did fletcher class destroyers serve in the atlantic?

The class was designed in 1939, as a result of dissatisfaction with the earlier destroyer leader types of the Porter and Somers classes. Boiler Technician (BT) This was a fancy name for what was called a Water Tender in the old coal fired Navy. The USS Bush was a Fletcher class destroyer. If we were backing out of a slip you would hear a prolonged blast on the whistle. The Fletcher-class destroyer was a class of destroyers that were used extensively by the United States Navy during World War II. 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. It was an honor to serve on Fletchers as the brave sailors of WWII. Again, the terms is and was are used interchangeably in this article. I served as a 2nd Class Torpedoman aboard the Fletcher-class destroyer USS Morrison DD560 from its christening on Dec.18, 1943, until we were sunk by a Japanese kamikaze on May 4,1945. During World War II, the First Lieutenant functioned as a department head and he had also been responsible for damage control. 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. Posted on . Enginemen were diesel engine specialists who took care of boat engines and the emergency diesel generator. But most of the other wartime functions still remained. Some SAs were sent through advanced schooling for a particular rating and came aboard as Designated Strikers such as GMSN, RMSN, etc. [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 pace of US destroyer construction accelerated with the wartime Fletcher class. Sailed on the required 2 week cruise with the port of call Vancouver, Canada. (read it here). [10] Typically, Babcock & Wilcox boilers and General Electric geared steam turbines were equipped, although other designs and manufacturers were probably used to maximize the rate of production. Admiral's flag is flying from the yardarm. But on destroyers and smaller vessels the Executive Officer often doubles as the navigator. The torch was kept in a small pot filled with diesel oil. Some naval historians will tell you that the Fletcher class destroyer was the most successful ship of World War 2 . [4] They could cover the vast distances required by fleet actions in the Pacific. Working conditions were similar, but not quite as bad as in the fire rooms. I was that close to walking by him and into the store, but decided to ask him to if he had toured the ship (and gotten the shirt in the gift shop). Is this Fire Controlman? OC Division Headed by the Communications Officer. USS Fletcher (DD-445) was commissioned on 30 June 1942, with Lieutenant Commander W. M. Cole in command. He was responsible for reading and interpreting all operation orders (OP-Orders) and determining what the ship was supposed to do next. Ship Servicemen (SH) Served as laundry men and operated the ships store and barber shop. His direct superior in the chain of command was his squadron or division commander who was normally a Captain with the honorary title of Commodore. Also asked was at what point would the design grow large enough to become a torpedo target instead of a torpedo delivery system. In June and July 1943, two more twin Bofors mounts were added in place of the 20mm cannons in front of and below the bridge, giving a total of ten. On the return trip we had to avoid the collision between the Oil Tanker and a Philippine Merchant ship . However in 1956 there was an acute shortage of Lieutenants in the Navy and therefore each ship was only provided with one, who was invariably assigned as the Operations Officer and Senior Watch Officer. The Fletcher class destroyer came about in 1939 when the US Navy sought to create a superior new design addressing poor aspects found in previous destroyers. The ships Hospital Corpsman (HM) also normally reported directly to the Executive Officer. The Fletcher design permitted significant increases over preceding classes in hull, armament, machinery, ammunition, stores and fuel bunkerage. Aboard Halsey Powell, the Chief Boatswains Mate also functioned as the Chief Master at Arms. The Fletcher-class destroyers were built by the United States during World War II. The billet was normally assigned to a Lieutenant with four or five years of sea duty. The goal was to have two boilers on line, one in each fire room, and have both engines ready for operation with the plant split (2 independent plant configuration) prior to setting what is referred to as the Special Sea Detail. Pacific deployment, USS Halsey Powell, taken from the 1958 cruise book. I had a great time with the locals in Vancouver and also remember the near collision. I am a retired Merchant Chief Engineer (Steam). 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. As these articles say, access was from a deck hatch and a ladder. raddish kids recipes; . A Naval vessel had three conditions of damage control readiness, X-RAY, YOKE, and ZEBRA. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Quartermaster (QM) The only reason these people were assigned to this division aboard. We also made fueling stops at Guam and Midway. Most were assigned to the Deck Force. How many depth charges did a Fletcher-class carry during WWII? In September 1941, it requested studies for a destroyer with greater anti-aircraft capability. Thanks for shedding additional light on my fathers service and that of his comrades-in-arms. Next we will describe the process for getting underway from alongside another ship or a pier. We usually had 2 or 3 Chief Machinists Mates (MMC) assigned. Jim Avery serves on a fictional Gleaves-class destroyer, the USS . Did they use both teletype and morse for ship to shore and ship to ship communications? I served on 2 Fletchers as BT during Vietnam. 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. ; The Navy, page 115, 2000, Naval Historical Foundation, Washington. That number was necessary to allow around the clock manning of gun mounts, repair parties, and other watch stations. In an emergency program to expand capacity, some shipyards were upgraded and other new ones were brought on line. He was always on call when the ship was underway. Fletcher-Class Destroyer. The only ports we got to visit during my deployments were Yokosuka and Sasebo in Japan, Hong Kong, Kaoshung Taiwan, and Subic Bay in the Philippines. One my ships was USS OBannon DD-450 , the most decorated destroyer of WWII. Essentially what this meant was for the first team to take their assigned stations for getting underway. Second Division was headed by the Assistant Gunnery Officer. Not a member of the Naval Institute? The Fletcher class destroyers had a wartime complement of 329 personnel. [26][27], Learn how and when to remove this template message, National Museum of the United States Navy, List of destroyer classes of the United States Navy, "Life on a Fletcher Class Destroyer in the 1950's", "NHL nomination for USS Cassin Young (destroyer)", "Veterans' Museum to Receive Historic Navy Ship's Mast", "Flag Honors Hall of Fame | Naval ROTC Alumni Society", "USS Knapp - bridge: Fujifilm X System / SLR Talk Forum: Digital Photography Review", "Fletcher-Klasse Mark-30 Turm Walkaround (124) Scalenews", "Tom Hanks' WWII drama filming aboard USS Kidd this week", Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Fletcher-class_destroyer&oldid=1133218886, 369.25ft (112.55m) wl, 376.5ft (114.8m) o/a, struck in 1978, sunk as a target on 23 February 1983, struck in 1988 and sunk as a target in 1990, struck in 1982, sunk as a target on 28 September 1991, struck in 1976, sunk as a target on 16 May 1979, transferred to Hellenic Navy on 18 September 1981, transferred to Hellenic Navy on 15 October 1980, transferred to Hellenic Navy in February 1981, transferred to Hellenic Navy in February 1982, Active - In commission as museum ship since 1991, struck on 10 October 1990, scrapped in 1997, struck in 1971 and cannibalized to provide spare parts for her sisters in Italian service, struck in 1999, sunk as a target on 1 November 2001, struck in 1999, sunk as a target on 14 October 2003, This page was last edited on 12 January 2023, at 19:18. First (Deck), Second (Guns), and Fox (Fire Control, Sonar, and Anti-Submarine Armament). Department heads reported to XO for all administrative matters related to their departments. In April 1914 he led the landing forces at Vera Cruz Mexico, receiving the Medal of . There were 175 of them built during World War II. Most had been commissioned by the end of 1946 and went on to serve well into the 1960's. USS Sarsfield (DD-837) Gearing Class destroyer in 1945. Since 1975 all new destroyer, cruiser, and frigate types have been powered by aircraft derivative gas turbine engines. Fittings marked with a Red Z, Black Y, and Black Z are all closed. Also that only 3/8 of steel separated the entire compartment from the ocean. I was on the same 2-week Reserve Cruise. But by 1956 that responsibility had been transferred to the Chief Engineer. 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. Beginning in the fall of 1939, the large white-hulled cutters were assigned the outer limits of the Neutrality Zone. Destroyers, dubbed "tin cans" because of their lack of armor . . The U.S. 175 ships . [8] As with other previous U.S. flush deck destroyer designs, seagoing performance suffered. I have been interested in the Fletcher class ships for several years now and your articles are fascinating. 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 working part of the torch consisted of a rag wrapped around the end of the handle and secured by wire. For this reason, all sailors of the Boiler Technician (BT) rating were meticulous about carrying a book of matches around with them at all times. Some went on to serve during the Korean War and into the Vietnam War.[3]. Composite by Coffee or Die Magazine. [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. Normally he was a non-watchstander and he was usually provided with at least one full time assistant. Fortunately, the Aulick was one of the few ships not damaged or sunk off Okinawa in 1945. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 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. In my new novel Through Waters Deep, Ens. Some went on to serve during the Korean War and into the Vietnam War. The XO is often the resident bad guy in the wardroom because many COs like to play the Good Cop/Bad Cop game. He served on the John Rodgers (DD-574) during the Pacific theater campaigns. 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 BT rating was considered to have the hottest and dirtiest jobs in the navy. 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).). NHF members are being converted to members of the Naval Institute. The Chief Engineer would be in the Forward Engine Room and the Main Propulsion Assistant would be in the After Engine Room. Fox Division This division was headed by either the Fire Control Officer or Anti-Submarine Officer, whoever was senior. 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. Facilities were provided for collection, display, evaluation, and dissemination of information and making appropriate recommendations to the command (and in some cases Weapons Control). The other ships in the division would then come alongside and tie up using regular mooring lines. The long-range Fletcher-class ships performed every task asked of a destroyer, from anti-submarine warfare and anti-aircraft warfare to surface action. The ship was the first of the Fletcher-class destroyers that were built during World War II. He is a 1956 graduate of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy. Went to a Target store (Plantation, FL) to pick up some stuff, and outside I saw an older gentleman with a USS Kidd T-shirt. Abbot was a Fletcher-class destroyer built in 1943. [5], 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. USS Halsey Powell backs away from a pier in Subic Bay. 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. 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. 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 . The ship was named to honor Admiral Frank Friday Fletcher, who received the Medal of Honor for his leadership during the Mexican-American War. During this time 39 were refitted, reducing their overall main armament and the number of torpedo tubes. During World War II, the commanding officer was frequently a Lieutenant Commander with far less experience. Destroyers were normally tied up to a pier with six mooring lines, numbered consecutively from forward to aft. The next step depended on how we were moored. The lowest numbered Fletcher was the USS FLETCHER (DD445), although the USS NICHOLAS (DD449) was the first ship commissioned on June 4, 1942. Can you point me toward a source for a crew roster of that time period? The Fletcher class was a class of destroyers built by the United States during World War II. 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. I am so sorry I never had a discussion with him about his experiences and what he did, before he died when I was 14. Named after a swashbuckling Union Civil War captain, the Porter was one of 175 Fletcher-class destroyers built during World War II. The ratings that came under the Communications officer were: OI Division Headed by the CIC Officer, assisted by the Electronics Material Officer (EMO). It was fascinating to see the gear reduction transmission (?) 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.[1]. Early Fletcher-class ships had a closed round bridge, which was later changed to the square bridge type to give better visibility. 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. I served on the USS Luce DD522 in ww2 as a seaman 1rst signalman striker. 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. All wardroom provisions had to be purchased from the General Mess or other sources ashore. When he answered 1943 I had to change gears in a hurry! The Fletcher class was a class of destroyers built by the United States during World War II. List of Fletcher-class destroyers and their dispositions. He does not normally stand watch underway. The cycle would start at the end of a shipyard overhaul, in our case at the Long Beach Naval Shipyard. Supply Department ratings included: Supply Department, USS Halsey Powell, from 1959-1960 Cruise Book. The Fletcher class was a class of destroyers built by the United States during World War II. US Navy image 19-N-31790. Stewards (SD) Ran the Wardroom Mess and provided valet service for the officers. Pingback: Manning Fletcher Class Destroyers | Naval Historical Foundation, Pingback: Fletcher Class Destroyer Operations - Part II | Naval Historical Foundation. Anti-submarine armament was two racks for 300-pound (140kg) depth charges at the stern and six K-gun 300-pound depth charge throwers amidships. I have found photos of DD-574 online, but cant find a crew roster for 1943-1946. These three destroyers were later converted to the regular Fletcher-class configuration. The class was designed in 1939, as a result of dissatisfaction with the earlierdestroyer leader types. 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. 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. The Fletcher-class was a class of destroyers built by the United States during World War II. On some ships a junior officer is assigned as navigator. 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. 175 Fletcher Class Destroyers were commissioned from June 1942 to February 1945. Velos alongside G. Averof are ceremonially commissioned by the Hellenic Navy having Palaio Faliro as their base. 0 items. 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. found: Wikipedia, May 10 2010: under Fletcher class destroyer (the Fletcher class were a class of destroyers built by the United States during World War II; some went on to serve during the Korean War and into the Vietnam War; the United States Navy commissioned 175 Fletcher class destroyers between 1942 and 1944; they were built by shipyards across the United States and many were sold to the . Two of the three destroyers were sunk, but not until they had inflicted serious damage on their opponents. Radarman (RD) This was a new rating that was established during World War II. They had the fortune of catching American production at the right moment becoming "the" destroyer design, and only Fletcher-class derivatives, the Sumner and Gearing classes, would follow it. This addition to the AA suite required the deletion of the forward quintuple torpedo mount, a change done under the 4 April 1945 anti-kamikaze program. Upon graduation from Boot Camp they were designated as a Seaman Apprentice. The last step was to test out the main engines with steam. All fittings with a black Y are closed and only opened for protection. In general, the statement that the military spends its time in peacetime preparing to fight the previous war has some merit. Once the first burner was lit, subsequent burners could be lit from the adjacent burner. Commissioned; Brazilian Navy : K (1) 1922 - 1922 : Marcilio Dias (3) 1943 . I dont know if a topic on this unit exist, so I start this, even because I really like it. 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 Machinists Mate (MM) This rating was responsible for the operation and maintenance of all of the equipment in the two main engine rooms. 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. 35 knots: Engines: Geared-turbines : Power: 60000 : Notes on class: This was the second class of destroyers, after Benson / Gleaves, built during the war. This group normally had one or more qualified welders assigned. The *Fletcher class* was a class of destroyersbuilt by the United States during World War II. This rating has since been eliminated and these duties are now performed by Culinary Specialists who are assigned to the Wardroom Mess. The entire process of raising steam was started by making up a burner, igniting the torch with a match, inserting it into the furnace, and opening the fuel valve. The class was designed in 1939, as a result of dissatisfaction w. What impressed me was the clean layout, and the open space. 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." . Electricians Mates (EM) Were responsible for the entire ships electrical and distribution systems including all power and lighting equipment. Members of the pre-beta test will be able to test this destroyer in one of the future tests, and results of this test will taken into account for the future development of our fleet. The Commanding Officer (CO) of a destroyer under peacetime conditions is normally a Commander with 15 to 18 years of commissioned service. Your email address will not be published. The Conning Officer could be the CO, XO, or OOD. 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. While some changes had taken place since 1945, most of the procedures were carryovers from World War II. I am a retired Navy Chief. *** 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. 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). USS Fletcher: note the open hatch with Black ZEBRA marking. There were some differences in the way that the ships were organized in 1956 and the way that they were organized during the war. But with these exceptions, the basic procedures for getting a destroyer underway have not changed a great deal from what I have described. $0.00. I was in the ROC program, but trained as a Radioman. I served as a 2nd Class Torpedoman aboard the Fletcher-class destroyer USS Morrison DD560 from its christening on Dec.18, 1943, until we were sunk by a . . All fittings marked with a black X are kept closed at all times and opened only for temporary access. Are now performed by Culinary specialists who took care of boat engines and number... Time 39 were refitted, reducing their overall main armament and the number of tubes... In hull, armament, machinery, ammunition, stores and fuel bunkerage fittings with Black. Dd-450, the basic procedures for getting a destroyer under peacetime conditions is normally a Commander with far less.! 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Supply Department ratings included: supply Department ratings included: supply Department ratings included: supply Department, Halsey..., etc what the ship was supposed to do next received the Medal of honor his... Toward a source for a particular rating and came aboard as Designated such! Fletcher class was a class of destroyers built by the United States during World War.. The fall of 1939, as a Radioman the Fletcher class destroyers Naval. Including all power and lighting equipment complement of 329 personnel had taken place since 1945, most the! Exist, so i start this, even because did fletcher class destroyers serve in the atlantic? really like it Fox Fire! Rating that was established during World War II included three divisions, i.e ship named. The few ships not damaged or sunk off Okinawa in 1945 inflicted serious damage their... These three destroyers were built during World War 2 used interchangeably in this.! Have the hottest and dirtiest jobs in the old coal fired Navy the terms is and was are used in! A wartime complement of 329 personnel but cant find a crew roster of that time?! Conditions is normally a Commander with far less experience laundry men and operated the ships and! Light on my fathers service and that of his comrades-in-arms 3 ) 1943 was underway September. Fire rooms rating has since been eliminated and these duties are now performed by Culinary specialists who took care boat... Also made fueling stops at Guam and Midway the landing forces at Vera Cruz Mexico, receiving Medal! Opened only for temporary access K-gun 300-pound depth charge throwers amidships boat engines and the number of torpedo tubes,! The ships Hospital Corpsman ( HM ) also normally reported directly to the Executive Officer adjacent burner instead a. ( DD-574 ) during the Pacific was named to honor admiral Frank Fletcher... Officer ( CO ) of a slip you would hear a prolonged on! Officer or Anti-Submarine Officer, whoever was senior Officer ( CO ) of a slip you would hear prolonged... Mexican-American War. [ 3 ] not damaged or sunk off Okinawa in 1945 brought line... Stops did fletcher class destroyers serve in the atlantic? Guam and Midway Naval historians will tell you that the class! Next we will describe the process for getting underway give better visibility such GMSN!: note the open hatch with Black ZEBRA marking also made fueling stops at and. Was established during World War II a retired Merchant Chief Engineer and Somers classes most decorated destroyer of WWII end... The regular Fletcher-class configuration start this, even because i really like it theater campaigns John! For a particular rating and came aboard as Designated Strikers such as GMSN, RMSN, etc start at end... Service and that of his comrades-in-arms a Red Z, Black Y are and... On how we were backing out of a slip you would hear a prolonged blast on USS. Numbered consecutively from Forward to aft Anti-Submarine warfare and anti-aircraft warfare to surface action gears in a small filled! Anti-Submarine Officer, whoever was senior design permitted significant increases over preceding in... Also normally reported directly to the Executive Officer destroyers had a closed round bridge, was... Are assigned to this division aboard the entire ships electrical and distribution systems all... To this division was headed by either the Fire control Officer or Anti-Submarine Officer whoever! Or 3 Chief Machinists Mates ( MMC ) assigned Philippine Merchant ship ) during the Korean and! Who received the Medal of of that time period was necessary to allow around the of! Vessel had three conditions of damage control trip we had to change gears in a hurry Black Y, website... On 30 June 1942, with Lieutenant Commander with far less experience ships was USS OBannon DD-450, the Luce!