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UNITED STATES NAVY (UNITED STATES OF AMERICA)

TORPEDO SHIPS

BRISTOL and LAFFEY destroyers

BRISTOL

Bristol 1943

LAFFEY

Coghlan 1944

Ship project history: Despite an occurrence of Fletcher project, for the prompt reinforcement of the Navy, it has been solved in a parallel way with these large destroyers to continue building of Benson class ships which thanks to smaller dimensions, have appeared easier in production and could be built faster.

First 12 ships (DD453-464) were ordered in May, 1940; 15 more (DD483-497) in September of the same year. Practically at once after USA entered the war order for 41 additional ships was placed (DD598-628 and 632-641); in February, 1942 last 4 (DD645-648) were ordered. Two final series should be built under the modified project with 28mm quadruple MG instead of 127mm gun No3.

In the beginning of 1941 it was been decided, that destroyers, since DD453, will be armed not by five, but four 127/38mm guns (all guns on covered mounts). Two twin 40mm Boforses and 4 single 20mm Oerlikons have appeared in the specification. As production of 40mm guns only was developed, installation of quadruple 28mm MG was provided as provisional measure. The anti-submarine armament had simultaneously been significantly strengthened (all these destroyers were intended for service in Atlantic and Fletchers were provided for Pacific). Two DCR astern (32DCs) were strengthened by a single DCT (Y-gun) on a quarter deck (10 DCs). The increased weight of antiaircraft and antisubmarine weapons has led to that TT was necessary to refuse from stern (the decision on it was accepted in August, 1941). Nevertheless the overload called fears, and on last series it was supposed to increase a hull breadth, however really it managed to be made only on DD634 and 635 (11.3m breadth).

As well as their predecessors, ships of Bristol class were built under two detailed designs, made by Bethlehem (DD459, 460, 491, 492 and 598-617) and Gibbs and Сох (DD453-458, 461-464, 483-497, 618-641 and 645-648). Though external differences were stored (funnels with flat sides at the former and circular in section at latter), stuffing of machinery was fulfilled under Gibbs and Сох design.

For the purpose of simplification of building and reduction of building time ships of late series (DD493-497, 618-628 and 645-648) received a superstructure with more technological rectangular front part instead of cylindrical and director placed directly over a chart room roof, instead of on a special curbstone.

The first destroyers were commissioned without 40mm guns, instead of which they received additional Oerlikons (6 barrels at all), or temporarily provided 28mm quadruple mount. Regular Boforses for the first time have appeared on DD606. In November, 1942 ultimate armament composition of these destroyers was defined: besides 4 Boforses, they had 7 Oerlikons. All earlier destroyers were also so rearmed, to the beginning of 1944 this process has been finished.

Modernizations: 1943, Carmick, Gillespie, Glennon, Maddox, Nelson, Earle, Gherardi, Herndon, Shubrick, Stockton, Thorn, Turner: + 3 x 8 - 178 Mousetrap DCT

early 1944 all survived: were armed by 4 x 1 - 127/38 Mk 12, 2 x 2 - 40/56 Bofors, 7 x 1 - 20/70 Oerlikon, 1 x 5 - 533 TT, 6 DCT, 2 DCR (62)

spring 1944, Carmick, Glennon, Nelson, Earle, Gherardi, Herndon, Shubrick, Stockton, Thorn; summer 1945, Gillespie: - 3 x 8 - 178 Mousetrap DCT

11 - 12/1944, DMS Ellyson, Hambleton, Rodman, Emmons, Macomb, Forrest, Fitch, Hobson, Jeffers, Harding, Butler, Gherardi: - 1 x 1 - 127/38 (No 4), 1 x 5 - 533 TT, 4 DCT (34 DC in total); + sweeps

5 - 6/1945, DMS Mervine, Quick, Carmick, Doyle, Endicott, McCook, Davison, Thompson, Cowie, Knight, Doran, Earle: - 1 x 1 - 127/38 (No 4), 5 x 1 - 20/70, 1 x 5 - 533 TT, 6 DCT (32 DC in total); + 2 x 4 - 40/56 Bofors, 2 x 2 - 20/70 Oerlikon, sweeps

summer 1945, Frankford, Boyle, Champlin, Murphy, Parker, Gansevoort, Hobby, Kendrick, Laub, Mackenzie, Nields, Ordronaux, Nelson, Baldwin, Welles: - 5 x 1 - 20/70, 1 x 5 - 533 TT; + 2 x 4 - 40/56 Bofors, 2 x 2 - 20/70 Oerlikon

summer 1945, McLanahan: - 5 x 1 - 20/70, 1 x 5 - 533 TT; + 2 x 2 - 40/56 Bofors, 2 x 2 - 20/70 Oerlikon

Naval service: Duncan 11/10/1942 in battle at Cape Esperance was badly damaged by Japanese cruiser Furutaka and destroyer Hatsuyuki and sunk next day. Laffey 13/11/1942 in battle at Guadalcanal received hit of Japanese 356mm shell from battlecruiser Hiei and one torpedo from destroyer Teruzuki, has blown up and sunk. Barton 13/11/1942 in battle at Guadalcanal received hits of two torpedoes from Japanese destroyer Yudachi and sunk. Aaron Ward 13/11/1942 was badly damaged by gunfire of Japanese ships and was under repair prior to the beginning of spring 1943; 7/4/1943 she was sunk by Japanese D3A carrier bombers at Guadalcanal at convoy conducting. Bailey 26/3/1943 was badly damaged by 203mm shell from Japanese heavy cruiser and was repaired till Summer 1943. Maddox 10/7/1943 during Sicily landing was sunk by German bombers. Bristol 12/10/1943 was sunk at coast of Algeria by German submarine U371. Beatty 6/11/1943 was sunk in the central Mediterranean by German air torpedo from Ju 88 bomber. Turner 3/1/1944 was lost in harbour of New York as a result of internal explosion (possibly of magazines). Corry 6/6/1944 at Normandy landing was blown up on German mine, broken apart and sunk. Glennon 8/6/1944 also was mined at coast of Normandy and two days later sunk by German coastal artillery. Emmons 6/4/1945 was sunk off Okinawa after hits of 5 kamikazes.

Farenholt 11/10/1942 was badly damaged by Japanese ships and repaired till March of next year. Buchanan 12/11/1942 was casually badly damaged by gunfire of American ships and was under repair till the next spring. Hambleton 11/11/1942 was damaged by a torpedo from German submarine and repaired till mid-1943. Murphy 21/10/1943 was badly damaged SE of New York at collision with tanker Bulkoil, broken apart, bow has sunk, ship was under repair till mid-1944. Nelson 11.6.1944 was damaged by German torpedo, repaired till the end of a year. Caldwell 27/6/1945 was damaged on a mine and was under repair till the end of war. At Okinawa landing kamikazes are attacked and caused damages of various severity level to: Hambleton (3/4/1945), Rodman (6/4/1945, heavy), Harding (6/4/1945, heavy), Jeffers (12/4/1945, heavy), Hobson (16/4/1945, heavy), Macomb (3/5/1945, heavy), Butler (28/4/1945 and heavy damages 25/5/1945), Forrest (27/5/1945, heavy) and Shubrick (28/5/1945, heavy). Damages of Forrest, Harding, Butler and Shubrick have appeared so serious, that their repair has been recognised as inexpedient.

    Hobson collided with aircraft carrier Wasp 26/4/1952 in Northern Atlantic, destroyer was turned over, broken apart and sunk. Baldwin grounded under tow on Montauk point, New York 19/4/1961.

Bristol 1941

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