Launched in 1919, Bath-built USS Buchanan (DD-131) would come to an interesting fate. In 1940, the ship was given to the United Kingdom to support the war effort and renamed HMS Campbeltown. In 1942, in an effort destroy a dry dock and prevent repairs to large German surface ships, Campbeltown was loaded with 4.5 tons of explosives and sent to the German-controlled port of St. Nazaire disguised as a German ship. Once it closed in on its target, it switched its flag to the Royal Navy ensign and after a successful raid by Royal Navy soldiers and commandos, Campbeltown exploded and successfully rendered the dry dock out of commission.
