The Caldwell-class of destroyers were six ships produced for the United States Navy towards the end of World War I. An improved version of the Sampson-class, these were prototypes of the future Wickes and Clemson-class vessels. Three of the six vessels were given to the United Kingdom under the Destroyers for Bases Agreement in 1940 and saw action during D-Day on Gold Beach. One was converted into a high-speed transport and carried Marines to Guadalcanal, Saipan, and the Philippines. The other two mostly served in convoy transport duties in the Atlantic and all survived the war.
Ships in class[]
- USS Caldwell (DD-69)
- USS Craven/HMS Lewes (DD-70)
- USS Gwin (DD-71)
- USS Conner/HMS Leeds (DD-72)
- USS Stockton/HMS Ludlow (DD-73)
- USS Manley (DD-74)