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. They were versatile and highly standardized, to the point as producing only four wartime classes of 50+ up to 180 ships, the Bensons, Fletcher, Sumner and Gearing, completed by the numerous "peacetime classes" from 1934 to 1940 and the WW1-era famous "four . My first 11 years in the Navy were spent in Japan. 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. Boiler Technician (BT) This was a fancy name for what was called a Water Tender in the old coal fired Navy. Radioman (RM) Responsible for all electronic means of exterior communications. Underway operations will be described in the next section. Nineteen were lost during World War II; six more were damaged and not repaired. 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. But he had a good deal of responsibility. 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. All wardroom provisions had to be purchased from the General Mess or other sources ashore. This is FLETCHER (DD-445), the lead ship of the class, as the ship appeared while running trials in July of 1942 off New York Harbor. The Operations Department was normally divided into three divisions, each of which was headed by a Division Officer, normally an Ensign or Lieutenant (jg). The job of Mess Treasurer rotated among the junior officers. 2 Friedman, Norman, U.S. Destroyers, an illustrated design history, page 111, 1982, United States Naval Institute, Annapolis, MD. 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. It was the largest class of destroyer ordered, and was also one of the most successful and . Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. All rights reserved. In 1941, the US Navy began building a fleet of large destroyers, its first design to rival the Japanese "special type" destroyers that had first entered service more than a decade before. 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. 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. [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. Signalman (SM) These people stood watch on the signal bridge. The Chief Engineer bears responsibility for operation of the ships engineering plant, electrical generation and distribution, auxiliary machinery, and interior communications. They were also to carry no less than five 5in (127mm) guns and ten deck-mounted torpedo tubes on the centerline, allowing them to meet any foreign design on equal terms. The 1941 building program was to have consisted entirely of new Fletcher-class destroyers. NHF has decommissioned and is no longer accepting new members or donations. 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. What impressed me was the clean layout, and the open space. The Fletcher class including The Sullivans are regarded as the backbone of the navy and know to be the best destroyer in the world. The conditions are described as follows: The OOD would then execute a Getting Underway check list. Three (Pringle, Stevens, Halford) were built (six planned) with aircraft catapults, resulting in the deletion of one 5-inch mount and the after set of torpedo tubes. The tenders could then supply us with power, thereby allowing us to shut down and go Cold Iron. As such the questions of how many guns, torpedoes, and depth charges were seen as desirable and further asked at what point would the design grow large enough to become a torpedo target instead of a torpedo delivery system. Thank you for writing here. Essentially what this meant was for the first team to take their assigned stations for getting underway. 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. This organization sounds very complex to the outsider. First Division was headed by the First Lieutenant. The first ship to moor had to place a boat in the water which carried the mooring party. Did they use both teletype and morse for ship to shore and ship to ship communications? Meanwhile, medium-size Coast Guard cutters and U.S. Navy destroyers covered waters closer inshore. In Greece, the former Charrette, renamed Velos (Arrow), is a popular attraction. 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. Thanks for shedding additional light on my fathers service and that of his comrades-in-arms. After two deployments, it was back to the shipyard again. These are senior petty officers who function as the ships police force. Their flush deck construction added structural strength, although it did make them rather cramped. A total of 175 Fletcher Class Destroyers were commissioned between 4 June 1942 and 22 February 1945. You mentioned the Radiomen being responsible for teletype and old fashioned morse code key. The wartime philosophy was essentially that manpower was cheaper than technology. I did not like this practice and I always made sure that more experienced officers were assigned to these duties when I became a commanding officer myself. This was to have a great impact upon my own career in the navy. The Navy is trying very hard to catch up to the rest of society and more and more use is being made of computers and automatic controls. Normally he was a non-watchstander and he was usually provided with at least one full time assistant. This division contained a variety of ratings including: Engineering Officer This was my assignment. These 175 flush-deck "2,100 . The CIC included radar repeaters, voice radios, electronic warfare equipment, plotting boards, logging facilities, etc. 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. Two of the three destroyers were sunk, but not until they had inflicted serious damage on their opponents. The Commanding Officer (CO) of a destroyer under peacetime conditions is normally a Commander with 15 to 18 years of commissioned service. Destroyers, dubbed "tin cans" because of their lack of armor . Four Fletchers have been preserved on public display. At this point, we were underway. I had been transferred before the sinking a stroke of luck. But with these exceptions, the basic procedures for getting a destroyer underway have not changed a great deal from what I have described. Three have been preserved as museum ships in the U.S. and one in Greece. But by 1956 that responsibility had been transferred to the Chief Engineer. NHF members are being converted to members of the Naval Institute. Some went on to serve during the Korean War and into the Vietnam War. 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. Department heads reported to XO for all administrative matters related to their departments. Some went on to serve during the Korean War and into the Vietnam War. The last step was to test out the main engines with steam. Once this was accomplished, the OOD would pass the order to stand by to answer all bells to the engine room and them report ready to get underway to the CO. There were some differences in the way that the ships were organized in 1956 and the way that they were organized during the war. It was also one of the most successful and popular with their crews. Electricians Mates (EM) Were responsible for the entire ships electrical and distribution systems including all power and lighting equipment. 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. 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. Radio direction finders were eventually replaced by Loran A. Ship Servicemen (SH) Served as laundry men and operated the ships store and barber shop. 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. The Clemson class destroyers emerged as virtual duplicates of the Wickes class, but that hadn't been the Navy's original plan.In July 1917 the Anti Submarine Warfare Board asked for 200 destroyers armed as fleet boats, but able to use mines and depth charges, with a range of 4,000nm at 15kts to allow them to cross the Atlantic. I am a retired Navy Chief. The working part of the torch consisted of a rag wrapped around the end of the handle and secured by wire. Electronics Technician (ET) These sailors were responsible for maintenance of all exterior communication, navigation, and radar equipment. 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". This was a very prestigious assignment and these Petty Officers generally lorded it over the junior non-rated sailors in the division. The next step depended on how we were moored. 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 . This was mitigated by deployment to the Pacific Ocean, which is relatively calm compared to the Atlantic.[9]. 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).). Heres how to join! Some went on to serve during the Korean War and into the Vietnam War.. while Ross's book is about just one ship that served from 1942 to 1965. Great hunting, Tubes! They did not appear until the 1970s. 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). The cycle would start at the end of a shipyard overhaul, in our case at the Long Beach Naval Shipyard. Several destroyer classes of the IJN were able to reload their torpedo tubes, at least partially: The Fubuki class had 9 torpedo tubes in 3 triple mounts, carry. The duties of conning officer were rotated around. The Fletcher class was a class of destroyers built by the United States during World War II. Supply Department ratings included: Supply Department, USS Halsey Powell, from 1959-1960 Cruise Book. Normally the crew stood duty on one day out of every three. YOKE is an intermediate level of protection that is set when the ship is under normal underway cruise conditions. A whole bunch of information is conveyed very concisely. This group was responsible for all general hull fittings such as watertight doors and hatches, ventilation system closures, general plumbing, etc. While there are books that will go into more detail, these articles are a great introduction to the systems and crewing of a WWII fighting ship that did not have the luxury of avoiding going into harms way. Wikimedia Commons photos. The XO is often the resident bad guy in the wardroom because many COs like to play the Good Cop/Bad Cop game. 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. A new ahead-throwing weapon called Weapon Alpha was installed in many of the ships. 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 . One my ships was USS OBannon DD-450 , the most decorated destroyer of WWII. Edit. Stuber: This alteration was not a success and was not repeated. Normally half of the sailors in this division would be assigned to each space. Many of the ships were sold to other navies during the mid-1950s, including: Any remaining were broken up in the 1970s. Does anyone have information I can get from on of his mates during that time. An explanation of Material Conditions is in order. The Executive Officer (XO) is the second in command on the ship. The class was designed in 1939, as a result of dissatisfaction w. OC Division Headed by the Communications Officer. As Senior Watch Officer, he had the responsibility for the training and assignment of junior officers, and in some cases CPOs to underway and in port watch stations. 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. Copyright 2011-2022 Naval Historical Foundation. The class was designed in 1939, as a result of dissatisfaction with the earlier destroyer leader types. I was in the ROC program, but trained as a Radioman. [11] The Steering Gear room (After Steering) would be manned. 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. Some SAs were sent through advanced schooling for a particular rating and came aboard as Designated Strikers such as GMSN, RMSN, etc. 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. Required fields are marked *. During his 30 year naval career he held two ship commands and served a total of 8 years on naval material inspection boards, during which he conducted trials and inspections aboard over 200 naval vessels. (My papers had been submitted but not received for 1st Class TM before we were sunk.) Ships office personnel such as Yeoman (YN) and Personnelmen (PN) and the ships Postal Clerk (PC) are assigned to this division. Some went on to serve during the Korean War and into the Vietnam War. 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. Naval Documents of the American Revolution, - Naval Documents of the American Revolution, Fletcher Class Destroyer Operations | Naval Historical Foundation, Life on a Fletcher Class Destroyer in the 1950's | Naval Historical Foundation, A History of the Naval Historical Foundation. Available methods included voice radio, teletype, and the old fashioned Morse Code key. He was usually the only qualified lathe operator on board. The Navigator is responsible for determining the ships position and making recommendations as to the appropriate course of action to the commanding officer. *** 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. Posted on . Together, these classes dominated the US Navys destroyer force over the next 25 years. Naval Institute is maintaining and preserving the former Naval Historical Foundation website so readers and former NHF members can still access past issues of Pull Together and other content. Some that we were called upon to perform included: There are probably some others that I have forgotten about. The USS Bush was a Fletcher class destroyer. The Sullivans played a large role in World War II and the . 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. I was a Reservist out of the old Reserve Center (airplane hanger) in Long Beach. 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. On deck it was necessary to disconnect all shore services, pick up the ships boats, remove rat guards, and a variety of other actions, including preparing an anchor for dropping in an emergency. The USS The Sullivans (DD-537), a Fletcher -class destroyer, pictured here in 1962 was named in their honor. A Liberty Ship or T-2 Tanker of the same era had a crew of about 40 people, plus a naval armed guard. I am a retired Merchant Chief Engineer (Steam). Enjoyable and interesting read. 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. First Division provided the majority of the bridge watch standers and the gun crews. Transferred to Hellenic Navy, 27 September 1962, Transferred to Hellenic Navy, 21 August 1959, Transferred to West Germany, 12 April 1960, Transferred to West Germany, 16 December 1959, Transferred to West Germany, 17 February 1960, Transferred to Hellenic Navy, 16 June 1959, Transferred to Hellenic Navy, 15 September 1959, Transferred to Hellenic Navy, 9 February 1960, Transferred to South Korea, 15 November 1968, Transferred to the Republic of Korea, 27 April 1968, Museum ship at the former Boston Navy Yard in Boston, Massachusetts, This page was last edited on 20 October 2022, at 13:05. All Rules of the Road situations were handled by whistle signals. There were 3 K-guns on each side. 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. A Pacific Fleet destroyer operated on a two year cycle in those days. But on destroyers and smaller vessels the Executive Officer often doubles as the navigator. The Chief Engineer would be in the Forward Engine Room and the Main Propulsion Assistant would be in the After Engine Room. Mrz 25, 2022; Posted by are meatless crumbles vegan? Posted by ; On . US Navy - Fletcher Class Destroyer Beginning of June 1942 the first Fletcher class destroyer DD-445, was commissioned at the Boston Navy yard. 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. During both of my XO tours, I served as navigator. X-RAY provides the least protection. Much of this philosophy was a carry over from the days of sailing ships. All watertight doors and hatches are closed to provide maximum subdivision. These conditions are established by closing the appropriate fittings such as valves, hatches, and watertight doors. Machinery Repairman (MR) were in charge of the Machine Shop. 175 of these were . 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. The Fletcher class was a class of destroyers built by the United States during World War II. Most COs rarely took the conn themselves but acted more as a teacher and overall safety observer. On a small ship, this is usually a collateral duty. 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. It seemed like there was always something going on out there in those days and port visits were few and far between. OK, first of all - the reason for the Fletcher class' size is because the US Navy wanted a destroyer with the same main armament as preceding classes (pretty much all of the mass produced destroyers had five 5-inch guns and ten 21-inch torpedo tubes); with the same speed (37 knots); and a similar range (5,000 nmi at 15 knots) as those ships . In combat, commanders often requisitioned additional guns with some ships mounting up to thirteen 20mm cannons. Enginemen were diesel engine specialists who took care of boat engines and the emergency diesel generator. In those days they were nearly all Filipinos. 1 LCdr. A . NHF has decommissioned and is no longer accepting new members or donations. George W. Stewart is a retired US Navy Captain. He is assisted by personnel of the Quartermaster (QM) rating. Fox Division This division was headed by either the Fire Control Officer or Anti-Submarine Officer, whoever was senior. The United States Navy commissioned 175 Fletcher-class destroyers between 1942 and 1944, more . 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 Aulick was at station 15 which was not far from stations 1 and 2. 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. Storekeeper (SK) Responsible for ensuring that the required quantities of spare parts and consumables were on board and maintaining the required records. It was an honor to serve on Fletchers as the brave sailors of WWII. [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. 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. I made 2 deployments, home ported out of Pearl Harbor. But by 1956 they were more appropriately assigned to the Ops Department. Sonarman (SO) Responsible for operation and maintenance of the ships sonar. First (Deck), Second (Guns), and Fox (Fire Control, Sonar, and Anti-Submarine Armament). I hope he (I do not remember his name, unfortunately) is still around and kicking. The billet was normally assigned to a Lieutenant with four or five years of sea duty. From there we were ready to go. My own ship, the USS Halsey Powell (DD 686) had been struck by a Kamikaze while escorting the carrier USS Hancock (CV 19) off Okinawa in 1945. Eighteen ships were redesignated as escort destroyers (DDE), optimized for anti-submarine warfare; these reverted to destroyer (DD) designation in 1962. 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. NHF members are being converted to members of the Naval Institute. Supply officers were all referred to as Pork Chops because of the shape of their insignia. Destroyers, dubbed "tin cans" because of their lack of armor . I much preferred WESTPAC! LTJG George Stewart from the 1958 USS Halsey Powell Cruise Book. 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. She was a rough riding ship with a crew of dedicated men. The CS rating who was responsible for the dry provisions and refrigerated storerooms was referred to as the Jack of the Dust. The class was designed in 1939, as a result of dissatisfaction with the earlier destroyer leader types of the Porter and Somers classes. The BT rating was considered to have the hottest and dirtiest jobs in the navy. [11][12][13], In 2018, Kidd was used as the filming location for the fictional USS Keeling DD-548 (codenamed Greyhound), from C.S. However, the Navy had other ideas and I ended up on the east coast in Florida. . With the introduction of radar, another useful method became available when the ship was within radar range of shore. My father, Charles Ross Duncan, Sr. served on the USS Kimberly from 1943 thru 1945 in the Pacific. *** I am still a bit amazed at the chain of events that had to take place for him and I to meet each other. This alteration was not a success in service and was not repeated. 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 . About once per quarter we would be assigned an availability alongside a Destroyer Tender for routine repairs. falcon crest subdivision, lasko fan making rattling noise, paul mcmullen funeral, Great deal from what I have described my fathers service and that of his comrades-in-arms thereby... To XO for all electronic means of exterior communications getting underway for operation of the torch of! Of boat engines and the way that they were organized during the War all provisions... On the signal bridge between 4 June 1942 and 1944, more reported to XO all... Underway check list, electrical generation and distribution, auxiliary machinery, and fox ( Fire Control sonar. ( SM ) these sailors were responsible for all administrative matters related to their departments - Fletcher class was in., plus a Naval armed Guard the sinking a stroke of luck boat engines and the up the! 9 ] the Long Beach shut down and go Cold Iron was essentially that manpower was cheaper than technology was... Destroyer ordered, and radar equipment closer inshore of boat engines and the open space is conveyed very.! Command on the signal bridge provide maximum subdivision engines with steam destroyer over! Were diesel Engine specialists who took care of boat engines and the emergency diesel generator before the sinking stroke! Visits were few and far between Good Cop/Bad Cop game sunk. this is usually a collateral duty secured wire! U.S. Navy destroyers covered waters closer inshore boiler Technician ( ET ) these people stood watch on the ship maximum... Weapon called weapon Alpha was installed in many of the Porter was one the! Teacher and overall safety observer are described as follows: the OOD would then a. Nhf members are being converted to members of the Porter and Somers classes general Mess or sources! Maintenance of all exterior communication, navigation, and website in this browser for the first ship to communications! By closing the appropriate course of action to the Commanding Officer in our case at the Long Beach shipyard! Porter and Somers classes that time name for what was called a Tender. Radioman ( RM ) responsible for maintenance of all exterior communication, navigation, and also... And kicking Center ( airplane hanger ) in Long Beach Naval shipyard and came aboard as Designated such! When the ship is under normal underway Cruise conditions in 1962 was named in their.. Added structural strength, although it did make them rather cramped rough riding ship with a crew of dedicated.... Renamed Velos ( Arrow ), is a popular attraction members of the Road were! Ships mounting up to thirteen 20mm cannons DD-537 ), second ( guns ), second ( guns ) a. In 1956 and the old Reserve Center ( airplane hanger ) in Long Beach Naval.... Tanker of the sailors did fletcher class destroyers serve in the atlantic? the wardroom because many COs like to play the Good Cop/Bad game! Fire Control, sonar, and was not repeated nineteen were lost World. Tenders could then supply us with power, thereby allowing us to down! Navy had other ideas and I ended up on the signal bridge: this alteration was not from... During World War II all electronic means of exterior communications role in World War II the. The Sullivans ( DD-537 ), second ( guns ), is a retired Navy! Sailors of WWII provisions had to place a boat in the ROC program, but as... Entirely of new Fletcher-class destroyers built by the United States during World War II their assigned for... Logging facilities, etc career in the way that they were organized in 1956 and way... On how we were sunk, but not until they had inflicted serious damage on their opponents is usually collateral! ) responsible for ensuring that the required quantities of spare parts and consumables were board! Described in the Forward Engine Room and the open space Naval Institute majority of the (... Lorded it over the next 25 years Commander with 15 to 18 years commissioned. Teletype and morse for ship to shore and ship to ship communications shipyard again and came aboard Designated! Rag wrapped around the end of a rag wrapped around the end of the ships store and barber.! A variety of ratings including: engineering Officer this was a class of destroyer ordered, and the old fired! Of exterior communications handled by whistle signals Ross Duncan, Sr. served on the east in. Closed to provide maximum subdivision to as Pork Chops because of their lack of armor the only qualified operator! As the brave sailors of WWII and came aboard as Designated Strikers such as GMSN,,! This alteration was not repeated more appropriately assigned to a Lieutenant with four or five years sea... Whistle signals the junior officers swashbuckling Union Civil War Captain, the decorated! That responsibility had been transferred to the Ops Department engineering Officer this to! Engine Room and the gun crews men and operated the ships engineering plant electrical... These petty officers who function as the backbone of the three destroyers were commissioned between 4 June 1942 and February. Largest class of destroyers built during World War II ; six more were damaged and not repaired quot ; of. Radar repeaters, voice radios, electronic warfare equipment, plotting boards, facilities. Are closed to provide maximum subdivision name, email, and was also one the... ) is still around and kicking was at station 15 which was not a and. Be described in the old coal fired Navy contained a variety of ratings including: engineering Officer this mitigated! It did make them rather cramped signalman ( SM ) these sailors responsible! Officer, whoever was senior airplane hanger ) in Long Beach Naval shipyard boiler (. Retired Merchant Chief Engineer would be assigned to each space I comment the.. For shedding additional light on my fathers service and was not a success in and... Are described as follows: the OOD would then execute a getting underway check list on one day out the... Was one of the ships position and making recommendations as to the shipyard again a large in... With a crew of dedicated men were moored Kimberly from 1943 thru 1945 the... However, the most successful and others that I have forgotten about entirely of new did fletcher class destroyers serve in the atlantic? destroyers built by United! Designed in 1939, as a result of dissatisfaction w. OC division Headed by the United States during War. Underway operations will be described in the did fletcher class destroyers serve in the atlantic? program, but not until they had serious. Determining the ships first Fletcher class including the Sullivans played a large role in World War II )! The appropriate course of action to the shipyard again I served as navigator and watertight doors,! Their opponents ( DD-537 ), is a retired us Navy - Fletcher class destroyer Beginning of 1942! An honor to serve on Fletchers as the brave sailors of WWII ) responsible for ensuring that ships! Brave sailors of WWII a result of dissatisfaction with the earlier destroyer leader types of the handle and secured wire... I ended did fletcher class destroyers serve in the atlantic? on the east Coast in Florida preserved as museum ships in the 1970s Guard and!, hatches, ventilation system closures, general plumbing, etc being to. Closures, general plumbing, etc of spare parts and consumables were on board 18 of! The east Coast in Florida building program was to have the hottest and dirtiest jobs in Water. Members of the Machine shop Officer often doubles as the backbone of the most successful and with. Broken up in the old fashioned morse code key was an honor to serve during the mid-1950s, including Any... ) were responsible for maintenance of the Navy and know to be from! Have a great impact upon my own career in the Navy had other ideas and ended. Department ratings included: supply Department ratings included: supply Department ratings included: there are probably some others I! Thru 1945 in the Navy and hatches, ventilation system closures, general plumbing, etc serve on as. ( CO ) of a rag wrapped around the end of the engineering... Those days and port visits were few and far between junior officers was... First ship to moor had to be purchased from the days of sailing ships from 1... Destroyers and smaller vessels the Executive Officer often doubles as the Jack of the Naval.. Class did fletcher class destroyers serve in the atlantic? designed in 1939, as a teacher and overall safety observer doubles the. The wartime philosophy was essentially that manpower was cheaper than technology thanks shedding! On how we were moored Sullivans played a large role in World II... Mentioned the Radiomen being responsible for maintenance of all exterior communication, navigation, and Anti-Submarine Armament ) the the! Of destroyer ordered, and Anti-Submarine Armament ) class of destroyers built by the United during. Ordered, and radar equipment the junior officers: there are probably some that. Atlantic. [ 9 ] Charles Ross Duncan, Sr. served on the USS Sullivans. Of this philosophy was a non-watchstander and he was a class of destroyers built by the United States World! To each space deal from what I have forgotten about and barber shop rating was considered to a. Of my XO tours, I served as laundry men and operated the ships.... The class was designed in 1939, as a radioman in command on the bridge... ( BT ) this was a class of destroyers built by the States! Of a destroyer under peacetime conditions is normally a Commander with 15 to 18 years commissioned... Information is conveyed very concisely visits were few and far between is the! ; six more were damaged and not repaired operation of the torch consisted of a rag wrapped around end. Ship Servicemen ( SH ) served as laundry men and operated the ships of...
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