The individual rating groups are very specialized. He does not normally stand watch underway. He currently holds the title of Chief Marine Engineer at Marine Design Dynamics. They were also the first US destroyers fitted with radar as built. Copyright 2011-2022 Naval Historical Foundation. In those days there was no bridge to bridge radio. As such, the questions were of how many guns, torpedoes, and depth charges were seen as desirable. In combat, commanders often requisitioned additional guns with some ships mounting up to thirteen 20mm cannons. Destroyer Squadron 51 in World War II was a squadron whose 2,100-ton Fletcher-class destroyers were deployed in thirteen diverse operations in both the Atlantic and Pacific. Great hunting, Tubes! About four months after Fletcher joined the fleet, she . Thank you! Thank you. Communications had previously been a stand alone department and electronics repair had belonged to the Chief Engineer. I know what than meant -some snipe had to record temperature readings on a clipboard form every few hours, to make sure a bearing was not overheating. There was a big hole in one of the ships. Pilots were only used when absolutely necessary in a strange port and most maneuvers were accomplished without tug assistance. Frequently a junior officer was assigned as the Administrative Officer or Ship Secretary with additional duty as X Division Officer. Throughout the course of World War II, the number of anti-aircraft weapons increased resulting in five twin-40mm Bofors guns plus seven 20mm weapons by 1945. The torch was kept in a small pot filled with diesel oil. 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. During this era, no other class of destroyer had more ships built. Aboard destroyers, these were all Lieutenants billets. Compared to earlier designs, the Fletchers were large, allowing them to adapt to evolving defensive priorities through the addition of two 40-millimetre (1.6in) Bofors quadruple mount AA guns as well as six 20mm (0.79in) Oerlikon dual AA gun positions. We were forward deployed to Yokosuka, Japan as part of DESRON 15. The Chief Engineer would write Lighting Off Orders to be carried out by the duty section. References: Bauer and Roberts, Friedman, Raven, Hearn. This division contained a variety of ratings including: Engineering Officer This was my assignment. The working part of the torch consisted of a rag wrapped around the end of the handle and secured by wire. Acting as a rescue destroyer (Plane Guard). Construction (top) and disposition following World War II (bottom). Three have been preserved as museum ships in the U.S. and one in Greece. The BT rating was considered to have the hottest and dirtiest jobs in the navy. But the onset of the Korean War in 1950 . 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 1941 building program was to have consisted entirely of new Fletcher-class destroyers. The CO, XO, Officer of the Deck (OOD), Junior Officer of the Deck (JOOD) and appropriate enlisted personnel would proceed to the bridge. Mrz 25, 2022; Posted by are meatless crumbles vegan? The class was designed in 1939, as a result of dissatisfaction with the earlier destroyer leader types of the Porter and Somers classes. The ratings that came under the Communications officer were: OI Division Headed by the CIC Officer, assisted by the Electronics Material Officer (EMO). Normally he was a non-watchstander and he was usually provided with at least one full time assistant. My husband was a Boiler Tender on the USS Vandevier during 1956 to 1958 or 9. Fred Edwards, Destroyer Type Desk, Bureau of Ships, 1942, quoted in Holland, Rear Admiral W. J., Jr., USN (Ret), ed. The class was designed in 1939, as a result of dissatisfaction with the earlier destroyer leader types of the Porter and Somers classes. The design parameters were the armaments desired of the next destroyer. But on destroyers and smaller vessels the Executive Officer often doubles as the navigator. 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. USS Halsey Powell backs away from a pier in Subic Bay. He was a member of the original crew and served as the Medical Officer. The *Fletcher class* was a class of destroyersbuilt by the United States during World War II. My previous article (read Part 1 here) gave an overview of the U.S. Navys highly successful Fletcher class destroyer. Some naval historians will tell you that the Fletcher class destroyer was the most successful ship of World War 2 . The class was designed in 1939, as a result of dissatisfaction with the earlier destroyer leader types. At least one GM was assigned to each mount as the Mount Captain and another would be in charge of loading operations. 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. He functions as the administrator of the ship and has overall responsibility for all personnel on board. This was a very prestigious assignment and these Petty Officers generally lorded it over the junior non-rated sailors in the division. We also made fueling stops at Guam and Midway. The BT rating was responsible for operation and maintenance of the ships boilers and all associated equipment in the two fire rooms. All three American museum ships have been designated as National Historic Landmarks. The Fletcher class was a class of destroyers built by the United States during World War II. My father, Charles Ross Duncan, Sr. served on the USS Kimberly from 1943 thru 1945 in the Pacific. This made it necessary to fill the Gunnery and Engineering Officer Billets with on board fleet-ups, usually in the grade of Lieutenant (jg). Machinery Repairman (MR) were in charge of the Machine Shop. In June 1942, the 1.1" gun was replaced by a twin Bofors 40 mm gun mount; in some ships, another twin mount may have been added on the fantail between the depth charge racks. The answer to your question (if you havent already received it) is 12 depth charges in each of the two racks. The Fletcher class (named for Admiral Frank F. Fletcher) was the largest class of destroyer ordered, and was also one of the most successful and popular with the destroyer men themselves. This organization sounds very complex to the outsider. However the Supply Officer served as the permanent mess caterer, a place where he frequently took a lot of heat. The Fletcher class was a class of destroyers built by the United States during World War II. These conditions are established by closing the appropriate fittings such as valves, hatches, and watertight doors. They were renamed Named "Zestrer 1" (German for 'destroyer') to 6 and D170-180, they had been . 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." and . This officer stood no underway watches. The destroyer was the most capable and most feared escort vessel the allies possessed early in the war. I spent 22 years in the Navy. The United States Navy commissioned 175 Fletcher-class destroyers between 1942 and 1944, more than any . The Executive Officer is the person who is responsible for making things happen. During this time 39 were refitted, reducing their overall main armament and the number of torpedo tubes. The next step depended on how we were moored. 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. United States naval ship classes of World War II. The U.S. I much preferred WESTPAC! 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. 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. At this point, we were underway. After World War II he also picked up responsibility for Damage Control and blow decks hull maintenance from the First Lieutenant. 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. Bennett (DD 473) lays stack and chemical smoke in the Shortland Islands, 1944. off Korea in the 1950s and some even off Vietnam in the 60s, she was condemned in 2010 as a derelict and hazard to navigation and scrapped in 20102011. He was normally seated at the opposite end of the wardroom table from the Captain, where it was convenient for everyone to glare at him. The engine room and fire room supervisors would man their stations. A whole bunch of information is conveyed very concisely. In this article I will attempt to describe how a World War II Destroyer was manned and organized. He was always on call when the ship was underway. 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. The First Lieutenant probably came under fire more than any other officer because everything his people did was readily observable and most COs and XOs were very concerned with topside appearance, sometimes overly so. Later emphasis on anti-aircraft defense led to a redesigned or square bridge for improved all-around sightlines, beginning with Brownson (DD 518). Once the first burner was lit, subsequent burners could be lit from the adjacent burner. I was lucky enough to tour the USS Kidd shortly after she was docked for display in Baton Rouge, LA. Some that we were called upon to perform included: There are probably some others that I have forgotten about. 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. Much of this philosophy was a carry over from the days of sailing ships. 1 day ago The Fletcher class was a class of destroyers built by the United States during World War II. Fairwinds and calm seas Uncle Andrew. I served on 2 Fletchers as BT during Vietnam. The long-range Fletcher-class ships performed every task asked of a destroyer, from anti-submarine warfare and anti-aircraft warfare to surface action. She was a rough riding ship with a crew of dedicated men. The Fletcher-class destroyer was a class of destroyers that were used extensively by the United States Navy during World War II. I was a teletype/crypto operator on the USS FORRESTAL (CVA-59) in the early 1970s. There were some differences in the way that the ships were organized in 1956 and the way that they were organized during the war. or the number in each thrower. There were 39 casualties and extensive damage in the after part of the ship. I am putting a remembrance for an aged USN veteran of WWII and his family. Available methods included voice radio, teletype, and the old fashioned Morse Code key. The Operations Department was normally divided into three divisions, each of which was headed by a Division Officer, normally an Ensign or Lieutenant (jg). George W. Stewart is a retired US Navy Captain. 35 knots: Engines: Geared-turbines : Power: 60000 : Notes on class: This was the second class of destroyers, after Benson / Gleaves, built during the war. 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. 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. It was still a great ship .. Miss it .. During World War II, the First Lieutenant functioned as a department head and he had also been responsible for damage control. Shipfitter (SF) and Damage Controlmen (DC) comprised the Damage Control gang on the ship. Radarman (RD) This was a new rating that was established during World War II. 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. Thirty-two were transferred to the navies of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Columbia, Germany, Greece, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Peru, Spain, Taiwan and Turkey. 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. With the introduction of radar, another useful method became available when the ship was within radar range of shore. The ships chosen in 1955 were destroyers of the Fletcher class, transferred in 1958, 1959 and 1960. The Chief Boatswains Mate (BMC) was expected to be the most capable seaman on board. If there was ever any doubt about who was responsible for a piece of equipment on the ship, it belonged to the Chief Engineer. Ship Servicemen (SH) Served as laundry men and operated the ships store and barber shop. Named after a swashbuckling Union Civil War captain, the Porter was one of 175 Fletcher-class destroyers built during World War II. Some went on to serve during the Korean War and into the Vietnam War. On many smaller ships, he usually doubles as the ships navigator. Again, the terms is and was are used interchangeably in this article. Fletcher (DDE-445) is recommissioned as an escort destroyer at Hunters Point Naval Shipyard, 03 October 1949. The class was designed in 1939, as a result of dissatisfaction with the earlier destroyer leader types of the Porter and Somers classes. The Fletcher class was a class of destroyers built by the United States during World War II. Introduced in 1942, the 2,100-ton Fletcher-class destroyers formed the core of the US Navys destroyer force from 1943. 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. Electricians Mates (EM) Were responsible for the entire ships electrical and distribution systems including all power and lighting equipment. But with these exceptions, the basic procedures for getting a destroyer underway have not changed a great deal from what I have described. At this point, the word would be passed Secure the Special Sea and Anchor Detail, Set the Regular Underway Watch. He was also responsible for coordination of shipyard overhauls or periods (availabilities) alongside a tender. NHF members are being converted to members of the Naval Institute. 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