did fletcher class destroyers serve in the atlantic?

You are here: customer is always right in matters of taste; toronto snow storm april 1975; did fletcher class destroyers serve in the atlantic?benji and joel madden young. At least one GM was assigned to each mount as the Mount Captain and another would be in charge of loading operations. At the time scheduled in the plan of the day, the boatswains pipe would whistle and the word would be passed Now set the Special Sea and Anchor Detail. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Fletcher (DDE-445) is recommissioned as an escort destroyer at Hunters Point Naval Shipyard, 03 October 1949. At 2,050 tons standard displacement and approximately 2,900 tons fully loaded, the Fletchers were significantly larger than any preceding American destroyer classes. Ratings assigned to the division included: Second Division, USS Halsey Powell, from 1959-1960 Cruise Book. Stuber: The US Navy Destroyers represented the formidable industrial effort consented by the United States to win the war on two oceans. 35 knots: Engines: Geared-turbines : Power: 60000 : Notes on class: This was the second class of destroyers, after Benson / Gleaves, built during the war. As Senior Watch Officer, he had the responsibility for the training and assignment of junior officers, and in some cases CPOs to underway and in port watch stations. The First Lieutenant probably came under fire more than any other officer because everything his people did was readily observable and most COs and XOs were very concerned with topside appearance, sometimes overly so. Thanks for sticking your neck out for us youngsters. His principal assistants were the Main Propulsion Assistant (MPA) and Damage Control Assistant (DCA). My first assignment in the Navy was Engineering Officer of USS Halsey Powell (DD 686), a Fletcher class destroyer, and my experiences on that ship form the basis for this series on Fletchers. Not a member of the Naval Institute? [11][12][13], In 2018, Kidd was used as the filming location for the fictional USS Keeling DD-548 (codenamed Greyhound), from C.S. The USS Bush was a Fletcher class destroyer. Your email address will not be published. [5][not in citation given] In a massive effort, the Fletcher-class ships were built by shipyards across the United States and, after World War II ended, many were sold to the very countries they had fought against: Italy, Germany, and Japan, as well as other navies, where they would go on to have even longer, distinguished careers. The long-range Fletcher-class ships performed every task asked of a destroyer, from anti-submarine warfare and anti-aircraft warfare to surface action. Indoor & Outdoor SMD Screens, LED Displays, Digital Signage & Video Wall Solutions in Pakistan Type: Destroyer: Displacement: 2050 BRT : Length: . You mentioned the Radiomen being responsible for teletype and old fashioned morse code key. All rights reserved. Is this Fire Controlman? Destroyers were normally tied up to a pier with six mooring lines, numbered consecutively from forward to aft. The job of Mess Treasurer rotated among the junior officers. Naval Documents of the American Revolution, - Naval Documents of the American Revolution, Fletcher Class Destroyer Operations | Naval Historical Foundation, Life on a Fletcher Class Destroyer in the 1950's | Naval Historical Foundation, A History of the Naval Historical Foundation. 175 ships . Aboard destroyers, these were all Lieutenants billets. The class was designed in 1939, as a result of dissatisfaction with the earlier destroyer leader types of the Porter and Somers classes. Eventually, eleven shipyards launched 175 ships over the next 32 monthsthe most numerous class of destroyer completed by any navy. He currently holds the title of Chief Marine Engineer at Marine Design Dynamics. In my previous two articles ( read Part 1 here, read Part 2 here) I gave technical and manning overviews of the U.S. Navy's highly successful Fletcher class destroyer. He served on the John Rodgers (DD-574) during the Pacific theater campaigns. There was always a stop at Pearl Harbor on the way to and from the deployment for INCOP and OUTCHOP (Change of Operational Command) briefings at CINCPACFLEET. They did not stand regular watches but they were the people you called when something failed to operate properly. ; The Navy, page 115, 2000, Naval Historical Foundation, Washington. 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. The Damage Control Assistant (DCA) was in charge of R Division. The Fletcher class was a class of destroyers built by the United States during World War II. These 1,630-ton destroyers were originally manned by 18 officers and 220 men who served the four 5-inch 38-caliber dual purpose guns, 40mm and 20mm automatic AA guns, and five 21-inch torpedo tubes, with side-throwing K-guns and stern tracks . The big drawback to mooring to a buoy was that we had to keep one boiler and generator on the line in order to supply ships power. A Liberty Ship or T-2 Tanker of the same era had a crew of about 40 people, plus a naval armed guard. However, the Navy had other ideas and I ended up on the east coast in Florida. The class was designed in 1939, as a result of dissatisfaction w. The only rating in this division was the Gunners Mate (GM). Also, since my primary experience was in engineering, it served as excellent preparation for command. 175 Fletcher Class Destroyers were commissioned from June 1942 to February 1945. Others carried trainable Hedgehogs. More about this later. stevens funeral home pulaski, va obituaries. Technical information. Manage all your favorite fandoms in one place! 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. The three destroyers were later converted to the normal Fletcher-class configuration. . 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. The U.S. Essentially what this meant was for the first team to take their assigned stations for getting underway. The Chief Boatswains Mate (BMC) was expected to be the most capable seaman on board. There were 175 of them built during World War II. while Ross's book is about just one ship that served from 1942 to 1965. My father, Jack Marlowe, was a Torpedoman 2nd class on the USS Terry, DD513. Naval officers are required to pay for their own meals. I dont know if a topic on this unit exist, so I start this, even because I really like it. In my new novel Through Waters Deep, Ens. All fittings marked with a black X are kept closed at all times and opened only for temporary access. Velos alongside G. Averof are ceremonially commissioned by the Hellenic Navy having Palaio Faliro as their base. 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. One reason for this was that it kept me involved in the operational picture. *** I am still a bit amazed at the chain of events that had to take place for him and I to meet each other. Under these conditions, a commissioned CIC Watch Officer (CICWO) was assigned. Many memories aboard it. Machinery Repairman (MR) were in charge of the Machine Shop. While in the Atlantic we were part of a group that escorted the Queen Mary from the coast of Ireland to Halifax Winston Churchill and Admiral King were aboardhistory. or Ensign in the Supply Corps. There were 39 casualties and extensive damage in the after part of the ship. The class was designed in 1939, as a result of dissatisfaction with the earlier destroyer leader types of the Porter and Somers classes. Friedman, Norman "US Destroyers: An Illustrated Design History (Revised Edition)", Naval Institute Press, Annapolis:2004, p.111-112. Does anyone have information I can get from on of his mates during that time. Very helpful article to sort out naval manning. Shipfitter (SF) and Damage Controlmen (DC) comprised the Damage Control gang on the ship. Some went on to serve during the Korean War and into the Vietnam War. Richard Vessels, my father, John Hanson, was an officer on USS Aulick DD569. The Federal-built units were delivered to the Navy without a medium anti-aircraft gun atop the aft deckhouse position. Once the first burner was lit, subsequent burners could be lit from the adjacent burner. On a small ship, this is usually a collateral duty. The fictional titular warship is shown as one of the American Fletcher class destroyers, the most common destroyer class in history, with 175 built. The Supply Officer also had department head status. The Fletcher class was a class of destroyers built by the United States during World War II. The answer to your question (if you havent already received it) is 12 depth charges in each of the two racks. The iconic silhouette of a Fletcher is well known to any students of World War II naval history. All sailors initially attended Boot Camp where they held the rating of Seaman Recruit (SR). Gunnery Officer Or Gun Boss was responsible for operation and maintenance of all of the ships armament plus all matters relating to deck seamanship. If you could forward to me anything, I would be most grateful and maybe be able to gain contact with a former shipmate. Stewards (SD) Ran the Wardroom Mess and provided valet service for the officers. I hope youre still here. However the department heads were directly answerable to the CO for all purely operational matters relating to their departments. This was mitigated by deployment to the Pacific Ocean, which is relatively calm compared to the Atlantic.[9]. Petroleum/Chemical plant operations dept.. A good profession. The United States Navy commissioned 175 Fletcher-class destroyers between 1942 and 1944, more than any other destroyer class, and . I am putting a remembrance for an aged USN veteran of WWII and his family. But by 1956 they were more appropriately assigned to the Ops Department. One my ships was USS OBannon DD-450 , the most decorated destroyer of WWII. did fletcher class destroyers serve in the atlantic? One Petty Officer was designated as the Oil King. The Chief Gunners Mate (GMC) normally acted as a roving troubleshooter. I know there were 6 throwers (K-guns?) I served on the USS Luce DD522 in ww2 as a seaman 1rst signalman striker. Electricians Mates (EM) Were responsible for the entire ships electrical and distribution systems including all power and lighting equipment. Heres how to join! Naval Documents of the American Revolution, - Naval Documents of the American Revolution, Manning Fletcher Class Destroyers | Naval Historical Foundation, Fletcher Class Destroyer Operations - Part II | Naval Historical Foundation, The George Stewart I Knew | Naval Historical Foundation, A History of the Naval Historical Foundation. "German Navy Fletcher-Class, USS DD-515 Anthony. About four months after Fletcher joined the fleet, she . Some that we were called upon to perform included: There are probably some others that I have forgotten about. In February 1943, the fantail-mounted Bofors was removed and one twin mount was placed on each side of the aft funnel, bringing the total number of 40mm to six. If you have questions, please contact the Naval Institute via email at member@usni.org or by phone at 800-233-8764. During this era, no other class of destroyer had more ships built. . I had been transferred before the sinking a stroke of luck. The CS rating who was responsible for the dry provisions and refrigerated storerooms was referred to as the Jack of the Dust. Thus there were two groups of 2,100-tonners: one-third (58) were high- or round-bridge ships; two-thirds, (117) were low- or square-bridge ships. The other ships in the division would then come alongside and tie up using regular mooring lines. Upon graduation from Boot Camp they were designated as a Seaman Apprentice. Your email address will not be published. Ships of the Fletcher destroyer class Name Hull no. The Fletcher class destroyers had a wartime complement of 329 personnel. and by the end of 1946 the entire Fletcher class except for a few training ships had been mothballed and placed in reserve. USS The Sullivans (DD-537) The USS Sullivans was a long-range, large destroyer used for anti-submarine warfare, anti-aircraft warfare, and surface action. 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. The ships Master at Arms force reports directly to the Executive Officer. The Fletcher class was a class of destroyers built by the United States during World War II. The CIC included radar repeaters, voice radios, electronic warfare equipment, plotting boards, logging facilities, etc. The ship was named to honor Admiral Frank Friday Fletcher, who received the Medal of Honor for his leadership during the Mexican-American War. The engine room and fire room supervisors would man their stations. All wardroom provisions had to be purchased from the General Mess or other sources ashore. / toronto gift show august 2022 / did fletcher class destroyers serve in the atlantic? 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 Aulick was hit by a kamikaze in Leyte Gulf in November, 1944, with a loss of 31 men. Radioman (RM) Responsible for all electronic means of exterior communications. The next order would be to Take in the Brow. 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. As well as other tasks, most of the ships served on weather station patrols, monitoring conditions in specific areas of the Atlantic. and 2 racks, but cannot locate the number of charges in each rack (6-12?) They followed exactly the same path but they were only assigned to the Engineering Department. Three are in the United States and one is in Greece, although only Kidd retains her World War II configuration. [4] They could cover the vast distances required by fleet actions in the Pacific. Fittings marked with a Red Z, Black Y, and Black Z are all closed. Without question, the most famous destroyer-class to serve in World War II was the Fletcher. Builder Laid down Launched Commissioned / Recommissioned Decommissioned Fate Fletcher DD-445 Federal Shipbuilding and Drydock Company, Kearny, New Jersey: 2 October 1941 3 May 1942 30 June 1942 15 January 1947 Sold for scrap, 22 February 1972: 3 October 1949: 1 October 1969 Radford DD-446 The design parameters were the armaments desired of the next destroyer. Pacific deployment, USS Halsey Powell, taken from the 1958 cruise book. Nineteen Fletchers were lost during World War II. Others carried trainable Hedgehogs. It was fascinating to see the gear reduction transmission (?) George W. Stewart is a retired US Navy Captain. Communications had previously been a stand alone department and electronics repair had belonged to the Chief Engineer. Beginning in the fall of 1939, the large white-hulled cutters were assigned the outer limits of the Neutrality Zone. In September 2019 its crew took her to Thessaloniki for a short 3-month stay. The last step was to test out the main engines with steam. Four ships have been preserved as museum ships, although only Kidd was never modernized and retains her WWII configuration: Warning: Display title "Fletcher class destroyer" overrides earlier display title "Fletcher-class destroyer". The class was designed in 1939, as a result of dissatisfaction with the earlier destroyer leader types. Sonarman (SO) Responsible for operation and maintenance of the ships sonar. All records of boiler water treatment and fuel usage were kept in an office referred to as the Oil Shack. The USS KIDD (DD-661) is a Fletcher-class destroyer, the six hundred sixty-first destroyer built by the United States Navy. 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. [4] The Allen M. Sumner and Gearing classes were Fletcher derivatives. All rights reserved. They were also the first US destroyers fitted with radar as built. The USS The Sullivans (DD-537), a Fletcher -class destroyer, pictured here in 1962 was named in their honor. During World War II, the First Lieutenant functioned as a department head and he had also been responsible for damage control. He functions as the administrator of the ship and has overall responsibility for all personnel on board. The class was designed in 1939, as a result of dissatisfaction with the earlier destroyer leader types of the Porter and Somers classes. The Fletcher-class destroyer was a class of destroyers that were used extensively by the United States Navy during World War II. Postwar, the remainder were decommissioned and put into reserve. The Commanding Officer (CO) of a destroyer under peacetime conditions is normally a Commander with 15 to 18 years of commissioned service. Naval philosophy in those days was to man the ships with a large number of personnel and little use was made of automatic controls or other labor saving devices. Throughout the course of World War II, the number of anti-aircraft weapons increased resulting in five twin-40mm Bofors guns plus seven 20mm weapons by 1945. Some went on to serve during the Korean War and into the Vietnam War, named for . At this point, we were underway. The Fletchers had a design speed of 38 knots (70km/h; 44mph) and a principal armament of five 5-inch (127mm) guns in single mounts with ten 21-inch (530mm) torpedo tubes in two quintuple centerline mounts. All USN ships are worthy of their tails of history while securing the waters they sail and for protecting all of freedoms we so take for granted every day. Named after a swashbuckling Union Civil War captain, the Porter was one of 175 Fletcher-class destroyers built during World War II. Comissaryman (CS) These were the ships cooks. Their flush deck construction added structural strength, although it did make them rather cramped. NHF has decommissioned and is no longer accepting new members or donations. Edit. Can you point me toward a source for a crew roster of that time period? She is painted in the usual Measure 12 (modified) of the time.

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did fletcher class destroyers serve in the atlantic?