Workhorse of the American Fleet (Fletcher Class Destroyer)

[Jracule]

Its been awhile since I've posted anything due to university garbage and all that jazz. So now that i have a chance, I figure its time to cover another ship design that i believe we will be seeing quite a lot in-game. In addition, I had family who served on these magnificent ships and some of their inside information will be covered in  a later topic. So without further wait, let me introduce the:

 

Fletcher Class Destroyers

 

The Fletcher class destroyer came about in 1939 when the US Navy sought to create a superior new design addressing poor aspects found in previous destroyers. What they got was a destroyer design that was effective enough to provide excellent service in World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam Wars. In fact, they served until 1971 in the United States and in the Mexican Navy until 2001. A service life of nearly 60 years, most definitely a ship where the US made the money back that they put in.

 

 

Design

The Fletcher class was built to correct earlier problems in US destroyers. One of the biggest problems was weight and displacement issues. The rapid advance in naval technology was surpassing the number of destroyer designs built to accommodate it. For earlier destroyer designs, the US had attempted to make ships near on a 1500 ton limit. However, it was seen that this weight was a major limit on performance, especially range. The United States needed a class of destroyers with a potent assortment of weapons, high speed, and a long enough range to operate in the vast Pacific Ocean. Attempts to modify previous destroyers resulted in problems with overall weight and top heaviness. So the Fletcher Class was designed to be larger, with a standard displacement of roughly 2000 tons. This larger displacement made the Fletcher vessels much less top heavy, allowing them to be modified very easily over the course of their service life. Stability was also increased by expanding the beam by 18". A notable feature was their flush deck construction that provided the ships excellent structural strength and durability at the cost of a cramped vessel with poorer sea keeping compared to European Vessels.

(Sims class destroyer, note the similarities to the Fletcher class profile in the first two photos)

 

Armament

When designing the Fletcher Class, questionnaires were distributed to the office of Chief Naval Intelligence as well as other design bureaus. They were asked on what would be the most desirable weapons to be carried on a modern destroyer as well as other features. The results specified:

x5 5" Guns

x12 Torpedoes

x28 Depth Charges

 

In addition, a speed of 35 to 38 knots was called for. With the launching of the USS Fletcher (DD-445) in May 1942, the US Navy gained a destroyer capable of nearly 37 knots while carrying five 5"/38 guns and 10 torpedoes in two quintuple mounts, an Armament that rivaled just about anything destroyer on the ocean.

(5" mounts on a Fletcher Class Destroyer)

 

Anti-Air Armament

Early Fletcher Class destroyers were not packing much heat in the anti-air category. They were generally armed with four 1.1"/75 guns. While not poor weapons, they were not spectacular either. Over the course of the Second World War, the anti-air capabilities of the Fletcher Class vessels were progressively strengthened. The superb 20mm Oerlikons and 40mm Bofors weapons replaced 1.1" guns and became the standard AA armaments. Most vessels were armed with 6-10 40mm Bofors and 7-10 20mm Oerlikons. Near the end of the war, Kamikazes had become such a problem the Fletchers were altered under the 4 April 1945 anti-kamikaze program. One of the torpedo mounts was removed for the addition of two additional 40mm mounts.

 

In addition to these smaller AA weapons, the 5"/38 guns were also incredibly potent AA guns. Even today, many historians consider the 5"/38 to be the most successful dual purpose mount of the war. Using the Mark 37 FCS, the 5" gun was a capable weapon against air and surface targets. The gun was capable of 15 rounds per minute though well trained crews were able to reach 22 rounds per minute for short periods of time.

 

Overall, the Fletcher Class became one of the most potent AA capable destroyers of World War II. Because of this, they made excellent escort ships for larger capital vessels.

 

Fletchers in Service

The Fletcher class destroyer arrived at the right time and the right place. It was was solid design introduced at the moment when the US shifted into rapid naval construction. As such, it became the prime destroyer design of the Navy. Later destroyer designs (Sumners and Gearing) were based on the Fletchers. during construction, 175 vessels of the Fletcher Class were built. Of those, 19 were lost and 6 were damaged beyond repair.

 

A majority of the career of the Fletcher Class was involved in escort. They protected the carriers and battleships in the Pacific and escorted vital convoys across the Atlantic. They fought heavily in the Solomon Islands, one of the first surface actions for them. They also were involved in actions like The Battle of Surigao Strait. Here the USS Melvin torpedoed the Japanese battleship Fusō and broke her into two. The Fletcher Class was heavily involved in anti-submarine warfare. The Fletcher class is responsible for the sinking of 29 Japanese Submarines during the course of World War II. Overall, the Fletchers were involved in so much, that it would be nearly impossible to record it all here.

 

Battle of Leyte Gulf

 

(USS Johnston)

 

Perhaps the most exciting moment for the Fletcher class occurred during the battle for Leyte gulf.  Here, when Taffy 3 was attacked by a powerful Japanese surface fleet, containing even the mighty Japanese battleship Yamato, three Fletcher Class destroyers went out in a blaze of glory. The Fletcher Class Destroyers USS Johnston, USS Hoel, and USS Heerman along with a small number of DDEs were ordered to produce a smoke screen for the retreating carriers. However, on its on initiative  the Destroyer Johnston steamed into the Japanese fleet at flank speed, her main guns blazing. She fired a spread of torpedoes at the IJN heavy cruiser Kumano, damaging her and causing her to leave the battle line. Seeing this action, Commander Sprague gave the order, "Small boys attack" and the other destroyers and destroyer escorts dove into the fray. Johnston herself emerged from smoke only 6000yds from a Kongo Class battleship. She poured 5" gunfire into the battleship's superstructure. Return fire narrowly missed her and Johnston continued on undaunted. She then engaged a cruiser attacking the USS Gambier Bay. She hit the cruiser 4 times in an effort to to draw fire. Japanese destroyers then joined the attack and Johnston attacked them too, forcing many to withdraw. She then came under a massive attack and her engines were knocked out of action. Dead in the water, Johnston continued to fire. Her Captain gave orders from the fantail after the bridge was destroyed. A Japanese destroyer closed to within 1000yds and fired at the Johnston and received fire in return. After the crew abandoned ship, the Johnston rolled over and sank, earning a salute from the Japanese destroyer captain nearby.

(USS Hoel)

 

USS Hoel attacked the nearest Japanese vessel, IJN battleship Kongo, head on. At 14,000yds, her main cannons opened fire. She took a shell hit to the bridge, but she continued the attack. At 9000yds she fired a cluster of torpedoes at Kongo. The torpedoes failed to hit, but caused the Kongo to drop out of formation. Hoel was then struck by numerous shells, knocking out an engine, 3 guns, and her radar and fire control. Shrugging off the hits, Hoel then turned into a column of Japanese heavy cruisers. She fired another cluster of torpedo at the nearest cruiser.  Crippled and only 6000yds from the cruisers, Hoel's last service was to bravely draw the Japanese fire to herself. Firing her two remaining guns, she peppered the cruisers with gunfire for half an hour. She was stuck 40 times until a shell managed to knock out her other engine. Listing heavily, her forward magazine on fire, the order was given to abandon ship. Crew members evacuated the ship while she was still under fire. Only 86 men survived. The commander of Hoel later described his men with the statement, "Fully cognizant of the inevitable result of engaging such vastly superior forces, these men performed their assigned duties coolly and efficiently until their ship was shot from under them."

 

(USS Heerman)

 

USS Heerman followed her sisters into the fray. She engaged the Japanese cruiser Chikuma with gunfire and fired torpedoes at the cruiser Haguro. She then broke off and steamed at four Japanese battleships. She fired 3 torpedoes at the Kongo. While scoring no hits, the torpedoes helped to slow down the Japanese vessels on their approach towards the fleeing carriers. Heerman then broke off the engagement to lay more smoke before charging into the fray once again. She then dueled the heavy cruiser Chikuma with her main guns. The resulting engagement severely damaging both ships. Heerman lost a gun and was down at the bow. However, she was saved by the arrival of carrier aircraft which attacked Chikuma and forced her to retire before sinking her. However, the cruiser Tone then began attacking the Heerman. Heerman bravely fought her with her four remaining guns before additional carrier aircraft managed to force the Tone to retire as well. Heerman was the only survivor among the Fletcher trio.

 

The actions of the Fletcher class destroyers (In addition to the destroyer escorts) prevented what could have been a very punishing defeat for the US fleet. The destroyers attacked the Japanese fleet with such ferocity that the Japanese commander thought he was facing a much larger US battle group. A salvo of torpedoes from the USS Heerman caused the Yamato to break off engagement and prevented her from rejoining the battle. It was largely thanks to the heroic actions of these Fletcher class vessels that forced the Japanese attackers to bravely tuck their tails and flee.

 

Fletcher Class in World of Warship

The Fletcher Class vessels will likely be an effective class of ships in-game. Their potent armaments will make them equally effective at attacking the enemy players as they are protecting themselves. While not as spectacular as some destroyers in certain aspects, the Fletchers will be well rounded ships. Combining decent speed, agility, and firepower, the Fletchers should be a joy to play in game. Add their historical value into the mix and these ships will always have a home in my port.

 

I hope you enjoy this small topic on one of my favorite ships of World War II. As always, let me know what you think. :Smile_honoring:

 

 

*As i already stated, my great uncle served on board a Fletcher class destroyer. Look forward to my next article where i will record his first hand experiences of life on the ship*

(His ship was the USS The Sullivans)

[Snakehead1234]

Interesting read although I prefer the Allen M. Sumner class myself.

[brian333]

Excellent. Makes me want to revisit the USS Kidd, parked in nearby Baton Rouge.

[Appollosnos]

I can't wait to play them in the game. Also I can't wait for your great uncles account.  amazing ships and that trio deserve a ton of credit. I can't imagine what it must have been for the crew during that battle

[Shevla13]

Favorite class of all time. I eagerly anticipate story time with your Great Uncle.   :Smile_honoring:

[Jracule]

Thanks for the nice reviews so far. I was interested in doing a report on these ships after reading about foreign use of these vessels. The Fletcher, Sumner, and Gearing Classes served for an extremely long period even after the US stopped using them.

 

One Gearing Class Destroyer is still in active service with the Mexican Navy. ARM Netzahualcóyotl (D-102)

[Daltron]

Holy crap.

[Jracule]

Daltron, on 07 March 2013 - 03:21 AM, said:

Holy crap.

Yeah?

[Daltron]

Jracule, on 07 March 2013 - 04:11 PM, said:

Yeah?

A ship as small as a Fletcher or a Sumner still being in service is crazy.

[Jracule]

Daltron, on 07 March 2013 - 05:13 PM, said:

A ship as small as a Fletcher or a Sumner still being in service is crazy.

They were built to take advantage of newer technologies as they came into service. In that regard, the US certainly went above and beyond in taking the future into consideration when designing these ships. However, even the General Board probably never imagined the ships would last so long.

[Coldt]

I have a fantastic love hate relationship with the Fletcher class.  On one hand, it's a destroyer, and as such is completely against my tendency to swing the biggest stick but, on the other... It's just SO DAMN VERSATILE!!!  The Fletcher is a genuinely fun ship, a good mix of lolpwn and OMG GONNA DIE!!!

[Haguro]

+1 Jracule.

 

The Fletcher's were a good balanced pre-war design.  The combination of firepower, speed, seakeeping, radius of action, and reliable powerplant made these destroyers the equal or better than any other destroyers in service at the time they were introduced.  They proved very adaptable with some being configured to carry aircraft and others into radar pickets, I've talked with people who served on them in the 1950's and they were always proud to have served on a Fletcher.

[Jracule]

Haguro, on 09 March 2013 - 08:16 AM, said:

+1 Jracule.

The Fletcher's were a good balanced pre-war design.  The combination of firepower, speed, seakeeping, radius of action, and reliable powerplant made these destroyers the equal or better than any other destroyers in service at the time they were introduced.  They proved very adaptable with some being configured to carry aircraft and others into radar pickets, I've talked with people who served on them in the 1950's and they were always proud to have served on a Fletcher.

Thanks!

I see you posted one of the pictures of the Seaplane carrying Fletchers. Is it the USS Pringle?

The Fletcher class could do many things for sure, but carrying seaplanes was not one of them. Not a stable enough platform if i remember right.

[Haguro]

Yes this is the USS Pringle (DD-477).  This destroyer is reportedly the only destroyer of the three converted to this configuration to use its aircraft operationaly.   This happened in the Atlantic while escorting a convoy. The aircraft was launched to search for submarines but recovery on a destroyer sized vessel was probably difficult as the ship would have to stop to make the pickup.  The rolling motion of a destroyer vs. larger vessels would make this type of operation a chore especially to keep from damaging the aircraft.

 

As a side note the Pringle was sunk as radar picket by kamikaze attack.

[Jracule]

I know i promised a report detailing life aboard the Fletcher Class, however i have been busy with University currently so i apologize for the delay. However, i will be heading home this weekend where i will be meeting my great uncle. Expect the report this weekend or Monday at the latest.

 

Patience my little monsters  :Smile_honoring:

[corsair68]

Great posts... thanks. I'm excited to play the Fletcher class, because my dad served on the Haggard (DD-555) as a BM1/C during most of WWII. Yes... that makes me over 40. :)

 

I'm happy to see it will be Tier 8, although that does mean I'll need to work for it a bit.

 

Dad commanded one of the 5" guns. It took a team of about 5 people. They saw alot of action, including sinking two submarines, one by ramming. The ship was hit by a kamikaze off Okinawa near the end of the war. They saved it from sinking, but it was later decommisioned.

 

I see in the FAQ that WOWS will allow you to select a name for each ship.

 

Does anyone know... will that include all names for that class, or just a few?

 

It would be incredible for my family if we can select "DD-555 Haggard" as a name.

[Lv2089]

Excellent read. Will be sure to use the Fletcher class along with the aircraft carriers.

[Guest]

Daltron, on 07 March 2013 - 05:13 PM, said:

A ship as small as a Fletcher or a Sumner still being in service is crazy.

they were a well-built ship :)

[Jracule]

iron_horse_thunderbolt, on 09 October 2013 - 10:11 PM, said:

Excellent read. Will be sure to use the Fletcher class along with the aircraft carriers.

Thank you kindly mate.

[TrionWolf]

great ships with lots of history!

[Lv2089]

tankwarhammer9000, on 09 October 2013 - 10:45 PM, said:

they were a well-built ship :)

Using railroad terminology, It was as well built as Electro Motive Division's GP9. :)

[Sandbaggerone]

Wasn't the world infamous USS Porter a Fletcher class?

[Windhover118]

kukuforcocoapuffs, on 22 November 2013 - 11:03 AM, said:

Wasn't the world infamous USS Porter a Fletcher class?

There was a Fletcher Class Destroyer named Porter. However, you should keep in mind that several ships have carried the name including the lead ship of the Porter Class. What makes the USS Porter infamous?
edit: I believe the ship you were referring too was the USS William D. Porter.

[Sandbaggerone]

Wasn't the world infamous USS Porter a Fletcher class?

There was a Fletcher Class Destroyer named Porter. However, you should keep in mind that several ships have carried the name including the lead ship of the Porter Class. What makes the USS Porter infamous?

edit: I believe the ship you were referring too was the USS William D. Porter.

 

Yes that's the one. Unlucky from the start. Rammed a sister ship. Fired a LIVE torpedo at the President and was sent home in disgrace...whole crew was arrested upon arriving in port. Fire a shell into the base commanders yard in Alaska. Had a kamikaze miss...but dive under her hull and explode breaking her back.

[TheFishlord]

Gotta say, one of the very few USN ships that I think look really nice, not to mention fight nicely too. Good read