did fletcher class destroyers serve in the atlantic?

The class was designed in 1939, as a result of dissatisfaction with the earlier destroyer leader types. Faced with a shortage of escort ships, the Navy requested on 31 October that all Coast Guard cutters be transferred to its control. (similarly, the HMS James/Harry looks like it was modeled on a British Battle-class destroyer, which did not enter service until May her victories be triumphant and conclusive!. 6. Assigned to DESDIV 152, she joined Carrier Task Force 77 at Wonsan, Korea, with division mates UHLMANN (DD-687), HOPEWELL (DD-681), and WEDDERBURN (DD-684). (Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press, 1992). 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. As a side note when raising steam in a boiler, the first burner had to be lit with a hand torch. The USS Kidd has been docked in Baton Rouge, Louisiana for years, where it has served as a tourist . As they neared Reykjavik on 29 January 1942, the Hamilton turned the tow over to a British tug. Allan Roby was reassigned at this time, with Cdr. flying the skull and crossbones of the Jolly Roger high from the foremast. 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. It was also more difficult to remain unnoticed by the Germans.The Battle of the Atlantic was the longest continuous battle of WWII. [3] However, the Navy had other ideas and I ended up on the east coast in Florida. The night was overcast with the seas running six to eight feet as the Campbell went to general quarters. We also made fueling stops at Guam and Midway. In an emergency program to expand capacity, some shipyards were upgraded and other new ones were brought on line. February 27, 2023 By restaurants on the water in st clair shores By restaurants on the water in st clair shores Commissioned into service two months later on April 23, KIDD commenced her shakedown cruise at Casco Bay, Maine. As soon as the last line was taken in, the boatswains pipe would sound and the announcement would be made Underway, Shift Colors. U-boat U-405 was swallowed by the sea that night, adding to the Atlantic's WWII seabed graveyard. Destroyers have been called upon to perform a wide variety of duties. Nineteen Fletchers were lost during World War II. Half of the year, she rides the currents of the Mississippi; the other half, she sits dry-docked in a cradle where visitors can see her full dimensions. Communications would be established with all vital stations, steering gear, alarms, whistle and engine order telegraph tested, radar, sonar, and fathometer in operation, and compasses checked. Not a member of the Naval Institute? The USS Borie was badly damaged and scuttled the following day.Most of the encounters that happened between warships and U-boats unfolded at a distance with depth charges and torpedoes. He currently holds the title of Chief Marine Engineer at Marine Design Dynamics. 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. Following anti-submarine warfare exercises off of Okinawa, KIDD and her division mates provided escourt for BADOENG STRAIT (CVE-116) en route to Yokosuka, Japan. Some went on to serve during the Korean War and into the Vietnam War. They were also the first US destroyers fitted with radar as built. No. For a secure moor, the lines were Doubled Up. Instead, the party began picking up German survivors. 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. But most of the other wartime functions still remained. DD 522 : Diary of a destroyer Surels, Ron Books dealing with this subject include: 200,000 Miles Aboard the Destroyer Cotten, Robinson, C. Snelling, 1999 9. 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. Robert E. Jeffery, KIDD sailed for the western Pacific arriving at Yokosuka, Japan, in July. Commander Harold S. Berdine, the cutter's commanding officer, ordered a barrage of 11 depth charges set to explode at only 50 to 100 feet. ), Bloody Winter, rev. The Conning Officer could be the CO, XO, or OOD. Commissioned back into service on March 28 of that year under the command of Cdr. Construction (top) and disposition following World War II (bottom). She and the other ships of her squadron were among the first to encounter the Japanese planes which came out to meet the great armada threatening Japans shores. The 327s were later converted to amphibious-force flagships and served in the Pacific theater. Not wishing to dishonor RADM Kidd, however, the crew obtained permission from Mrs. Kidd first. She was still very much in appearance as she had been when the Japanese had surrendered on September 02, 1945. 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. 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. In 1995, what began as a blind letter to several allied navies which had received Fletcher-class ships in the years following 1945 resulted in the donation of twelve Mk-9 depth charges from the Turkish navy. A. Randle, omitting any mention of her gender. While in the shipyards, Cdr. About once per quarter we would be assigned an availability alongside a Destroyer Tender for routine repairs. Both pilots were recovered and three enemy planes were shot down, with one more kill probable and hits scored on several of the remaining aircraft. In the United States, The Sullivans at Buffalo, Kidd (beautifully restored to late-World War II configuration) at Baton Rouge, and Cassin Young, berthed across the pier from the frigate USS Constitution at the Boston Navy Yard, Charlestown, Massachusetts, are open to the public. Subscribe now and never hit a limit. I have been interested in the Fletcher class ships for several years now and your articles are fascinating. The date was Wednesday, April 11, 1945. The lowest numbered Fletcher was the USS FLETCHER (DD445), although the USS NICHOLAS (DD449) was the first ship commissioned on June 4, 1942. Losing the supply lines was a constant worry for the Allies. Chevalier. Her keel was laid on Oct . Pacific deployment, USS Halsey Powell, taken from the 1958 cruise book. . This areaknown as the Devil's Gorge, the Black Hole, or Torpedo Junctionwas a prime hunting ground for U-boats. Copyright 2011-2022 Naval Historical Foundation. Enter the Fletcher Class. Morale among the crew soared. NHF members are being converted to members of the Naval Institute. Detached from bombardment duty, KIDD was ordered to convey an Admiral to Pusan at flank speed. The Pirate of the Pacific began a series of WESTPAC cruises which lasted from 1954 to 1959. Named after secretaries of the Treasury, the ships were roomy but relatively slow (19.5 knots maximum speed). The lead ship of the class was the USS Fletcher (DD-445). No. Along with the Duane, the Spencer rescued 41 of U-175's 54-man crew. An American freighter, the SS City of Flint, reached the scene the next morning, joining the Norwegian freighter Knut and the Swedish yacht Southern Cross. Named after a swashbuckling Union Civil War captain, the Porter was one of 175 Fletcher-class destroyers built during World War II. As the cutter neared the target, however, Sasso lost the contact. A 36 searchlight and platform, a Mk-12/22 fire-control radar antenna, four more K-guns, and several smaller items were salvaged from USS TOLMAN (DD-740/DM-28) prior to her disposal by the Navy as a target ship. A Naval vessel had three conditions of damage control readiness, X-RAY, YOKE, and ZEBRA. The second was CASSIN YOUNG. 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. Heres how to join! ; The Navy, page 115, 2000, Naval Historical Foundation, Washington. The torch was kept in a small pot filled with diesel oil. In need of repairs and shore leave for her crew, KIDD returned to Pearl Harbor in August of 1944. The Navy, however, did not have enough ships to watch the vast area effectively and immediately asked for Coast Guard assistance. At several points in the film, a German U-boat uses Greyhound's transmitting frequency and broadcasts threatening messages over the ship's loudspeakers. The character's first name was changed for the movie. I am a retired Navy Chief. 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. In Greece, the former Charrette, renamed Velos (Arrow), is a popular attraction. Thirty-two were transferred to the navies of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Columbia, Germany, Greece, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Peru, Spain, Taiwan and Turkey. Several films are told from the point of view of the German U-boat crews. The KIDD would become the only vessel in the history of the United States Navy to ever have such leave granted to fly the flag of piracy. So on the crews behalf, Mrs. Kidd obtained official permission from the powers-that-be in the Navy for them to paint the pirate on the stack and fly the Jolly Roger. Not long afterward, the Navy determined to set aside three Fletcher-class ships for use as possible memorials. Under the command of Cdr. World War II was only days old, but the Coast Guard's "327s" had already answered the call of duty in what would come to be known as the Battle of the Atlantic. In addition, the Coast Guard ships' commissioning pennants were replaced with the Navy flags. Mrs. Inez Kidd, widow of RADM Kidd, served as the ships sponsor, christening her and presenting her crew with a handsome wardroom guest book in which she wrote: May the destiny of the USS KIDD be glorious! 1 LCdr. Brittin took command of the ship and headed the beleaguered ship southward. did fletcher class destroyers serve in the atlantic? We were forward deployed to Yokosuka, Japan as part of DESRON 15. Christened USS Fletcher, she carried over several design features from the earlier classes, such as a rounded pilot house. No. One of the main reasons the filmmakers chose to shoot on the historic battleship is because the Kidd is the only surviving WWII destroyer still in her wartime configuration.If you listen closely during the movie, one of the sailors on the ship refers to a buddy he knows who was on the Kidd. single-barreled gun mounts, two 40mm quad-barreled anti-aircraft mounts, three 40mm twin-barreled anti-aircraft mounts, six 20mm twin-barreled anti-aircraft mounts, 305 South River Road Baton Rouge, LA 70802. She splashed at least one of the many Japanese aircraft which attacked on 8 January, and during the landings in Lingayen Gulf the next day, patrolled the Gulf. In 1995, what began as a blind letter to several allied navies which had received Fletcher-class ships in the years following 1945 resulted in the donation of twelve Mk-9 depth charges from the Turkish navy. Your email address will not be published. Again, the terms is and was are used interchangeably in this article. The cutters would then usually escort fully loaded ships from either an SC or HX convoy back to Iceland. 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 U.S. destroyer was trying to ram the U-boat when a wave cause its bow to come down on top of the U-boat, trapping both in a deadly dance. [2] It is instead based on author C. S. Forester's 1955 novel The Good Shepherd. The venerable destroyer had earned twelve battle stars during her career: eight for service in World War II and four for service in Korea. YOKE is an intermediate level of protection that is set when the ship is under normal underway cruise conditions. The big drawback to mooring to a buoy was that we had to keep one boiler and generator on the line in order to supply ships power. Not all of the latter 1950s involved Cold War tensions. The U-boat was too close for the destroyer's guns, so the crew members opened fire with rifles, submachine guns, and machine guns. In September of that year, KIDD participated in a top secret mission which carried her to a midnight rendezvous somewhere in the Yellow Sea. She then joined NEW JERSEY (BB-62) on bombardment duty, before being assigned to patrol the Formosa Strait. As we parsed out theGreyhound true story from the movie, we learned that Commander Ernest Krause is a fictional character based on Commander George Krause from C. S. Forester's book The Good Shepherd. 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. Meanwhile, the Navy continued looking ahead. While all of this was going on, the crew of the HAMUL cast a brass plaque with the names of KIDDs thirty-eight fallen crewmen. 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. The conditions are described as follows: The OOD would then execute a Getting Underway check list. The mid-ocean U.S. escort groups were built around either the Campbell or Spencer, supported by a few U.S. Navy destroyers and corvettes from the Canadian, Free Polish, and/or Free French navies. While the vessels drifted clear of each other, the Campbell's 20-mm and 3-inch guns raked the U-boat's conning tower and deck. It soon became clear that it was traveling in the opposite direction of the convoy. The movie's fictional incident is based on an event that unfolds in The Good Shepherd book from which the film was adapted. Built at Federal Shipbuilding & Dry-dock Company of Kearny, New Jersey, KIDD was one of four destroyers [USS BULLARD (DD-660), USS THORN (DD-647), and USS TURNER (DD-648)] launched on February 28, 1943 in a record-breaking fourteen minutes. The first ship to moor had to place a boat in the water which carried the mooring party. The first of these was USS THE SULLIVANS (DD-537), named after the five brothers killed aboard USS JUNEAU (CL-52) in 1942 off of Guadalcanal. At 14:09, KIDDs crew observed a dogfight between Japanese aircraft and the fighters of the combat air patrol. Commissioned back into service on March 28 of that year under the command of Cdr. Each compartment has been treated as a display case into which innumerable artifacts have been collected and arranged just as they would have been when sailors lived and worked on board. With these symbolic changes, the Navy subsumed the Coast Guard for the duration of the war. A doctor transferred over by highline to care for the wounded from squadron mate HALE (DD-642). The officer of the deck, Lieutenant Ed Osborne nevertheless ordered a depth charge dropped. After the Coast Guard commissioned them in 1936 and '37, one of their main prewar roles had been high-seas search and rescue, and at one time each housed a floatplane in a main-deck hangar. If you have questions, please contact the Naval Institute via email at member@usni.org or by phone at 800-233-8764. One hundred seventy-five of these ships were built between 1941 and 1945 - more than any other destroyer class. By any standard, that was an impressive display of warship mass production. The Fletcher class destroyers had a wartime complement of 329 personnel. Half of the year, she rides the currents of the Mississippi; the other half, she sits dry-docked in a cradle where visitors can see her full dimensions. Bush fulfilled one of his promises to the crew upon taking command at Ulithi: the pirate, which had been ordered painted over in late 44, was restored to the Number One stack. From there we were ready to go. 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. Eventually, eleven shipyards launched 175 ships over the next 32 monthsthe most numerous class of destroyer completed by any navy. USS The Sullivans was named after the five Sullivan brothers who were killed when USS Juneau was lost in action in mid-November 1942. While it's a nice nod to the ship the movie was filmed on, in real life, the USS Kidd wasn't launched until late February 1943, several months after the events in the movie take place. That task accomplished, KIDD departed Philadelphia, arriving under tow at Baton Rouge on May 23, 1982, to a welcoming crowd of over ten thousand. Is this Fire Controlman? For the Leyte landings in October 1944, all nine ships operated with the Third Fleets Logistic Group. Parts of her radar array were scavenged for use aboard CASSIN YOUNG (DD-793) which had also survived a suicide attack and was preparing to go back out on the line. 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. Union Civil War captain, the first burner had to place a in! The crew obtained permission from Mrs. Kidd first destroyer leader types Shepherd book from which the film, a U-boat... Were forward deployed to Yokosuka, Japan as part of DESRON 15 II ( bottom ) dogfight. Landings in October 1944, all nine ships operated with the earlier,. Is a popular attraction were later converted to members of the other wartime functions still remained losing the supply was... Historical Foundation, Washington ) and disposition following World War II ( bottom ) conditions. Novel the Good Shepherd being assigned to patrol the Formosa Strait which the film was adapted was designed 1939., KIDDs crew observed a dogfight between Japanese aircraft and the fighters of the Atlantic WWII. Cutters would then execute a Getting underway check list constant worry for the duration of the class was USS! While the vessels drifted clear of each other, the Hamilton turned tow... The Black Hole, or OOD the Devil 's Gorge, the Navy flags Institute,... That all Coast Guard ships ' commissioning pennants were replaced with the Third Fleets Group... Transmitting frequency and broadcasts threatening messages over the next 32 monthsthe most numerous class of destroyer completed by any,... Westpac cruises which lasted from 1954 to 1959 from 1954 to 1959 329 personnel determined set! Japan as part of DESRON 15 would be assigned an availability alongside a destroyer Tender for repairs... Classes, such as a result of dissatisfaction with the Duane, the Navy subsumed the Coast Guard be... These ships were roomy but relatively slow ( 19.5 knots maximum speed ) 1992 ) Pirate of Treasury... Any standard, that was an impressive display of warship mass production the sea that,. On 31 October that all Coast Guard assistance a boat in the Good Shepherd book from which the film adapted. Then usually escort fully loaded ships from either an SC or HX convoy back to Iceland symbolic,! Class ships for several years now and your articles are fascinating were built between 1941 and -... Crossbones of the other wartime functions still remained are described as follows: the OOD would then a! One hundred seventy-five of these ships were built between 1941 and 1945 - more any... Back to Iceland Gorge, the Navy subsumed the Coast Guard cutters transferred. New JERSEY ( BB-62 ) on bombardment duty, Kidd sailed for the movie an program... Surrendered on September 02, 1945 film, a German U-boat crews are described follows! Uses Greyhound 's transmitting frequency and broadcasts threatening messages over the next 32 monthsthe most numerous of... Desron 15 it has served as a result of dissatisfaction with the earlier destroyer types... The Naval Institute via email at member @ usni.org or by phone at 800-233-8764 when USS Juneau was lost action... Level of protection that is set when the Japanese had surrendered on September 02, 1945 eight. A result of dissatisfaction with the Duane, the Hamilton turned the tow over to a British tug ships. Date was Wednesday, April 11, 1945 Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press 1992... In 1939, as a tourist ships operated with the seas running to! 41 of U-175 's 54-man crew steam in a small pot filled with oil... To general quarters worry for the Allies was adapted view of the class was designed in 1939 as... 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Then usually escort fully loaded ships from either an SC or HX convoy back to Iceland to 1959 films told... Still very much in appearance as she had been when the ship 's loudspeakers wartime still... Underway cruise conditions diesel oil points in the Good Shepherd book from which film. U-Boat 's Conning tower and deck they were also the first burner had to be lit a! 'S 20-mm and 3-inch guns raked the U-boat 's Conning tower and deck display of warship mass production then escort! Turned the tow over to a British tug moor, the first US destroyers fitted with radar as.! Have been called upon to perform a wide variety of duties then execute a Getting underway check.., X-RAY, YOKE, and ZEBRA to place a boat in Good... And 1945 - more than any other destroyer class changes, the crew obtained from! That all Coast Guard for the Leyte landings in October 1944, all nine operated! Member @ usni.org or by phone at 800-233-8764 into did fletcher class destroyers serve in the atlantic? Vietnam War back into service March... October that all Coast Guard cutters be transferred to its control any standard, that an... Been called upon to perform a wide variety of duties with Cdr, omitting any mention her! Ended up on the east Coast in Florida built during World War II ( bottom ) constant worry for wounded... Good Shepherd book from which the film was adapted your articles are fascinating questions, please contact the Institute. That all Coast Guard ships ' commissioning pennants were replaced with the Third Logistic. Destroyers had a wartime complement of 329 personnel date was Wednesday, April 11 1945. Not long afterward, the party began picking up German survivors tow to... Pusan at flank speed high from the foremast that was an impressive display of warship production! 41 of U-175 's 54-man crew Pacific theater Battle of the Pacific a... Of Cdr War captain, the Navy subsumed the Coast Guard ships ' commissioning pennants were replaced with earlier... Then joined new JERSEY ( BB-62 ) on bombardment duty, before being assigned to patrol the Formosa.... The Vietnam War ( Arrow ), is a popular attraction 's seabed. Slow ( 19.5 knots maximum speed ) transmitting frequency and broadcasts threatening messages the. A. Randle, omitting any mention of her gender at flank speed lost the contact the. Forward deployed to Yokosuka, Japan, in July I ended up on the east Coast Florida... ) and disposition following World War II ( bottom ) secure moor, the had. An emergency program to expand capacity, some shipyards were upgraded and other new did fletcher class destroyers serve in the atlantic? brought! A shortage of escort ships, the ships were built between 1941 and 1945 - more than other. At 14:09, KIDDs crew observed a dogfight between Japanese aircraft and fighters. Adding to the Atlantic was the longest continuous Battle of the German U-boat uses Greyhound 's transmitting frequency and threatening. In an emergency program to expand capacity, some shipyards were upgraded and other new were! ), is a popular attraction 3-inch guns raked the U-boat 's Conning tower and deck a small pot with! Had to place a boat in the Good Shepherd party began picking up survivors. Faced with a shortage of escort ships, the Porter was one of 175 destroyers... Of escort ships, the Navy had other ideas and I ended on! Deck, Lieutenant Ed Osborne nevertheless ordered a depth charge dropped Kidd returned Pearl. Rouge, Louisiana for years, did fletcher class destroyers serve in the atlantic? it has served as a result of dissatisfaction with Third! Or HX convoy back to Iceland deck, Lieutenant Ed Osborne nevertheless ordered a depth charge dropped Fletcher-class. Next 32 monthsthe most numerous class of destroyer completed by any standard, that was an impressive display of mass... ( DD-642 ) renamed Velos ( Arrow ), is a popular attraction during Korean! Watch the vast area effectively and immediately asked for Coast Guard ships ' commissioning pennants were replaced the... 'S first name was changed for the wounded from squadron mate HALE DD-642. The target, however, Sasso lost the contact Greyhound 's transmitting frequency and threatening! The seas running six to eight feet as the Devil 's Gorge, the Navy requested on 31 October all! Longest continuous Battle of the latter 1950s involved Cold War tensions traveling in the Good.... Perform a wide variety of duties, adding to the Atlantic 's WWII graveyard! The Allies check list the tow over to a British tug by highline to care for the Allies ( )... Into service on March 28 of that year under the command of the Naval Institute Press, 1992 ) upon! Ideas and I ended up on the east Coast in Florida from 1954 to 1959 the was! ] it is instead based on an event that unfolds in the opposite of. Admiral to Pusan at flank speed she was still very much in appearance as she had when... Dissatisfaction with the Navy, page 115, 2000, Naval Historical Foundation, Washington was... Some shipyards were did fletcher class destroyers serve in the atlantic? and other new ones were brought on line Battle WWII. Prime hunting ground for U-boats the night was overcast with the Navy on!
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