USS ANTRIM
- Name: USS ANTRIM
- Ship Class: Guided Missile Frigate
- Ship Number: FFG-20
- Date Commissioned:
- Status: Mothballed
Ship History:
The Guided Missile Frigate ANTRIM is named for Rear Admiral Richard Nott Antrim, a recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor. RADM Antrim was born on 17 December 1907 in Peru, Indiana. In June, 1926, he enlisted in the Naval Reserve. He accepted an appointment to the Naval Academy in 1927 and was commissioned an Ensign upon graduation in 1931. He was designated a Naval Aviator in September, 1940.
He was awarded the Navy Cross for Heroism as Executive Officer of the destroyer POPE (DD-225) in the Battle of Makassar Strait (27 January 1942), the Battle of Badoeng Strait (19-20 February 1942) and the Battle of Java Sea (27 February – 1 March 1942). He was one of 151 survivors of POPE taken prisoner after the destroyer was sunk during the Battle of the Java Sea.
Antrim received the Congressional Medal of Honor and Bronze Star for heroic actions while in a Japanese POW camp. In the first instance, in April, 1942, he interceded on behalf of a junior officer who was being beaten by a frenzied Japanese guard and was close to death. Failing to dissuade the guard, he offered to take the punishment himself. The Japanese were so startled by this action that no further punishment was given and life at the prison, which had been worsening, began to improve. In July, 1945, Antrim was in charge of a labor party which was tasked with constructing bomb protection trenches. He caused the trenches to be constructed in such a manner that Allied aerial photography revealed the nature of the trenches and whom they protected.
When he returned to the United States, Antrim commanded USS TURNER (DD-648), 1947-1948, and USS MONTROSE (APA-212), 1952-1953. His post-war shore assignments included tours with the Navy Staff and the State Department. He retired as Head, Naval Amphibious Warfare Matters in the Navy Department in April, 1954, and was advanced to the rank of Rear Admiral on the basis of combat awards.
After retirement from the Navy, Rear Admiral Antrim and his family settled in Mountain Home, Arkansas, where he died in 1969. He is survived by his wife Mary Jean Packard Antrim, the ship’s sponsor, and their three children.
USS ANTRIM is the second Oliver Hazard Perry Class Guided Missile Frigate built for the US Navy by Todd Pacific Shipyards Corporation, Seattle, WA. She was commissioned in September, 1981.
The concept of the class began in 1971 when the United States Navy initiated a program to build fifty Patrol Frigates. The class was later redesignated as Guided Missile Frigates and the class leader – USS OLIVER HAZARD PERRY was commissioned on 17 December 1977. It will be the largest Naval destroyer class to be built since World War II.
BUILT BY Todd Pacific Shipyards Corp. LENGTH 445 Feet
Seattle, Washington BEAM 45 Feet
KEEL LAID 21 June 1978 DISPLACEMENT 3600 tons
LAUNCHED 27 March 1979 COMPLEMENT 12 Officers
COMMISSIONED 26 September 1981 167 Enlisted
In today’s defense environment, the ability to respond rapidly and effectively is the key to success. All of ANTRIM’S systems are designed to meet this important requirement. The Combat System is a new and innovative design, integrating a computerized command and decision system with the ship to reduce the number of crew members required.
Designed to provide quick reaction defense against surprise anti-ship missile attack, ANTRIM complements the capabilities of other ships of the fleet in ensuring thorough multi-threat protection.
Sensors and Weapons. Two digital computers provide rapid evaluation of potential threats detected by the radars, the digital sonar, or other shipboard sensors. Should the need arise, surface-to-air and surface-to- surface missiles, a rapid fire gun, ASW torpedoes, and an embarked helicopter can be employed effectively in countering potential threats.
Quick reactions are not limited to combat systems alone. Two computer-controlled Gas Turbine Engines, operating through a controllable pitch propeller, give the ship high acceleration speed, and maneuverability, and the ability to be “on line” in less than one tenth of the time required by steam turbine ships. Two forward-mounted auxiliary propulsion units give the ship excellent maneuverability in confined harbors and a secondary means of propulsion.
Habitability has been improved over previous designs and labor saving devices and maintenance techniques have been incorporated.
