The sinking of the first ‘Tin Can’ and the recent finding of its 80lb Bell – How a World War I American Destroyer Became a Symbol of Courage and Sacrifice

Dear Members, Friends and Tin Can Fans,

USS Jacob Jones Ships Bell
Bill Cullifer, Founder

Here is an amazing story that you won’t read about everyday. It is a story of US Naval history and heritage, and to honor the legacy of some of the bravest and most heroic sailors who ever served in the U.S. Navy.

The Story of on USS Jacob Jones

The USS Jacob Jones was a World War I American destroyer that rescued hundreds of survivors from torpedoed ships. In 1917, it was sunk by a German submarine in the English Channel, killing 64 sailors. The ship’s bell, a symbol of the crew’s bravery and sacrifice, was recently recovered from the wreck by British divers. It will be displayed at the National Museum of the U.S. Navy in Washington, D.C.

This is the story of the USS Jacob Jones, the first U.S. Navy destroyer ever sunk by enemy fire, and the recent recovery of its bell from the wreck site.

The USS Jacob Jones and Its History

The USS Jacob Jones was a Tucker-class destroyer commissioned in 1916. It was named after Commodore Jacob Jones, a naval hero of the War of 1812. The ship was designed for high speed and maneuverability, and armed with four 4-inch guns, eight 21-inch torpedo tubes, and two depth charge racks. The ship was assigned to the Atlantic Fleet, and patrolled the U.S. coast and the Caribbean Sea.

After the U.S. entered World War I in April 1917, the USS Jacob Jones was deployed to the U.K. to join the anti-submarine warfare campaign. The ship escorted supply convoys across the Atlantic Ocean, and rescued hundreds of survivors from damaged British ships that had been hit by enemy torpedoes. The ship earned a reputation for its courage and compassion, and was praised by both the U.S. and the British naval authorities.

On December 6, 1917, the USS Jacob Jones was returning from escorting a convoy to France, when it was attacked by a German U-boat, U-53, in the English Channel. The U-boat fired a single torpedo that struck the ship’s stern, causing a massive explosion and a fire.

The ship’s commander, David W. Bagley, ⁹ordered the ship to be abandoned and the life rafts to be launched, as the stern began to sink. The ship went down in eight minutes, with two officers and 62 crew members on board. The U-boat commander, Hans Rose, radioed the coordinates of the survivors to the U.S. base at Queenstown, Ireland, and offered to take some of the wounded on board.

However, the survivors refused his offer, and waited for rescue. The U.S. Navy later awarded Rose a letter of commendation for his humanitarian gesture.

The Discovery and Recovery of the Bell

The wreck of the USS Jacob Jones remained undiscovered for over a century, until August 2022, when a group of expert divers found it about 400 feet below the surface of the English Channel, some 60 miles south of Cornwall. The divers were amazed by the condition of the wreck, which was largely intact and well-preserved. They also noticed the ship’s bell, which was still attached to the ship’s mast. The bell was made of brass and weighed 80 pounds. It had the ship’s name and the year of commissioning engraved on it. The bell was a historical and symbolic artifact, as it was used to signal the ship’s movements, to mark the time, and to call the crew to action.

The discovery of the wreck attracted the attention of the Naval History and Heritage Command (NHHC), the U.S. Navy’s official organization responsible for preserving and protecting the Navy’s historical and archaeological resources. The NHHC partnered with the U.K. Ministry of Defense to study the wreck site, and to recover the bell. The NHHC’s policy is to leave the shipwrecks undisturbed, as they are considered war graves and sacred sites. However, in this case, the NHHC was concerned about the unauthorized and illegal salvaging of the bell, which could damage the wreck and disrespect the sailors. The NHHC decided to retrieve the bell, and to use it as a memorial to the sailors who made the ultimate sacrifice in the defense of both the U.S. and the U.K.

In January 2024, a specialized salvage unit from the U.K. Ministry of Defense’s Salvage and Marine Operations (SALMO) conducted a survey of the wreck site, and successfully recovered the bell. The operation was challenging and risky, as the wreck site was deep, dark, and cold, and the bell was heavy and fragile. The salvage team used a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) to cut the bell from the mast, and to lift it to the surface. The salvage team also placed a wreath and an American flag on the wreck, to honor the lost sailors. The operation was a remarkable example of the cooperation and friendship between the U.S. and the U.K. in the naval domain.

The Bell as a Memorial

After the recovery, the bell was given temporarily to Wessex Archaeology, a private U.K. firm under contract with the NHHC, for documentation and conservation. The bell will be turned over to the U.S. during a ceremonial transfer later this year, and will be sent to the NHHC’s Underwater Archaeology Branch for further conservation treatment. The bell will eventually be displayed at the National Museum of the U.S. Navy in Washington, D.C., where it will serve as a memorial to the sailors who served and died on the USS Jacob Jones, and as a reminder of the history and heritage of the U.S. Navy.

We, the members and friends of the Americans for a Stronger Navy, are grateful and proud of the USS Jacob Jones and its sailors, who exemplified the values and ideals of the U.S. Navy, and who contributed to the security and freedom of both the U.S. and the U.K. We are committed to honoring their legacy and supporting the U.S. Navy and its sailors in their efforts to maintain and enhance their naval power, deterrence, and readiness in the 21st century. We invite you to learn more about the USS Jacob Jones and its history, and to visit the National Museum of the U.S. Navy when the bell is displayed. We also encourage you to continue your advocacy and support for a stronger U.S. Navy, and to join us in our efforts to promote naval power, deterrence, and readiness in the 21st century. Thank you for your attention and interest, and may God bless the U.S. Navy and the U.S.A.

A Gathering of Naval Legends: The Tin Can Sailors Reunite in Baltimore

2023 National Reunion of the Tin Can Sailors Association

Baltimore’s harbor set the stage for a reunion of historic proportions. It was here, under the proud flutter of the Stars and Stripes, that the Tin Can Sailors, valiant veterans of the U.S. Navy Destroyers, came together for their 2023 National Reunion of the Tin Can Sailors Association.

Dale A. Jenkins, Senior Advisor of Americans for a Stronger Navy, Tin Can Association Life Member, acclaimed author of “Diplomats and Admirals,” was among the esteemed attendees. His presence was a symbol of the union of shipmates recounting tales from the high seas, sharing memories of days gone by.

But why “Tin Cans”? The U.S. Navy Destroyers earned the informal moniker “Tin Cans” due to their thin hulls, which made them vulnerable, yet also swift and maneuverable. U in naval warfare. The sailors who manned them exhibited unparalleled courage and resilience, characteristics that the name “Tin Can” came to embody. It became a badge of honor, a testament to their tenacity and the robust spirit of these vessels.

The highlight of the reunion was a dinner cruise that took the veterans on a serene journey past Baltimore’s iconic skyline. The USS Constellation, a relic of naval history, proudly watched over them, serving as a reminder of the legacy these sailors have left behind.

The reunion was more than just a gathering; it was a commemoration. A tribute to the brave souls who, aboard ships like the USS George K. MacKenzie (DD-836), USS DeHaven DD727, and the USS Wadleigh DD-689, showcased valor and camaraderie. Each vessel’s name was a chapter in the annals of maritime warfare, each sailor a hero of that story.

However, the heart of the event was not the ships, nor the historical recounting, but the bonds that were reaffirmed among these blue water sailors. Bonds that were forged on the swaying decks of their ships, in the heat of battle, and in moments of shared laughter and tears.

“Our time aboard these ships was not just about missions or deployments completed. It was about the brotherhood we formed, the challenges we overcame, and the memories we created. Each wave we sailed, each storm we weathered, added a page to the legacy of the U.S. Navy. We may have sailed on ‘Tin Cans’, but our spirit was, and always will be, unbreakable.” – Dale A. Jenkins said.

In the midst of a rapidly changing world, the reunion served as a timeless beacon, illuminating the values of dedication, honor, and camaraderie. It was a celebration of not just the ships, but the men who served upon them, leaving an indelible mark in the annals of U.S. naval history. These Tin Can Sailors, with their tales of courage and dedication, stood as testament to the enduring spirit of the naval fraternity.

As the event drew to a close, there was a collective understanding that while years may come and go, the legacy of the Tin Can Sailors would remain eternal, forever echoing the undying spirit of the U.S. Navy.

The ships they served on, names echoing with history and honor, were proudly listed:

  1. USS Alfred A. Cunningham DD-752
  2. USS Barney DDG-6
  3. USS Blandy DD-943
  4. USS Borie DD-704
  5. USS Brown DD-546
  6. USS Brownson DD-868
  7. USS Caron DD-970
  8. USS Compton DD-705
  9. USS Conolly DD-979
  10. USS Cowell DD-547
  11. USS Dale DLG-19
  12. USS David R. Ray DD-971
  13. USS DeHaven DD-727
  14. USS Dewey DLG-14
  15. USS Duncan DDR-874
  16. USS Dyess DD-880
  17. USS Edwards DD-619
  18. USS Estocin FFG-15
  19. USS Eversole DD-789
  20. USS Fletcher DD-992
  21. USS Floyd B. Parks DD-884
  22. USS Frank Knox DD-742
  23. USS Frontier AD-25
  24. USS George K. MacKenzie DD-836
  25. USS Glover AGDE-1
  26. USS Goodrich DDR-831
  27. USS Hank DD-702
  28. USS Harry E. Hubbard DD-748
  29. USS Hunt DD-674
  30. USS James E. Kyes DD-787
  31. USS Jarrett FFG-33
  32. USS John Hood DD-655
  33. USS John R. Craig DD-885
  34. USS John W. Weeks DD-701
  35. USS John W. Thomason DD-760
  36. USS John Young DD-973
  37. USS Laffey DD-724
  38. USS Lawrence DDG-4
  39. USS Lofberg DD-759
  40. USS McCaffery DD-860
  41. USS McCracken APA-198
  42. USS Mills DER-383
  43. USS Myles C. Fox DDR-829
  44. USS Newman K. Perry DD-883
  45. USS O’Brien DD-725
  46. USS O’Callahan DE/FF-1051
  47. USS Orleck DD-886
  48. USS Preble DLG-15
  49. USS Remey DD-688
  50. USS Richard E. Kraus DD-849
  51. USS Robert A. Owens DD-827
  52. USS Robert L. Wilson DD-847
  53. USS Robert H. McCard DD-822
  54. USS Rogers DDR-876
  55. USS Sarsfield DD-837
  56. USS Somers DDG-34
  57. USS Theodore E. Chandler DD-717
  58. USS Wadleigh DD-689
  59. USS Weeks DD-701
  60. USS William C. Lawe DD-763
  61. USS William V. Pratt DLG-13
  62. USS Willis A. Lee DL-4
  63. USS Wiltsie DD-716
  64. USS Yellowstone AD

Honarable mention: A special shout out to all of those that served in the Destroyer Navy particularly the USS Henry B. Wilson, (DDG7) the Americans for a Stronger Navy favorite DDG.