USS Evans (DD-78) - As USS Evans

As USS Evans

Named for Robley Dunglison Evans, she was launched 30 October 1918 by Bath Iron Works, Bath, Maine; sponsored by Mrs. D. N. Sewell, granddaughter of Rear Admiral Evans; and commissioned 11 November 1918, Commander Frank H. Sadler in command.

After a training and outfitting period which included a maiden voyage to the Azores, Evans departed Newport 10 June 1919 for European waters, where she operated until 22 August, returning then to New York. She sailed once more 11 September, and after patrolling off Central America, reached her assigned home port, San Diego, 14 November.

Through the next 2 years, Evans joined in a training schedule which found her ranging the eastern Pacific from Valparaíso, Chile, to Astoria, Oregon. She was placed in reserve at San Diego 6 October 1921, and decommissioned 29 May 1922. Recommissioned 1 April 1930, she operated out of San Diego for 6 months, then was assigned to duty training members of the naval reserve out of New York City, where she arrived 6 December 1930. She returned to San Diego 26 March 1932, to sail with the Battle Fleet on training cruises and in exercises along the west coast and in Hawaiian and Alaskan waters.

Once more out of commission from 31 March 1937 to 30 September 1939, Evans arrived at Key West 11 December 1939 for neutrality patrol duty in the Antilles, and exercises in various parts of the Caribbean. On 24 September 1940, she sailed from Key West for Halifax, Nova Scotia, where she was decommissioned 23 October 1940, and transferred to the Royal Navy in the land bases for destroyers exchange.