Bell DD- 95

Bell I

(DD-95: dp. 1191; 1. 314'5"; b. 31'9"; dr. 9'2''; s. 35 k.;
cpl. 122; a. 4 4", 12 21" T.T.; cl. Littte)

The first Bell (DD-95) was launched 20 April 1918 by Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corp., Quincy, Mass.; sponsored by Mrs. Josephus Daniels, wife of the Secretary of the Navy, and commissioned 31 July 1918, Lieutenant Commander D. L. Howard in command.

From August to November 1918 Bell convoyed troop ships across the North Atlantic and in December formed part of the escort for George Washington (No. 3018) carrying President Woodrow Wilson from New York to Brest, France. Bell continued serving with the Atlantic Fleet until placed in reserve in June 1920. She was decommissioned at Portsmouth Navy Yard 21 June l922. Bell remained out of commission until August 1936 when she was declared in excess of the limits imposed by the London Naval Treaty of 1930 and reduced to a hulk. She was subsequently sold.