Fletcher

History

Design

As the first class of destroyers produced by a wartime United States, the Fletcher-class was seen as a logical progression from the pre-war designs. The design firm of Gibbs and Cox took their experience in designing the previous Benson and Gleaves classes and sought to rectify the deficiencies in both designs. Coming in above 1,500 tons, the previous designs failed to meet the armament requirement of five (5) 5-inch guns and ten (10) torpedo tubes; they were seen as too small and top heavy. History would prove their third creation to be a war-winner; the mettle and venerability of the Fletchers were displayed regularly during the grueling combat of the Pacific campaign in World War II.

The Fletcher-class ships were the first destroyers in the US Navy to exceed 2,000 tons displacement. In a change from previous design practice, Fletchers had flush decks as opposed to the raised forecastle design seen on the Benson class. This increased her length but decreased her freeboard and improved her handling; overall, this was considered a very structurally sound and seaworthy design. An interesting design choice to note, early built Fletchers have the taller rounded-tower superstructure design – as seen in game – whereas late build Fletchers had a superstructure that was lower in height with a flat-faced bridge.

In order to maintain the 38 knot speed despite the increase in tonnage, new propulsion machinery was utilized: boilers that were 20-30% more efficient and turbines that were 20% more powerful than predecessors were installed. Ultimately, a third of the internal space was consumed by propulsion machinery in a unique configuration. The forward boiler and turbine room were separated from the rear boiler and engine room via watertight bulkheads. Each individual segment ran the port and starboard propulsion screws, respectively. This configuration resulted in greater machine survivability from combat damage.

As required by US Navy specifications, each Fletcher class ship was able to mount five (5) 5-inch guns in single, enclosed dual-purpose mounts; two guns forward, two guns rear, and one amidships. All turrets were controlled by Mark 37 and Mark 22 Fire Directors. Feeding information to the gun computer, the main battery could all be remotely controlled if required. Furthermore, the class got to implement SG surface radar and "Variable-Time" proximity fuses — both novelties to the Navy — that allowed effective engagement of both surface and air threats.

Learning from the experience of Pearl Harbor, the Navy decided to invest in heavier anti-aircraft armament. After seeing their effectiveness during the Spanish Civil War, the Navy's Bureau of Ordnance (BuOrd) arranged manufacturing licences for Oerlikon 20mm and Bofors 40mm cannons. Anti-aircraft armament was constantly being changed throughout the war; for instance, the average Fletcher-class destroyer was armed with seven (7) 20mm and ten (10) 40mm AA guns for most of their time in the Pacific.

Finally, the class was able to mount ten (10) torpedoes in two quintuple-tube launchers amidships, the heaviest torpedo broadside of any U.S. Navy destroyer at the time. By also carrying depth charge launchers in conjunction with anti-submarine sonar, Fletchers were well-equipped to conduct anti-submarine operations as well. Overall, the class was armed with a plethora of tools to combat a myriad of threats.

In light of the mounting ferocity and desperation of Japanese kamikaze attacks against US carrier strike groups late into the Pacific campaign, the Navy saw it fit to increase anti-aircraft potency in picket ships however possible. In 1945, about 55 Fletcher-class destroyers – such as USS Kidd – had their forward torpedo tubes removed to install an anti-aircraft platform mounting two quad-barrel 40mm. In addition to the three existing dual-barrel 40mm emplacements, the total was brought up to fourteen (14) 40mm AA guns. Furthermore, the seven (7) single-barrel 20mm were replaced with six dual-barrel emplacements, bringing the total up to twelve (12) 20mm AA guns.

In the end, 175 Fletchers were produced from 11 different shipyards throughout the United States. USS Fletcher (DD-445) was the lead ship of her class, built by Federal Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Co. in Kearny, New Jersey. Laid down on 2 October 1941, she was launched 3 May 1942, and commissioned 30 June 1942.

Service

Nineteen were lost during World War II; six more were damaged and not repaired. Postwar, the remainder were decommissioned and put into reserve.

With the outbreak of the Korean War many were returned to active duty. During this time 39 were refitted, reducing their overall main armament and the number of torpedo tubes to accommodate other weapons. A new ahead-throwing weapon called Weapon Alpha was installed in many of the ships. Others carried trainable Hedgehogs. Eighteen ships were redesignated as escort destroyers (DDE), optimized for anti-submarine warfare.

Historical Inaccuracies

• Fletcher uses the historical camouflage of sister ship USS La Vallette (DD-448) which she wore in 1942. Both ships were in Measure 12 (modified) camouflage, but the pattern on Fletcher was painted differently.
• Measure 12 (modified) included painted turrets, but in the game they remain unpainted.
• Fletcher's Measure 32/2C camouflage is also missing. She wore this scheme in 1944.

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  Commissioning of USS Fletcher, 30 June 1942.

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  Emblem of USS Fletcher.

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  Fletcher off of New York Harbor, 18 July 1942.

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  Fletcher at Purvis Bay, Solomon Islands, 26 March 1943.

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  Fletcher at Mare Island, California for refit and overhaul, August 1943.

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  Fletcher with Hickam Air Force Base hangars, Honolulu, and Diamond Head in background, circa 1957.

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  Fletcher at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, circa 1964.

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  Cutaway drawing of USS Fletcher.

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  The bridge of Fletcher at the U.S. Navy Museum.

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  Close-up of the after turrets of a Fletcher-class destroyer.

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  Line drawing of a Fletcher-class ship.