USS Ross (DD-563) was a U.S. Navy Fletcher class destroyer. Ross is the only ship in U.S. naval history to survive two underwater mine explosions. Namesake David Ross was a lieutenant in the Continental Navy. He commanded the American private armed ship Belvedere (14 guns) at the end of the 18th century. While en route to London, on 23 December 1799, his ship was caught in a hurricane. Provisions, seven guns and a quantity of shot were thrown overboard to lighten ship. Nineteen days later, on 12 January 1800, Belvedere was overtaken by a French brig, whose captain demanded that the American haul down her flag. Ross's answer was a broadside. A two-hour engagement, within pistol shot, followed; and after the Frenchman had sheered off, Belvedere, with damage to its rigging, sails, and hull, continued on. Construction and commissioning Ross was laid down on 7 September 1942 by the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp., Seattle, Washington and launched on 10 September 1943, sponsored by Mrs. William J. Malone. She was commissioned on 21 February 1944, Commander Benjamin Coe commanding. She completed shakedown off California in early May 1944 and on 5 May sailed for Pearl Harbor. On 29 May she sortied with Task Force 52 (TF 52) for Eniwetok, whence the fleet sailed for Saipan and the beginning of the Marianas Campaign. Marianas and Palaus campaign Attached to the carrier support group for the invasion of Saipan, Ross arrived on station in the operating area to the east of the island on 14 June. Through the landings on the 15th, and until the 19th, she remained in that area providing screening and plane guard services for the carriers. On 19 June, she headed east with Kalinin Bay (CVE-68) to rendezvous with replacement aircraft from Eniwetok. On the 25th, the two ships rejoined the Saipan support force. Ross remained in the vicinity of Saipan and Tinian well into July, interrupting duty there only at the beginning of the month to escort another replacement aircraft run. On 1 August, the destroyer returned to Eniwetok, then headed for the Solomons to rehearse the Palau operation. On 6 September she departed Purvis Bay in Task Group 32.5 (TG 32.5), the Western Fire Support Group. Off Peleliu by dawn on 12 September, Ross screened the heavier ships as they began bombarding the proposed landing beaches. On the morning of the 13th, she closed White and Orange beaches