Dd 891

DD 891

Captain John G. Denham, USN (Retired)





There was no DD891. The Martin DD891, is a mythical Gearing class destroyer that represents nearly all of the "long-hull Sumner" class destroyers completed as Gearings; the last wartime designed "tin cans." Although 152 were originally ordered, only 98 were built and most were completed after WWII.



The officers and enlisted personnel assigned to the Gearing class destroyers were impressed with the living and working spaces and the arrangement of the modern equipment installed. With an allowance of a dozen officers and over 300 in the crew, operational capability and working conditions were improved as was the "hotel" support features for all on board. The chiefs were still forward and the "snipes" were aft; no change. "New constructions" drew the best people and therefore the original crew of the Martin DD891 consisted of experienced leaders and qualified petty officers in all key position. As time passed, change was the only constant factor. The demands of naval operations required that the 25 hour day remain routine in destroyers. USS meant underway Saturday and Sunday. For 30 years the Martin aged and survived with competent leadership and dedicated crews.



DD891, is not just about a ship, but its people and the families that support those who chose the Navy and its life. The Martin was a unit in a four ship destroyer division that was part of a squadron in a flotilla that made up the Pacific fleet destroyer force. As each crew member is a part of a team, each destroyer is part of a mission oriented task organization and must be ready when needed and prepared to function when called. The Martin and her people successfully fulfilled many missions for 30 years. The Martin, as were her cohorts, was commissioned to keep the peace, therefore the officers and men spent the majority of their time deterring those enemies threatening that objective. From beginning to end, " Ready" was the Martin's motto. The main characters are real, except for the names. The events and times are factual as are most of the scenarios however, some spice, humor and embellishment was added to preserve relevance.