Rizal (Destroyer No. 174)
(Destroyer No. 174: displacement 1,060; length 314-5-; beam 31-8-; draft 9-10-; speed 35 knots; complement 101; armament 4 4-, 2 3-, 12 21- torpedo tubes; cl. Wickes)
Jose Rizal, Philippine patriot, author, poet, and physician, was born 19 June 1861 in Calamba, Laguna Province, Luzon. After studies in Manila, Paris, Berlin, Heidelberg, and Leipzig, Rizal published his first novel in 1886. The publication of the book, a violent attack on Spanish administration in the Philippines, led to Rizal's arrest and deportation. He subsequently lived in China, Japan, Britain, France, and the United States, publishing poetry and a second novel. After settling in Hong Kong to practice medicine, Dr. Rizal returned to Manila in 1892 only to be arrested as a revolutionary agitator and banished to Dapitan on Mindanao.
While attempting to leave Mindanao for Cuba in 1896, Rizal was again arrested and taken to Manila where he was given a farcical trial and sentenced to death. A figure of inspiration and hope to the Filipino world, Dr. Jos- Rizal is remembered by an imposing monument in Manila which marks the spot where he fell before the firing squad on 30 December 1896.
Rizal, a steel, flush-deck destroyer, donated to the United States by resolution of the Philippine legislature, was laid down 26 June 1918 by Union Iron Works, San Francisco, Calif.; launched 21 September 1918, sponsored by Mrs. Sofia R. de Veyra; and commissioned 28 May 1919, Comdr. Edmund S. Root in command.
Joining the Pacific Fleet upon commissioning, Rizal cruised along the U.S. west coast into 1920 on exercises and training duty. Subsequently modified for service as a light minelayer, she was classified DM-14 on 17 July 1920. Rizal departed San Diego 25 March 1920 for the Far East. Calling at Honolulu, Midway, and Guam, Rizal arrived Cavite, Philippine Islands, on 1 May 1920 to assume the duties of flagship of the Mine Detachment Division of the Asiatic Fleet. With Filipinos constituting the majority of her crew, Rizal remained on the Asiatic Station for 10 years. She spent long months anchored in Chinese ports during the spring, summer, and autumn months. Her most frequent ports of call were Shanghai, Chefoo, Chinwangtao, and Hong Kong. Rizal cruised eastward to Apra Harbor, Guam, during November 1928, and visited Yokohama, Japan, from 11 to 20 April 1929.
Rizal spent each winter generally from November through March, anchored in Manila Bay. She was docked annually at Olongapo and upon resuming active service each spring operated in Philippine waters. Ordered home late in 1930, Rizal departed Manila on 11 December 1930 for Guam, Honolulu, and San Diego. She decommissioned on 20 August 1931 at San Diego and was towed northward to Mare Island on 31 August 1931 by the minesweeper Tern (AM-31) to be placed in reserve. Struck from the Navy list on 11 November 1931, Rizal was dismantled and her materials were sold 25 February 1932 for scrapping in accordance with the provisions of the London Treaty for the reduction and limitation of naval armament.
14 October 2005
