St. Croix
editDesign and description
editThe Clemson class were the second class of "liberty destroyers" designed and built for the United States Navy. After the entry of the US into World War I, the United States Navy required lots of escort ships quickly. One of the classes given the moniker "flush deck destroyers", they were basically a repeat Wickes class with increased fuel storage for greater range. They also had increased anti-submarine warfare armament in response to criticisms of the Wickes class. The destroyer measured 310 feet 0 inches (94.5 m) long at the waterline and 314 feet 0 inches (95.7 m) overall with a beam of 30 feet 10 inches (9.4 m) and a draft of 9 feet 10 inches (3.0 m). The vessel had a standard displacement of 1,090 long tons (1,110 t) and were 1,310 long tons (1,330 t) at full load.[1][2]
The destroyers was powered by steam provided by four White-Forster boilers to a pair of Westinghouse geared turbines. They drove two screws and was rated at 27,000 horsepower (20,000 kW). The vessel had a maximum speed in excess of 35 knots (65 km/h; 40 mph). They had storage for 400 long tons (410 t) of fuel oil, with a range of 2,500 nautical miles (4,600 km; 2,900 mi) at 20 knots (37 km/h; 23 mph).[1]
Their improved armament reflected designs by British and German navies.[3] The Clemson class was initially armed with four 4"/50 caliber guns; one situated on the forecastle, two on the superstructure deck amidships and one on the quarterdeck. The quarterdeck gun was later moved to the aft deck superstructure to make room for depth charge roller tracks. The 4"/50 guns had limited elevation and could not fire at aircraft. A 3"/23 caliber gun was installed for anti-aircraft warfare defense, along with two .50 caliber machine guns.[1] The mainmast was shortened to improve the field of fire for the 3-inch gun.[3] Mk 6 and Mk 9 depth charges were equipped in US service and were deployed via the aforementioned roller tracks or "K" or "Y" guns. The destroyers also mounted twelve torpedo tubes in four triple mounts capable of firing 21-inch (533 mm) torpedoes. The tube mounts were sited amidships between the superstructures. The destroyers carried no spare torpedoes.[1]
Transfer as part of Lend Lease
editBy 1940, the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth nations were fighting the Axis powers alone after the fall of France. The convoy route between North American and the United Kingdom was under attack by German U-boats and required protection, but the British lacked adequate ships to defend the shipping lanes. That year, the US offered 50 "flush deck destroyers" to the UK in exchanged for leases to British bases around the world. In September, the deal was sealed and 50 vessels of the Clemson and Wickes classes were transferred to the UK. Renamed the Town class by the British, their new names were chosen from towns with names common to both nations.[4]
After entering British service, the destroyers were modified with British radar, asdic and depth charge throwers. Two of the torpedo tube mounts were removed to make space for an Oerlikon 20 mm cannon, the aft 4-inch gun was replaced by a British 12-pounder gun and Type 273 radar was installed. Two boilers were removed and fuel storage was increased to improve range. The destroyer's final layout was three 20 mm Oerlikon cannon, one 3-inch gun, two .50 caliber machine guns, depth charge roller racks, one 21-inch torpedo tube mount sited on the deck centreline and the bridge area was revamped to make room for the new electronic equipment.[4]
Canadian service
editDue to damage received in a storm during transfer, the destroyer was not operation until March 1941. St. Croix was initially assigned to Halifax Local Defence Force before undergoing more repairs. In August, the destroyer was assigned to the Newfoundland Escort Force. St. Croix underwent a further refit and then joined escort group C1. The destroyer was briefly assigned to escort group C2. In January 1942, C2 was composed of the destroyers HMS Burnham, St. Croix and the corvettes HMCS Brandon, Dauphin, Drumheller and HMS Polyanthus. C2 was escorting Convoy ON 113 west bound across the Atlantic, having sailed from the UK in mid-July. On 24 July, the German submarine U-552 reported the presence of the convoy to B-dienst. The message was intercepted and C2 was advised of the U-boat presence. In response, the convoy escort's commander, Acting Commander T. Taylor, ordered the destroyers to move 10 miles (16 km) ahead of the convoy's course.[5]
At 13:30, a lookout on St. Croix spotted two U-boats. Burnham closed with one but the submarine dived and contact was lost. St. Croix attacked the other. The U-boat was 6,000 yards (5,500 m) away and dived upon realising that they had been spotted. The commander of St. Croix, Lieutenant Commander A. H. Dobson, estimated the U-boat's diving course and contact with the submarine was re-established. The destroyer made three depth charge attacks, with the third showing signs of a damaged submarine. Dobson ordered a fourth attack to make sure of the submarine's destruction. After the fourth attack, the debris that rose to the surface indicated its success. The submarine was later identified as U-90. Further U-boat attacks on the convoy were unsuccessful until the convoy was transferred to American control and three merchants were sunk and one damaged. As a result of the sinking of the U-boat, Dobson was gazetted for a Distinguished Service Cross in November 1942.[6]
- ^ a b c d Adcock 2003, p. 21.
- ^ Lardas, pp. 11–12.
- ^ a b Lardas, p. 16.
- ^ a b Adcock 2003, p. 35.
- ^ Darlington & McKee 1996, pp. 50–51.
- ^ Darlington & McKee 1996, p. 51.