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  • Speakers ???? ....

    All the modelers and weapons operators following the thread may be able to help identify the large "mailboxes above the bridge on DD-529"

    Wild guess a waterproof speaker system from June 1944?
    Attached Files

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    • Twist and turns ...... with great background .....

      As often happens during research, the fate of the USS Bush DD-529 is tied deeply to USS Cassin Young.
      All discovered while attempting to figure out what the "Box" above the bridge was intended.

      "During World War II, large numbers of ships were constructed and put into service. Naval vessels came in many sizes and shapes, with each type performing important roles as evidenced during the Okinawa invasion. This page references but a few of the many small vessels in use by 1945. These smaller ships were often called the "Little ships". Some of these ships were known just by their hull number. Like many others in the US Navy, these "Little Ships" had big hearts and brave crews.


      Some interesting recitals shared from the USS Bush's website about the Cassin Young follows; Photos include

      "the PAKANA [108] found herself helping with salvage and rescue of ships damaged along the radar picket line. On April 6, 1945, she had anchored near Sunabe Beach, Okinawa after some early morning salvage work involving miscellaneous small landing craft. At 1828 that evening, she was dispatched to assist the USS BUSH and USS COLHOUN. By 2310, the PAKANA's deck log notes she was "maneuvering and picking up survivors in accordance with verbal orders of USS CASSIN YOUNG (DD 793)".


      LCS(L) 24 "(Lt. William Russell) was reluctant to leave as he felt there might be more men still alive in the water. He elected to make another search of the area and at 0153 discovered two officers adrift in the water. One of the two did not have a life jacket, and was being held up by the other. The 24 continued their search until 0330. She retired with 44 survivors of the USS BUSH and one Japanese pilot (who had been hidden in an empty 20 MM locker for his own protection). "



      Below, those ships coming to the aid of the mortally wounded USS BUSH are recalled. After the USS BUSH sank at radar picket station #1, six different "Little Ships" plucked BUSH sailors from the sea. The sky was overcast, enemy planes were still in the area, and many of the BUSH survivors would be in the water for more than 9 hours. It was a dangerous task for both rescuer and those hoping to be rescued.

      In addition to those ships actually picking up BUSH personnel, three destroyers from other radar picket stations came to the aid of the USS BUSH. One of them, the USS COLHOUN (DD 801) was also lost as she provided protection to the badly damaged BUSH.

      Finally, four ships transporting BUSH survivors back to the States are also noted. Of the 13 ships referenced here, Japanese suicide planes and suicide boats sank one and damaged five others. Such statistics are indicative of the danger facing the fleet during the battle for Okinawa, and in particular the risks to those ships on radar picket duty."


      "The CASSIN YOUNG had been on radar picket station #3 when the heavy raids began. CASSIN YOUNG helped direct and protect some of the Little Ships assisting BUSH and COLHOUN. She performed well along the picket line. Six days after the BUSH and COLHOUN sinking, DD-793 was under heavy attack when a kamikaze exploded 50 feet from the ship, crashing high into her foremast. The blast killed one man, and injured one other. On July 29, 1945, she was struck amidships on the starboard side by a suicide plane that killing 22 of her sailors and injuring 45 others. She recovered, and survived. CASSIN YOUNG received the Navy Unit Commendation for her fine efforts on the radar picket line at Okinawa. ..... Today, the USS CASSIN YOUNG is a living museum. She can be seen and toured at the Boston National Historical Park, Charlestown Navy Yard in Boston, Massachusetts. "
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      Last edited by blidgepump; 01 Dec 16,, 15:25.

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      • Very interesting and harrowing. For the Japanese, Kamikaze was certainly a costly, desperate and effective weapon. They lost a trained pilot and a working aircraft each time they attacked. It must have crossed many minds on both sides of the conflict that it was a dead end strategy that couldn't be kept up. Meanwhile, we were building and fielding more equipment than the enemy could destroy.

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        • But the Kamikaze attacks at Okinawa were one of the reason Admiral Nimitz recommended against the invasion of Japan itself.

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          • Originally posted by blidgepump View Post
            All the modelers and weapons operators following the thread may be able to help identify the large "mailboxes above the bridge on DD-529"

            Wild guess a waterproof speaker system from June 1944?
            That is correct

            Comment


            • Any idea.....

              GG it was truly a wild guess....any idea why a speaker of the design was required?
              If the 51 & 52 mount were pounding away..... who could hear?

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              • Need them for chasing down drug dealers? Oh...wait... wrong Century.

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                • Gimme shelter ....

                  .... maybe some type of ducted phase inverter speaker ????

                  Queue up the Stones "Gimme Shelter" and light off all burners....https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbmS3tQJ7Os
                  1960's all over again ...

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                  • A place to find a cold slab of beef .... or the butter and eggs department ....

                    Speaking of Gimme Shelter ....My very first visit to the cold storage unit aboard a Fletcher Class - DD.
                    Attached Files
                    Last edited by blidgepump; 08 Dec 16,, 06:03.

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                    • Jamison Built Doors ....

                      Another point of interest when I tour a Fletcher-DD is the education of the manufacturers... in this case, Jamison Built Doors, Hagerstown, Maryland USA.

                      "It’s no accident that the company known for the best cold storage and specialty doors around is made up of highly skilled engineers, craftsmen, factory staff and office employees who take immense pride in their work. Speaking of pride, Jamison was the first company in the state of Maryland to secure a Union Stamp, and decades later, we still enjoy a successful relationship with the Carpenters and Joiners Union of America."
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                      • More cold stuff on a DD ....

                        Should you have any question about the Main Refrigeration Plant aboard a Fletcher-DD, this handy dandy information plaque will knock your socks off.... and as requested another view of that "Famous Jamison Door" shared with all that follow the Fletcher -DD thread....
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                        • Topside for a moment.....

                          After being below it's time to go topside and catch some fresh Boston Harbor breeze......
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                          • Floating drydock .....

                            The floating dry-docks constructed during WWII have always impressed me for the can do attitude needed for servicing and repair of USN ships.
                            My reading of service reports about the Fletcher's often leaves the impression that the DD's were either Unrep'ing, shelling or headed for repairs.
                            The first two are fully understandable but the repair part continue to amazing the role of the destroyer tender and the floating docks.

                            The following pictures display Fletchers in drydock.... and some other USN ships, too while "dry-docks" are being mentioned....
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                            • USS KIDD in the news ...

                              FYI for the Fletcher DD fans .....

                              "Harry and Kathy Rezer (middle) present the painting "The Kamikaze and the KIDD" to (L-R) Executive Director David Beard and Museum Special Projects Coordinator Andrew Daire. The painting is by Kathy's father Paul Eckley, who flew B-17 Flying Fortress bombers in the Pacific during World War II. Paul's brother John was a torpedoman aboard the KIDD and a survivor of the April 11, 1945, kamikaze attack. Paul's painting was based on accounts related to him by John and his fellow shipmates.

                              "The Kamikaze and the KIDD" will be on display as part of our new "Captured In Canvas" limited-run art exhibit beginning January 2017.

                              The yellow box indicates the strike zone of the IJN plane on the Kidd's hull.
                              Attached Files
                              Last edited by blidgepump; 15 Dec 16,, 04:02.

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                              • How the Kidd's Dock works.... according to Ripley's....

                                The forty foot rise and fall of the Mississippi River is part of the design for the USS KIDD's dock.
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