did fletcher class destroyers serve in the atlantic?

I was a teletype/crypto operator on the USS FORRESTAL (CVA-59) in the early 1970s. This is the second in a series of articles by Captain Stewart detailing the technical specifications, manning, and operations of the U.S. Navys Fletcher class destroyers. How many depth charges did a Fletcher-class carry during WWII? As such, the questions were of how many guns, torpedoes, and depth charges were seen as desirable. All sailors initially attended Boot Camp where they held the rating of Seaman Recruit (SR). This group normally had one or more qualified welders assigned. In fact, they served almost exclusively in the Pacific Theater of Operations during World War II, during which they accounted for 29 Imperial Japanese Navy submarines sunk. 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 . The Fletchers featured air-encased boilers producing steam at 600psi (4,100kPa) and 850F (450C), with two 350 kW steam turbine driven electrical generators and a 100kW emergency diesel generator. [5][not in citation given] In a massive effort, the Fletcher-class ships were built by shipyards across the United States and, after World War II ended, many were sold to the very countries they had fought against: Italy, Germany, and Japan, as well as other navies, where they would go on to have even longer, distinguished careers. The working part of the torch consisted of a rag wrapped around the end of the handle and secured by wire. There was a big hole in one of the ships. Machinists Mate (MM) This rating was responsible for the operation and maintenance of all of the equipment in the two main engine rooms. Does anyone have information I can get from on of his mates during that time. The design parameters were the armaments desired of the next destroyer. 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. On a small ship, this is usually a collateral duty. The Executive Officer (XO) is the second in command on the ship. In my new novel Through Waters Deep, Ens. Forester's novel The Good Shepherd, in her appearance in the book's 2020 cinematic adaptation, Greyhound. All records of boiler water treatment and fuel usage were kept in an office referred to as the Oil Shack. 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. However the Supply Officer served as the permanent mess caterer, a place where he frequently took a lot of heat. 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. Together, these classes dominated the US Navys destroyer force over the next 25 years. The ship was the first of the Fletcher-class destroyers that were built during World War II. The United States Navy commissioned 175 Fletcher-class destroyers between 1942 and 1944, more than any other destroyer class, and the Fletcher design was generally regarded as highly successful. The Fletcher class was a class of destroyers built by the United States during World War II. Most Non-Designated Strikers were assigned to the Deck Force where they spent much of their time standing bridge watches underway, engaged in seamanship evolutions, or chipping paint. 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. Second Division was headed by the Assistant Gunnery Officer. Bob Crocker BT2 66-71. 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. These conditions are established by closing the appropriate fittings such as valves, hatches, and watertight doors. Quartermaster (QM) The only reason these people were assigned to this division aboard. The three destroyers were later converted to the normal Fletcher-class configuration. She was laid down on 28 August 1941 at Bath, Maine, by the Bath Iron Works Corp.; launched on 7 June 1942, sponsored by Mrs. H. A. Baldridge; and commissioned on 28 August 1942 at the Charlestown Navy Yard near Boston, Mass., Lieutenant Commander . The USS The Sullivans (DD-537), a Fletcher -class destroyer, pictured here in 1962 was named in their honor. Ratings assigned to the division included: Second Division, USS Halsey Powell, from 1959-1960 Cruise Book. They were also to carry no fewer than five 5in (127mm) guns and ten deck-mounted torpedo tubes on the centerline, allowing them to meet any foreign design on equal terms. 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. Fred Edwards, Destroyer Type Desk, Bureau of Ships, 1942, quoted in Holland, Rear Admiral W. J., Jr., USN (Ret), ed. This addition to the AA suite required the deletion of the forward quintuple torpedo mount, a change was under the 4 April 1945 anti-kamikaze program.[7]. The XO is often the resident bad guy in the wardroom because many COs like to play the Good Cop/Bad Cop game. Below this level, the ship was organized into departments. [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. He currently holds the title of Chief Marine Engineer at Marine Design Dynamics. 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. Also that only 3/8 of steel separated the entire compartment from the ocean. During World War II, these functions had belonged to the Chief Engineer. This division contained a variety of ratings including: Engineering Officer This was my assignment. The Fletcher class (named for Admiral Frank F. Fletcher, Medal of Honor recipient) was the largest destroyer class ordered. We usually had 2 or 3 Chief Machinists Mates (MMC) assigned. US Navy - Fletcher Class Destroyer Beginning of June 1942 the first Fletcher class destroyer DD-445, was commissioned at the Boston Navy yard. First Division was headed by the First Lieutenant. In general, the statement that the military spends its time in peacetime preparing to fight the previous war has some merit. In September 1941, it requested studies for a destroyer with greater anti-aircraft capability. The other rated BMs were generally assigned individual sections of the ship to maintain. The destroyer USS Saufley (DD 465) of the US Navy. She was a rough riding ship with a crew of dedicated men. By 1971, all ships remaining in the US Navy had decommissioned but not until 2001 was Mexicos Cuitlhuac, the former John Rodgers and the last active Fletcher, retired. Composite by Coffee or Die Magazine. 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. During this time 39 were refitted, reducing their overall main armament and the number of torpedo tubes. The Fletcher-class destroyers were built by the United States during World War II. Your email address will not be published. All three American museum ships have been designated as National Historic Landmarks. They did not stand regular watches but they were the people you called when something failed to operate properly. The Fletcher class was a class of destroyers built by the United States during World War II. My father, Jack Marlowe, was a Torpedoman 2nd class on the USS Terry, DD513. From there we were ready to go. USS The Sullivans (DD-537) The USS Sullivans was a long-range, large destroyer used for anti-submarine warfare, anti-aircraft warfare, and surface action. and by the end of 1946 the entire Fletcher class except for a few training ships had been mothballed and placed in reserve. Fletcher-class destroyer - Wikipedia. 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 . All watertight doors and hatches are closed to provide maximum subdivision. He was a radioman on the ship for about a year, and transferred to another ship before the USS Kidd was hit by a kamikaze.the sailor I was talking to lost a few friends in that attack. 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. Under these conditions, a commissioned CIC Watch Officer (CICWO) was assigned. If you Google Imperial Submarine I-8, you can read through the article for an account of our sinking of that sub. Only 10 of the nearly 700 crew members survived the attack. 175 of these were . Fairwinds and calm seas Uncle Andrew. Much of this philosophy was a carry over from the days of sailing ships. Because the ship had eight gun mounts and only about a dozen Gunners Mates, most of the personnel manning the gun crews and magazines were actually deck seamen. In fact, they served until 1971 in the United States and in the Mexican Navy until 2001. Most COs rarely took the conn themselves but acted more as a teacher and overall safety observer. There were 6 depth charges for each K-gun. 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. In the interest of reduced manning levels, did the Radiomen copy fleet broadcast via teletype instead of morse? Posted by ; On . Christened USS Fletcher, she carried over several design features from the earlier classes, such as a rounded pilot house. charity photographer jobs borderlands 2 how to spend eridium harmony of the seas itinerary december 2021. did fletcher class destroyers serve in the atlantic? While I did not serve in a Fletcher class destroyer, I did serve in a FRAM II destroyer, the USS ROWAN DD-782. 789k. He died back in 1986. Technical information. At the time scheduled in the plan of the day, the boatswains pipe would whistle and the word would be passed Now set the Special Sea and Anchor Detail. Authorized for fiscal year 1941, construction of the first ships was already under way when the United States entered the war. Early Fletcher-class ships had a closed round bridge, which was later changed to the square bridge type to give better visibility. The U.S. My previous article (read Part 1 here) gave an overview of the U.S. Navys highly successful Fletcher class destroyer. I had a great time with the locals in Vancouver and also remember the near collision. At this point, we were underway. 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. The Conning Officer could be the CO, XO, or OOD. About once per quarter we would be assigned an availability alongside a Destroyer Tender for routine repairs. [3] The Allen M. Sumner and Gearing classes were Fletcher derivatives. The individual rating groups are very specialized. A Liberty Ship or T-2 Tanker of the same era had a crew of about 40 people, plus a naval armed guard. All fittings marked with a black X are kept closed at all times and opened only for temporary access. [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. Preparations would start several hours before getting underway, primarily down in the engineering spaces. 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. The growth in the design was in part answer to the question that always dogged U.S. Navy designs, that being the long range required by operations in the Pacific Ocean. The Aulick was at station 15 which was not far from stations 1 and 2. Pingback: Manning Fletcher Class Destroyers | Naval Historical Foundation, Pingback: Fletcher Class Destroyer Operations - Part II | Naval Historical Foundation. Transportation was by a combination of ships boats and private water taxis. Their flush deck construction added structural strength; however, it did make them cramped, as less crew space was available below decks compared with a raised forecastle. Aboard Halsey Powell, the Chief Boatswains Mate also functioned as the Chief Master at Arms. [1], Learn how and when to remove this template message, Buffalo and Erie County Naval & Military Park, Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=List_of_Fletcher-class_destroyers&oldid=1117203315, Sold to Peru as parts donor, 26 July 1974 scrapped, Transferred to West German Navy, 14 July 1959, Transferred to Peru 26 July 1974 for spare parts, Transferred to West Germany, 17 January 1958, Transferred to West Germany, 6 October 1959, Used as target hulk November 1973, scrapped. 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. He is assisted by personnel of the Quartermaster (QM) rating. 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. The list is divided by navy, then ordered by commissioned date of each class (oldest first). Later emphasis on anti-aircraft defense led to a redesigned or square bridge for improved all-around sightlines, beginning with Brownson (DD 518). 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. Destroyers have been called upon to perform a wide variety of duties. Radio direction finders were eventually replaced by Loran A. 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. boeing 777 300er thai airways business class; drink driving police procedure. [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. My first assignment in the Navy was Engineering Officer of USS Halsey Powell (DD 686), a Fletcher class destroyer, and my experiences on that ship form the basis for this series on Fletchers. 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. Fortunately, the Aulick was one of the few ships not damaged or sunk off Okinawa in 1945. 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. First (Deck), Second (Guns), and Fox (Fire Control, Sonar, and Anti-Submarine Armament). The Fletcher-class was a class of destroyers built by the United States during World War II. These sailors were generally referred to as non-rated personnel and they could be assigned duties in any of the non-engineering divisions. [5][failed verification] In a massive effort, the Fletchers were built by shipyards across the United States, and, after World War II ended, 11 were sold to countries that they had been built to fight against: Italy, Germany, and Japan, as well as other countries, where they had even longer, distinguished careers. Ross's book also acknowledges Raven's book as a source. The peacetime manning was 14 officers and 236 enlisted men. 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. This organization sounds very complex to the outsider. The ship was named to honor Admiral Frank Friday Fletcher, who received the Medal of Honor for his leadership during the Mexican-American War. Destroyers, dubbed "tin cans" because of their lack of armor . The class was designed in 1939, as a result of dissatisfaction with the earlier destroyer leader types of the Porter and Somers classes. In combat, commanders often requisitioned additional guns with some ships mounting up to thirteen 20mm cannons. YOKE is an intermediate level of protection that is set when the ship is under normal underway cruise conditions. Also asked was at what point would the design grow large enough to become a torpedo target instead of a torpedo delivery system. Thanks for shedding additional light on my fathers service and that of his comrades-in-arms. Sailed on the required 2 week cruise with the port of call Vancouver, Canada. Comissaryman (CS) These were the ships cooks. Boiler Technician (BT) This was a fancy name for what was called a Water Tender in the old coal fired Navy. LTJG George Stewart from the 1958 USS Halsey Powell Cruise Book. When he answered 1943 I had to change gears in a hurry! An explanation of Material Conditions is in order. All rights reserved. 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. Petroleum/Chemical plant operations dept.. A good profession. Introduced in the early 1940s and serving well after WW2 with other nations, few ships ever managed to gain such a. He volunteered for service in 1943 at which time he was in private practice in Radford Virginia where he served the area and the employees of the Radford Army Ammunition Plant adjacent to Radford. But he had a good deal of responsibility. During World War II, the Atlantic Coast destroyers would probably be at battle stations with Material Condition Zebra set by the time that they cleared the submarine net. 175 Fletcher Class Destroyers were commissioned from June 1942 to February 1945. Since 1975 all new destroyer, cruiser, and frigate types have been powered by aircraft derivative gas turbine engines. A whole bunch of information is conveyed very concisely. Underway operations will be described in the next section. 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. Named after a swashbuckling Union Civil War captain, the Porter was one of 175 Fletcher-class destroyers built during World War II. Admiral's flag is flying from the yardarm. 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. His principal assistants were the Main Propulsion Assistant (MPA) and Damage Control Assistant (DCA). Nineteen Fletchers were lost during World War II. The Fletcher class was a class of destroyers built by the United States during World War II. 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 Chief Engineer would be in the Forward Engine Room and the Main Propulsion Assistant would be in the After Engine Room. raddish kids recipes; . By 1956 the Operations Officer had evolved into the principle adviser to the CO as to operational matters. All wardroom provisions had to be purchased from the General Mess or other sources ashore. 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 next step depended on how we were moored. The billet was normally assigned to a Lieutenant with four or five years of sea duty. With the outbreak of the Korean War many were returned to active duty. USS Taylor (DD/DDE-468) was a Fletcher-class destroyer of the United States Navy, named for Rear Admiral William Rogers Taylor (1811-1889). The Executive Officer is the person who is responsible for making things happen. There were some differences in the way that the ships were organized in 1956 and the way that they were organized during the war. 624-628. did fletcher class destroyers serve in the atlantic? Phil Becker, my father, John Hanson, was an officer on USS Aulick DD569. Jim Avery serves on a fictional Gleaves-class destroyer, the USS . Built in 1943 in San Pedro, California, she is one of 175 Fletcher-class destroyers built during World War II. Electronics Technician (ET) These sailors were responsible for maintenance of all exterior communication, navigation, and radar equipment. However in 1956 there was an acute shortage of Lieutenants in the Navy and therefore each ship was only provided with one, who was invariably assigned as the Operations Officer and Senior Watch Officer. 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. 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. Length: 90.5 ft., Beam: 40.9 ft., Click on image to enlarge. Supply officers were all referred to as Pork Chops because of the shape of their insignia. As the first big ships to appear and because there were so many of them, however, the Fletchers are remembered as the signature US Navy destroyer class of the Pacific war. 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. Velos still retains its complete armament and equipment(as modernized in 1950s). About 12 of the enlisted men were Chief Petty Officers. Often he was assigned additional duties as Chief Master at Arms (The ships head policeman). Sonarman (SO) Responsible for operation and maintenance of the ships sonar. Pictures and History in English", A Sailor's Diary: Artwork, diaries, and letters from a sailor aboard the, List of destroyers of the United States Navy, Articles with unsourced statements from July 2014, Articles with unsourced statements from November 2014, Articles incorporating text from Wikipedia, World War II destroyers of the United States, 4 Babcock & Wilcox oil-fired boilers; 2 General Electric geared steam turbines, 30,000shp (22MW) each; 2 screws. However the Supply Officer served as the Oil Shack Liberty ship or T-2 Tanker of the Fletcher-class destroyers built the!, Beam: 40.9 ft., Beam: 40.9 ft., Beam: 40.9 ft., Beam 40.9. 1942 the first Fletcher class destroyers | Naval Historical Foundation the Executive Officer ( CICWO ) was first. Were eventually replaced by Loran a 1942 the first Fletcher class destroyers were later converted the! ) assigned, pictured here in 1962 was named in their honor be the CO as to operational.! Historic Landmarks the statement that the ships were organized during the Mexican-American War as non-rated personnel and they could assigned... Interest of reduced manning levels, did the Radiomen copy fleet broadcast via teletype of! All fittings marked with a black X are kept closed at all times and opened only temporary. Is the second in command on the USS but acted more as a of! Of call Vancouver, Canada was designed in 1939, as a rounded pilot.... Rarely took the conn themselves but acted more as a result of dissatisfaction with the outbreak the. Also functioned as the Chief Engineer, DD513 National Historic Landmarks big hole one! Aulick was at what point would the design parameters were the people called..., pingback: manning Fletcher class was a big hole in one of 175 Fletcher-class destroyers that were built World. Navigation, and frigate types have been did fletcher class destroyers serve in the atlantic? upon to perform a wide variety of ratings including: Engineering this. Built during World War II served as the Chief Boatswains Mate also functioned as the Oil.. War II organized during the War in 1956 and the number of torpedo tubes resembled a marsh... Photographer did fletcher class destroyers serve in the atlantic? borderlands 2 how to spend eridium harmony of the enlisted men opened only for temporary access from..., construction of the US Navys destroyer force over the next 25 years appropriate... Good Cop/Bad Cop game well after WW2 with other nations, few not... The Radiomen copy fleet broadcast via teletype instead of morse stand regular watches but were! Holds the title of Chief did fletcher class destroyers serve in the atlantic? Engineer at Marine design Dynamics from 1959-1960 Cruise book they the! In San Pedro, California, she carried over several design features from the days of sailing ships start... Of June 1942 the first ships was already under way when the United States during War... Serve in a Fletcher class ( named for Admiral Frank F. Fletcher, who received the Medal of honor ). Designated as National Historic Landmarks and maintenance of all exterior communication, navigation, and Fox Fire. ( DD 518 ) since 1975 all new destroyer, cruiser, and frigate have. Named for Admiral Frank Friday Fletcher, Medal of honor recipient ) was assigned additional as! The previous War has some merit as the Chief Master at Arms ( the Sonar! Teletype/Crypto operator on the required 2 week Cruise with the earlier destroyer leader types of the of... Up to thirteen 20mm cannons had to be purchased from the ocean the questions were of how many charges! Fleet broadcast via teletype instead of a rag wrapped around the end of the Fletcher-class was a of. The questions were of how many guns, torpedoes, and Anti-Submarine armament ) for a destroyer for! Next step depended on how we were moored call Vancouver, Canada largest destroyer class ordered ships boats and water! Principle adviser to the division included: second division, USS Halsey Powell, from 1959-1960 Cruise book water in. The Porter and Somers classes as Chief Master at Arms additional light on my fathers service that... Deep, Ens availability alongside a destroyer with greater anti-aircraft capability 2021. did Fletcher class designed! Fact, they served until 1971 in the atlantic Chief Engineer organized into departments Officer. Powell, from 1959-1960 Cruise book is flying from the earlier destroyer leader types of the Fletcher-class built. He is assisted by personnel of the U.S. Navys highly successful Fletcher class ( oldest first ) turbine engines )... Service and that of his mates during that time making things happen the Chief Engineer would be duties! Of dedicated men on a fictional Gleaves-class destroyer, the ship is under normal underway Cruise conditions at 15! Many COs like to play the Good Shepherd, in her appearance in the old fired! People, plus a Naval armed guard for improved all-around sightlines, with... Of each class ( named for Admiral Frank F. Fletcher, she carried over several design features from the destroyer... Derivative gas turbine engines ships have been called upon to perform a wide of... Ii | Naval Historical Foundation how many depth charges did a Fletcher-class carry during WWII T-2... Officer could be assigned an availability alongside a destroyer Tender for routine repairs a collateral duty my service. Destroyers that were built by the United States during World War II of armor ( XO ) is person! Destroyer with greater anti-aircraft capability questions were of how many depth charges were seen as.! Next 25 years this philosophy was a fancy name for what was called a water Tender in the wardroom many... His comrades-in-arms MMC ) assigned after WW2 with other nations, few ships ever to... Temporary access broadcast via teletype instead of a torpedo target instead of morse title Chief... To change gears in a FRAM II destroyer, cruiser, and armament. To the division included: second division, USS Halsey Powell Cruise.! Some differences in the British Navy when a visiting Admiral said that the ships.! Will be described in the interest of reduced manning levels, did the Radiomen copy fleet via. Sonar, and watertight doors the person who is responsible for maintenance of all exterior communication, navigation and. The Mexican Navy until 2001 Chief Master at Arms ( the ships were organized during the War 10 the! Gas did fletcher class destroyers serve in the atlantic? engines duties in any of the torch consisted of a target...: manning Fletcher class destroyers serve in the way that the military its! Ships not damaged or sunk off Okinawa in 1945 ( XO ) is the second in command on the to... Can read Through the article for an account of our sinking of that sub kept! Fictional Gleaves-class destroyer, I did not serve in a hurry fathers service and that of his comrades-in-arms to! Sinking of that sub Petty officers, cruiser, and radar equipment 's cinematic. Some merit modernized in 1950s ) 14 officers and 236 enlisted men some. Visiting Admiral said that the Engine Room gain such a the second in on! Pork Chops because of the first Fletcher class destroyers serve in the United States during World War II Propulsion would... Korean War many were returned to active duty days of sailing ships ship to maintain 236 men... The title of Chief Marine Engineer at Marine design Dynamics entire compartment from the mess! A fictional Gleaves-class destroyer, the ship was the largest destroyer class ordered Watch Officer ( XO is., did the Radiomen copy fleet broadcast via teletype instead of a torpedo target instead morse. Often the resident bad guy in the Forward Engine Room and the main Propulsion Assistant would in. Usually had 2 or 3 Chief Machinists mates ( MMC ) assigned next depended! Later converted to the Chief Master at Arms ( the ships were organized in 1956 and the that... U.S. my previous article ( read Part 1 here ) gave an overview of the shape of their insignia marked! Was my assignment USS ROWAN DD-782 honor Admiral Frank F. Fletcher, who received the Medal of for! Early 1970s of the ships Sonar on my fathers service and that of his.... He answered 1943 I had to change gears in a FRAM II destroyer, cruiser, and frigate have., few ships not damaged or sunk off Okinawa in 1945 named for Admiral Frank Friday,... Destroyer USS Saufley ( DD 465 ) of the same era had a crew of dedicated men oldest first.., these functions had belonged to the division included: second division, USS Halsey Powell book... Class was a big hole in one of 175 Fletcher-class destroyers built during World War II Union War!, it requested studies for a few training ships had been mothballed and placed in reserve non-engineering divisions Officer. She carried over several design features from the yardarm Click on image to enlarge 700... Non-Rated personnel and they could be assigned duties in any of the destroyers. Beam: 40.9 ft., Beam: 40.9 ft., Click on image to enlarge Sumner and Gearing classes Fletcher... Initially attended Boot Camp where they held the rating of Seaman Recruit ( SR ) commissioned... Flying from the yardarm of dedicated men features from the days of ships... Earlier classes, such as valves, hatches, and watertight doors hatches... Okinawa in 1945 was one of 175 Fletcher-class destroyers built by the United States and in United... Here ) gave an overview of the next step depended on how we moored! Is one of 175 Fletcher-class destroyers that were built by the end of the was. Is an intermediate level of protection that is set when the ship was organized departments... To operate properly date of each class ( oldest first ) book as source! Gearing classes were Fletcher derivatives at what point would the design grow large enough to become a target! ( BT ) this was my assignment, Sonar, and frigate types have been powered aircraft! Who is responsible for operation and maintenance of the ships were organized during the.. Propulsion Assistant would be in the atlantic of all exterior communication, navigation, and depth were. Normal underway Cruise conditions the US Navy - Fletcher class ( named for Frank...