The USS Manley (DD-74/AG-28/APD-1) was a Caldwell-class destroyer commissioned into the United States Navy, notable for its versatility and active service during both World Wars. Laid down on August 22, 1916, by Bath Iron Works in Maine, the vessel was launched a year later on August 23, 1917, and commissioned on October 15, 1917. Initially designated DD-74, she was later reclassified as AG-28 and finally as APD-1, reflecting her evolving roles. Constructed as a Caldwell-class destroyer, the USS Manley measured approximately 315 feet in length with a beam of about 30 feet. She was armed with torpedoes and guns suitable for her destroyer role, and later outfitted as a high-speed transport, capable of carrying troops and landing forces. Her early service saw her sailing from Boston to join convoy escort and patrol duties in Queenstown, Ireland, during World War I. On March 19, 1918, she was involved in a tragic accident when her depth charges detonated after colliding with the British auxiliary cruiser HMS Montagua, causing significant damage, and resulting in the death of 33 enlisted men and her executive officer. After repairs in Liverpool, she resumed operations along the U.S. East Coast and in the Mediterranean, transporting mail and diplomatic personnel. Recommissioned in 1930, Manley served as an experimental torpedo-firing ship and participated in naval exercises along the Atlantic and Caribbean coasts. She served in the Mediterranean during the Spanish Civil War and was converted into a high-speed transport (APD-1) in 1940, becoming the Navy's first vessel of this type. During World War II, she played a vital role in the Pacific Theater, including notable actions at Guadalcanal, where she participated in landings, rescue operations, and bombardments. She also supported operations in the Marshall Islands, Leyte Gulf, Luzon, and Okinawa, often engaging in troop landings and escort duties. Decommissioned on November 19, 1945, after the war's end, USS Manley was struck from the Navy list and sold for scrap in 1946. Her extensive service record underscores her significance as a versatile vessel that adapted through various roles, contributing notably to U.S. naval operations across both World Wars.

This description has been generated using GPT-4.1-NANO based on the Vessel's wikidata information and then modified by ShipIndex.org staff.