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Warship’s Data #1 USS Kidd (DD661) by Sumrall & Walkowiak
Warships Data #1 USS Kidd (DD661) by Sumrall & Walkowiak
The floating dry dock - a pictorial histories publication
By Robert F. Sumrall and Thomas F. Walkowiak
Softcover 35 pages
FOREWORD
Even before the Federal Shipbuilding Company yards in Kearny, N.J. had completed construction of this FLETCHER class destroyer, the KIDD (to be) commenced to look like a ship destined for success. It was my privilege to arrive there as her prospective Commanding Officer during the days when her skilled and dedicated builders were finishing their work. One could sense that this ship was becoming much more than the design and materials her craftsmen had installed. She somehow seemed to have acquired a special personality and an aliveness which forecast her as becoming a lucky and successful ship in pursuit of the tasks to be assigned her.
On February 28, 1943, she enjoyed the publicity of being one of four DD's to be launched in the fastest quadruple launching yet attained by Federal. The 14 minutes for these four ships set a new world record. This record signaled a high degree of dedication and capability of their builders. The Navy crewmen who were to man these ships could be no less than superior operators.
In March, her second publicity thrill was experienced as the KIDD moved across New York Harbor for delivery to the Navy at the Brooklyn Naval Shipyard. She flew the Jolly Roger pirate flag from her foremast as a signal for all to recognize that in this, yet to be commissioned, ship there lurked a spirit of courage and daring to successfully challenge any enemy. The TIME Magazine of that week carried a photo of the KIDD and announced that it had been a hundred years since the Jolly Roger had been flown in New York Harbor.
By commissioning date, every man of us, the few experienced and the newcomers were beginning to realize how lucky we were to be counted as "Plank Owners" aboard this rather special ship. A few of us from previous experience had known the pleasures of going to sea aboard a destroyer. Now we were soon to recognize that the forthcoming sea-going experiences would be in company with some 300 dedicated shipmates who had the capacity and the desire to measure up to the challenges presented us by this superior ship. We were confident of success in the knowledge that we carried the name, and undoubtedly the spirit of Rear Admiral Isaac Kidd. Admiral Kidd had lost his life aboard his flagship, USS ARIZONA, at Pearl Harbor. He had a score to settle with the Japs and it was our duty to make that settlement. We also knew that our guardian shipmate, "Captain KIDD" would bring us the luck we would need to accomplish our missions.
On April 23, 1943, the ship was commissioned United States Ship KIDD (DD 661) and turned over to a proud and anxious crew.
The ceremonies included a prayer beseeching our Eternal Lord God "to guide and guard this ship and all who sail in her, and enable them to perform their required duties". In his encouraging remarks, Rear Admiral E. J. Marquart, Commandant, Third Naval District, told the officers and crew of the KIDD that "there is pride in your hearts because you have been selected as a crew to man our nation's newest destroyer, and you welcome that high duty with all its obligations and are keen to get going, and into action. So this is a glorious occasion for our Fleet, our Navy, our whole country, that such a splendid ship with such an eager crew today joins our fighting ships to do battle."
At that time, I remarked, "Thank you Admiral Marquart for your inspiring words. I assure you sir, that every man and officer of the USS KIDD is looking forward to testing this fine ship and her equipment against the enemy wherever he may he found."
"Gentlemen, a moment ago, upon assuming command of the United States Ship KIDD, I was aware of the tremendous responsibility which was being placed upon me. I was aware, too, of the presence of my officers and crew who share this responsibility. I am proud of the excellent personnel who have been ordered here to man this ship and to fight on her. The KIDD is your ship and I trust she may ever be proud of you, her first crew."
"Every one of us, down to the least experienced man, has an important job to do. It is our job to put life into this ship; to build her character, and to shape her destiny. It is our task to give the USS KIDD the power to out-think and out-fight any ship of her class in any ocean, at any time, and God willing, we will succeed."
INTRODUCTION
The USS KIDD (DD661) was a typical unit of the FLETCHER class. In number, the FLETCHERs were the largest class in the U.S. Navy's World War II destroyer force. The first orders for FLETCHERs were placed in June, 1940, and orders continued through August, 1942. A total of 175 were built and all were in commission by September, 1944.
The FLETCHER class has been referred to as "the most successful destroyer type ever built". They were designed at the time when destroyer functions were primarily in support of the battle fleet. The first of the U.S. Navy's large destroyers, the FLETCHERs' size and tonnage permitted alterations in armament which increased their effectiveness in situations governed by the growing significance of airpower and the emergence of the carrier task force as the main battle unit in the Pacific.
Except for five units assigned to Naval Reserve training, all surviving FLETCHERs were placed in the reserve fleet after World War II. In 1950, 76 units were activated and the five Reserve units were brought up to full commission for Korean War service. Many of the units remained in service with the fleet and reserve force and a few saw war service again in Vietnam. Thirteen were transferred to foreign navies; six for West Germany, four for Greece, two for Japan, and one for Spain. By 1971, all remaining units in the U.S. Navy had gone out of commission. Three have survived in the United States as ship memorials and museums; the USS KIDD (DD661), USS THE SULLIVANS (DD537), and USS CASSIN YOUNG (DD793).
During their service life, many units underwent various armament conversions to increase their anti-aircraft and anti-submarine capabilities. Three were experimentally fitted with a catapult and actually handled an 0S2U Kingfisher. One was used as the DASH prototype platform, and three received FRAM II conversions. This versatility was made possible by their excellent design and rugged durability of hull and machinery.
THE FLETCHER-CLASS DESIGN BACKGROUND
Following World War I, naval strength was strictly limited by international treaty. As a result, throughout the 20s and 30s naval treaty restrictions curtailed the strength of all navies by limiting the number of each type of ship that could be built. Ship strength was further regulated with maximum displacement allowances and constraints upon the size of guns. Finally, there was a cap or limit to the total displacement of all types of vessels.
The effect of such treaty limitations was that naval planners were faced with the choice of opting for a larger number of small destroyers, or a lesser number of larger ones with greater endurance, better seakeeping qualities, and increased capabilities. The necessary compromises were never entirely satisfactory, either in the area of ship design or overall naval strength.
In October, 1939, the U.S. Navy's General Board' called for design studies for a new class of destroyers. By then, war had broken out in Europe and the naval treaties were no longer in effect. The new destroyers would be the first since World War I unencumbered by size limitations and ready to meet the new and deadly challenge posed by submarines and aircraft of the second World War.
The new design grew out of a national defense policy that assumed our next war would be in the Pacific and that the U.S. Navy would play a decisive role in its outcome. Long before Pearl Harbor, our national interests focused on the Pacific and strategic planning was directed toward controlling the .sea lanes in this vast ocean.
U.S. Naval strategy in the Pacific envisioned the use of a scouting force that would make probes against enemy naval activities. The probing action
'The General Board was a group of senior naval officers representing the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations and the Bureaus of Construction and Repair, Engineering, Ordnance, and Navigation. The Board's primary purpose was to determine the mission requirements for each type of vessel and the characteristics necessary to carry out their missions in order to implement national policy.
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