set by the sailor shortly before it is put into the ocean.  The depth setting is determined by the echo pings returned from the sonar equipment.  Depth charges can be dropped off of the stern (rear) of the ship, or launched from the port and starboard (sides) of the ship using K-guns.  A K-gun uses an explosive charge the launch the depth charge about 100 yards to each side of the ship.

For surface craft (ships and submarines cruising on the surface), Destroyer Escorts used various medium and large caliber guns and torpedoes.

How did a typical North Atlantic Convoy work?

Convoys were formed in the entrance of New York harbor.  The destroyer escorts were based from the Brooklyn Navy Yard, a short distance away.  A typical North Atlantic convoy traveled from New York to Londonderry, Northern Ireland (map).  These convoys were typically comprised of 30-40 merchant ships (civilian ships carrying cargo, troops, munitions, aircraft, tanks, fuel, etc.) plus six destroyer escorts.  Merchant ships were operated by Merchant Marines.

How long did it take to cross the North Atlantic ocean?

Convoys took 10-13 days to cross the North Atlantic ocean one-way.  The variation was affected by weather and the chosen speed of the convoy.

What happened when the convoy reached Londonderry, Northern Ireland?

Once the convoys reached Londonderry, Northern Ireland, the merchant ships were 'passed off' to the British Navy for the final phase of the trip to the southern end of England. 

During this time the six US Destroyer Escorts would wait in Londonderry until the merchant ships traveled to south England, unloaded their cargo, and then sailed back to Londonderry while escorted by the British Navy. 

Once the merchant ships arrive in Londonderry, the six US Destroyer Escorts and the merchant ships would begin the 10-13 return trip back to New York harbor.  These merchant ships needed to put extra weight (ballast) in their cargo holds to remain stable during the return trip.  Often, the ballast would be rubble from the buildings destroyed by the German aerial bombing raids over England and London in particular.

Why did the USS Enright visit the Azores?

On the westbound (return) trip from Oran, Algeria, the USS Enright and it's convoy stopped in the Azores (map wp ph).   It was refueling stop for the ship.  A few of the sailors were foolish enough to hoist some kind of alcohol up to the ship from bumboats which came along side.  One signalman was out for two days, while the others covered for him.      -- Al Green