USS Philip ( DD - 76 ) The first USS " Philip " ( DD – 76 ) was a " Wickes " class destroyer in the United States Navy during World War I , later transferred to the Royal Navy as HMS " Lancaster " . She was named for John Woodward Philip . As USS " Philip " . " Philip " was laid down by the Bath Iron Works , Bath , Maine , 1 September 1917 ; launched 25 July 1918 ; sponsored by Mrs . Barrett P . Philip ; and commissioned at the Boston Navy Yard 24 August 1918 , Lieutenant Commander John F . Cox in command . After being fitted out at Boston , " Philip " reported to Commander Squadron Two , Cruiser Force , 1 September 1918 , to escort convoy HX – 47 across the Atlantic , returning from Buncrana , Ireland , under orders of Commander , U . S . Destroyer Forces operating in European waters . She was flagship of Submarine Hunting Group stationed at the Coast Guard Station , Cold Spring , Cape May , New Jersey , 28 September – 11 October . She steamed to Europe with convoy HX – 54 which sailed 27 October but returned to New York , 20 November . " Philip " supported the trans - Atlantic flight of the NC - 1 , NC - 3 , and NC - 4 , 11 – 19 May 1919 . With other fleet units , she had a part in Army experimental firing at Fort Hancock , New York . She then had orders to duty with Squadron 4 , Destroyer Force , Pacific Fleet , and reported at San Diego Destroyer Base 2 August . During the next month she cruised to Pearl Harbor , and thereafter took part in division maneuvers , fleet movements and tactical exercises , cruising the west coast of the United States , South America , and Panama Canal Zone , having special duty as assigned until 29 May 1922 when " Philip " was placed out of commission . When recommissioned 25 February 1930 , after her overhaul and reconditioning , " Philip " was attached to Destroyer Squadrons , Battle Fleet , and conducted maneuvers and gunnery practice for the Reserve Force in the San Diego area . On 3 November she arrived at Corinto , Nicaragua , en route to the East Coast to join the Training Squadron , arriving New York Navy Yard 6 December . For the instruction of NROTC classes in the year 1931 , she made many departures from Staten Island for the New England coast , Bermuda operating area , and Naval Operating Base , Hampton Roads , Tangier Sound and Quantico , Virginia , before returning to New York . On 22 December she departed New York to join the Special Service Squadron which operated in the vicinity of Panama , Nicaragua , and El Salvador , for the protection of American interests . Upon being detached " Philip " entered Mare Island Navy Yard , and from 9 May to 30 July 1932 operated in reduced commission with Destroyer Squadron 20 , Rotating Reserve . At her base in San Diego , from 18 August , " Philip " operated with Destroyer Division 6 , Squadron 2 , Battle Fleet , engaging in intensive division training , tactics and torpedo practice , at times operating with Aircraft Battle Force . From December 1933 to July 1934 she was in reduced status as before , later serving successively with Submarine Division 12 and with Cruisers Scouting Force , and with other destroyer divisions . In July – August 1934 " Philip " visited Alaskan ports , and made preparations for the Presidential Fleet Review held at San Diego in September – October 1935 . Among her many duties , " Philip " annually participated in fleet problems , engaged in squadron and fleet tactics , acting at times as plane guard for carriers . She decommissioned at Destroyer Base , San Diego , 2 April 1937 , and recommissioned 30 September 1939 for duty with Division 64 , Atlantic Squadron , which operated on neutrality patrol in the vicinity of Key West , Florida . She arrived there 11 December , and early the next year as a unit of the Antilles Detachment , she visited Dutch Indies and Venezuelan ports , as well as Guantanamo Bay , Cuba , St . Eustatius , Dry Tortugas , San Juan , Puerto Rico , St . Thomas , Culebra Island , and acted as submarine escort to the Canal Zone . As HMS " Lancaster " . Departing Key West for New York Navy Yard 23 July 1940 , she was overhauled and following trials arrived at Newport , Rhode Island , en route to Halifax , Nova Scotia . There she was decommissioned 23 October 1940 and turned over to British authorities in the ships for bases exchange , and renamed HMS " Lancaster " in the Royal Navy . Her name was struck from the Navy List 8 January 1941 . As " Lancaster " , she served as a minelayer and convoy escort in the Royal Navy during World War II , and was reduced to reserve in July 1945 .