USS Ringgold ( DD - 89 ) USS " Ringgold " ( DD - 89 ) was a " Wickes " - class destroyer in the United States Navy during World War I , later transferred to the Royal Navy as a Town class destroyer named HMS " Newark " . The first ship named in honor of Rear Admiral Cadwalader Ringgold , she was launched 14 April 1918 by Union Iron Works , San Francisco , sponsored by Mrs . David W . Farquhar ; and commissioned 14 November 1918 at Mare Island Navy Yard , Commander Louis P . Davis in command . Service history . United States Navy . " Ringgold " departed Mare Island Navy Yard 18 November 1918 to join the Destroyer Force , Atlantic Fleet . After transiting the Panama Canal , " Ringgold " called at Guantanamo Bay , Cuba , before arriving Hampton Roads , Virginia on 5 December 1918 . She cruised along the U . S . east coast into 1922 , operating generally out of Newport , Rhode Island , " Ringgold " put into Philadelphia Navy Yard 5 April 1922 where she was decommissioned 17 June 1922 and placed in reserve . Royal Navy . After remaining inactive for almost two decades , " Ringgold " recommissioned 23 August 1940 preparatory to transfer to Britain along with 49 other old flush - deckers as part of the Destroyers for Bases Agreement . " Ringgold " was formally transferred to Britain 26 November 1940 at Halifax , Nova Scotia , and renamed HMS " Newark " in honor of towns in both Britain and the United States . She was struck from the U . S . Navy list 8 January 1941 . Although manned initially by a Royal Canadian Navy care and maintenance party , " Newark " was commissioned for Royal Navy service 5 December 1940 , Lt . Comdr . R . H . W . Atkins , RN , in command . " Newark " was damaged in collision with 9 December 1940 , necessitating repairs that delayed her departure for British waters . Standing out of Halifax 4 February 1941 , in company with , she encountered a heavy gale and subsequently developed engine trouble . Towed back to Halifax , " Newark " again departed 26 February 1941 and arrived at Belfast 5 March and Plymouth , England 9 March 1941 . Assigned to the 17th Destroyer Division , " Newark " participated in escort duty for the 1st Minelaying Division operating in the Irish Sea and for the Iceland ferry service . She suffered minor bomb damage in an air attack at Belfast on the night of 4 – 5 May 1941 but resumed active duty that August . While in company with 25 August 1941 , " Newark " was hit by a torpedo forward and had to be escorted into Belfast . " Newark " 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 . Following completion of repairs in May 1942 , " Newark " rejoined the 17th Destroyer Division . She probably damaged a German submarine 31 May 1942 while cruising south of Iceland and assisted in rescuing survivors of on 20 August 1942 . " Newark " was transferred to the Rosyth Escort Force during 1944 , operating in the North Sea and in waters north of the British Isles on antisubmarine duty . In January 1945 , she became an aircraft target ship under orders of the Rear Admiral , Northern Air Stations . " Newark " was scrapped at Bo ' ness on 18 February 1947 .