USS Christopher (DE-100) was a Cannon class destroyer escort built for the United States Navy. She served only a short time in the Atlantic Ocean before being transferred to Brazil, in December 1944. She was renamed NAe Benevente (D-20) and was finally retired and scrapped in 1964.

History
United States
NamesakeHarold Jensen Christopher
BuilderDravo Corporation, Wilmington, Delaware
Laid down7 December 1942
Launched19 June 1943
Commissioned23 October 1943
Decommissioned19 December 1944
Stricken20 July 1953
FateTransferred to Brazil, 19 December 1944
Brazil
NameNAe Benevente (D-20)
Acquired19 December 1944
Out of service1964
General characteristics
Class and typeCannon-class destroyer escort
Displacement1,240 tons
Length306 ft (93 m)
Beam36 ft 8 in (11.2 m)
Draft8 ft 9 in (2.7 m)
Propulsion
Speed21 knots (39 km/h; 24 mph)
Range10,800 nmi. at 12 knots
Complement15 officers, 201 enlisted
Armament

History

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USS Christopher was named for a Navy Cross recipient, Harold Jensen Christopher, who was killed at Pearl Harbor aboard USS Nevada (BB-36) on 7 December 1941.

She was launched 19 June 1943 by Dravo Corp., Wilmington, Delaware; sponsored by Mrs. Carl Christopher, mother of Ensign Christopher. D100 commissioned 23 October 1943.

U.S. Navy (1943-1944)

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Christopher sailed from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 25 December 1943 for duty off Brazil and to Trinidad on training exercises in convoys and on screening cruisers during their shakedown and training periods. Between 16 January and 11 February, she sailed off Montevideo, screening the British cable ship Cambria[1] as she repaired broken cables.

Brazilian Navy (1944-1964)

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Christopher as Benevente (D-20) in Brazilian service.

Similar duty continued until Christopher was decommissioned at Natal, Brazil, 19 December 1944, and loaned to Brazil under lend-lease. She was renamed Benevente (D-20) in Brazilian service. On 30 June 1953, when the loan ended, she was stricken from the U.S Navy List and transferred to Brazil under the Mutual Assistance Program.

She was stricken and scrapped in 1964.

Awards

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American Campaign Medal World War II Victory Medal

References

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  1. ^ "History of the Atlantic Cable & Submarine Telegraphy – CS Cambria".

  This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. The entry can be found here.

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