Us Flush Deck Destroyers In Action Al Adcock by Al Adcock 9780897474603, 0897474600 instant download after payment.

The U. S. Navys 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.
Adcocks 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.
Following heavy use, many flush deck destroyers were in the Naval Reserve Fleet by 1940. With the outbreak of war, every ship was needed and the old warhorses were brought back into service. As if to show their fighting spirit remained intact, a Wickes class DD, the USS Ward, scored the first Navy submarine kill of the war by destroying a Japanese miniature sub trying to penetrate Pearl Harbor.
At least eight of the old flush deck boats were lost during the war, the Ward herself being sunk on 7 December 1944! After an initial period of functioning as pure DDs, many were converted to minelayers, minesweepers, transports, seaplane tenders, attack transports, etc. Fifty were given to Great Britain as part of Lend Lease.
Adcock does a nice job of summarizing the history of the flush deck destroyers. Over 110 photographs and diagrams along with four color pages of Don Greer artwork and ship profiles play tribute to these dowdy yet valiant tin can warships.