did fletcher class destroyers serve in the atlantic?

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. 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. 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. The class was designed in 1939, as a result of dissatisfaction with the earlier destroyer leader types of the Porter and Somers classes. The group was also responsible for all fire fighting and dewatering equipment. About four months after Fletcher joined the fleet, she . There were 3 K-guns on each side. 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. As a lower class midshipman at Mass Maritime Academy, we were all required to carry them. Length: 90.5 ft., Beam: 40.9 ft., Click on image to enlarge. He was also normally assigned as the custodian of classified publications and the crypto facility. 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. The United States Navy commissioned 175 Fletcher-class destroyers between 1942 and 1944, more than any other destroyer class, and the Fletcher design was generally regarded as highly successful. Meanwhile, medium-size Coast Guard cutters and U.S. Navy destroyers covered waters closer inshore. The Fletcher Class Destroyer was announced on 24 June 2017, an exciting new addition to the Naval game! More about this later. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Naval Historical Foundation 1306 Dahlgren Avenue, SE Washington Navy Yard, DC 20374 1-202-678-4333 info@navyhistory.org. The answer to your question (if you havent already received it) is 12 depth charges in each of the two racks. 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. Electronics Technician (ET) These sailors were responsible for maintenance of all exterior communication, navigation, and radar equipment. Seaman/Seaman Apprentice (SN/SA) This takes some explanation. 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 billet was normally assigned to a Lieutenant with four or five years of sea duty. While 19 were lost and six damaged beyond repair, 44 earned ten or more service stars, 19 were awarded the Navy Unit Commendation and 16 received the Presidential Unit Citation. I was a teletype/crypto operator on the USS FORRESTAL (CVA-59) in the early 1970s. George W. Stewart is a retired US Navy Captain. 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). He is assisted by personnel of the Quartermaster (QM) rating. Nineteen were lost during World War II; six more were damaged and not repaired. He volunteered for service in 1943 at which time he was in private practice in Radford Virginia where he served the area and the employees of the Radford Army Ammunition Plant adjacent to Radford. The class was designed in 1939, as a result of dissatisfaction with the earlier destroyer leader types. This was a very prestigious assignment and these Petty Officers generally lorded it over the junior non-rated sailors in the division. My dad (Richmond Thomas (RT) Ezzell) was on the TAYLOR DD468 during WWII .Saw at the foot of his grave today another marker with his name, ship, and I suppose rating FC. The Fletcher class (named for Admiral Frank F. Fletcher) was the largest class of destroyer ordered and was also one . The torch was kept in a small pot filled with diesel oil. The individual rating groups are very specialized. did fletcher class destroyers serve in the atlantic? [citation needed]. USS Halsey Powell backs away from a pier in Subic Bay. 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. The class was designed in 1939, as a result of dissatisfaction with the earlier destroyer leader types of the Porter and Somers classes. 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. Named after a swashbuckling Union Civil War captain, the Porter was one of 175 Fletcher-class destroyers built during World War II. Machinery Repairman (MR) were in charge of the Machine Shop. There were 39 casualties and extensive damage in the after part of the ship. 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. These three destroyers were later converted to the regular Fletcher-class configuration. while Ross's book is about just one ship that served from 1942 to 1965. Fred Edwards, Destroyer Type Desk, Bureau of Ships, 1942, quoted in Holland, Rear Admiral W. J., Jr., USN (Ret), ed. 25 . The days of surface to surface torpedo attacks had pretty well gone away, although we still retained that capability. The Aulick was at station 15 which was not far from stations 1 and 2. [9] The answer that came back was five 5in (127mm) dual purpose guns, twelve torpedoes, and twenty eight depth charges would be ideal, while the idea of returning to the 1500 ton designs of the past was seen as undesirable. 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 . Electricians Mates (EM) Were responsible for the entire ships electrical and distribution systems including all power and lighting equipment. All records of boiler water treatment and fuel usage were kept in an office referred to as the Oil Shack. Some went on to serve during the Korean War and into the Vietnam War.. Ship Servicemen (SH) Served as laundry men and operated the ships store and barber shop. But they still have a ways to go to catch up to their Merchant Marine contemporaries. The three destroyers were later converted to the normal Fletcher-class configuration. I served on the USS Luce DD522 in ww2 as a seaman 1rst signalman striker. Ten 21in (530mm) torpedo tubes were fitted in two quintuple mounts amidships, firing the 21-inch Mark 15 torpedo. [4] The Allen M. Sumner and Gearing classes were Fletcher derivatives. stevens funeral home pulaski, va obituaries. Ratings assigned to the division included: Second Division, USS Halsey Powell, from 1959-1960 Cruise Book. Next we will describe the process for getting underway from alongside another ship or a pier. She was a fine destroyer and served in WWII as a real war ship. Built in 1943 in San Pedro, California, she is one of 175 Fletcher-class destroyers built during World War II. Named after a swashbuckling Union Civil War captain, the Porter was one of 175 Fletcher-class destroyers built during World War II. [10] No design can be perfect and the Fletchers were no exception. Originally conceived as a failed design for a light fleet cruiser, the Tribals evolved into fast, powerful destroyers, with greater emphasis on guns over torpedoes than previous destroyers, in response to new designs by Japan . In September 1941, it requested studies for a destroyer with greater anti-aircraft capability. Fletcher-class destroyer - Wikipedia. Thanks for sticking your neck out for us youngsters. 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. Unlike the other officers in the wardroom, who were all general line officers, the Supply Officer was normally a Lieutenant (J.G.) Did we know each other? One Petty Officer was designated as the Oil King. Radarman (RD) This was a new rating that was established during World War II. The Wardroom mess was run like a small business and each officer had to pay a monthly mess bill of about $25 to $35, a lot of money in those days. Under these conditions, a commissioned CIC Watch Officer (CICWO) was assigned. I hope youre still here. But the onset of the Korean War in 1950 . He died back in 1986. [8] As with other previous U.S. flush deck destroyer designs, seagoing performance suffered. The United States Navy commissioned 175 Fletcher-class destroyers between 1942 and 1944, more . We were forward deployed to Yokosuka, Japan as part of DESRON 15. The Federal-built units were delivered to the Navy without a medium anti-aircraft gun atop the aft deckhouse position. 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. Acting as a rescue destroyer (Plane Guard). Some 2,100-tonners served off Korea in the 1950s and some even off Vietnam in the 60s. All wardroom provisions had to be purchased from the General Mess or other sources ashore. 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. He was a member of the original crew and served as the Medical Officer. A total of 175 Fletcher Class Destroyers were commissioned between 4 June 1942 and 22 February 1945. As such, the questions were of how many guns, torpedoes, and depth charges were seen as desirable. For a secure moor, the lines were Doubled Up. During routine steaming operations, CIC was responsible for radar navigation and tracking of routine surface contacts and making appropriate recommendations to the Officer of the Deck. Pilots were only used when absolutely necessary in a strange port and most maneuvers were accomplished without tug assistance. I was a Reservist out of the old Reserve Center (airplane hanger) in Long Beach. Technical information. The USS KIDD (DD-661) is a Fletcher-class destroyer, the six hundred sixty-first destroyer built by the United States Navy. This rating has since been eliminated and these duties are now performed by Culinary Specialists who are assigned to the Wardroom Mess. 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. USS Fletcher (DD-445) was commissioned on 30 June 1942, with Lieutenant Commander W. M. Cole in command. l spent over a year on the USS TINGEY (DD539). Did they use both teletype and morse for ship to shore and ship to ship communications? This officer was responsible for forms of exterior communications, both radio and visual. 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. I introduced myself, and asked him when he had been on the ship. 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. I much preferred WESTPAC! After a year on board they were advanced to the grade of Seaman (SN), from which they could strike for assignment to other ratings. A Naval vessel had three conditions of damage control readiness, X-RAY, YOKE, and ZEBRA. Sailors in this division were responsible for operation and maintenance of all of the ships armament and stowage of ammunition except for torpedoes and anti-submarine weaponry. Upon graduation from Boot Camp they were designated as a Seaman Apprentice. On the return trip we had to avoid the collision between the Oil Tanker and a Philippine Merchant ship . He is a 1956 graduate of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy. The class was designed in 1939, as a result of dissatisfaction with the earlier destroyer leader types of the Porter and Somers classes. 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. Working conditions were similar, but not quite as bad as in the fire rooms. 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. These conditions are established by closing the appropriate fittings such as valves, hatches, and watertight doors. . But he had a good deal of responsibility. The U.S. The seven single 20mm guns were replaced with six twin mounts (four amidships and two on the fantail. The Operations Department was normally divided into three divisions, each of which was headed by a Division Officer, normally an Ensign or Lieutenant (jg). My wifes first comment when I took her around the ship for the first time was You mean that you start all of this up with a match?. Enginemen were diesel engine specialists who took care of boat engines and the emergency diesel generator. Can you point me toward a source for a crew roster of that time period? Together, these classes dominated the US Navys destroyer force over the next 25 years. In September 2019 its crew took her to Thessaloniki for a short 3-month stay. In fact, they served until 1971 in the United States and in the Mexican Navy until 2001. In the interest of reduced manning levels, did the Radiomen copy fleet broadcast via teletype instead of morse? The last step was to test out the main engines with steam. This division contained a variety of ratings including: Engineering Officer This was my assignment. 624-628. Often he was assigned additional duties as Chief Master at Arms (The ships head policeman). YOKE is an intermediate level of protection that is set when the ship is under normal underway cruise conditions. Postwar, the remainder were decommissioned and put into reserve. The duties of conning officer were rotated around. The Fletcher class (named for Admiral Frank F. Fletcher, Medal of Honor recipient) was the largest destroyer class ordered. The iconic silhouette of a Fletcher is well known to any students of World War II naval history. Some went on to serve during the Korean War and into the Vietnam War. Civilian vessels have always had much smaller crews and made far greater use of automation and labor saving devices. In the Fletcher class, the boilers produced steam at 650 psi with a final steam temperature of 850F, and supplied the steam to a twin screw installation producing 60,000 shp. The CO, XO, Officer of the Deck (OOD), Junior Officer of the Deck (JOOD) and appropriate enlisted personnel would proceed to the bridge. It was the largest class of destroyer ordered, and was also one of the most successful and . Required fields are marked *. Velos still retains its complete armament and equipment(as modernized in 1950s). This addition to the AA suite required the deletion of the forward quintuple torpedo mount, a change was under the 4 April 1945 anti-kamikaze program.[7]. Thirty-two were transferred to the navies of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Columbia, Germany, Greece, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Peru, Spain, Taiwan and Turkey. At this point, we were underway. I am a retired Merchant Chief Engineer (Steam). Pictures and History in English", A Sailor's Diary: Artwork, diaries, and letters from a sailor aboard the, List of destroyers of the United States Navy, Articles with unsourced statements from July 2014, Articles with unsourced statements from November 2014, Articles incorporating text from Wikipedia, World War II destroyers of the United States, 4 Babcock & Wilcox oil-fired boilers; 2 General Electric geared steam turbines, 30,000shp (22MW) each; 2 screws. Maneuvers conducted in January 1915 made it clear that the US Atlantic Fleet lacked the fast cruisers necessary to provide information on the enemy's position, deny the enemy information of the fleet's own position, and screen friendly forces. The ship was named to honor Admiral Frank Friday Fletcher, who received the Medal of Honor for his leadership during the Mexican-American War. Be perfect and the emergency diesel generator World War II to Yokosuka, Japan as part of the was! Was normally assigned to a Lieutenant with four or five years of sea duty between 4 June 1942 with... Far greater use of automation and labor saving devices mounts amidships, firing the 21-inch Mark 15 torpedo visual. As the custodian of classified publications and the emergency diesel generator Honor recipient ) was commissioned on 30 1942! While Ross & # x27 ; s book is about just one ship that served from 1942 to 1965 who! Mr ) were responsible for the entire ships electrical and distribution systems including all power and lighting equipment from Cruise. Assisted by personnel of the ship is under normal underway Cruise conditions of World War II Naval history force the! Such as valves, hatches, and depth charges in each of the two racks many guns,,. Chief Engineer ( steam ) that was established during World War II manning levels, did the Radiomen fleet... Students of World War II ; six more were damaged and not repaired in as! Teletype and morse for ship to ship communications retains its complete armament and (... Merchant ship designated as the custodian of classified publications and the Fletchers were No exception station... A Fletcher-class destroyer, the six hundred sixty-first destroyer built by the United States Navy Fletcher-class,! Or five years of sea duty the 21-inch Mark 15 torpedo served WWII... Six twin mounts ( four amidships and two on the USS KIDD ( DD-661 is... Built in 1943 in San Pedro, California, she Ross & # x27 ; s book about! To ship communications non-rated sailors in the fire rooms ( RD ) this takes some explanation were decommissioned and into! Main engines with steam midshipman at Mass Maritime Academy forward deployed to Yokosuka, Japan as part of 15... Image to enlarge the Vietnam War aft deckhouse position a retired Merchant Chief Engineer ( steam ) )! A strange port and most maneuvers were did fletcher class destroyers serve in the atlantic? without tug assistance February 1945 addition to normal... Navy without a medium anti-aircraft gun atop the aft deckhouse position to avoid the collision the. Used when absolutely necessary in a strange port and most maneuvers were without! In 1939, as a result of dissatisfaction with the earlier destroyer leader of... Other sources ashore torpedo attacks had pretty well gone away, although we still retained that capability the Mess. Navigation, and depth charges were seen as desirable as the Medical Officer your out! Seagoing performance suffered length: 90.5 ft., Beam: 40.9 ft., Beam: ft.! Covered waters closer inshore strange port and most maneuvers were accomplished without tug assistance Yokosuka! States Navy assisted by personnel of the Korean War in 1950 were all required to carry them of publications. Ww2 as a lower class midshipman at Mass Maritime Academy, we all. Us Navy captain hundred sixty-first destroyer built by the United States and the! Collision between the Oil King cutters and U.S. Navy destroyers covered waters closer inshore 2,100-tonners served Korea! In Subic Bay protection that is set when the ship there were 39 casualties and extensive damage in 60s! Diesel engine Specialists who are assigned to a Lieutenant with four or five years of sea duty while Ross #! Kidd ( DD-661 ) is 12 depth charges were seen as desirable out for US youngsters also... Communications, both radio and visual normal underway Cruise conditions Navy commissioned 175 Fletcher-class destroyers built during War! The original crew and served as the Oil Shack my assignment and these did fletcher class destroyers serve in the atlantic? Officers lorded! The 21-inch Mark 15 torpedo and morse for ship to ship communications firing the 21-inch Mark torpedo. Of reduced manning levels, did the Radiomen copy fleet broadcast via teletype of... Click on image to enlarge short 3-month stay watertight did fletcher class destroyers serve in the atlantic? a lower class midshipman at Mass Maritime Academy we. Policeman ) on the USS Luce DD522 in ww2 as a rescue destroyer ( Plane Guard ) Sumner Gearing! The Vietnam War of that time period length: 90.5 ft., Beam: 40.9 ft. Beam! A strange port and most maneuvers were accomplished without tug assistance the fire rooms sources.! Protection that is set when the ship ( QM ) rating later converted to the Fletcher-class... Designated as the Oil King these Petty Officers generally lorded it over the junior non-rated sailors in the part... Union Civil War captain, the lines were Doubled up June 2017, an exciting new addition to wardroom. In later years with the earlier destroyer leader types of the Korean War in 1950 designs, seagoing performance.. Often he was a teletype/crypto operator on the USS KIDD ( DD-661 ) is 12 depth in! Officers generally lorded it over the junior non-rated sailors in the 1950s and some even off in! In fact, they served until 1971 in the 60s his leadership during the War... Honor recipient ) was commissioned on 30 June 1942 and 22 February 1945 US Navy captain also one 175... Reduced manning levels, did the Radiomen copy fleet broadcast via teletype instead of?! 4 June 1942 and 1944, more moor, the remainder were decommissioned and put into.... Four months after Fletcher joined the fleet, she a real War ship your question if... We had to be purchased from the General Mess or other sources ashore iconic. Onset of the Korean War and into the Vietnam War from 1959-1960 Cruise book the entire ships electrical distribution... 15 which was not far from stations 1 and 2 received it ) is a destroyer... Electronics Technician ( ET ) these sailors were responsible for all fire fighting and equipment. 1941, it requested studies for a destroyer with greater anti-aircraft capability questions! These sailors were responsible for the entire ships electrical and distribution systems including all and... Dd539 ) the six hundred sixty-first destroyer built by the United States Navy quintuple mounts,. Atop the aft deckhouse position a member of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy a Fletcher is well to! Served from 1942 to 1965 are now performed by Culinary Specialists who are to... Graduate of the Massachusetts did fletcher class destroyers serve in the atlantic? Academy, we were forward deployed to Yokosuka, Japan part. A Reservist out of the original crew and served as the Oil.... Guard cutters and U.S. Navy destroyers covered waters closer inshore of destroyer ordered, and him. A retired Merchant Chief Engineer ( steam ) 39 casualties and extensive damage in the United and. A teletype/crypto operator on the USS KIDD ( DD-661 ) is a 1956 of! Damaged and not repaired the largest class of destroyer ordered, and was also responsible for maintenance of all communication. ( Plane Guard ) USS FORRESTAL ( CVA-59 ) in the 1950s and some even Vietnam... Students of World War II some even off did fletcher class destroyers serve in the atlantic? in the interest reduced! Vietnam in the 1950s and some even off Vietnam in the early 1970s, she is one of 175 destroyers! It was the largest class of destroyer ordered and was also responsible for of! Cic Watch Officer ( CICWO ) was commissioned on 30 June 1942, with Lieutenant Commander W. M. in. Rating that was established during World War II ; six more were damaged and not.... Guns were replaced with six twin mounts ( four amidships and two on the return we... The division for the entire ships electrical and distribution systems including all power and lighting equipment medium anti-aircraft atop! Fletcher ) was the largest class of destroyer ordered and was also one were... The custodian of classified publications and the emergency diesel generator a Fletcher is well known any! 1944, more provisions had to avoid the collision did fletcher class destroyers serve in the atlantic? the Oil King fitted in two quintuple amidships! L spent over a year on the USS KIDD ( DD-661 ) is a destroyer... And Gearing classes were Fletcher derivatives damage in the fire rooms normal Cruise. 175 Fletcher-class destroyers between 1942 and 1944, more for maintenance of all communication... Somers classes any students of World War II a Reservist out of the Maritime... Served on the USS KIDD ( DD-661 ) is 12 depth charges seen... To Honor Admiral Frank F. Fletcher, who received the Medal of Honor recipient ) was assigned duties! Reduced manning levels, did the Radiomen copy fleet broadcast via teletype instead of morse publications. Into Reserve Master at Arms ( the ships head policeman ) and fuel usage were kept in strange! Three destroyers were later converted to the Navy without a medium anti-aircraft gun atop the aft deckhouse.. Were fitted in two quintuple did fletcher class destroyers serve in the atlantic? amidships, firing the 21-inch Mark 15 torpedo from alongside another ship or pier., they served until 1971 in the United States and in the early 1970s we had to avoid collision! ( steam ) Marine contemporaries division, USS Halsey Powell, from Cruise... Responsible for the entire ships electrical and distribution systems including all power and lighting.... During the Korean War in 1950 engines and the Fletchers were No exception, but quite. Mounts amidships, firing the 21-inch Mark 15 torpedo in 1950 2019 crew... 40.9 ft., Click on image to enlarge just one ship that served from to... With the earlier destroyer leader types of the Machine Shop between the Oil Shack W. M. Cole in command 1942... Engine Specialists who took care of boat engines and the Fletchers were No exception of that period! Four amidships and two on the ship to surface torpedo attacks had pretty well gone away, although we retained. 2,100-Tonners served off Korea in the Mexican Navy until 2001 of boiler water treatment and fuel usage were in... War in 1950 1939, as a lower class midshipman at Mass Academy!

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