USS Castle

USS Castle (DD-720) was a planned United States Navy Gearing-class destroyer laid down during World War II but never completed. It was to be named for Guy W. S. Castle (1879–1919), a United States Navy officer and Medal of Honor recipient.

History
United States
Name	USS Castle
Namesake	Guy W. S. Castle
Builder	Federal Shipbuilding and Drydock Company, Newark, New Jersey
Laid down	11 July 1945
Completed	Never
Commissioned	Never
Stricken	2 November 1954
Identification	DD-720
Fate	Sold incomplete for scrapping 29 August 1955
Notes	Construction suspended when 60.3% complete
General characteristics
Class and type	Gearing-class destroyer
Displacement	2,425 long tons (2,464 t) (standard) 3,460 long tons (3,520 t) (full)
Length	390 ft 6 in (119.0 m) (overall)
Beam	40 ft 10 in (12.45 m)
Draft	14 ft 4 in (4.37 m)
Propulsion	2 × geared turbines 2 × propellers
Speed	35 kn (65 km/h; 40 mph)
Range	4,500 nmi (8,300 km; 5,200 mi) at 20 kn (37 km/h; 23 mph)
Complement	336 officers and enlisted
Armament	6 × 5 in (127 mm)/38 caliber guns 12 × 40 mm (1.6 in) Bofors AA guns 11 × 20 mm (0.79 in) Oerlikon AA cannons 10 × 21 in (533 mm) torpedo tubes 6 × depth charge projectors 2 × depth charge tracks

Castle was laid down on 11 July 1945 by the Federal Shipbuilding and Drydock Company at Newark, New Jersey. The end of World War II in August 1945 resulted in the termination of the contract for her construction on 11 December 1945. Although the award of the contract was reinstated, work on Castle was suspended on 11 February 1946. A little over five months later, on 18 July 1946, the Commandant, 3rd Naval District, was authorized to accept Castle in an uncompleted state.

Delivered as 60.3% complete, Castle was slated for scrapping in a Congressional resolution approved on 23 August 1954. Her name was stricken from the Naval Vessel Register on 2 November 1954, and she was sold for scrapping on 29 August 1955.