The USS Mason (DD-191) was a Clemson-class destroyer built for the United States Navy, representing the post-World War I naval expansion. Laid down on July 10, 1918, by Newport News Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Company in Virginia, the vessel was launched on March 8, 1919, and commissioned at Norfolk Navy Yard on February 28, 1920. She was named after Secretary of the Navy John Y. Mason and initially operated along the U.S. East Coast following her shakedown cruise. The Mason was designated DD-191 on July 17, 1920. Her early service included routine patrols until she was decommissioned at the Philadelphia Navy Yard on July 3, 1922, as part of the naval limitations imposed by the Washington Naval Treaty. With the onset of World War II, the ship was recommissioned on December 4, 1939, reflecting the U.S. Navy's increased wartime readiness. Under the Destroyers for Bases Agreement of September 2, 1940, Mason was transferred to the Royal Navy, arriving at Halifax, Nova Scotia, on October 2, 1940. She was decommissioned from U.S. service on October 8 and became HMS Broadwater (H81). As part of the Royal Navy, she operated with the 11th Escort Group in the Western Approaches, mainly escorting convoys across the Atlantic and around the Cape of Good Hope to the Middle East. Notably, on October 17, 1941, while escorting Convoy SC 48, Broadwater engaged German U-boats and was attacked by U-101. The following day, she was struck by torpedoes and sank at 13:40, resulting in the loss of four officers and forty crew members, including Lt. John Stanley Parker RNVR, the first American to die in action serving under the British flag during the war. The ship’s bell and documents were later presented to Broadwater, Nebraska, serving as memorials to her service and sacrifice.

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