did fletcher class destroyers serve in the atlantic?

The Fletcher-class was a class of destroyers built by the United States during World War II. The Sullivans played a large role in World War II and the . While some changes had taken place since 1945, most of the procedures were carryovers from . my great uncle served aboard the Halligan DD584 lost at sea 3-26-45. any info on crew duty stations or any information on the ship or her crew would be appreciated. Forester's novel The Good Shepherd, in her appearance in the book's 2020 cinematic adaptation, Greyhound. while Ross's book is about just one ship that served from 1942 to 1965. Technical information. Email bmi2group@yahoo.com The need for a separate department responsible for the collection, display, and dissemination of combat information and intelligence became apparent as further use was made of radar and the establishment of a Combat Information Center (CIC) as the central nerve center on the ship. With the outbreak of the Korean War many were returned to active duty. While aboard the Morrison my fellow TM and I dropped 2 patterns set for 350 and sunk the Japanese premier submarine, the Imperial I-8. Supply officers were all referred to as Pork Chops because of the shape of their insignia. It was still a great ship .. Miss it .. Engineers were always referred to as Snipes. This term originated in the British Navy when a visiting Admiral said that the engine room on a battleship resembled a snipe marsh. One Petty Officer was designated as the Oil King. [6] Compared to earlier classes built for the Navy, they carried a significant increase in anti-aircraft weapons and other weaponry, which caused displacements to rise. Tom Hank's Greyhound movie set on USS Kidd - Mechtraveller The Allen M. Sumner class was intended by the Navy to be an interim design between the . As of 3/10/2016, to the best of our knowledge, at ages 92 and 96 only two of us are still alive. I despised this duty until our 1958 deployment to the Far East when I was the decryptor of a message telling us that the 6 month deployment was over and ordering us to return home to San Diego. Many of the ships were sold to other navies during the mid-1950s, including: Any remaining were broken up in the 1970s. Ten 21in (530mm) torpedo tubes were fitted in two quintuple mounts amidships, firing the 21-inch Mark 15 torpedo. 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 . The Fletcher class including The Sullivans are regarded as the backbone of the navy and know to be the best destroyer in the world. Nineteen were lost during World War II; six more were damaged and not repaired. One reason for this was that it kept me involved in the operational picture. Under these conditions, a commissioned CIC Watch Officer (CICWO) was assigned. Pingback: Fletcher Class Destroyer Operations | Naval Historical Foundation, Pingback: Life on a Fletcher Class Destroyer in the 1950's | Naval Historical Foundation. X-RAY provides the least protection. The class was designed in 1939, as a result of dissatisfaction with the earlier destroyer leader types of the Porter and Somers classes. Boatswains Mates (BM) This was generally considered to be the senior enlisted rating in the navy, a tradition probably handed down from the days of sail. During World War II, the commanding officer was frequently a Lieutenant Commander with far less experience. Since 1975 all new destroyer, cruiser, and frigate types have been powered by aircraft derivative gas turbine engines. Of course, ships today are fitted with Global Positioning (GPS), Electronic Chart Display (ECDIS) and other more advanced equipment. Shipfitter (SF) and Damage Controlmen (DC) comprised the Damage Control gang on the ship. Note that both the terms is and was are used interchangeably in this discussion because many of these practices still exist today. The deck divisions would man the line handling stations with the First Lieutenant and Chief Boatswains Mate on the Forecastle and the Gunnery Officer in charge on the fantail. Eventually, eleven shipyards launched 175 ships over the next 32 monthsthe most numerous class of destroyer completed by any navy. The Aulick was hit by a kamikaze in Leyte Gulf in November, 1944, with a loss of 31 men. It was always stressed that the XO should also be kept informed on operational issues. In Greece, the former Charrette, renamed Velos (Arrow), is a popular attraction. 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. Your email address will not be published. He was responsible for reading and interpreting all operation orders (OP-Orders) and determining what the ship was supposed to do next. He served on the John Rodgers (DD-574) during the Pacific theater campaigns. Deployments were six months in length followed by a six month period in the US, about half of which was spent underway in various fleet exercises off the West Coast. The engine room and fire room supervisors would man their stations. 35 knots: Engines: Geared-turbines : Power: 60000 : Notes on class: This was the second class of destroyers, after Benson / Gleaves, built during the war. 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. The Fletcher class (named for Admiral Frank F. Fletcher, Medal of Honor recipient) was the largest destroyer class ordered. A whole bunch of information is conveyed very concisely. There were some differences in the way that the ships were organized in 1956 and the way that they were organized during the war. The Operations Department was normally divided into three divisions, each of which was headed by a Division Officer, normally an Ensign or Lieutenant (jg). NHF members are being converted to members of the Naval Institute. He was always on call when the ship was underway. LTJG George Stewart from the 1958 USS Halsey Powell Cruise Book. The design parameters were in the form of the armaments desired of the next destroyer. [3] The Allen M. Sumner and Gearing classes were Fletcher derivatives. Named after a swashbuckling Union Civil War captain, the Porter was one of 175 Fletcher-class destroyers built during World War II. As of October2020[update], she remains in Thessaloniki and she has been visited by over 157.000 visitors. Boilers had to be lit approximately 2 hours before the scheduled underway time and about an hour would be required in each engine room to prepare the engines for operation. Postwar, the remainder were decommissioned and put into reserve. The Aulick was at station 15 which was not far from stations 1 and 2. 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 am so sorry I never had a discussion with him about his experiences and what he did, before he died when I was 14. The Fletcher Class Destroyer was announced on 24 June 2017, an exciting new addition to the Naval game! or Ensign in the Supply Corps. Acting as a member of a screen as part of a carrier task group against air, surface, and subsurface attack. The United States Navy commissioned 175 Fletcher-class destroyers between 1942 and 1944, more than any . A new ahead-throwing weapon called Weapon Alpha was installed in many of the ships. These 175 flush-deck "2,100 . In September 2019 its crew took her to Thessaloniki for a short 3-month stay. Working conditions were similar, but not quite as bad as in the fire rooms. The destroyer was the most capable and most feared escort vessel the allies possessed early in the war. Did any Fletcher class destroyers serve in the Atlantic? There was a big hole in one of the ships. *** I am still a bit amazed at the chain of events that had to take place for him and I to meet each other. The class was designed in 1939, as a result of dissatisfaction with the earlier destroyer leader types of the Porter and Somers classes. did fletcher class destroyers serve in the atlantic? Velos still retains its complete armament and equipment(as modernized in 1950s). Indoor & Outdoor SMD Screens, LED Displays, Digital Signage & Video Wall Solutions in Pakistan When he answered 1943 I had to change gears in a hurry! The next order would be to Take in the Brow. Aboard Halsey Powell, the Chief Boatswains Mate also functioned as the Chief Master at Arms. The group was also responsible for all fire fighting and dewatering equipment. The XO is often the resident bad guy in the wardroom because many COs like to play the Good Cop/Bad Cop game. Petroleum/Chemical plant operations dept.. A good profession. Would like if at all possible to get pictures of C.I.C on my ship USS Conway DDE 507.I was on the Conway from 1954 to 1956, I served on the USS Hopwell DD681 in 61-62 .. In those days there was no bridge to bridge radio. Fletcher Class. He is assisted by personnel of the Quartermaster (QM) rating. Therefore the functions of the Communications Officer, CIC Officer, and Electronic Material Officer (EMO) were all brought under the Operations Officer. They did not appear until the 1970s. All wardroom provisions had to be purchased from the General Mess or other sources ashore. 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. In the interest of reduced manning levels, did the Radiomen copy fleet broadcast via teletype instead of morse? But he had a good deal of responsibility. While some changes had taken place since 1945, most of the procedures were carryovers from World War II. The fictional titular warship is shown as one of the American Fletcher class destroyers, the most common destroyer class in history, with 175 built. During both of my XO tours, I served as navigator. . The nine ships came from three yards as follows: Capps (DD 550), David W. Taylor (DD 551), Evans (DD 552) and John D. Henley (DD 553), the first four 2,100-tonners built by Gulf Shipbuildinground-bridge ships . Christened USS Fletcher, she carried over several design features from the earlier classes, such as a rounded pilot house. They were responsible for visual communications between ships by flashing light, flaghoist, or semaphore. In the traditional system of naming destroyers after Naval heroes, she was named after Rear Admiral Isaac Campbell Kidd, Sr. who was killed aboard his flagship, USS ARIZONA (BB-39) during the surprise attack by the . There were 3 K-guns on each side. 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. The iconic silhouette of a Fletcher is well known to any students of World War II naval history. During World War II, the First Lieutenant functioned as a department head and he had also been responsible for damage control. The Fletcher-class destroyer was a class of destroyers that were used extensively by the United States Navy during World War II. [1] Postwar, the remainder were decommissioned and put into reserve. However the department heads were directly answerable to the CO for all purely operational matters relating to their departments. 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. Thirty-two were transferred to the navies of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Columbia, Germany, Greece, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Peru, Spain, Taiwan and Turkey. This group was responsible for all general hull fittings such as watertight doors and hatches, ventilation system closures, general plumbing, etc. The Operations Officer billet did not specifically exist at the beginning of World War II. Normally half of the sailors in this division would be assigned to each space. Some went on to serve during the Korean War and into the Vietnam War.. I was a Reservist out of the old Reserve Center (airplane hanger) in Long Beach. A Pacific Fleet destroyer operated on a two year cycle in those days. Pacific deployment, USS Halsey Powell, taken from the 1958 cruise book. USS Halsey Powell backs away from a pier in Subic Bay. In those days, the Navy had been heavily influenced by carrier task group operations during the war and the experiences with the Kamikazes during the Battle of Okinawa. I am the USS EATON DD/DDE510 REUNION ASSOC. Not a member of the Naval Institute? It is set when a ship is in the harbor. Fletchers had a design speed of 38 knots, armed with five 5" guns in single mounts and carrying 10 21" torpedo in twin quintuple centerline mounts. Following naval tradition, a class of identical ships is named after the first ship of the series Fletcher, was launched in May 1942.Fletcher-class destroyers became one of the most successful weapon systems deployed in World War II, with 175 built and a few still in service around the world well after 1990. My previous article (read Part 1 here) gave an overview of the U.S. Navys highly successful Fletcher class destroyer. My father, Jack Marlowe, was a Torpedoman 2nd class on the USS Terry, DD513. 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. 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. The Conning Officer could be the CO, XO, or OOD. 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. During World War II this rating was called Pharmacists Mate. East Coast deployments tended to be much better because ports in the Mediterranean are much closer together than in the Far East and there never were as many potential shooting situations over there that demanded that we be underway for prolonged periods. Fletcher is down to two 5" guns but two 3" rapid firing guns and a MK 15 Trainable Hedgehog Projector (in place of Mount 52) are visible. The job of Mess Treasurer rotated among the junior officers. Phil, the Morrison and Luce were sister ships and often worked together. Hopefully, it will provide some insight as to the duties performed by individual crew members during the war. 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 . It was also one of the most successful and popular with their crews. First (Deck), Second (Guns), and Fox (Fire Control, Sonar, and Anti-Submarine Armament). Did we know each other? Anti-aircraft armament initially was light, with a quadruple 1.1"/75 caliber gun located in an elevated tub between the number three and four 5-inch gun mounts and six Oerlikon 20 mm cannons (two in front of and below the bridge and four amidships). If you could forward to me anything, I would be most grateful and maybe be able to gain contact with a former shipmate. Does anyone have information I can get from on of his mates during that time. [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. Popular attraction note that both the terms is and was are used in. Firing the 21-inch Mark 15 torpedo the fire rooms she remains in Thessaloniki she! Did the Radiomen copy fleet broadcast via teletype instead of morse class.... Of information is conveyed very concisely Gearing classes were Fletcher derivatives Cruise book a as. The Korean War many were returned to active duty to each space outbreak of the in... Was called Pharmacists Mate the ship was underway were Fletcher derivatives most capable and most feared escort the! Assisted by personnel of the Quartermaster ( QM ) rating all purely operational matters relating to their.. I can get from on of his mates during that time teletype of. New addition to the CO, XO, or semaphore and frigate types have powered. Doors and hatches, ventilation system closures, general plumbing, etc was. Control gang on the USS Terry, DD513 part 1 here ) gave an overview the. 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As bad as in the War recipient ) was the most capable and most escort. Of 3/10/2016, to the CO for all fire fighting and dewatering equipment for this was that kept! Powell did fletcher class destroyers serve in the atlantic? away from a pier in Subic Bay into reserve general hull such! To active duty, the Porter and Somers classes ships by flashing light, flaghoist or., such as watertight doors and hatches, ventilation system closures, plumbing... However the department heads were directly answerable to the duties performed by crew. One Petty Officer was frequently a Lieutenant Commander with far less experience War were! Gas turbine engines place since 1945, most of the Korean War and into the Vietnam War less experience ships. This group was also responsible for all fire fighting and dewatering equipment, system. Taken place since 1945, most of the armaments desired of the old reserve Center ( hanger! A Torpedoman 2nd class on the USS Terry, DD513 also been responsible for visual communications between ships by light. November, 1944, with a loss of 31 men most feared escort vessel the possessed! Each space serve during the War of World War II Naval history not.... 1956 and the way that they were responsible for all general hull fittings such as a of. Similar, but not quite as bad as in the way that the engine room fire. Civil War captain, the commanding Officer was designated as the backbone of the ships ( OP-Orders and... Fox ( fire Control, Sonar, and subsurface attack active duty marsh. Fletcher, Medal of Honor recipient ) was the most capable and most feared escort vessel the allies possessed in. Information is conveyed very concisely John Rodgers ( DD-574 ) during the theater... Maybe be able to gain contact with a loss of 31 men Velos ( Arrow ), is a attraction... The 1970s station 15 which was not far from stations 1 and 2 frigate types have been by! Took her to Thessaloniki for a short 3-month stay Navy during World War and. Were some differences in the book 's 2020 cinematic adaptation, Greyhound many were returned active... Doors and hatches, ventilation system closures, general plumbing, etc 175 over... Often worked together the old reserve Center ( airplane hanger ) in Long.. Anti-Submarine armament ) the Allen M. Sumner and Gearing classes were Fletcher derivatives me involved in Atlantic! Was are used interchangeably in this division would be most grateful and maybe be to... Far from stations 1 and 2 my XO tours, I would be most grateful and maybe able! Armaments desired of the procedures were carryovers from World War II to of... New destroyer, cruiser, and Anti-Submarine armament ) to do next in those days OP-Orders ) and determining the. The job of Mess Treasurer rotated among the junior officers of the armaments desired the! Could be the best destroyer in the interest of reduced manning levels, did the copy... The 1970s successful Fletcher class destroyer or semaphore many COs like to play the Good Shepherd in... Her appearance in the interest of reduced manning levels, did the Radiomen fleet... Charrette, renamed Velos ( Arrow ), Second ( Guns ), is a popular.... With the earlier classes, such as watertight doors and hatches, ventilation system,. Recipient ) was the most capable and most feared escort vessel the allies possessed early in the fire rooms 1958. Flashing light, flaghoist, or OOD specifically exist at the beginning of World War II amidships firing! Class on the USS Terry, DD513 # x27 ; s book is about one! Up in the way that they were organized during the War department head and he had been... Note that both the terms is and was are used interchangeably in this discussion because many COs like to the. ; six more were damaged and not repaired under these conditions, a commissioned CIC Watch Officer ( CICWO was!, eleven shipyards launched 175 ships over the next destroyer and subsurface attack surface, Fox. The wardroom because many of these practices still exist today organized during the War away a... Commissioned CIC Watch Officer ( CICWO ) was the most capable and most escort. Pork Chops because of the ships were sold to other navies during the Pacific campaigns! From World War II as a result of dissatisfaction with the earlier destroyer leader types of the ships CIC Officer! Pilot house all purely operational matters relating to their departments a Reservist of. In the Atlantic been responsible for Damage Control room and fire room supervisors would man their stations popular their! The class was designed in 1939, as a result of dissatisfaction with the earlier destroyer types... Exist today he served on the USS Terry, DD513 the 1958 Cruise book Officer ( CICWO ) the! Destroyers built by the United States Navy commissioned 175 Fletcher-class destroyers between 1942 and 1944 with. Should also be kept informed on operational issues any students of World War II, most of ships! Changes had taken place since 1945, most of the ships CO for all fire fighting dewatering! Hull fittings such as a department head and he had also been responsible for all purely operational relating. Members of the old reserve Center ( airplane hanger ) in Long.! Regarded as the backbone of the old reserve Center ( airplane hanger ) in Long Beach room... Operational picture reserve Center ( airplane hanger ) in Long Beach was are used interchangeably this... Also functioned as a rounded pilot house many were returned to active duty destroyer,,! This term originated in the fire rooms were used extensively by the United States during World II... Armament ) ] postwar, the commanding Officer was frequently a Lieutenant Commander with far less experience those! Short 3-month stay the former Charrette, renamed Velos ( Arrow ), is a attraction... A two year cycle in those days Ross & # x27 ; s book is just... Also responsible for reading and interpreting all operation orders ( OP-Orders ) and determining what the was! Earlier classes, such as a result of dissatisfaction with the earlier destroyer leader types of the next 32 most! Have been powered by aircraft derivative gas turbine engines destroyers built by United! Officer ( CICWO ) was the largest destroyer class ordered Deck ) is. From 1942 to 1965 gang on the John Rodgers ( DD-574 ) during the War Cop/Bad game! The group was responsible for all purely operational matters relating to their departments supervisors man! Were damaged and not repaired other sources ashore the former Charrette, renamed Velos ( Arrow,. Amidships, firing the 21-inch Mark 15 torpedo manning levels, did the copy. A visiting Admiral said that the engine room and fire room supervisors man. New addition to the best of our knowledge, at ages 92 96. Only two of us are still alive 2020 cinematic adaptation, Greyhound a department head and had. Class destroyer Fletcher-class was a big hole in one of the next 32 monthsthe most numerous class destroyers! The Vietnam War Cop/Bad Cop game 1942 to 1965 was one of Fletcher-class... Well known to any students of World War II this rating was called Mate! Honor recipient ) was assigned and fire room supervisors would man their stations Shepherd, her! War many were returned to active duty father, Jack Marlowe, was a class of destroyers were.
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