The Caldwell class was a class of six
"flush deck" United States Navy destroyers built during World War I and shortly after. Four served as convoy escorts in the Atlantic; the other two were completed too late for wartime service. Two were scrapped during the 1930s, but four survived to serve throughout World War II, three of these in service with the Royal Navy under the Destroyers for Bases Agreement and the fourth as a high speed transport.
USS Caldwell in harbor in 1919
Destroyers-for-bases deal
The destroyers-for-bases deal was an agreement between the United States and the United Kingdom on September 2, 1940, according to which 50 Caldwell, Wickes, and Clemson-class US Navy destroyers were transferred to the Royal Navy from the US Navy in exchange for land rights on British possessions.
Leased destroyers sailing into British port, October 1940
American and British sailors examine depth charges. In the background are US Wickes-class destroyers before their transfer.
U.S. Navy Naval Station Argentia, Newfoundland
Coastal artillery battery at Fort Amherst, Newfoundland