Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

Destroyers - Fletcher Class

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • DD or EDDE ....

    No matter the USN classification.... she's still a Fletcher!
    With a 175 built there had to be some experimentation with the design.
    War surplus or otherwise it's a great ship to test stuff on.

    Comment


    • BP wrote -
      or otherwise it's a great ship to test stuff on
      .

      Yes - they did quite the yeoman's job for the naval development thru the years. In fact, STODDARD (DD-566) was the LAST of the FLETCHER class to see service in any capacity serving as a PHALANX test bed in the mid-70s and again in the early '80s before being sunk in a SEAL op in 1997 off Hawaii. She helped prove the viability of that CWIS system.

      Hank

      Comment


      • Blidge, I was recently given a collection of original photos from a family member that were done by PMC Paul Madden on board the Essex during the war. Amongst the collection is one from "the typhoon" that looks like the previous posting and one of Cassin Young. I am sure there are a number of other Fletchers in there and I will search them out for you.

        Click image for larger version

Name:	I24.jpg
Views:	2
Size:	635.0 KB
ID:	1471689

        Click image for larger version

Name:	J18.jpg
Views:	2
Size:	668.2 KB
ID:	1471690

        Comment


        • Love those photos.....

          Originally posted by SlaterDoc View Post
          Blidge, I was recently given a collection of original photos from a family member that were done by PMC Paul Madden on board the Essex during the war. Amongst the collection is one from "the typhoon" that looks like the previous posting and one of Cassin Young. I am sure there are a number of other Fletchers in there and I will search them out for you.

          [ATTACH]44722[/ATTACH]

          [ATTACH]44723[/ATTACH]
          Doc,

          Those photos are great!
          Especially the large format imagines of the DD running close to the CV.
          Sounds as if you have stumbled into a nice gold mine of history!!

          Comment


          • Record holder......

            On this date October 19th 1944 at 01:33 the USS Ross DD-563 struck an underwater mine and at 01:55 struck a second one. Casualties 23 killed.

            The Ross is the only ship in U.S. Naval history to survive two underwater mine explosions.
            Attached Files

            Comment


            • This guy .......

              Its the end of October 1944.....
              This fellow has a plan.....
              Attached Files

              Comment


              • October 21..... 73 years ago ....

                Originally posted by blidgepump View Post
                Its the end of October 1944.....
                This fellow has a plan.....
                The IJN is on the move 71 years ago ... Centre Force Sorties from Brunei ( Lower Right photo.

                The formidable First Strike Force "A" and "B," was comprised of thirty-two front-line warships. From their training location near Singapore, these two groups transited together to the Philippine Sea via the Sibuyan Sea and San Bernardino Strait.

                Admiral Toyoda, Commander of the Combined Fleet, placed his trust in seasoned warrior VADM Takeo Kurita to command First Strike Force. Under his experienced guidance, First Strike Force was to lead the Japanese Navy back on the road to victory during the Battle of Leyte Gulf. He had under his command five battleships in two divisions:

                "Opponent at Samar"
                October 25, 1944
                Vice Admiral Takeo Kurita, Imperial Japanese Navy
                First Strike Force "A" and "B" later designated as Centre Force

                "BY HEAVEN-SENT OPPORTUNITY WE ARE DASHING TO ATTACK THE ENEMY CARRIERS"

                Radio communiqué between VADM Takeo Kurita, IJN and the Imperial GHQ upon issuing the order "General Attack" against Taffy III
                Attached Files
                Last edited by blidgepump; 21 Oct 17,, 02:21.

                Comment


                • Bull Halsey took the bait.....

                  The battle of Samar (25 October 1944) was the nearest the Japanese came to success during the battle of Leyte Gulf and saw a powerful Japanese battleship force come close to destroying a force of American escort carriers.

                  The Japanese realised that an American invasion of the Philippines or of Formosa would cut their Empire in half and prevent vital supplies reaching the Home Islands from the south part of the empire. They decided to try and fight the 'decisive battle' of the war wherever the Americans attacked next. If the Americans attacked the Philippines then the Japanese hoped to use the scattered elements of their fleet in a coordinated attack that might allow them to get at the vulnerable invasion fleet. In the final version of the plan Admiral Ozawa's carriers, coming from Japan, were to drag the US 3rd Fleet away from the invasion beaches in Leyte Gulf, allowing three other Japanese fleets to advance through the central Philippines to attack the invasion fleets.

                  Comment


                  • Youtube on a Sunday afternoon ...

                    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e960TBYh0XA&t=1510s

                    An oldie but still chuck full of information is this Warship Video about Arleigh & his Fletchers...... enjoy

                    Comment


                    • Fine figure of Frank Friday Fletcher...

                      Admiral Frank Friday Fletcher
                      Born: Nov 23, 1855 · Oskaloosa, IA
                      Died: Nov 28, 1928 · New York, NY
                      Buried: Arlington National Cemetery
                      Attached Files

                      Comment


                      • Volunteers....

                        The emergency Genset, located Starboard amidships, has always been of interest to me.
                        When a DD ran low on fuel it was permitted to burn the diesel in the fire room, i.e. diluting the U.S. Navy "Black Crude".
                        I've visited all three Fletcher-DD in CONUS and make it a point to inspect the Emergency Genset.
                        Over the weekend the volunteers for the USS Kidd applied elbow grease as illustrated in the photo.
                        There is no a lot of extra room .... Serial # plate from the USS Cassin Young's Genset


                        Volunteers Edward Eckert (LST-1180) and father Ed J. Eckert (DD-598) at work scaling and painting the emergency diesel generator. The Field Day program has volunteers from around the country spend a weekend aboard USS KIDD (DD-661) in downtown Baton Rouge, Louisiana, to assist in the museum ship's restoration. (Photo by Tim NesSmith
                        Attached Files

                        Comment


                        • LOL....damn, 696 cubic inches from a 3 cylinder motor.

                          Comment


                          • How in the world would you do heavy maintenance on an engine in such a confined space?

                            Comment


                            • B2010,

                              This is just a guess, as I wasn't involved in the maintenance/upkeep of engineering dept. equipment, but it's quite possible that these units were removed for overall if their space was accessible. From the photos provided, I could possibly imagine that if the entire compressor needed a complete overhaul, that the exterior bulkhead to that space (being on the main deck) could be cut away, the unit removed and then replaced after overhaul, and the bulkhead welded back into place, painted, etc. I know that the fantail of STODDARD had various weld beads all over it and that could only mean that at some period of time during her service life, equipment below was removed for repair/replacement by cutting out the deck above for access.

                              Comment


                              • zippers and weld ......

                                Originally posted by bbvet View Post
                                B2010,

                                This is just a guess, as I wasn't involved in the maintenance/upkeep of engineering dept. equipment, but it's quite possible that these units were removed for overall if their space was accessible. From the photos provided, I could possibly imagine that if the entire compressor needed a complete overhaul, that the exterior bulkhead to that space (being on the main deck) could be cut away, the unit removed and then replaced after overhaul, and the bulkhead welded back into place, painted, etc. I know that the fantail of STODDARD had various weld beads all over it and that could only mean that at some period of time during her service life, equipment below was removed for repair/replacement by cutting out the deck above for access.
                                The Fletcher - DD's I've been aboard show a lot of rehab, cut & fit, patches, etc....
                                Access to many of the confined spaces is a challenge... trollies, jacks, cribbing, porta -powers, block & tackle, (grunting, too).
                                The scars are sometimes not easily noticed and the grinding of the weld and several layers of navy gray paint covers the tell tale signs....
                                But rest assured opening the hull or deck is the only way out, short of cutting up into many smaller parts...
                                Attached Files

                                Comment

                                Working...
                                X