From: DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL FIGHTING SHIPS, Vol. I, pp. 179-80.
William Burrows was appointed a Midshipman in 1799. He distinguished himself at Tripoli. Lieutenant Burrows died on board the brig Enterprise as a result of wounds received during the engagement with the British brig Boxer 13 September 18 13.
II
(DD-29: dp. 742; l. 293'11"; b. 26'5"; dr. 8'4"; s. 30.6 k.; cpl. 88; a. 5 3", 6 18" TT.; cl. Paulding)
The second Burrows (DD-29) was launched 23 June 1910 by New York Shipbuilding Co., Camden, N. J., sponsored by Miss Lorna Dorthea Burrows, a relative of Lieutenant Burrows, and commissioned 21 February 1911, Lieutenant J. F. Hellweg in command.
Prior to World War I Burrows was attached to the Torpedo Flotilla, Atlantic Fleet, and operated with the Fleet along the east coast and in Cuban waters according to the established schedules of tactical maneuvers, war games, torpedo practice, an d gunnery. Early in 1916 Burrows was assigned to the Neutrality Patrol in the Staten Island-Long Island area of New York. When the United States entered World War I Burrows patrolled the Lower Harbor, New York. On 7 April 1917 she reported t o Commander, Squadron 2, Patrol Force, and carried out an unfruitful search for a German raider reported in the vicinity of Nantucket, Mass. On 10 April she was detached from Squadron 2 and reported to Philadelphia Navy Yard where she was fitted out for d istant service.
In June she sailed from New York with Group 2, Cruiser and Transport Force, to escort the Atlantic Fleet convoy which carried the first American Expeditionary Force to reach France. She arrived in the Loire River, France, 27 June 1917 and was then assi gned to patrol on the south coast of Ireland, operating out of Queenstown, Ireland. Burrows patrolled; escorted incoming and homeward-bound convoys; answered distress calls from Allied ships that had been attacked; landed survivors; and fought enem y submarines that preyed on the Channel traffic. On one occasion she was in trouble with a broken oil line which caused a fire on board. She was assisted by four
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destroyers in putting out the fire promptly but two of her crew members lost their lives in the attempt. With the cessation of hostilities she performed various duties at Brest, France, and was present at the reception in honor of President Wilson 13 D ecember 1918 when George Washington (No. 3018) and escort arrived at Brest.
Burrows arrived at Philadelphia 2 January 1919. She operated along the eastern seaboard for several months and in June reported to Philadelphia Navy Yard. Burrows was decommissioned 12 December 1919. In June 1924 she was transferred to th e Treasury Department for use by the Coast Guard and was returned to the Navy 2 May 1931. Burrows was later scrapped and materials sold in accordance with the London Treaty for the limitation and reduction of naval armament.