USS Atherton DE 169

DESTROYER ESCORT - CANNON CLASS

USS Atherton (DE-169) was laid down by Federal Drydock & Shipbuilding Co. in Newark, NJ on 14 January 1943, and launched on 27 May 1943, sponsored by Mrs. Cornelia A. Atherton, mother of Lt. Atherton. Commissioned on 29 August 1943 with Lt. Comdr. Paul L. Mansell, Jr., USNR, in command.

Atherton began shakedown in September. During this time, exercises were conducted in Chesapeake Bay and two cruises to Bermuda were made. On 13 November, she got underway for Puerto Rico. Upon her arrival there, the destroyer escort assumed antisubmarine warfare (ASW) patrol duties in waters between St. Croix, Virgin Islands, and the Anegada Passage.

On 24 November, she attacked a submarine contact, but observed no evidence of damage. The ship was relieved three days later and returned to Norfolk on 30 November. There, she began making daily cruises in Chesapeake Bay to train prospective crew members for destroyer escorts. Atherton left Norfolk on 11 December to escort a convoy bound for the Panama Canal but was back in Hampton Roads on 27 December.

ATLANTIC CHART