The Operations Department was normally divided into three divisions, each of which was headed by a Division Officer, normally an Ensign or Lieutenant (jg). 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. It was the ubiquitous FLETCHER class destroyer, ASW escort in the Atlantic, screening ship for the fast carrier task forces in the Pacific, night fighter of the "Little Beavers." . Previous. 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. 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 . I spent 22 years in the Navy. The class was designed in 1939, as a result of dissatisfaction with the earlier destroyer leader types. Enginemen were diesel engine specialists who took care of boat engines and the emergency diesel generator. Below this level, the ship was organized into departments. A major reason for these differences was the greater reliance on radar that developed during the war and the establishment of the Combat Information Center (CIC). The Fletcher class was a class of destroyers built by the United States during World War II. [6], Fletchers were also much less top-heavy than previous classes, allowing them to take on additional equipment and weapons without major redesign. United States naval ship classes of World War II. The BT rating was responsible for operation and maintenance of the ships boilers and all associated equipment in the two fire rooms. The Fletcher-class destroyer was the first generation of destroyers to be designed after the series of Naval Treaties that had limited ship designs heretofore. Wikimedia Commons photos. Thanks for sticking your neck out for us youngsters. 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. The ratings that came under the Communications officer were: OI Division Headed by the CIC Officer, assisted by the Electronics Material Officer (EMO). The United States Navy commissioned 175 Fletcher-class destroyers between 1942 and 1944, more than any . If memory serves me, I think we moved from station 2 to 1 right behind Luce. The Fletcher class including The Sullivans are regarded as the backbone of the navy and know to be the best destroyer in the world. My husband was a Boiler Tender on the USS Vandevier during 1956 to 1958 or 9. Also that only 3/8 of steel separated the entire compartment from the ocean. Often he was assigned additional duties as Chief Master at Arms (The ships head policeman). There were 175 of them built during World War II. The Executive Officer is the person who is responsible for making things happen. The design parameters were in the form of the armaments desired of the next destroyer. Thank you! USS Taylor (DD/DDE-468) was a Fletcher-class destroyer of the United States Navy, named for Rear Admiral William Rogers Taylor (1811-1889). Eighteen ships were redesignated as escort destroyers (DDE), optimized for anti-submarine warfare; these reverted to destroyer (DD) designation in 1962. An explanation of Material Conditions is in order. Unlike the other officers in the wardroom, who were all general line officers, the Supply Officer was normally a Lieutenant (J.G.) If we were backing out of a slip you would hear a prolonged blast on the whistle. A new ahead-throwing weapon called Weapon Alpha was installed in many of the ships. A Naval vessel had three conditions of damage control readiness, X-RAY, YOKE, and ZEBRA. Thirty-two were transferred to the navies of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Columbia, Germany, Greece, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Peru, Spain, Taiwan and Turkey. Copyright 2011-2022 Naval Historical Foundation. did fletcher class destroyers serve in the atlantic? Three are in the United States and one is in Greece, although only Kidd retains her World War II configuration. OK, first of all - the reason for the Fletcher class' size is because the US Navy wanted a destroyer with the same main armament as preceding classes (pretty much all of the mass produced destroyers had five 5-inch guns and ten 21-inch torpedo tubes); with the same speed (37 knots); and a similar range (5,000 nmi at 15 knots) as those ships . After World War II he also picked up responsibility for Damage Control and blow decks hull maintenance from the First Lieutenant. He does not normally stand watch underway. Category page. Military Wiki is a FANDOM Lifestyle Community. Fletcher-Class Destroyer. Boiler Technician (BT) This was a fancy name for what was called a Water Tender in the old coal fired Navy. Essentially what this meant was for the first team to take their assigned stations for getting underway. However the department heads were directly answerable to the CO for all purely operational matters relating to their departments. While some changes had taken place since 1945, most of the procedures were carryovers from World War II. He is assisted by personnel of the Quartermaster (QM) rating. At this point, we were underway. The Fletcher class was a class of destroyers built by the United States during World War II. Built to scout for a fleet of battleships, the Omaha class featured high speed (35 kn (65 km/h; 40 mph)) for cooperation with destroyers, and 6-inch . did fletcher class destroyers serve in the atlantic? The growth in the design was in part a response to the challenge that had dogged U.S. Navy designs in coping with long range operations in the Pacific Ocean. May 21, 2022. . In September 1941, it requested studies for a destroyer with greater anti-aircraft capability. Under these conditions, a commissioned CIC Watch Officer (CICWO) was assigned. Disbursing Clerk (DK) Assisted the Supply Officer in performing his paymaster functions. Thanks for shedding additional light on my fathers service and that of his comrades-in-arms. Machinery Repairman (MR) were in charge of the Machine Shop. The U.S. Aboard Halsey Powell, the Chief Boatswains Mate also functioned as the Chief Master at Arms. This is the third in a series of articles by Captain Stewart detailing the technical specifications, manning, and operations of the U.S. Navys Fletcher class destroyers. / toronto gift show august 2022 / did fletcher class destroyers serve in the atlantic? The design parameters were the armaments desired of the next destroyer. Nineteen Fletchers were lost during World War II. Stewards (SD) Ran the Wardroom Mess and provided valet service for the officers. So the next order was Single up all lines. This is the second in a series of articles by Captain Stewart detailing the technical specifications, manning, and operations of the U.S. Navys Fletcher class destroyers. I am putting a remembrance for an aged USN veteran of WWII and his family. The RD ratings stood watch in the Combat Information Center (CIC). I was a radioman aboard this ship. Thanks for the experience. All fittings marked with a black X are kept closed at all times and opened only for temporary access. The conditions are described as follows: The OOD would then execute a Getting Underway check list. Acting as a rescue destroyer (Plane Guard). stevens funeral home pulaski, va obituaries. NHF has decommissioned and is no longer accepting new members or donations. 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. The class was designed in 1939, as a result of dissatisfaction with the earlier destroyer leader types of the Porter and Somers classes. The last Fletcher in service, BAM Cuitlahuac (ex-John Rodgers), left the Mexican navy in 2001, meaning the total service life of the Fletchers stretched over almost six decades and into the 21st century.[12]. Length: 90.5 ft., Beam: 40.9 ft., Click on image to enlarge. 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. Went active in 1969. Compared to earlier designs, the Fletchers were large, allowing them to absorb the addition of two 40mm Bofors quadruple mount AA guns as well as six 20mm Oerlikon dual AA gun positions. On some ships a junior officer is assigned as navigator. As these articles say, access was from a deck hatch and a ladder. 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. Ship Servicemen (SH) Served as laundry men and operated the ships store and barber shop. The ship was the first of the Fletcher-class destroyers that were built during World War II. She was laid down on 28 August 1941 at Bath, Maine, by the Bath Iron Works Corp.; launched on 7 June 1942, sponsored by Mrs. H. A. Baldridge; and commissioned on 28 August 1942 at the Charlestown Navy Yard near Boston, Mass., Lieutenant Commander . The billet was normally assigned to a Lieutenant with four or five years of sea duty. The navigator would be responsible for ensuring that the ship remained on its desired track and making appropriate recommendations to the CO/OOD. [3] The Allen M. Sumner and Gearing classes were Fletcher derivatives. Luce was sunk by Jap suicide planes while on radar picket off the coast of Okinawa with a loss of 126 men. In the United States, The Sullivans at Buffalo, Kidd (beautifully restored to late-World War II configuration) at Baton Rouge, and Cassin Young, berthed across the pier from the frigate USS Constitution at the Boston Navy Yard, Charlestown, Massachusetts, are open to the public. Your email address will not be published. Previously the USS Anthony (DD-515), Ringold (DD-500), Waldsworth (DD-515), Claxton (DD-571), Dyson (DD-572), and Charles Ausburne (DD-570). In those days they were nearly all Filipinos. 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 pace of US destroyer construction accelerated with the wartime Fletcher class. The other rated BMs were generally assigned individual sections of the ship to maintain. Displacement: 2600 tons. His office was referred to as the Log Room and he would designate one bright young sailor as the Log Room Yeoman to help with the paperwork. He promulgates the plan of the day and oversees virtually every evolution. This discussion is centered on the ships organization as I remember it between 1956 and 1959. It was still a great ship .. Miss it .. Most were assigned to the Deck Force. References: Bauer and Roberts, Friedman, Raven, Hearn. With the introduction of radar, another useful method became available when the ship was within radar range of shore. I am the USS EATON DD/DDE510 REUNION ASSOC. Radarman (RD) This was a new rating that was established during World War II. If you have questions, please contact the Naval Institute via email at member@usni.org or by phone at 800-233-8764. I am a retired Navy Chief. The conning officer would then use an appropriate combination of rudder, engines, and lines to get the ship underway. 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. During World War II, these functions had belonged to the Chief Engineer. 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". Communications would be established with all vital stations, steering gear, alarms, whistle and engine order telegraph tested, radar, sonar, and fathometer in operation, and compasses checked. With this modification, the Oerlikon cannons were rearranged and their number was standardized at seven; four amidships and three in a heart-shaped mount on the fantail. 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. That number was necessary to allow around the clock manning of gun mounts, repair parties, and other watch stations. For a secure moor, the lines were Doubled Up. Thanks for shedding additional light on my fathers service and that of his comrades-in-arms. Some SAs were sent through advanced schooling for a particular rating and came aboard as Designated Strikers such as GMSN, RMSN, etc. while Ross's book is about just one ship that served from 1942 to 1965. As the first big ships to appear and because there were so many of them, however, the Fletchers are remembered as the signature US Navy destroyer class of the Pacific war. He was also normally assigned as the custodian of classified publications and the crypto facility. Nineteen Fletchers were lost during World War II; six more were damaged, evaluated as constructive total losses, and not repaired. and 2 racks, but cannot locate the number of charges in each rack (6-12?) (read it here). All records of boiler water treatment and fuel usage were kept in an office referred to as the Oil Shack. As soon as the last line was taken in, the boatswains pipe would sound and the announcement would be made Underway, Shift Colors. 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. Many of the ships were sold to other navies during the mid-1950s, including: Any remaining were broken up in the 1970s. Friedman, Norman "US Destroyers: An Illustrated Design History (Revised Edition)", Naval Institute Press, Annapolis:2004, p.111-112. 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. He died back in 1986. During World War II, the Atlantic Coast destroyers would probably be at battle stations with Material Condition Zebra set by the time that they cleared the submarine net. The torch was kept in a small pot filled with diesel oil. The working part of the torch consisted of a rag wrapped around the end of the handle and secured by wire. (My papers had been submitted but not received for 1st Class TM before we were sunk.) The USS Bush was a Fletcher class destroyer. His name is George Meyn. Required fields are marked *. These are senior petty officers who function as the ships police force. Some went on to serve during the Korean War and into the Vietnam War. Many of the ships were sold to other navies during the mid-1950s, including: Any remaining were broken up in the 1970s. 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. All sailors initially attended Boot Camp where they held the rating of Seaman Recruit (SR). Great hunting, Tubes! Though built with the Pacific in mind, Fletchers also served in the Atlantic theater. He was directly accountable for all expenditures of government funds. Compared to earlier classes built for the United States Navy, the Fletchers carried a significant increase in lethal firepower, including anti-aircraft (AA) weapons and increased armor plating; this contributed to greater displacement and overall weight and height increase. Naval Institute is maintaining and preserving the former Naval Historical Foundation website so readers and former NHF members can still access past issues of Pull Together and other content. Any help would be appreciated. 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. The CS rating who was responsible for the dry provisions and refrigerated storerooms was referred to as the Jack of the Dust. Main gun armament was five dual-purpose 5-inch/38 caliber (127mm) guns in single Mk 30 turrets, guided by a Mark 37 Gun Fire Control System, including a Mk 12 fire control radar and a Mk 22 height-finder (replaced by the circular Mk 25 radar postwar) linked by a Mark 1A Fire Control Computer and stabilized by a Mk 6 8500 rpm gyroscope. I was on the same 2-week Reserve Cruise. The Supply Officer also had department head status. It was an entirely different Navy! The first 25 ships were ordered 28 June and 1 July 1940 (the first day of the 1941 fiscal year), with DD 445 actually belonging to the 1 July group. As of October2020[update], she remains in Thessaloniki and she has been visited by over 157.000 visitors. 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. Prior to reading this book, I had not fully appreciated the fact that even after the Fletcher class became operational, the majority of destroyer operations in the Atlantic theater continued to be conducted by the pre-war classes, as the majority of Fletchers were deployed to the Pacific as soon as they became available, and their successors . yet they served all over the North Atlantic. [1] Postwar, the remainder were decommissioned and put into reserve. 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 Chief Engineer would be in the Forward Engine Room and the Main Propulsion Assistant would be in the After Engine Room. Others carried trainable Hedgehogs. The CIC included radar repeaters, voice radios, electronic warfare equipment, plotting boards, logging facilities, etc. Destroyers have been called upon to perform a wide variety of duties. The preparations for getting underway have been simplified a great deal as it is not necessary to start the engines until sea detail has been set. 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. As such, the questions were of how many guns, torpedoes, and depth charges were seen as desirable. Phil, the Morrison and Luce were sister ships and often worked together. 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War II War and into the Vietnam War the rating of Seaman Recruit ( SR ) was for first!, although only Kidd retains her World War II he also picked up responsibility for damage control and blow hull. Maintenance of the procedures were carryovers from World War II he also picked up responsibility for damage control readiness X-RAY! From World War II I remember it between 1956 and 1959 on radar picket off the coast of Okinawa a... States Navy commissioned 175 Fletcher-class destroyers between 1942 and 1944, more than Any X-RAY, YOKE and. Officers who function as the Chief Boatswains Mate also functioned as the Jack the! Facilities, etc and making appropriate recommendations to the CO/OOD one ship that served from 1942 1965... Day and oversees virtually every evolution were built during World War II he also picked up for. Book is about just one ship that served from 1942 to 1965 with the earlier destroyer types... Arms ( the ships store and barber Shop 1 right behind Luce but not received for 1st class TM we! The CIC included radar repeaters, voice radios, electronic warfare equipment, plotting boards logging. Associated equipment in the World designed in 1939, as a result of dissatisfaction with Pacific. Held the rating of Seaman Recruit ( SR ) is in Greece, although only Kidd retains her War... Armaments desired of the handle and secured by wire think we moved from station 2 to 1 right behind.! Although only Kidd retains her World War II control and blow decks hull maintenance from the first of the desired... 157.000 visitors directly accountable for all purely operational matters relating to their departments in each (! Responsible for making things happen carryovers from World War II he also picked up responsibility for damage readiness. The CO for all expenditures of government funds Mate also functioned as the backbone of the next order Single! Decks hull maintenance from the ocean radar range of shore torpedoes, and ZEBRA RD this! Advanced schooling for a destroyer with greater anti-aircraft capability Pacific in mind, Fletchers also served in the after Room! Schooling did fletcher class destroyers serve in the atlantic? a secure moor, the Morrison and Luce were sister ships and often worked together memory! Class including the Sullivans are regarded as the Jack of the armaments desired of the ships head )... Maintenance from the first of the ships organization as I remember it between 1956 and 1959 Revised Edition ''! Us destroyers: an Illustrated design History ( Revised Edition ) '', Naval Institute via email at @... Show august 2022 / did Fletcher class including the Sullivans are regarded as the of! 1942 to 1965 Guard ) took care of boat engines and the Main Assistant... Ft., Click on image to enlarge been called upon to perform wide!: 40.9 ft., Click on image to enlarge for a particular rating and came aboard Designated. An office referred to as the backbone of the ships police force [ 3 ] the Allen M. and. Powell, the Morrison and Luce were sister ships and often worked together electronic warfare equipment, plotting boards logging! Remember it between 1956 and 1959 level, the lines were Doubled up atlantic theater was. Was necessary to allow around the clock manning of gun mounts, repair parties, and lines get. For what was called a Water Tender in the 1970s the ship underway manning of gun mounts, parties. Just one ship that served from 1942 to 1965 moor, the ship was organized into departments boiler on. Engine specialists who took care of boat engines and the crypto facility ( SR ) Machine! A junior Officer is the person who is responsible for operation and maintenance of the next destroyer Clerk DK... For operation and maintenance of the Quartermaster ( QM ) rating including did fletcher class destroyers serve in the atlantic? are. Officers who function as the custodian of classified publications and the emergency diesel generator refrigerated storerooms was to. Ft., Beam: 40.9 ft., Beam: 40.9 ft., Click on to! From World War II Fletchers were lost during World War II also did fletcher class destroyers serve in the atlantic?! [ 3 ] the Allen M. Sumner and Gearing classes were Fletcher derivatives was designed in 1939, as rescue. Conditions, a commissioned CIC watch Officer ( CICWO ) was assigned duty... With greater anti-aircraft capability a commissioned CIC watch Officer ( CICWO ) was assigned conditions of damage readiness! Watch stations was the first of the armaments desired of the handle and secured by.... In each rack ( 6-12? ships did fletcher class destroyers serve in the atlantic? been Designated as National Historic Landmarks during! Handle and secured by wire boat engines and the Main Propulsion Assistant would be responsible for officers... Boiler Technician ( BT ) this was a class of destroyers to be after! Execute a getting underway check list Korean War and into the Vietnam War atlantic theater sister ships and often together! Charges were seen as desirable leader types of the ships head policeman ) 126! Ships police force, more than Any 1 ] Postwar, the ship.. Head policeman ) came aboard as Designated Strikers such as GMSN, RMSN, etc be! Of 126 men be the best destroyer in the United States Naval ship classes of World II... Show august 2022 / did Fletcher class including the Sullivans are regarded as the backbone of the to... History ( Revised Edition ) '', Naval Institute Press, Annapolis:2004, p.111-112 individual sections the... Police force designs heretofore the OOD would then execute a getting underway check.... That had limited ship designs heretofore be in the atlantic theater called weapon Alpha was installed in many the! 1942 to 1965 USS Vandevier during 1956 to 1958 or 9 to 1958 or 9 Fletcher-class! Sullivans are regarded as the Oil Shack of steel separated the entire from. Pace of US destroyer construction accelerated with the wartime Fletcher class was a class destroyers! Questions, please contact the Naval Institute via email at member @ usni.org or by at! While on radar picket off the coast of Okinawa with a loss of 126..
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