USS McLanahan (DD-264)

The first USS McLanahan (DD-264) was a Clemson-class destroyer in the United States Navy and transferred to the Royal Navy where she served as HMS Bradford (H72) during World War II.

As USS McLanahan
Named for Tenant McLanahan, McLanahan was laid down 20 April 1918 by the Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation, Quincy, Massachusetts; launched 22 September 1918; sponsored by Mrs. Charles M. Howe; and commissioned 5 April 1919, Commander R. B. Coffey in command.

After shakedown off the Massachusetts coast, McLanahan was assigned to the Pacific Fleet. At San Diego, California in October 1919 she was placed in reserve and decommissioned in June 1922. She remained at San Diego until recommissioning 18 December 1939. Then, following overhaul and fitting out, she steamed to the east coast. On 8 October 1940 she decommissioned as a U.S. Navy ship at Halifax, Nova Scotia, and commissioned in the Royal Navy, under the terms of the Destroyers for Bases Agreement, as Bradford (H72).

See USS McLanahan for other ships of this name.

As HMS Bradford
Bradford was modified for long range trade convoy escort service by removal of the two forward boilers and substitution of additional fuel tanks. This modification improved endurance but reduced top speed to 25 knots. Bradford performed escort duties in the Atlantic, including convoys to North Africa, for Operation Torch, from 1941 to 1943. On 3 May 1943 she was declared no longer fit for ocean escort work and was ordered decommissioned at Devonport. There, for the remainder of the war, she served as an accommodation ship. She was scrapped at Troon 19 June 1946.