USS Evans ( DD - 78 ) The first USS " Evans " ( DD – 78 ) was a " Wickes " class destroyer in the United States Navy during World War I , later transferred to the Royal Navy as HMS " Mansfield " . As USS " Evans " . Named for Robley Dunglison Evans , she was launched 30 October 1918 by Bath Iron Works , Bath , Maine ; sponsored by Mrs . D . N . Sewell , granddaughter of Rear Admiral Evans ; and commissioned 11 November 1918 , Commander Frank H . Sadler in command . After a training and outfitting period which included a maiden voyage to the Azores , " Evans " departed Newport 10 June 1919 for European waters , where she operated until 22 August , returning then to New York . She sailed once more 11 September , and after patrolling off Central America , reached her assigned home port , San Diego , 14 November . Through the next 2 years , " Evans " joined in a training schedule which found her ranging the eastern $ 3 from Valparaíso , Chile , to Astoria , Oregon . She was placed in reserve at San Diego 6 October 1921 , and decommissioned 29 May 1922 . Recommissioned 1 April 1930 , she operated out of San Diego for 6 months , then was assigned to duty training members of the naval reserve out of New York City , where she arrived 6 December 1930 . She returned to San Diego 26 March 1932 , to sail with the Battle Fleet on training cruises and in exercises along the west coast and in Hawaiian and Alaskan waters . Once more out of commission from 31 March 1937 to 30 September 1939 , " Evans " arrived at Key West 11 December 1939 for neutrality patrol duty in the Antilles , and exercises in various parts of the Caribbean . On 24 September 1940 , she sailed from Key West for Halifax , Nova Scotia , where she was decommissioned 23 October 1940 , and transferred to the Royal Navy in the land bases for destroyers exchange . As HMS " Mansfield " and HNoMS " Mansfield " . Commissioned as HMS " Mansfield " , a Town class destroyer , the destroyer had a truly international career , for between December 1940 and March 1942 ; she was on loan to the exiled Royal Norwegian Navy . During this time , she raided a fish oil factory in German hands at Øksfjord near Hammerfest , Norway . Her landing party destroyed the factory ' s essential machinery , and attempted to capture the local quisling leader , but he escaped . With her Norwegian crew , she also served on escort duty in the North Atlantic , continuing in this vital assignment after she returned to the Royal Navy . " Mansfield " was modified for trade convoy escort service by removal of three of the original 4 " / 50 caliber gun s and one of the triple torpedo tube mounts to reduce topside weight for additional depth charge stowage and installation of hedgehog . " Mansfield " was transferred to the Royal Canadian Navy , and served with the Western Local Escort Force based on Halifax and St . John ' s . With newer escorts available , in November 1943 the veteran of service in four navies was reduced to care and maintenance service at Halifax , and on 22 June 1944 she was paid off ( decommissioned ) . Her bell , still lettered " USS Evans " , is preserved at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic in Halifax , Nova Scotia .