USS Balch (DD-363)

USS Balch (DD-363)

For other ships of the same name, see USS Balch.

USS Balch (DD-363)
Career (US)
Builder:	Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation, Quincy, Massachusetts
Laid down:	16 May 1934
Launched:	24 March 1936
Commissioned:	20 October 1936
Decommissioned:	19 October 1945
Struck:	1 November 1945
Fate:	scrapped in 1946
General characteristics
Class & type:	Porter-class destroyer
Displacement:	1,850 tons
Length:	381 ft 1 in (116.15 m)
Beam:	36 ft 11 in (11.25 m)
Draught:	17 ft 9 in (5.41 m)
Speed:	35 knots (65 km/h)
Complement:	194 officers and enlisted
Armament:	As built: 1 x Mk 35 Gun Fire Control System, 8 x 5"(127 mm)/38 cal SP (4x2), 8 x 1.1" (28 mm) AA (2x4), 8 x 21" (533 mm) torpedo tubes (2x4), 2 x Depth Charge Stern Racks c1943: 1 x Mk 33 Gun Fire Control System, 8 x 5" (127 mm)/38 cal SP (3x2), 4 x Mk 51 Gun Directors, 12 x Bofors 40 mm guns (2x4,2x2), 6 x Oerlikon 20 mm cannons (6x1), 8 x 21" (533 mm) torpedo tubes (2x4), 2 x Depth Charge Stern Racks, 4 x Depth Charge K-gun Projectors (4x1)

USS Balch (DD-363) was a Porter-class destroyer in the United States Navy. She is named for Admiral George Beall Balch.

The second Balch was launched 24 March 1936 by Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation, Quincy, Massachusetts; sponsored by Miss Gertrude Balch, granddaughter of Admiral Balch; and commissioned 20 October 1936, Commander T. C. Latimore in command.