did fletcher class destroyers serve in the atlantic?

With these symbolic changes, the Navy subsumed the Coast Guard for the duration of the war. Twiggs also operated in the Atlantic early in her career, from Norfolk as a training ship until May 1944. Since 1975 all new destroyer, cruiser, and frigate types have been powered by aircraft derivative gas turbine engines. Faced with a shortage of escort ships, the Navy requested on 31 October that all Coast Guard cutters be transferred to its control. Of the 1,103 passengers on board, 118 men, women, and childrenincluding 28 Americanswere killed. Starting on April 24, 1962, KIDD was assigned to the Naval Destroyer School at Newport, Rhode Island. Her single-pole mast was still in place, though her own post-war damage control plans showed her with a tripod mast. Mr. Walling served as a commissioned and a senior petty officer in the Coast Guard and is the author of Bloodstained Sea: The U.S. Coast Guard in the Battle of the Atlantic, 1941-1944 (New York: International Marine/McGraw-Hill, 2004). 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. The venerable destroyer had earned twelve battle stars during her career: eight for service in World War II and four for service in Korea. USS John D. Henley (DD 553) Destroyer Squadron 51 in World War II was a squadron whose 2,100-ton Fletcher -class destroyers were deployed in thirteen diverse operations in both the Atlantic and Pacific. Based at Hvalfjordur, Iceland, the Bibb, Duane, and Ingham covered small convoys out from Reykjavik that were joining westbound ON convoys. Copyright 2023 HistoryvsHollywood.com, CTF Media, Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile, subscribe to the History vs. Hollywood YouTube Channel. Some that we were called upon to perform included: There are probably some others that I have forgotten about. They did not appear until the 1970s. With wars end, KIDD returned to peacetime duties. These conditions refer to degrees of closure to minimize the effects of potential damage. The Campbell and Spencer, meanwhile, worked out of Argentia, Newfoundland. After the war, the ships reverted to Coast Guard control and were reconfigured as peacetime cutters. She was present for the occupation of Saipan in June of 1944 and assisted in the bombardment of Guam in July and August. By the autumn of 1942, the main U-boat menace had moved from the U.S. East Coast back to the North Atlantic. Your email address will not be published. The plaque was mounted on KIDDs quarter deck in their memory. One of the enemy planes descended to near water level, levelled out, and commenced a run on BLACK which was 1,500 yards off KIDDs starboard beam. Rescuing downed pilots, fighting off suicidal attacks, destroying floating mines, and giving early warning to the fleet of approaching enemy aircraft, KIDD participated in a naval siege which would see the greatest losses ever suffered by the United States Navy. The U-boat was too close for the destroyer's guns, so the crew members opened fire with rifles, submachine guns, and machine guns. Fred Edwards, Destroyer Type Desk, Bureau of Ships, 1942, quoted in Holland, Rear Admiral W. J., Jr., USN (Ret), ed. The USS Kidd has been docked in Baton Rouge, Louisiana for years, where it has served as a tourist attraction. 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. As well as other tasks, most of the ships served on weather station patrols, monitoring conditions in specific areas of the Atlantic. The search for hard-to-find World War II vintage equipment has gone around the world. 1 LCdr. None of the Germans hoisted a white flag, and the one-sided close-range battle continued. 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. The search for hard-to-find World War II vintage equipment has gone around the world. There, the earliest ones saw action in the nighttime surface battles in the Solomon Islands, many fought at Leyte and all completed in time for fleet screening and shore bombardment assignments and the notorious anti-kamikaze radar picket duty at Okinawa. Together, these classes dominated the US Navys destroyer force over the next 25 years. Is this Fire Controlman? Thirty-eight men were killed; fifty-five were wounded. They would pick up an eastbound convoy from a Canadian escort group, protect it through storms and U-boats, and then turn it over to a British escort group off Ireland. During the attack on Rabaul, KIDD stopped to pick up the crew of a downed plane from the ESSEX, falling behind the main force of the fleet, and came under attack from a group of eight Japanese dive bombers. Left full rudder was applied; the ship had just barely begun to turn. The latter part of 1958 saw her engaged in a similar role patrolling the straits between Formosa (Taiwan) and mainland China while international tempers flared over the Chinese bombardment of the offshore islands of Quemoy and Matsu. The strategy that the Allies used was to send a group of merchant ships across the Atlantic in a convoy that was escorted by a group of warships, and, when feasible, aircraft. The navigator would be responsible for ensuring that the ship remained on its desired track and making appropriate recommendations to the CO/OOD. I much preferred WESTPAC! Upon departing Pusan, she rounded the southern tip of the Korean peninsula and almost ran headlong into Typhoon Marge. The freighters bow sliced nearly halfway through the destroyers hull at the deck line, leaving a 15-ft. v-shaped hole that extended three feet below the waterline and flooding the sonar compartment. The Coast Guard, however, maintains that the cutter's attacks two days later destroyed the same U-boat. The Fletcher class destroyers had a wartime complement of 329 personnel. Several films are told from the point of view of the German U-boat crews. But the rules of warfare are: Kill or be killed.". Under the command of Cdr. The last step was to test out the main engines with steam. Eventually, eleven shipyards launched 175 ships over the next 32 monthsthe most numerous class of destroyer completed by any navy. She whispers stories of courage, bravery, and sacrifice. . 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. (Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press, 1992). USS The Sullivans was named after the five Sullivan brothers who were killed when USS Juneau was lost in action in mid-November 1942. Restored to her August, 1945 configuration, KIDD is one of the most authentic and accurate restorations in the Historic Fleet. But through the efforts of many dedicated people, she avoided the scrapping yard to make one final voyage. Required fields are marked *. There were 39 casualties and extensive damage in the after part of the ship. In general, the statement that the military spends its time in peacetime preparing to fight the previous war has some merit. But through the efforts of many dedicated people, she avoided the scrapping yard to make one final voyage. On April 30, Cdr. Regardless of who it was, it was very important for him to announce I have the Conn so that all bridge personnel would know who to take their orders from. 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. The Pirates were one of the first tin cansdestroyersto have their very own ice cream machine, something usually reserved for the larger vessels of the fleet. Ships' logs, war diaries, and after-action reports for the Coast Guard cutters: USS Bibb, Campbell, Duane, Alexander Hamilton, Ingham, and Spencer; National Archives and Records Administration, College Park, MD (hereinafter cited as NARA). 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. Also at this time, long-awaited American destroyer escorts (DEs) and patrol frigates (PFs) appeared in significant numbers, augmenting or replacing older cutters and destroyers. During a simulated torpedo attack in September of that year, KIDD was struck by two star-shells fired from the NORTH CAROLINA (BB-55). The officer of the deck, Lieutenant Ed Osborne nevertheless ordered a depth charge dropped. Over the next 3?? 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. 4. A Greyhound fact check reveals that the USS Keeling (codenamed "Greyhound") is fictional and was not a real-life Navy destroyer. The engine room and fire room supervisors would man their stations. The skipper reported to the task force commander: KIDD claims to be the best prepared ship in the Navy. If we were backing out of a slip you would hear a prolonged blast on the whistle. Harry G. Moore coming aboard in his stead. The days of surface to surface torpedo attacks had pretty well gone away, although we still retained that capability. 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. 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. For the Leyte landings in October 1944, all nine ships operated with the Third Fleets Logistic Group. On 12 June 1944, a new Gearing -class destroyer, USS Chevalier (DD 805) was laid downlike the 451, the third ship of her class from Bath Iron Works. However, the Navy had other ideas and I ended up on the east coast in Florida. Jeffery was reassigned, with Cdr. KIDD was decommissioned for the last time on June 19, 1964, after over twenty years of service. David W. Taylor, attached to a task force striking the Bonin Islands meanwhile, sustained an underwater explosion, probably a mine, and also went home. Simultaneously, Armed Guard gunners on merchant vessels in the rear columns of the convoy also opened fire. When Congressman W. Henson Moore and the citizens of Louisiana began looking for a suitable vessel to serve as a memorial to the states veterans, KIDD was ready to serve once again. With the active sonar switch on, Sasso again picked up the U-boat: "It was beautiful, a metallic sound, real clear." By December, at least six convoys were simultaneously in the North Atlantic, and the available escort ships were not enough to stop the U-boats' slaughter. A subsequent sonar sweep failed to find a contact, and with the convoy approaching the area, McCabe broke off the search. . Her story begins in 1939 when work on a new generation of US destroyers began as a result of unsatisfactory performance of the current generation of destroyers. As a side note when raising steam in a boiler, the first burner had to be lit with a hand torch. 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. [2] In January, 1952, DESDIV 152 returned to San Diego for overhaul and repair. Downtown Baton Rouges Fletcher-class destroyer USS KIDD (DD-661) and the Louisiana Veterans Museum. The next order would be to Take in the Brow. While I did not serve in a Fletcher class destroyer, I did serve in a FRAM II destroyer, the USS ROWAN DD-782. Allan B. Roby, the destroyer moved across New York Harbor for delivery to the Brooklyn Naval Shipyards . Sailing for the western Pacific again in February of 1945, KIDD and her sister ships joined Task Force 58, then forming for raids against the Japanese home islands and the invasion of Okinawa. While in restricted waters, naval vessels have a navigation detail set and the ships position was regularly determined by taking visual bearings on objects ashore, supplemented by radar ranges and fathometer readings. The goal was to have two boilers on line, one in each fire room, and have both engines ready for operation with the plant split (2 independent plant configuration) prior to setting what is referred to as the Special Sea Detail. In 1984, the Dutch fleet oiler ZUIDERKRUIS arrived in Baton Rouge on a port visit and transferred to KIDD two twin 20mm gun mounts, two Mk-16 K-gun depth charge projectors, and twelve 20mm magazine drums. Pilots were only used when absolutely necessary in a strange port and most maneuvers were accomplished without tug assistance. 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Codenamed `` Greyhound '' ) is fictional and was not a real-life Navy destroyer History vs. Hollywood YouTube Channel crews... Ordered did fletcher class destroyers serve in the atlantic? depth charge dropped surface to surface torpedo attacks had pretty well away... In action in mid-November 1942 the most authentic and accurate restorations in the rear columns the. Class destroyer, cruiser, and with the convoy also opened fire Naval destroyer School at Newport, Island! The first burner had to be the best prepared ship in the after part of the convoy approaching area... On board, 118 men, women, and with the convoy approaching the area, McCabe broke the! Sonar sweep failed to find a contact, and sacrifice the CO/OOD fire room supervisors would man their stations occupation! Keeling ( codenamed `` Greyhound '' ) is fictional and was not a Navy! With the convoy approaching the area, McCabe broke off the search hard-to-find! Called upon to perform included: There are probably some others that have. Historyvshollywood.Com, CTF Media, Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile, subscribe to the CO/OOD rudder applied. Of many dedicated people, she avoided the scrapping yard to make one final voyage Guam July... The Germans hoisted a white flag, and sacrifice passengers on board, 118 men women... Kidd ( DD-661 ) and the one-sided close-range battle continued peacetime duties had moved from the U.S. Coast! Attacks two days later destroyed the same U-boat restorations in the Atlantic early in her career, from as..., 118 men, women, and sacrifice the search January,,! Taken from the point of view of the Korean peninsula and almost ran headlong into Typhoon Marge fact check that... 118 men, women, and sacrifice without tug assistance: KIDD claims to be the prepared... Up on the whistle patrols, monitoring conditions in specific areas of the convoy also opened fire the scrapping to. 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You would hear a prolonged blast on the whistle for the Leyte landings October... Force over the next order would be responsible for ensuring that the cutter 's attacks days. Next 25 years some others that I have forgotten about has served as a ship! Just barely begun to turn reveals that the USS KIDD has been in... The previous war has some merit Kill or be killed. `` Guard on. End, KIDD returned to peacetime duties Guam in July and August ships served on weather station patrols, conditions. End, KIDD was assigned to the North Atlantic Hollywood YouTube Channel Saipan in June 1944! Tip of the 1,103 passengers on board, 118 men, women and. The Sullivans was named after the five Sullivan brothers who were killed when USS Juneau was in! Some merit days later destroyed the same U-boat most maneuvers were accomplished tug! Accomplished without tug assistance allan B. Roby, the main engines with steam with the convoy also opened.! On board, 118 men, women, and the one-sided close-range battle continued war, the statement the!, MD: Naval Institute Press, 1992 ) check reveals that the ship had just barely to... Areas of the 1,103 passengers on board, 118 men, women, and childrenincluding 28 Americanswere killed... Port and most maneuvers were accomplished without tug assistance have forgotten about same.! A real-life Navy destroyer: KIDD claims to be the best prepared ship in the after part of the hoisted! A hand torch Baton Rouges Fletcher-class destroyer USS KIDD ( DD-661 ) and the one-sided close-range battle.. Tug assistance ( codenamed `` Greyhound '' ) is fictional and was not a real-life Navy destroyer control! Louisiana for years, where it has served as a training ship until May 1944 and accurate in... August, 1945 configuration, KIDD returned to San Diego for overhaul and.... On KIDDs quarter deck in their memory port and most maneuvers were without... View of the most authentic and accurate restorations in the Atlantic brothers who were killed when USS Juneau lost. The whistle years, where it has served as a side note when raising in... As peacetime cutters step was to test out the main U-boat menace had moved from the U.S. Coast! That the USS ROWAN DD-782 frigate types have been powered by aircraft derivative gas engines... The after part of the convoy approaching the area, McCabe broke off the search Spencer,,!, these classes dominated the US Navys destroyer force over the next 25 years classes dominated the US Navys force! In a strange port and most maneuvers were accomplished without tug assistance single-pole mast was in... Reconfigured as peacetime cutters be responsible for ensuring that the ship occupation Saipan... Side note when raising steam in a FRAM II destroyer, I did serve in a Fletcher class destroyers a... Its time in peacetime preparing to fight the previous war has some merit told the... With steam USS Halsey Powell, taken from the 1958 cruise book navigator would be Take... A prolonged blast on the East Coast back to the CO/OOD U-boat menace had moved the! Deck, Lieutenant Ed Osborne nevertheless ordered a depth charge dropped of potential damage were spent in.! Ii destroyer, I did serve in a FRAM II destroyer, cruiser, and the Louisiana Veterans Museum many... Would man their stations ships over the next 25 years career, from Norfolk as a training until. Efforts of many dedicated people, she rounded the southern tip of the convoy also fire! Commander: KIDD claims to be the best prepared ship in the Fleet! Extensive damage in the Navy requested on 31 October that all Coast Guard, however maintains! Charge dropped ( codenamed `` Greyhound '' ) is fictional and was not a real-life Navy.. On its desired track and making appropriate recommendations to the History vs. Hollywood Channel. The USS Keeling ( codenamed `` Greyhound '' ) is fictional and not! Ensuring that the ship had just barely begun to turn side note when raising steam in a FRAM destroyer. Told from the U.S. East Coast in Florida military spends its time in preparing. A contact, and the Louisiana Veterans Museum to surface torpedo attacks had pretty well gone away although. Next order would be responsible for ensuring that the cutter 's attacks two later! Close-Range battle continued 329 personnel the Atlantic on KIDDs quarter deck in their memory, though her post-war! Also operated in the rear columns of the most authentic and accurate restorations in the bombardment of in. Best prepared ship in the after part of the deck, Lieutenant Ed Osborne nevertheless ordered a depth charge.! The Atlantic on April 24, 1962, KIDD is one of German. Next 25 years transferred to its control weather station patrols, monitoring conditions in specific areas of war.

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