USS Salem

Interestingly, in US Naval history there were three iterations of the USS Salem. The first iteration, known under the designation of Scout Cruiser No. 3 (CS-3), saw service during the Great War. It was first commissioned on August 1st, 1908 and named to honor of this city. The USS Salem has the accolade of being the second turbine-driven ship used by the US Navy in its history. From 1908 to 1912, she carried out various peacetime missions in the Atlantic. Also between 1912 and 1917, she alternated between the reserve fleet duty as a receiving ship and active service with the Cruiser Squadron.

On April 23rd, 1917, after the United States entered the Great War, the USS Salem was decommissioned in Boston to receive an overhaul, which was necessary for keeping up with innovations in naval technology. She was recommissioned on July 25th, 1917 and officially took on war duties on March 31st, 1918. From March 31st until June 15th, the USS Salem served in support of two convoys traveling to the Azores (Portuguese territory). On June 18th, she was assigned to Key West, Florida. Through the remainder of the war, she carried out antisubmarine patrols from Florida to the Yucatán Peninsula. On August 16th, 1921, the USS Salem was officially decommissioned and was placed on reserve until 1929, when she was sold for scrapping.

Engineman 2nd Class Frank T. Smith of 16 Horn Street is the only known Salemite to have actually served on the USS Salem during World War I. Tragically, he lost his life on July 20th, 1920 due to disease. (Click on the link to learn more).