USS Chauncey (DD-3)
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| Missing image USS_Chauncey_(DD-3).jpg | |
| Career | 
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| Ordered: | |
| Laid down: | |
| Launched: | 26 October 1901 |
| Commissioned: | 21 February 1903 |
| Decommissioned: | |
| Fate: | Sunk following an accident, on 19 November 1917 |
| Struck: | |
| General Characteristics | |
| Displacement: | 420 tons |
| Length: | 250 ft (76.2 m) |
| Beam: | 23 ft 7 in (7.19 m) |
| Draught: | 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) |
| Propulsion: | |
| Speed: | 29 knots (54 km/h) |
| Complement: | 75 officers and enlisted |
| Armament: | 2 3 in (80 mm), 2 18 in (460 mm) torpedo tubes |
The first USS Chauncey (DD-3) (originally "Destroyer No. 3") was a Bainbridge-class destroyer in the United States Navy named for Commodore Isaac Chauncey.
Chauncey was launched on 26 October 1901 by Neafie and Levy Ship and Engine Building Company, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; sponsored by Mrs. M. C. S. Todd; placed in reduced commission on 20 November 1902; placed in reserve on 2 December 1902; placed in full commission on 21 February 1903, Lieutenant S. E. Moses in command; and reported to the Atlantic Fleet.
Chauncey served with the Coast Squadron until on 20 September 1903, when she was transferred to the Asiatic Fleet, leaving Key West for the Orient 18 December. After sailing by way of the Suez Canal, she arrived at Cavite to join the force representing American strength and interest in the Far East as it cruised in the Philippines during winters, and off China during summers. Aside from the period on 3 December 1905 to on 12 January 1907 when she was in reserve at Cavite, Chauncey continued this service until the entrance of America into World War I.
The destroyer sailed from Cavite on 1 August 1917 for convoy escort duty in the eastern Atlantic, based at St. Nazaire, France. On 19 November November, while about 110 miles (177 km) west of Gibraltar on escort duty, Chauncey was rammed by the British merchantman SS Rose as both ships steamed in war-imposed darkness. At 0317 Chauncey sank in 1500 fathoms (2700 m), taking to their death 21 men including her captain. Seventy survivors were picked up by Rose, and carried to port.
See USS Chauncey for other ships of this name.
This article includes text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.