did fletcher class destroyers serve in the atlantic?

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. I assumed all destroyers had a least one medical officer aboard. In May 1942, before the first Fletcher was even commissioned, it approved a six-gun ship in which the Fletchers five 5-inch single mounts were replaced with three 5-inch twinsthe 2,200-ton Allen M. Sumner class, with 20 per cent more firepower on a Fletcher hull widened by 14 inches. A Pacific Fleet destroyer operated on a two year cycle in those days. Fireman (FN) and Fireman Apprentice (FA) These non rated men were assigned at the discretion of the Chief Engineer. In those days they were nearly all Filipinos. At least one GM was assigned to each mount as the Mount Captain and another would be in charge of loading operations. On Nov. 13, 1942, the USS Juneau light cruiser was torpedoed and sunk by a Japanese submarine. There were 175 of them built during World War II. did fletcher class destroyers serve in the atlantic? A Naval vessel had three conditions of damage control readiness, X-RAY, YOKE, and ZEBRA. This alteration was not a success and was not repeated. Without question, the most famous destroyer-class to serve in World War II was the Fletcher. On many smaller ships, he usually doubles as the ships navigator. The Fletcher class was a class of destroyers built by the United States during World War II. This would be followed by Now Set Material Condition Yoke Throughout the Ship followed by The Officer of the Deck is Shifting his Watch from the Quarterdeck to the Bridge. This was to have a great impact upon my own career in the navy. That number was necessary to allow around the clock manning of gun mounts, repair parties, and other watch stations. Pingback: Fletcher Class Destroyer Operations | Naval Historical Foundation, Pingback: Life on a Fletcher Class Destroyer in the 1950's | Naval Historical Foundation. 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. Machinists Mate (MM) This rating was responsible for the operation and maintenance of all of the equipment in the two main engine rooms. Shipfitter (SF) and Damage Controlmen (DC) comprised the Damage Control gang on the ship. Seaman/Seaman Apprentice (SN/SA) This takes some explanation. The class was designed in 1939, as a result of dissatisfaction with the earlierdestroyer leader types. All Destroyer classes. Only 10 of the nearly 700 crew members survived the attack. With the outbreak of the Korean War many were returned to active duty. But at least one other type ship also played a powerful role for the U.S. Navy in World War II. 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. 175 Fletcher Class Destroyers were commissioned from June 1942 to February 1945. 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. Second Division was headed by the Assistant Gunnery Officer. In this edition of Forces of Fame, we return to the Victory at Sea tabletop to take a look at one of the true legends of the war in the Pacific - the Fletcher -class destroyers of the United States Navy (USN). He served on the John Rodgers (DD-574) during the Pacific theater campaigns. The long-range Fletcher-class ships performed every task asked of a destroyer, from anti-submarine warfare and anti-aircraft warfare to surface action. Three have been preserved as museum ships in the U.S. and one in Greece. charity photographer jobs borderlands 2 how to spend eridium harmony of the seas itinerary december 2021. did fletcher class destroyers serve in the atlantic? As a lower class midshipman at Mass Maritime Academy, we were all required to carry them. He is a 1956 graduate of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy. [7] The answer that came back was that five 5in (127mm) dual-purpose guns, twelve torpedoes, and twenty-eight depth charges would be ideal, while a return to the 1,500-ton designs of the past was seen as undesirable. USS Fletcher: note the open hatch with Black ZEBRA marking. The next order would be to Take in the Brow. I loved the country so much that I did not want to leave. We also made fueling stops at Guam and Midway. *** I am still a bit amazed at the chain of events that had to take place for him and I to meet each other. Some 2,100-tonners served off Korea in the 1950s and some even off Vietnam in the 60s. Therefore the functions of the Communications Officer, CIC Officer, and Electronic Material Officer (EMO) were all brought under the Operations Officer. The U.S. 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]. If you Google Imperial Submarine I-8, you can read through the article for an account of our sinking of that sub. The United States Navy commissioned 175 Fletcher-class destroyers between 1942 and 1944, more than any other destroyer class, and the design was generally regarded as highly successful. 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. This method was still in general use in the Navy even into the 1990s and there are still some ships that still use it, even though burner management systems have been common on commercial ships since the 1970s. Edit. Some went on to serve during the Korean War and into the Vietnam War. 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". Previous. It was also one of the most successful and popular with their crews. Thank you. Ross's book also acknowledges Raven's book as a source. Fletcher-class destroyer - Wikipedia. Early Fletcher-class ships had a closed round bridge, which was later changed to the square bridge type to give better visibility. There were also fueling stops at Midway and sometimes Guam. This discussion is centered on the ships organization as I remember it between 1956 and 1959. Destroyers Fletcher class. The growth in the design was in part answer to the question that always dogged U.S. Navy designs, that being the long range required by operations in the Pacific Ocean. In general, the statement that the military spends its time in peacetime preparing to fight the previous war has some merit. The United States Navy commissioned 175 Fletcher-class destroyers between 1942 and 1944, more . 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. Some naval historians will tell you that the Fletcher class destroyer was the most successful ship of World War 2 . 175 were produced, more than any other class, and they were built by shipyards across the United States. The Tribal class, or Afridi class, were a class of destroyers built for the Royal Navy, Royal Canadian Navy and Royal Australian Navy that saw service in World War II. During this era, no other class of destroyer had more ships built. This organization sounds very complex to the outsider. Postwar, the remainder were decommissioned and put into reserve. The job of Mess Treasurer rotated among the junior officers. A whole bunch of information is conveyed very concisely. The Fletcher-class destroyers were built by the United States during World War II. As of 3/10/2016, to the best of our knowledge, at ages 92 and 96 only two of us are still alive. He was directly accountable for all expenditures of government funds. I am a retired Merchant Chief Engineer (Steam). Department heads reported to XO for all administrative matters related to their departments. 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. These differences will be described as we go along. A . This made it necessary to fill the Gunnery and Engineering Officer Billets with on board fleet-ups, usually in the grade of Lieutenant (jg). George W. Stewart is a retired US Navy Captain. Some went on to serve during the Korean War and into the Vietnam War.[2]. 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. The last step was to test out the main engines with steam. All Rules of the Road situations were handled by whistle signals. (read it here). Built in 1943 in San Pedro, California, she is one of 175 Fletcher-class destroyers built during World War II. I am the USS EATON DD/DDE510 REUNION ASSOC. Thanks for sticking your neck out for us youngsters. It was fascinating to see the gear reduction transmission (?) Many of the ships were sold to other navies during the mid-1950s, including: Any remaining were broken up in the 1970s. It was the largest class of destroyer ordered, and was also one of the most successful and . The USS The Sullivans (DD-537), a Fletcher -class destroyer, pictured here in 1962 was named in their honor. To achieve 38 knots with a 500-ton increase in displacement, power was increased from 50,000shp (37,000kW) to 60,000shp (45,000kW) compared to the previous Benson and Gleaves classes. Next. While at the buoys we were provided with services with some harbor craft which were referred to as fuel, water, and garbage barges operated by the Naval District. The first book is "Fletcher-Class Destroyers" by Alan Raven, c. 1986, 158 pages; and "The Destroyer The Sullivans (Anatomy of the Ship)" by Al Ross, c. 1988, 119 pages. He was responsible for reading and interpreting all operation orders (OP-Orders) and determining what the ship was supposed to do next. The Fletchers featured air-encased boilers producing steam at 600psi (4,100kPa) and 850F (450C), with two 350 kW steam turbine driven electrical generators and a 100kW emergency diesel generator. . l spent over a year on the USS TINGEY (DD539). 1 LCdr. The Commanding Officer (CO) of a destroyer under peacetime conditions is normally a Commander with 15 to 18 years of commissioned service. The Operations Officer billet did not specifically exist at the beginning of World War II. The days of surface to surface torpedo attacks had pretty well gone away, although we still retained that capability. Jim Avery serves on a fictional Gleaves-class destroyer, the USS . The engine room and fire room supervisors would man their stations. The ship was the first of the Fletcher-class destroyers that were built during World War II. 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 Auxiliary Group (A Gang) was comprised of Machinists Mates (MM) and Enginemen (EN). The BT rating was considered to have the hottest and dirtiest jobs in the navy. Navy ships never use this method any more, as sufficient pier space is provided in all of the navys home ports and all necessary services are provided from shore. Required fields are marked *. Much of this philosophy was a carry over from the days of sailing ships. 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. Radarman (RD) This was a new rating that was established during World War II. 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. As a side note when raising steam in a boiler, the first burner had to be lit with a hand torch. He died back in 1986. The CIC included radar repeaters, voice radios, electronic warfare equipment, plotting boards, logging facilities, etc. [3] The Allen M. Sumner and Gearing classes were Fletcher derivatives. This officer was responsible for forms of exterior communications, both radio and visual. [11] The Executive Officer is the person who is responsible for making things happen. 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. 1 day ago The Fletcher class was a class of destroyers built by the United States during World War II. The Fletcher class was a class of destroyers built by the United States during World War II. Built for speed and capability, USS Cassin Young engaged in seven Pacific battles in World War II, survived two Kamikaze hits, and served another full decade beyond her expected lifetime. Pilots were only used when absolutely necessary in a strange port and most maneuvers were accomplished without tug assistance. The CS rating who was responsible for the dry provisions and refrigerated storerooms was referred to as the Jack of the Dust. The lowest . But it must be recognized that a naval vessel must remain at sea for extended periods and it has to function as a small self supporting community. or Ensign in the Supply Corps. The Main Propulsion Assistant (MPA) actually oversaw two divisions, B and M. Ratings assigned to these divisions were as Follows: M Division, USS Halsey Powell, from 1959-1960 Cruise Book. 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. The ships chosen in 1955 were destroyers of the Fletcher class, transferred in 1958, 1959 and 1960. 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. Actually this provided for a good deal of camaraderie between ships in the division as we all got to know each other and trade experiences. 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. (My papers had been submitted but not received for 1st Class TM before we were sunk.) This group was responsible for all general hull fittings such as watertight doors and hatches, ventilation system closures, general plumbing, etc. He promulgates the plan of the day and oversees virtually every evolution. The Fletcher class was a class of destroyers built by the United States during World War II.The class was designed in 1939, as a result of dissatisfaction with the earlier destroyer leader types of the Porter and Somers classes. Great series of articles!. 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?. Ratings assigned to the division included: Second Division, USS Halsey Powell, from 1959-1960 Cruise Book. If memory serves me, I think we moved from station 2 to 1 right behind Luce. The RD ratings stood watch in the Combat Information Center (CIC). 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 . It was a very diverse division that was comprised of several ratings. / toronto gift show august 2022 / did fletcher class destroyers serve in the atlantic? Electronics Technician (ET) These sailors were responsible for maintenance of all exterior communication, navigation, and radar equipment. As soon as the last line was taken in, the boatswains pipe would sound and the announcement would be made Underway, Shift Colors. 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. However the Supply Officer served as the permanent mess caterer, a place where he frequently took a lot of heat. Some went on to serve during the Korean War and into the Vietnam War. Naval officers are required to pay for their own meals. 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 name is George Meyn. The ship had to approach very carefully directly into the current and hold itself in position during this process. With the outbreak of the Korean War many were returned to active duty. Some went on to serve during the Korean War and into the Vietnam War. In World War II, US destroyers escorted convoys, hunted submarines, fought surface battles, bombarded shore positions, rescued downed airmen and stranded sailors, and served as radar pickets to detect and fight incoming kamikaze flights. But that is particularly necessary in wartime because it greatly simplifies the training program. Laid down beginning in 1941, all 175 Fletchers were completed between June 1942 and February 1945, launched an average of 212 days after keel laying and commissioned after an average of 152 days more or 364 days totalnearly 10 per cent faster than the repeat Bensons and Gleaves that preceded them. The Fletcher-class destroyer was a class of destroyers that were used extensively by the United States Navy during World War II. The navigator would be responsible for ensuring that the ship remained on its desired track and making appropriate recommendations to the CO/OOD. He functions as the administrator of the ship and has overall responsibility for all personnel on board. Construction (top) and disposition following World War II (bottom). 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 *Fletcher class* was a class of destroyersbuilt by the United States during World War II. This was far in advance of the standard 300 psi/40,000 shp plant for the Emergency class boats, but by one of those odd quirks of fate, in 1930 HMS Acheron was given 500 . [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. After two deployments, it was back to the shipyard again. United States naval ship classes of World War II. US Navy image 19-N-31790. The peacetime manning was 14 officers and 236 enlisted men. Their crew are active Officers of Hellenic Navy. The only rating in this division was the Gunners Mate (GM). Eighteen ships were redesignated as escort destroyers (DDE), optimized for anti-submarine warfare; these reverted to destroyer (DD) designation in 1962. Introduced in 1942, the 2,100-ton Fletcher -class destroyers formed the core of the US Navy's destroyer force from 1943. 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. USS Taylor (DD/DDE-468) was a Fletcher-class destroyer of the United States Navy, named for Rear Admiral William Rogers Taylor (1811-1889). Transferred to Argentina, 14 August 1961. 25 . During their service life, many . At this point, the word would be passed Secure the Special Sea and Anchor Detail, Set the Regular Underway Watch. Some that we were called upon to perform included: There are probably some others that I have forgotten about. Aboard a destroyer, the Chief Hospital Corpsman (HMC, referred to as Doc) is the only medical person assigned, although there was a Squadron Doctor who rode the flagship and was available for advice. As well as other tasks, most of the ships served on weather station patrols, monitoring conditions in specific areas of the Atlantic. The Fletcher-class was a class of destroyers built by the United States during World War II. Nineteen Fletchers were lost during World War II; six more were damaged, evaluated as constructive total losses, and not repaired. Some went on to serve during the Korean War and into the Vietnam War, named for . Frequently a junior officer was assigned as the Administrative Officer or Ship Secretary with additional duty as X Division Officer. If you could forward to me anything, I would be most grateful and maybe be able to gain contact with a former shipmate. ZEBRA is the highest level of protection. Heres how to join! X-RAY provides the least protection.

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