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fighting ships of the world

UNITED STATES NAVY (UNITED STATES OF AMERICA)

TORPEDO SHIPS

ALLEN M. SUMNER destroyers

De Haven 1944

Ship project history: At all advantages Fletcher class destroyers not in full met the requirements of US Navy. First of all the appreciable outline profile was exposed to criticism, that at that time was considered unallowable for destroyers (this claim was shown also to their predecessors, Benson class). Creation of the new project of "barely visible" destroyer was seriously considered, she would to be armed by automatic 127/54mm DP guns (still being in designing stage). As designing "from zero" demanded too much time, it have resorted to much more rational way: already existing project of Fletcher was re-designed, having changed both bow 127mm guns by one twin, that allowed to decrease the size of a fwd superstructure. Alas, it has appeared, that thus there is no place for the majority of systems and the equipment. It has been recognised impossibility of reduction of an outline profile without cardinal alteration of the project, however the done work has not gone to waste. By this time necessity to redesign the project of Fletcher was occurred for the placing of additional antiaircraft armament. It has appeared inconveniently on existing ships as because of threat of stability decreasing, and of the absence of a place on an upper deck and superstructures. The exit has been suggested by experience of replacement of single 127mm mounts by twin in the "barely visible" destroyer project. After installation of three twin gun mounts instead of five single there was a possibility to deliver both TTs on a length (having lowered risk of their simultaneous defeat) and assign a place for additional AA automatic guns. For preservation of stability the hull have made more widely on 0.4m. Approved by the Secretary of Navy in April, 1942, the project provided armament consisted of 3х2 127/38mm DP mounts, 2x2 40/56mm and 4х1 20/70mm AA guns and 2х5 533mm TT. In August the order on 69 ships has followed (one more - DD857 - was laid down as Gearing class, but completed Allen M. Sumner class).

In the summer of 1943 project changes were made, concerning in antiaircraft arms: in addition to twin 40/56mm Boforses two quadruple were added, and number of 20mm Oerlikons has increased to 11 barrels. At trials overloaded ships could not come nearer to a designed speed of 36.5kts; at the displacement close to full, they hardly achieved 31kts and at a normal displacement they were hardly faster (33kts).

In the summer of 1944 the decision on completion of 12 destroyers of Allen М Sumner class (DD735-740, 749-751 and 771-773, indexes were changed on DM23-34 respectively) as fast minelayers was accepted. Mine rails for 120 mines were fitted on quarter deck, for compensation of increased more than on 100t top weight removing of both TT , three Oerlikons aft and two to six DCT was provided. Despite the taken measures, a of ships at full mine stowage called anxiety and ships practically were not used on the direct assignment.

In 1945 destroyers of this class have significantly strengthened antiaircraft armament: aft TT was replaced by third quadruple Bofors and single Oerlikons by 10 twin.

Modernizations: summer 1945, all completed and survived: - 11 x 1 - 20/70, 1 x 5 - 533 TT; + 1 x 4 - 40/56 Bofors, 10 x 2 - 20/70 Oerlikon

early 1960s, many ships were modernized by FRAM-II with data as follows:

James C. Owens 1973

Naval service: Meredith 8/6/1944 was damaged by a mine at Normandy coast and sunk next day during by He 177 bombers German aircraft raid. Cooper 3/12/1944 was sunk by a torpedo from Japanese destroyer Kuwa in Ormock Bay. Mannert L. Abele 12/4/1945 at Okinawa has received hits of two kamikazes (include one Ohka jet) and has sunk. Drexler 28/5/1945 was sunk by the kamikaze at Okinawa.

Following destroyers were badly damaged at Okinawa as a result of kamikaze actions: O'Brien (26/3/1945), Haynsworth (6/4/1945), Purdy (12/4/1945), Zellars (12/4/1945), Laffey (15/4/1945), Hugh W. Hadley (11/5/1945), Douglas H. Fox (17/5/1945), Stormes (25/5/1945); all have passed repair, except Hugh W. Hadley which repair was recognised as inexpedient.

Borie 2/4/1945 was badly damaged at collision, 9/8/1945 damaged by kamikaze, repaired already after war.

    Frank E. Evans 3/6/1969 was collided with Australian aircraft carrier Melbourne off Luzon and broken apart.

Strong 1945

Laffey 1969

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© Ivan Gogin, 2008-10