Article Type: Military History
Article Date: July 20, 2001
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| Painting by Tom Freeman |
The destroyers, DeHaven (DD-469, Nicholas (DD-449); O'Bannon (DD-450) and Radford (DD-446) had successfully escorted the six troop carriers and the men that hit the Guadalcanal beachhead at Morovovo with Marine F4Fs overhead as cover, but the lone Japanese scout plane had seen them. All watertight doors and hatches were dogged shut.
Lookouts scanned the sky for the impending air attack as gun crews stood ready. The sweating "black gang" watched their machinery, ready to answer all bells as damage control parties braced for the inevitable.
Soon six enemy planes raced towards the destroyers. Flak and assorted caliber A.A. filled the sky with tracers and explosions as three of the planes were sent down in flames. Singling out the DeHaven, the three surviving aircraft pressed home their attack as four bombs struck the slim ship. One bomb hit the bridge killing the Captain, Commander Charles Tolman, and either killed or wounded the rest. Two more hit the bow and another exploded below the waterline, splitting the hull.
DeHaven lost all power and within five minutes was settling quickly by the bow. The only unscathed officer, Ensign C.L. Williams, ordered "abandon ship" as the stern rose out of the sea as damage parties feverishly labored. The valiant vessel suddenly upended and sliced her way to the floor of Iron Bottom Sound taking one hundred sixty-seven souls with her. Such were the risks and fates of the swift destroyers at war.
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| Status Screen from SSI's 'Destroyer Command' |
The Ships
Destroyers—originally "torpedo boat destroyers"—became the cavalry of the sea, scouting and providing escort for convoys and aircraft carriers. The concept of theses light, speedy ships was pioneered at the turn of the 20th century for want of a vessel in between the cruiser and torpedo boat classes. Eight or nine DDs operated as a squadron. Armor plate was thin—3/4 inch to 3/8 inch—hence the moniker "tin can." About four hundred were constructed during WWII.
In convoy duty the destroyer was ever vigilant for those lurking submarines trying to slip in for a juicy transport kill. In the early war days they were not too effective, dropping depth charges in the general vicinity of where a U-boat was last seen on the surface. Early sonar was woefully inadequate in pinpointing a submerged boat. It was very unlikely a submarine would fight it out on the surface with her 3.5-inch gun either, but the destroyer's main battery of 5-inch guns could get in a lucky shot on a diving boat in her most vulnerable time. It took about sixty seconds to disappear below the waves once the alarm was sounded.
In the Pacific the destroyer's role was more of a battle group escort since the Japanese "I" boats (submarines) were widely spread over the vast area. The fact that Japanese strategy did not call primarily for merchantman sinking gave the destroyer, and all Allied forces, an edge. The Imperial Japanese Navy considered combat vessels as their main prey.
Japanese destroyers were about equal in their capabilities with their U.S. and British counterparts. Even the German Z-Boats were basically the same size, weight and speed. Armament varied somewhat, but all destroyers were conceived to be armed race horses, able to handle a variety of jobs. Destroyers could sail into relatively shallow waters and tactically support ground assaults with pinpoint fire.
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| USS Emmons- Omaha Beach-D-Day |
The USS Fletcher DD/DDE 445, "first in Class" was designed in 1939 and commissioned June 30, 1942. Her layout was followed by one hundred seventy four more destroyers called the Fletcher class and became synonymous with the word "destroyer," though there were a dozen classes. This ship was named after Admiral Frank Friday Fletcher. She was built by the Federal Shipbuilding Company between October 1941 and May 1942. Displacement ran 2,335 tons at 376 1/2 feet in length with a beam of 39 1/2 feet and a draught of 13 3/4 feet. Four Babcock & Wilcox boilers drove geared turbines out to two propeller shafts for 60,000 S.H.P., which was good for 38 knots. The 492 tons of fuel could carry her 6,500 miles at 15 knots. Armament consisted of five 5-inch, four 1.1-inch, and four 20mm guns plus ten 21-inch torpedoes along with two depth charge racks for the 300 lb. ordnance. Crew compliment was twenty officers and three hundred twenty-five enlisted men. The Fletcher Class was the basic medium for WWII boats. One hundred seventy-five Fletchers were built.
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DD445 - USS Fletcher  |
In 1943, with the Evarts class, the DE (destroyer escort) class of ship came into existence as a less expensive ocean escort against the submarine threat. When the opportunity arose the DE could fulfill the mission of the destroyer. These 1,192 ton boats were 283 1/2 feet in length with a 35-foot beam and a 10-foot draught. The average machinery was G.E. diesels good for 19.5 knots. Bunkers were about 198 tons giving a 6,000 mile range at 12 knots. Armament was only three 2-inch guns with nine 20mms and two depth charge racks. Fifteen officers and one hundred eighty-three enlisted men crewed them.
It must be noted that armament varied endlessly in the sequence of builds, refits and upgrades so the specifications noted here are basic only.
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| A Destroyer Escort |
Their adversaries, the Japanese I-Boats, were never up to the challenge with their shallow dive limits (330 feet maximum and many as little as 200 feet). The Japanese created a large variety of types so production standardization was impossible. Many were produced in quantities of two hulls only. A total of one hundred seventy-four of "a" types were built. The boats were big—most about 330 feet—but submerged maneuverability was poor. They never "wolfpacked" as their German counterparts did. Often they were relegated to supply duty for beleaguered island garrisons or involved in the fruitless kaiten (kamikaze mini-subs) launches.
The Japanese surface vessels had one thing that the U.S. boats didn't—the superb 24-inch, oxygen-powered Long Lance torpedoes mounting a 1,080 lb. warhead good for a 40,000 meter run while subs used the 21-inch electric version with a 661 lb. explosive that could travel 7,000 meters to target or the 21-inch oxygen fueled model mounting an 893 lb. charge with a range of 12,000 meters. By comparison, early American torpedoes were fraught with problems and the 21-inch Mk 15 used by destroyers had an 825 lb. warhead but only a 13,700 meter range.
A Combat Account
The USS Hammann (DD-412) was a pre-war Sims class that had took part in Naval history at the Battle Of Midway during June 4-6 , 1942 while screening the USS Yorktown. This author was unable to find the Commanding Officer's name but the Acting Executive Officer was Lt. Jg., C.C. Hartigan Jr. The following excerpts are in their words from their official U.S. Navy action reports dated June 16, 1942.
At 1300 Yorktown was recovering planes from an earlier strike when Japanese attack aircraft were sighted and, "Planes in the landing circle were signaled off and preparations made to repel attack," states the C.O.
"Fighters picked up the enemy bombers about 5 miles out and shot down a large number, eight or ten as a rough estimate. It seems probable that there were eighteen planes in the attack group. The remainder came on through and attacked the Yorktown, obtaining two or three hits. This vessel definitely shot down one enemy plane with 20mm as he was escaping after dropping his bomb and got probably hits on others. The entire attack lasted only a few minutes. Hammann fired 120 rounds of 5-inch and about nine hundred rounds of 20mm. Yorktown began smoking heavily and slowed to a stop. DDs and cruisers in screen began circling. This continued for about ten minutes while Yorktown was fighting fire."
When it was prudent, the Hammann gallantly raced out to pick up downed U.S. pilots and returned to Yorktown's defense.
The C.O. continues, "About 1430, enemy planes were reported approaching from the West. Yorktown appeared to have damage well under control, making 15 knots, and launched all fighters on deck. Shortly afterward a group of 12 to 18 torpedo planes made a direct attack on Yorktown from her port quarter. Hammann was able to fire a barrage on a line passing just astern of Yorktown into the path of incoming planes. It appeared that six or eight enemy planes were shot down during their approach but it could not be determined by whom. Hammann shifted fire to a plane on Yorktown's bow and definitely shot him down with 5-inch. The attack was pressed in to close range and several torpedoes struck the Yorktown. Several more enemy planes were shot down by gunfire at close range after torpedoes were dropped. Hammann shot down two definitely and possibly three with 20mm as they were retiring."
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| Forward 5-inch gun |
The Yorktown was now dead in the water.
Lt. Hartigan adds some insight regarding Navy operations policy with an account of one of the shoot-downs, "He was tracked in and knocked down when still about 3,500 yards from the Yorktown. It is believed and recommended that destroyers be allowed to get off station more in order to permit 100% operation of the 5-inch AA battery. Radical changes of own ship's course and speed introduced large errors into the fire control problem. Volume of fire was greatly reduced because most of the time only two guns would bear. This is not using an excellent AA battery to the best advantage."
At around 1700, the Yorktown began abandoning ship with survivors going to the screening destroyers. Hammann picked up Yorktown's Captain Buckmaster and eighty-six others, then transferred them to larger ships and took on a 90% fuel load.
On the afternoon of the 6th, about 1500, the Hammann lay moored off the starboard side of Yorktown to assist the salvage crew. It was thought that the aircraft carrier could be saved since the fire was not running rampant.
The C.O. describes the exploit, "Two hoses were led to Yorktown with foamite and one water hose led to the flight deck to attach to Yorktown's foamite system to fight fire. One hose was rigged aft to pump in salt water for counterflooding and an oil suction hose to remove oil from Yorktown's port tanks to correct list."
But the I-168 was slithering in for the kill and fired four torpedoes.
The Captain continues, "About 1536 emergency signals were made by destroyers in the screening circle and simultaneously four torpedo tracks were sighted about 600 yards on starboard beam. Hammann signaled for full speed astern on inboard engine in the hope of pulling clear but apparently the torpedoes struck as the signal was being answered. Both forward and after 20mm guns fired at the tracks as the torpedoes had been seen to broach some distance from the ship and they hoped to explode them. General Quarters was sounded when the tracks were first sighted, and though less than one minute lapsed before the torpedoes arrived. Many men reached their battle stations. The first torpedo appeared to pass under the Hammann in the vicinity of No. 2 gun and exploded against the side of the Yorktown. The second torpedo struck the Hammann in #2 fireroom."
Lt Hartigan describes, "Four torpedo wakes about 500 yards on the starboard beam of the Hammann coming in at about 30 knots. I ordered the forward machine gunner, Willie Virgil Allison, GM3c, 295 72 66, U.S.N. to open fire on the torpedoes with the 20MM machine guns hoping one would broach and possibly be detonated. The after machine gunner, Roy T. Nelson, Sea2c. V-6, 662 20 89, took up the fire immediately. They continued fire until the ship was struck by two torpedoes and their magazines were emptied."
"Abandon ship" was the Captain's final order to the valiant crew of the plucky destroyer. As the ship sunk by the bow the officers swam off of the deck, but the depth charges, already put on "safe" when assisting the Yorktown, were checked one final time by a crewman as they would otherwise detonate as the ship sank.
Lt. Hartigan describes that action. "Kimbrel, Barlyn M. 355 91 31, TM1c. U.S.N. sacrificed his life for his shipmates. He rechecked the depth charges after the torpedo hits. He then made men put on life jackets and pushed them into the water. He was the last man to leave the fantail and was apparently killed by the underwater explosion."
It seems survivors heard a torpedo running hot in its tube as the Hammann submerged and that subsequent explosion killed many. Of the thirteen officers and two hundred twenty-eight men aboard, nine officers and forty-seven men were killed or missing. The USS Hammann had perished from the surface within only four minutes of the torpedo hit.
The next morning at 0600 the USS Yorktown lost her battle for life and rolled over, sinking 2,000 fathoms to the ocean floor. Two of the I-168's fish had hit her.
At the end of the war many destroyers were scrapped along with many other ships but some survived in service into the fifties and sixties.
Today the descendants of these famous boats bear little resemblance to their predecessors, in many respects, with the missiles and electronics arsenals aboard them. However, the mission and spirit of the crew is the same. The heritage of the "tin can" will live well into the 21st century.
Sources:
- Sites:
- Books:
- Commander In Chief Pacific Fleet report Serial 01849
"Action Report"
National Archives & Records Administration College Park, MD, 1942
- Davies, J.B.
Great Campaigns Of WWII
Phoebus Publishing Co., London 1980
- Morrison, Samuel Elliot
The Two Ocean War
Little, Brown & Co., Boston 1963
- Pratt, Fletcher
War For The World
Yale University Press, New Haven, CT., 1950
- Yokota, Yutaka
Kamikaze Submarine
Nordon Publications, Inc, N.Y. 1962
