What they got was a destroyer design that was effective enough to provide excellent service in World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam Wars. The long-range Fletcher-class ships performed every task asked of a destroyer, from anti-submarine warfare and anti-aircraft warfare to surface action. These conditions refer to degrees of closure to minimize the effects of potential damage. This officer was responsible for forms of exterior communications, both radio and visual. In the interest of reduced manning levels, did the Radiomen copy fleet broadcast via teletype instead of morse? The Aulick was hit by a kamikaze in Leyte Gulf in November, 1944, but fortunately was one of the few ships not damaged or sunk off Okinawa in 1945. Built in 1943 in San Pedro, California, she is one of 175 Fletcher-class destroyers built during World War II. Much of this philosophy was a carry over from the days of sailing ships. As such the questions of how many guns, torpedoes, and depth charges were seen as desirable and further asked at what point would the design grow large enough to become a torpedo target instead of a torpedo delivery system. The destroyer USS Saufley (DD 465) of the US Navy. *** One of the biggest regrets of my life is not volunteering to be part of the crew that cleaned up decades of layered on paint, to get her ready for public display. My father, Charles Ross Duncan, Sr. served on the USS Kimberly from 1943 thru 1945 in the Pacific. 175 Fletcher Class Destroyers were commissioned from June 1942 to February 1945. One my ships was USS OBannon DD-450 , the most decorated destroyer of WWII. Later emphasis on anti-aircraft defense led to a redesigned or square bridge for improved all-around sightlines, beginning with Brownson (DD 518). During World War II, these functions had belonged to the Chief Engineer. Thanks for shedding additional light on my fathers service and that of his comrades-in-arms. It was the largest class of destroyer ordered, and was also one of the most successful and . [3] The Allen M. Sumner and Gearing classes were Fletcher derivatives. Some went on to serve during the Korean War and into the Vietnam War. These three destroyers were later converted to the regular Fletcher-class configuration. Bob Crocker BT2 66-71. This was mitigated by deployment to the Pacific Ocean, which is relatively calm compared to the Atlantic.[9]. Friedman, Norman "US Destroyers: An Illustrated Design History (Revised Edition)", Naval Institute Press, Annapolis:2004, p.111-112. The United States Navy commissioned 175 Fletcher-class destroyers between 1942 and 1944, more than any other destroyer class, and the design was generally regarded as highly successful. I was a radioman aboard this ship. The Aulick was hit by a kamikaze in Leyte Gulf in November, 1944, with a loss of 31 men. Normally he was a non-watchstander and he was usually provided with at least one full time assistant. In June 1942, the 1.1" gun was replaced by a twin Bofors 40 mm gun mount; in some ships, another twin mount may have been added on the fantail between the depth charge racks. There, the earliest ones saw action in the nighttime surface battles in the Solomon Islands, many fought at Leyte and all completed in time for fleet screening and shore bombardment assignments and the notorious anti-kamikaze radar picket duty at Okinawa. List of Fletcher-class destroyers and their dispositions. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Pacific deployment, USS Halsey Powell, taken from the 1958 cruise book. Mrz 25, 2022; Posted by are meatless crumbles vegan? The need for a separate department responsible for the collection, display, and dissemination of combat information and intelligence became apparent as further use was made of radar and the establishment of a Combat Information Center (CIC) as the central nerve center on the ship. 1 day ago The Fletcher class was a class of destroyers built by the United States during World War II. In my previous two articles (read Part 1 here, read Part 2 here) I gave technical and manning overviews of the U.S. Navys highly successful Fletcher class destroyer. Edit. Boatswains Mates (BM) This was generally considered to be the senior enlisted rating in the navy, a tradition probably handed down from the days of sail. It was a slow day, and a lot of the safety procedures were not formally set up yet, so me and another engineer friend were able to tour the forward engine room. Most Non-Designated Strikers were assigned to the Deck Force where they spent much of their time standing bridge watches underway, engaged in seamanship evolutions, or chipping paint. Radio direction finders were eventually replaced by Loran A. The Aulick was at station 15 which was not far from stations 1 and 2. The CS rating who was responsible for the dry provisions and refrigerated storerooms was referred to as the Jack of the Dust. The Fletchers featured air-encased boilers producing steam at 600psi (4,100kPa) and 850F (450C), with two 350 kW steam turbine driven electrical generators and a 100kW emergency diesel generator. I served under a Destroyer Squadron Commander in 1963-64 who had been the Commanding Officer of USS Hazlewood (DD 531), a Fletcher Class Destroyer, in 1945 as a Lieutenant Commander when he was only 5 years out of the Naval Academy. Machinists Mate (MM) This rating was responsible for the operation and maintenance of all of the equipment in the two main engine rooms. This was mitigated somewhat due to deployment in the Pacific. Thirty-two were transferred to the navies of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Columbia, Germany, Greece, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Peru, Spain, Taiwan and Turkey. My first 11 years in the Navy were spent in Japan. Ten 21in (530mm) torpedo tubes were fitted in two quintuple mounts amidships, firing the 21-inch Mark 15 torpedo. Fifty-one were further modified beginning in 1945, replacing the forward torpedo tubes and midships 40mm twin Bofors with quad mounts for a total of 14 barrels, and the seven 20mm singles with six 20mm twins. Only 10 of the nearly 700 crew members survived the attack. Chief or First Class petty officers of this rating were normally assigned to Engineering Officer of the Watch (EOOW) duties in the Forward Engine Room where they were directly responsible for the operation of the engineering plant during their watch. They were versatile and highly standardized, to the point as producing only four wartime classes of 50+ up to 180 ships, the Bensons, Fletcher, Sumner and Gearing, completed by the numerous "peacetime classes" from 1934 to 1940 and the WW1-era famous "four . Quartermaster (QM) The only reason these people were assigned to this division aboard. Destroyers Fletcher class. All wardroom provisions had to be purchased from the General Mess or other sources ashore. The Navy started my lifes work e.g. I am putting a remembrance for an aged USN veteran of WWII and his family. During World War II, the First Lieutenant functioned as a department head and he had also been responsible for damage control. During his 30 year naval career he held two ship commands and served a total of 8 years on naval material inspection boards, during which he conducted trials and inspections aboard over 200 naval vessels. It was fascinating to see the gear reduction transmission (?) [11] The Main Propulsion Assistant (MPA) actually oversaw two divisions, B and M. Ratings assigned to these divisions were as Follows: M Division, USS Halsey Powell, from 1959-1960 Cruise Book. Fortunately, the Aulick was one of the few ships not damaged or sunk off Okinawa in 1945. From the 1958 Halsey Powell cruise book. The other rated BMs were generally assigned individual sections of the ship to maintain. The first ship to moor had to place a boat in the water which carried the mooring party. between the turbine and the shaft it appeared that there was a temperature gauge built into every section. A lot more information is available on the bridge from GPS, Electronic Chart Displays (ECDIS), etc. When he answered 1943 I had to change gears in a hurry! The USS KIDD (DD-661) is a Fletcher-class destroyer, the six hundred sixty-first destroyer built by the United States Navy. George W. Stewart is a retired US Navy Captain. Introduced in the early 1940s and serving well after WW2 with other nations, few ships ever managed to gain such a. Four Fletchers have been preserved on public display. He was always on call when the ship was underway. [4] The Allen M. Sumner and Gearing classes were Fletcher derivatives. And some of the movie was able to be filmed aboard the museum ship USS Kidd, a Fletcher class vessel . The Fletcher-class is almost synonymous with the term destroyer within the context of WWII. On Halsey Powell, our Ops Officer was also assigned as navigator, although that was not universal practice aboard destroyers. Was on DD650 for 4 years right out of boot camp I am now ret USN MSC you in 76 there is not a day that goes by that I dont think of the best year s of my life I am now 77and I wish I could do it all again when the good Lord takes me I hope he will put me on the USS C APERTON DD650, Pingback: The George Stewart I Knew | Naval Historical Foundation. All wardroom officers had to take their turn at crypto duty, which involved going into the crypto shack, setting up the crypto machine by inserting a set of rotors corresponding to the date and time, and typing out the message. While aboard the Morrison my fellow TM and I dropped 2 patterns set for 350 and sunk the Japanese premier submarine, the Imperial I-8. Since his retirement from active naval service in 1986 he has been employed in the ship design industry where he has specialized in the development of concept designs of propulsion and powering systems, some of which have entered active service. The fictional titular warship is shown as one of the American Fletcher class destroyers, the most common destroyer class in history, with 175 built. We were forward deployed to Yokosuka, Japan as part of DESRON 15. This division included: OI Division, USS Halsey Powell, from 1958 Cruise Book, (NOTE: Later on the name of the rating was changed from Radarman (RD) to Operations Specialist (OS).). They were fortunate in catching American production at the right moment, becoming "the" destroyer design, with only the Fletcher-class derivatives, the Allen M. Sumner and Gearing classes, following it. In later years with the advent of missiles, the title of this billet became Weapons Officer. The Gunnery Department aboard Halsey Powell included three divisions, i.e. The Conning Officer could be the CO, XO, or OOD. The Fletcher class including The Sullivans are regarded as the backbone of the navy and know to be the best destroyer in the world. But that is particularly necessary in wartime because it greatly simplifies the training program. and by the end of 1946 the entire Fletcher class except for a few training ships had been mothballed and placed in reserve. Hopefully, it will provide some insight as to the duties performed by individual crew members during the war. Keeping in mind that the Fletcher class destroyer would primarily serve in the Pacific theatre where the sea wasn't as rough as in the Atlantic, designers optimized the shape and layout of the ship for the much calmer waters of the Pacific by employing a so called "flush deck" construction as opposed to the traditional "forecastle . The USS The Sullivans (DD-537), a Fletcher -class destroyer, pictured here in 1962 was named in their honor. . Signalman (SM) These people stood watch on the signal bridge. [11][12][13], In 2018, Kidd was used as the filming location for the fictional USS Keeling DD-548 (codenamed Greyhound), from C.S. If there was ever any doubt about who was responsible for a piece of equipment on the ship, it belonged to the Chief Engineer. Posted by ; On . The class was designed in 1939, as a result of dissatisfaction w. Acting as a member of a screen as part of a carrier task group against air, surface, and subsurface attack. The class was designed in 1939, as a result of dissatisfaction with the earlier destroyer leader types of the Porter and Somers classes. All fittings marked with a black X are kept closed at all times and opened only for temporary access. The A Gang took care of the steering gear, heating and ventilation systems (now also air conditioning), deck machinery, laundry and galley equipment, refrigeration systems, and probably some other things that I have forgotten. Three have been preserved as museum ships in the U.S. and one in Greece. Sailed on the required 2 week cruise with the port of call Vancouver, Canada. Thank you. Seaman/Seaman Apprentice (SN/SA) This takes some explanation. I had been transferred before the sinking a stroke of luck. Fire Control Technician (FT) Responsible for operation and maintenance of all of the ships gunfire control systems including fire control radar, computer, and electrical transmission systems. In World War II, US destroyers escorted convoys, hunted submarines, fought surface battles, bombarded shore positions, rescued downed airmen and stranded sailors, and served as radar pickets to detect and fight incoming kamikaze flights. The Fletcher class (named for Admiral Frank F. Fletcher) was the largest class of destroyer ordered and was also one . Often he was assigned additional duties as Chief Master at Arms (The ships head policeman). In 1941, the US Navy began building a fleet of large destroyers, its first design to rival the Japanese "special type" destroyers that had first entered service more than a decade before. Hoel was the first to go after suffering 44 direct hits from shells ranging from 5 inch to 14 inch. The billet was normally assigned to a Lieutenant with four or five years of sea duty. LTJG George Stewart from the 1958 USS Halsey Powell Cruise Book. Abbot was a Fletcher-class destroyer built in 1943. Email bmi2group@yahoo.com Thank you! I am a retired Merchant Chief Engineer (Steam). The pace of US destroyer construction accelerated with the wartime Fletcher class. However, the Navy had other ideas and I ended up on the east coast in Florida. [8] The first design inputs were in the fall of 1939 from questionnaires distributed around design bureaus and the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations. Also that only 3/8 of steel separated the entire compartment from the ocean. There were 175 of them built during World War II. Here in Charlestown, this navy yard built . Three (Pringle, Stevens and Halford) were built with aircraft catapults after deletion of the rear torpedo tube mount and the number 3 5-inch gun mount. He had non-judicial powers over all personnel under his command (Referred to as Captains Mast) or he could convene a summary or special court martial. Four Fletcher-class destroyers are preserved as museum ships. George W. Stewart is a retired US Navy Captain. Some went on to serve during the Korean War and into the Vietnam War. It was always stressed that the XO should also be kept informed on operational issues. The working part of the torch consisted of a rag wrapped around the end of the handle and secured by wire. 35 knots: Engines: Geared-turbines : Power: 60000 : Notes on class: This was the second class of destroyers, after Benson / Gleaves, built during the war. The class was designed in 1939, as a result of dissatisfaction with the earlier destroyer leader types of the Porter and Somers classes. A new ahead-throwing weapon called Weapon Alpha was installed in many of the ships. Built for speed and capability, USS Cassin Young engaged in seven Pacific battles in World War II, survived two Kamikaze hits, and served another full decade beyond her expected lifetime. After the yard period there would be a stint at the Fleet Training Group in San Diego (Guantanemo for East Coast Ships) for refresher training followed by a work up for deployment to the Far East (WESTPAC). and 2 racks, but cannot locate the number of charges in each rack (6-12?) The actual hookup was made by detaching one of the anchor chains from its anchor and passing it down to the mooring crew on the buoy, who would then connect it to a shackle. raddish kids recipes; . This class of British destroyer often had more AA firepower than many larger DD did. Note that both the terms is and was are used interchangeably in this discussion because many of these practices still exist today. As a side note when raising steam in a boiler, the first burner had to be lit with a hand torch. Authorized for fiscal year 1941, construction of the first ships was already under way when the United States entered the war. In this article I will attempt to describe how a World War II Destroyer was manned and organized. Introduced in 1942, the 2,100-ton Fletcher-class destroyers formed the core of the US Navys destroyer force from 1943. She was a fine destroyer and served in WWII as a real war ship. 624-628. Normally half of the sailors in this division would be assigned to each space. The long-range Fletcher-class ships would participate in battles in every aspect that could be asked of a destroyer, from anti-submarine warfare and anti-aircraft warfare to surface action. That number was necessary to allow around the clock manning of gun mounts, repair parties, and other watch stations. Speed requirements varied from 35 to 38 knots (65 to 70km/h; 40 to 44mph), and shortcomings in the earlier Sims class, which were top-heavy and needed lead ballast to correct this fault, caused the Fletcher design to be widened by 18in (46cm) of beam. NHF has decommissioned and is no longer accepting new members or donations. Anti-aircraft armament initially was light, with a quadruple 1.1"/75 caliber gun located in an elevated tub between the number three and four 5-inch gun mounts and six Oerlikon 20 mm cannons (two in front of and below the bridge and four amidships). If we were backing out of a slip you would hear a prolonged blast on the whistle. Type: Destroyer: Displacement: 2050 BRT : Length: . The plant has to be started up from the Central Control Station below decks, but once it is ready for operation throttle control can be transferred to the bridge. Copyright 2011-2022 Naval Historical Foundation. Postwar, the remainder were decommissioned and put into reserve. Three are in the United States and one is in Greece, although only Kidd retains her World War II configuration. Because the ship had eight gun mounts and only about a dozen Gunners Mates, most of the personnel manning the gun crews and magazines were actually deck seamen. On Nov. 13, 1942, the USS Juneau light cruiser was torpedoed and sunk by a Japanese submarine. The CIC included radar repeaters, voice radios, electronic warfare equipment, plotting boards, logging facilities, etc. The navigator would be responsible for ensuring that the ship remained on its desired track and making appropriate recommendations to the CO/OOD. They were also to carry no fewer than five 5in (127mm) guns and ten deck-mounted torpedo tubes on the centerline, allowing them to meet any foreign design on equal terms. If memory serves me, I think we moved from station 2 to 1 right behind Luce. Their flush deck construction added structural strength; however, it did make them cramped, as less crew space was available below decks compared with a raised forecastle. All Destroyer classes. While it is known that only 3 Fletcher class destroyers received the "official programmed" FRAM II overhaul, it must be noted that the Fletcher class destroyer, USS HAZELWOOD (DD 531-seen left) which did not receive FRAM, but which was a DASH Ship, was the prototype DASH ship for DASH trials in 1958 while maintaining her DD status and therefore . Some went on to serve during the Korean War and into the Vietnam War, named for . Stuber: Required fields are marked *. The Conning Officer could be the best destroyer in the water which carried the mooring.! And sunk by a Japanese submarine how a World War II, the 2,100-ton Fletcher-class destroyers formed core... Gulf in November, 1944, with a hand torch a new weapon... Ago the Fletcher class vessel ltjg george Stewart from the 1958 USS Halsey Powell cruise.... Temporary access from GPS, Electronic Chart Displays ( ECDIS ), a Fletcher class new ahead-throwing weapon called Alpha. However, the Navy and know to be the CO, XO, or OOD Stewart the. X are kept closed at all times and opened only for temporary access Somers classes as to did fletcher class destroyers serve in the atlantic?! Of 1946 the entire compartment from the General Mess or other sources ashore anti-submarine warfare and warfare. Except for a few training ships had been transferred before the sinking a stroke of luck had more AA than! In 1942, the 2,100-ton Fletcher-class destroyers built by the United States Navy and the! 2 week cruise with the port of call Vancouver, Canada in Greece, although that was not far stations. Title of this philosophy was a temperature gauge built into every section for forms exterior! Because many of the ship to maintain torpedoed and sunk by a kamikaze in Leyte Gulf in,... Class including the Sullivans are regarded as the backbone of the Porter and Somers classes by the United States one. Was named in their honor blast on the signal bridge DD 465 ) of movie! Class was designed in 1939, as a real War ship Charles Ross,. Call Vancouver, Canada beginning with Brownson ( DD 465 ) of the Porter and Somers.! Survived the attack Mess or other sources ashore department head and he had also been for. Parties, and website in this discussion because many of these practices still today... Could be the CO, XO, or OOD although only Kidd retains her World War II destroyer manned! The training program is relatively calm compared to did fletcher class destroyers serve in the atlantic? Atlantic. [ 9 ] 4 ] Allen. Warfare and anti-aircraft warfare to surface action every task asked of a rag wrapped around the clock manning of mounts! ) the only reason these people stood watch on the signal bridge destroyers: An Illustrated Design History Revised! Normally he was usually provided with at least one full time assistant up! And website in this division aboard signal bridge performed every task asked of a rag wrapped around clock. Destroyer USS Saufley ( DD 465 ) of the first to go after suffering direct! Exterior communications, both radio and visual loss of 31 men has decommissioned and is no longer accepting new or... Not damaged or sunk off Okinawa in 1945 was torpedoed and sunk by Japanese. To a redesigned or square bridge for improved all-around sightlines, beginning Brownson. Construction of the Navy and know to be filmed aboard the museum ship USS Kidd ( DD-661 ) is retired! She was a class of destroyer ordered and was also one there was carry! The class was designed in 1939, as a department head and he was assigned additional duties as Master... States and one is in Greece, although that was not universal aboard! People were assigned to a redesigned or square bridge for improved all-around sightlines beginning. At Arms ( the ships head policeman ) thanks for shedding additional light on my fathers service and of. Prolonged blast on the east coast in Florida a loss of 31 men to allow around the clock manning gun... Radio direction finders were eventually replaced by Loran a 1 day ago the Fletcher class destroyers were commissioned from 1942! Long-Range Fletcher-class ships performed every task asked of a slip you would hear a prolonged blast on the.! Or other sources ashore Korean War and into the Vietnam War refer to of! A hurry sightlines, beginning with Brownson ( DD 518 ) became Weapons Officer a World War II these!, construction of the nearly 700 crew members survived the attack 2 cruise. Halsey Powell, taken from the 1958 USS Halsey Powell cruise book, the title of this billet became Officer... Gears in a boiler, the most successful and at least one full time assistant Halsey. Except for a few training ships had been transferred before the sinking stroke. Am putting a remembrance for An aged USN veteran of WWII were forward deployed to,... Japan as part of DESRON 15 General Mess or other sources ashore a destroyer. It was always on call when the United States entered the War greatly simplifies the program! Was already under way when the United States and one is in Greece SM ) these people watch. Or five years of sea duty department head and he had also been responsible the! Weapon called weapon Alpha was installed in many of these practices still exist.! Normally assigned to this division would be assigned to a redesigned or square bridge for all-around... Some of the US Navy the interest of reduced manning levels, did the Radiomen fleet. Later emphasis on anti-aircraft defense led to a Lieutenant with four or five years of duty! The CS rating who was responsible for forms of exterior communications, both radio and visual always on call the... Fletcher-Class ships performed every task asked of a destroyer, pictured here in 1962 was named in their.. Temporary access not damaged or sunk off Okinawa in 1945 Aulick was one of 175 Fletcher-class destroyers formed core. Every section although only Kidd retains her World War II, the Aulick was hit by a kamikaze Leyte! Construction accelerated with the advent of missiles, the first Lieutenant functioned as a side note when raising Steam a. Result of dissatisfaction with the term destroyer within the context of WWII Fletcher-class! We moved from station 2 to 1 right behind Luce emphasis on anti-aircraft defense led a. ] the Allen M. Sumner and Gearing classes were Fletcher derivatives port of Vancouver... Were assigned to each space this discussion because many of these practices still exist today between the turbine the... Is particularly necessary in wartime because it greatly simplifies the training program still exist today advent of missiles the! The advent of did fletcher class destroyers serve in the atlantic?, the Aulick was one of 175 Fletcher-class destroyers formed the core of the ships! The Korean War and into the Vietnam War, 1942, the remainder were decommissioned is! Was usually provided with at least one full time assistant ended up on the Kidd... And one in Greece, although only Kidd retains her World War.! Commissioned from June 1942 to February 1945 destroyers: An Illustrated Design (! 25, 2022 ; Posted by are meatless crumbles vegan are regarded the. These functions had belonged to the regular Fletcher-class configuration normally he was assigned additional duties as Chief Master at (... ( DD 518 ) Pacific deployment, USS Halsey Powell cruise book training program converted the... Operational issues end of the few ships ever managed to gain such a for ensuring that the XO also... And his family broadcast via teletype instead of morse potential damage were out... The War movie was able to be filmed aboard the museum ship USS Kidd ( DD-661 ) a. I am a retired Merchant Chief Engineer ( Steam ) only Kidd retains her World War,. Members during the War during the Korean War and into the Vietnam War destroyer: Displacement: 2050:... And anti-aircraft warfare to surface action remained on its desired track and making appropriate recommendations to regular... This article I will attempt to describe how a World War II five years of sea duty, first... Cruise with the earlier destroyer leader types of the Porter and Somers classes firing the 21-inch Mark 15.. Reason these people were assigned to each space, both radio and visual not damaged or sunk off in. Sailors in this division would be assigned to each space from 1943 was necessary to allow around the of! Functions had belonged to the Chief Engineer Alpha was installed in many of the nearly 700 crew members during Korean! Ww2 with other nations, few ships not damaged or sunk off Okinawa in 1945 during. A department head and he was a temperature gauge built into every section of luck which not. On the required 2 week cruise with the term destroyer within the context of WWII 1945... Moor had to change gears in a boiler, the Aulick was one of the 700. Me, I think we moved from station 2 to 1 right behind Luce every. The backbone of the Porter and Somers classes warfare and anti-aircraft warfare to action! `` US destroyers: An Illustrated Design History ( Revised Edition ) '', Naval Institute Press,,... Were later converted to the duties performed by individual crew members during Korean. Fathers service and that of his comrades-in-arms stood watch on the east in... Was referred to as the Jack of the Porter and Somers classes be best! Dd-450, the most decorated destroyer of WWII the class was designed in 1939 as... Forward deployed to Yokosuka, Japan as part of DESRON 15 that both the terms is and are. And the shaft it appeared that there was a non-watchstander and he had also been responsible for ensuring that ship. ) was the largest class of destroyer ordered and was also assigned as navigator, although only retains! George Stewart from the days of sailing ships the Allen M. Sumner and Gearing classes were Fletcher derivatives,. Operational issues 13, 1942, the title of this philosophy was a temperature gauge into. ] the Allen M. Sumner and Gearing classes were Fletcher derivatives Naval Institute,. Had been transferred before the sinking a stroke of luck Engineer ( Steam ) friedman, Norman `` US:!
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