Formerly U.S.S. Buchanan, the destroyer Gelibola was built by the Federal Ship Building and Dry Dock Company as a "Gleaves" class vessel. Laid down on February 11, 1941, she was launched on November 22, 1941 and completed on March 21, 1942. Her standard displacement is 1,630 tons on dimensions 341 ft. (waterline) 348 ft. 4 in. (overall) x 36 ft. x 10 ft.(light) 18 ft. (max). She was transferred to Turkey on April 29, 1949 and renamed Gelibolu after a sub-unit attached to Canakkale Province. The name is of Greek origin, Gallipolos, meaning beautiful city, which may be something of a surprise to those who fought at Gallipoli during the First World War.
The Gelibolu is armed with three 5in. 38 cal. guns, four 3in. A.A. and carries five 21in, torpedo tubes. For anti-submarine warfare she is equipped with two "hedgehogs" and four depth charge throwers. General Electric turbines of 50,000 s.h.p. drive twin screws for a designed speed of 37 knots, steam being supplied by four Babcock and Wilcox boilers. Bunker capacity is 600 tons of oil fuel for a radius of 5,000 miles at 15 knots. Her complement is 250.
SG2131 Sea Breezes 3/64