The four-piper U.S.S. Ward was the first American ship to sink an enemy vessel in World War II. Her sister, the U.S.S. Rueben James, was the first U.S. DD lost in action in the same war. One of the 50 four-pipers traded to Great Britain in the Lend-Lease program rammed and blew up the dock gates in the dramatic raid on St. Nazaire (H.M.S. Campelltown).

The kit contains a pre-carved basswood hull, all materials for stacks, deckhouses, masts, etc. plus an abundance of brass and finely cast Britannia pewter fittings.