US Flush Deck Destroyers in action (Squadron Signal 4019) (Repost)
US Flush Deck Destroyers in action (Squadron Signal 4019)
Squadron Signal | 2003 | ISBN: 0897474600 | English | 50 Pages | PDF | 49,1 MB
Squadron Signal | 2003 | ISBN: 0897474600 | English | 50 Pages | PDF | 49,1 MB
The U. S. Navy's 'flush deck' destroyers - so named because they featured a straight sheer line from bow to stern - were built for service in the first World War yet saw most of their action in the next. With their characteristic four funnels and open gun mounts, these ships were obsolete when world war broke out again in 1941 yet gave valuable service throughout World War II. Noted naval historian Al Adcock summarizes the life and times of these ships in this Squadron/Signal 'Warships' volume.
Adcock's book covers four classes of destroyers - the Sampson class, Caldwell class, Wickes class and Clemson class - all designed for ocean escort with top speeds enabling them to keep station with the fastest battle cruisers. Sampson class DDs, all built in 1916, were really a transition design bridging the old style destroyer design of the early 1900s and the flush deck design prevalent until the mid-1930s. Caldwell class DDS served as test beds for the later Wickes and Clemson classes, which saw higher speeds, improved seaworthiness, greater range, etc.