USS Sigourney (DD-643)

James Butler Sigourney, born in Boston, Mass., was appointed Midshipman on 16 January 1809. He served in Wasp and then became sailing master of Nautilus. He was captured with his ship shortly after the outbreak of the War of 1812; and, after his exchange had been effected, he was placed in command of Asp, a schooner fitted out to defend the Chesapeake Bay. On 14 July 1813, Asp was attacked by three British barges but succeeded in driving them off. On a second attack, however, Asp was boarded, and Sigourney was killed at his post on deck.

The second Sigourney (DD-643) was laid down on 7 December 1942 by Bath Iron Works Corp., Bath, Me.; launched on 24 April 1943; sponsored by Miss Amy C. Olney; and commissioned on 29 June 1943, Comdr. W. L. Dyer in command.

The destroyer underwent shakedown training in Casco Bay, Me., and in the Bermuda operating area. After post-shakedown repairs, Sigourney sailed, on 14 September, from Norfolk with Baltimore (CA-68) en route to the west coast. They arrived at San Diego on 3 October, and the DD departed the next day for Pearl Harbor. She was routed onward to Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides. The ship arrived on 24 October and was assigned to Destroyer Squadron (DesRon) 22, Destroyer Division (DesDiv) 44.

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From the Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, compiled by the Naval History and Heritage Command (Sigourney II (DD-643)). A work of the United States Government, in the public domain.