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High-speed transport

October 08, 2023

High-speed transports were converted destroyers and destroyer escorts used in US Navy amphibious operations in World War II and afterward. They received the US Hull classification symbol APD; "AP" for transport and "D" for destroyer. In 1969, the remaining ships were reclassified as "Fast Amphibious Transports", hull symbol LPR.

USS Barr (APD-39) (ex-DE-576) shown after conversion to Auxiliary High Speed Transport

APDs were intended to deliver small units such as Marine Raiders, Underwater Demolition Teams, and United States Army Rangers onto hostile shores. An APD could carry up to 200 troops - a company-size unit - and approximately 40 tons of cargo.[1] It could also provide gunfire support if needed. USS Manley was officially designated the Navy's first high-speed transport on 2 August 1940 when she became APD-1.[2]

Development Edit

Before the United States entered World War II, as newer and more modern destroyers joined the fleet, some older destroyers were refitted for other duties: as seaplane tenders, destroyer minelayers, or destroyer minesweepers, and in an innovation, as fast transports carrying fully equipped troops for assault landings.[citation needed] During the war, newly built or unfinished destroyer escorts were converted to APDs.[3]

"Flush-deck" conversions Edit

The first group of APDs (APD-1 through APD-36) were converted from one Caldwell-class, 17 Wickes-class, and 14 Clemson-class "flush-deck" destroyers built during and after World War I. Some of these had been previously converted to aircraft tenders or other uses.[4]

In the conversion, the two forward boilers (out of four) were removed along with their smokestacks (reducing speed to 25 knots (46 km/h)). Accommodation for 200 troops was installed in the former engine spaces. The original armament of four 4"/50 low-angle guns, one 3"/23 anti-aircraft gun, and twelve 21-inch torpedo tubes was replaced with three modern 3"/50 dual-purpose guns, one 40 mm AA gun, and five 20 mm AA guns. Two depth charge racks and up to six K-gun depth charge throwers were carried. In place of the torpedo mounts, four davit-mounted LCPLs (Landing Craft Personnel, Large) were shipped. Later, the LCPLs were replaced by a version with a bow ramp, the LCPR (Landing Craft Personnel, Ramped).[5]

Destroyer Escort (DE) conversions Edit

Buckley-class conversions Edit

The second group of APDs were converted from 43 Buckley-class destroyer escorts (DE)s built in 1943-1945.[6] Two further planned conversions were canceled at the end of the war.[7] These converted vessels were known as the Charles Lawrence class.

In the conversion, the superstructure was expanded to provide accommodation for 162 troops. The original gun armament of three 3"/50 DP guns and two 40 mm AA guns in a twin mount was replaced with one 5"/38 DP gun and six 40 mm AA guns in three twin mounts. The original six 20mm AA guns were retained. The Charles Lawrence class also had two depth charge racks and up to eight K-guns. Typically, the converted DEs carried four LCVPs (Landing Craft Vehicle and Personnel) in a stacked davit configuration.[8]

Rudderow-class conversions Edit

The third group of APDs were converted from 51 Rudderow-class destroyer escorts built in 1943-1945. All but one of these were converted while under construction.[9] These converted vessels were known as the Crosley class.

This conversion was the same as the Buckley class, except that the original Rudderow low bridge was retained as compared with the higher bridge of the Buckley Destroyer Escorts.[10]

World War II service Edit

In the Guadalcanal Campaign, neither side enjoyed the overwhelming local naval and air supremacy which ensured victory in every other amphibious operation of the war. This necessitated an increase in the number of high-speed transports, hybrid warships which combined the functions of transports and destroyers. The concept of the high-speed transport embodied sufficient armament for the ship to defend herself against smaller warships and to support the troops she carried.[citation needed]

APDs performed arduous service. They transported troops to beachheads, served as escorts for transports and supply vessels, conducted anti-submarine patrols and survey duties, operated with Underwater Demolition Teams and commando units, performed messenger and transport duties, conveyed passengers and mail to and from forward units, and were involved in minesweeping operations. They were attacked by submarines, surface ships and aircraft (including kamikazes), and many were damaged or sunk.[citation needed]

After World War II Edit

Nine "flush deck" APDs were lost during the war. The remaining 23 were scrapped in 1945-1946.[4]

Some of the Charles Lawrence-class and Crosley-class APDs saw service in the Korean War and Vietnam War.[citation needed]

One Charles Lawrence-class APD was lost during World War II. 14 were transferred to foreign navies in the 1960s. One was sold for commercial use as a floating power station. 26 were scrapped. On 1 January 1969, the remaining three were reclassified as "Fast Amphibious Transports" (LPR).[11]

No Crosley-class APD was lost during World War II. 18 were transferred to foreign navies. One (APD-106) was lost in a collision in 1966. Eight were sold as floating power stations. 18 were scrapped. In 1969, the remaining eight were reclassified as "Fast Amphibious Transports" (LPR).[11]

Japanese WWII fast transports Edit

The Imperial Japanese Navy also built fast destroyer-transports. The Japanese had used unmodified destroyers to act as ad-hoc fast transports in the "Tokyo Express", sailing down "The Slot" to drop supplies during the Guadalcanal campaign; these destroyers would tow supply barges or just drop supplies overboard in buoyant steel drums before racing back to the their bases.[12]

This method saw considerable wastage, and the Imperial Japanese Navy decided to order the design of the Number 1 (or T1) class of purpose-build fast destroyer transports (earlier, two Minekaze-class destroyers had earlier been converted to fast destroyer transports).[citation needed] These new ships were based on the Matsu-class destroyer, with the stern sloping down to the waterline to allow fast deployment of Daihatsu landing craft or other boats, amphibious tanks, or cargo.[13][14] However, by the time these were operational, they had limited use for a navy that was no longer involved in far-flung offensive operations.[citation needed]

See also Edit

References Edit

  1. ^ Shuck, Eric (2019). "Shoestring Logistics Lessons from Guadalcanal". Proceedings. US Naval Institute. Retrieved November 25, 2019.
  2. ^ US Navy, World War 2, ships, page 131
  3. ^ hyperwar, APD -- High Speed Transports, and LPR -- Amphibious Transports, Small.
  4. ^ a b Silverstone, Paul H. (1970). U.S. Warships of World War I. Ian Allan. pp. 118–129.
  5. ^ Lenton, H. T. (1971). American Fleet and Escort Destroyers 1. Navies of the Second World War. Doubleday. p. 12.
  6. ^ Lenton, H. T. (1971). American Fleet and Escort Destroyers 2. Navies of the Second World War. Doubleday. p. 44.
  7. ^ Friedman, Norman (2004). U.S. Destroyers. Naval Institute press. pp. 524 & 532.
  8. ^ Friedman, Norman (2002). U.S. Amphibious ships and Craft. Naval Institute Press. pp. 195–197. ISBN 1-55750-250-1.
  9. ^ Lenton, H. T. (1971). American Fleet and Escort Destroyers 2. Navies of the Second World War. Doubleday. p. 101.
  10. ^ Friedman, Norman (2002). U.S. Amphibious ships and Craft. Naval Institute Press. p. 195. ISBN 1-55750-250-1.
  11. ^ a b Lenton, H. T. (1971). American Fleet and Escort Destroyers 2. Navies of the Second World War. Doubleday. pp. 46–71.
  12. ^ Keieth Patton (November 29, 2022). "High Speed Transport… Destroyers?". The Navalist. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
  13. ^ Bob Hackett; Sander Kingsepp (1 September 2018). "DAI 1 GO-GATA YUSOKAN!: Stories and Battle Histories of the IJN's No. 1 Class Fast Transports". Combined Fleet. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
  14. ^ "IJN No. 1-Class Fast Transport T6". Warlord Games. August 23, 2019. Retrieved November 21, 2022.

External links Edit

  • High Speed Transports in the Korean War
  • Flush-deck APDs at DestroyerHistory.org

October 08, 2023
high, speed, transport, were, converted, destroyers, destroyer, escorts, used, navy, amphibious, operations, world, afterward, they, received, hull, classification, symbol, transport, destroyer, 1969, remaining, ships, were, reclassified, fast, amphibious, tra. High speed transports were converted destroyers and destroyer escorts used in US Navy amphibious operations in World War II and afterward They received the US Hull classification symbol APD AP for transport and D for destroyer In 1969 the remaining ships were reclassified as Fast Amphibious Transports hull symbol LPR USS Barr APD 39 ex DE 576 shown after conversion to Auxiliary High Speed TransportAPDs were intended to deliver small units such as Marine Raiders Underwater Demolition Teams and United States Army Rangers onto hostile shores An APD could carry up to 200 troops a company size unit and approximately 40 tons of cargo 1 It could also provide gunfire support if needed USS Manley was officially designated the Navy s first high speed transport on 2 August 1940 when she became APD 1 2 Contents 1 Development 1 1 Flush deck conversions 1 2 Destroyer Escort DE conversions 1 2 1 Buckley class conversions 1 2 2 Rudderow class conversions 2 World War II service 3 After World War II 4 Japanese WWII fast transports 5 See also 6 References 7 External linksDevelopment EditBefore the United States entered World War II as newer and more modern destroyers joined the fleet some older destroyers were refitted for other duties as seaplane tenders destroyer minelayers or destroyer minesweepers and in an innovation as fast transports carrying fully equipped troops for assault landings citation needed During the war newly built or unfinished destroyer escorts were converted to APDs 3 Flush deck conversions Edit The first group of APDs APD 1 through APD 36 were converted from one Caldwell class 17 Wickes class and 14 Clemson class flush deck destroyers built during and after World War I Some of these had been previously converted to aircraft tenders or other uses 4 In the conversion the two forward boilers out of four were removed along with their smokestacks reducing speed to 25 knots 46 km h Accommodation for 200 troops was installed in the former engine spaces The original armament of four 4 50 low angle guns one 3 23 anti aircraft gun and twelve 21 inch torpedo tubes was replaced with three modern 3 50 dual purpose guns one 40 mm AA gun and five 20 mm AA guns Two depth charge racks and up to six K gun depth charge throwers were carried In place of the torpedo mounts four davit mounted LCPLs Landing Craft Personnel Large were shipped Later the LCPLs were replaced by a version with a bow ramp the LCPR Landing Craft Personnel Ramped 5 Destroyer Escort DE conversions Edit Buckley class conversions Edit The second group of APDs were converted from 43 Buckley class destroyer escorts DE s built in 1943 1945 6 Two further planned conversions were canceled at the end of the war 7 These converted vessels were known as the Charles Lawrence class In the conversion the superstructure was expanded to provide accommodation for 162 troops The original gun armament of three 3 50 DP guns and two 40 mm AA guns in a twin mount was replaced with one 5 38 DP gun and six 40 mm AA guns in three twin mounts The original six 20mm AA guns were retained The Charles Lawrence class also had two depth charge racks and up to eight K guns Typically the converted DEs carried four LCVPs Landing Craft Vehicle and Personnel in a stacked davit configuration 8 Rudderow class conversions Edit The third group of APDs were converted from 51 Rudderow class destroyer escorts built in 1943 1945 All but one of these were converted while under construction 9 These converted vessels were known as the Crosley class This conversion was the same as the Buckley class except that the original Rudderow low bridge was retained as compared with the higher bridge of the Buckley Destroyer Escorts 10 World War II service EditIn the Guadalcanal Campaign neither side enjoyed the overwhelming local naval and air supremacy which ensured victory in every other amphibious operation of the war This necessitated an increase in the number of high speed transports hybrid warships which combined the functions of transports and destroyers The concept of the high speed transport embodied sufficient armament for the ship to defend herself against smaller warships and to support the troops she carried citation needed APDs performed arduous service They transported troops to beachheads served as escorts for transports and supply vessels conducted anti submarine patrols and survey duties operated with Underwater Demolition Teams and commando units performed messenger and transport duties conveyed passengers and mail to and from forward units and were involved in minesweeping operations They were attacked by submarines surface ships and aircraft including kamikazes and many were damaged or sunk citation needed After World War II EditNine flush deck APDs were lost during the war The remaining 23 were scrapped in 1945 1946 4 Some of the Charles Lawrence class and Crosley class APDs saw service in the Korean War and Vietnam War citation needed One Charles Lawrence class APD was lost during World War II 14 were transferred to foreign navies in the 1960s One was sold for commercial use as a floating power station 26 were scrapped On 1 January 1969 the remaining three were reclassified as Fast Amphibious Transports LPR 11 No Crosley class APD was lost during World War II 18 were transferred to foreign navies One APD 106 was lost in a collision in 1966 Eight were sold as floating power stations 18 were scrapped In 1969 the remaining eight were reclassified as Fast Amphibious Transports LPR 11 Japanese WWII fast transports EditThe Imperial Japanese Navy also built fast destroyer transports The Japanese had used unmodified destroyers to act as ad hoc fast transports in the Tokyo Express sailing down The Slot to drop supplies during the Guadalcanal campaign these destroyers would tow supply barges or just drop supplies overboard in buoyant steel drums before racing back to the their bases 12 This method saw considerable wastage and the Imperial Japanese Navy decided to order the design of the Number 1 or T1 class of purpose build fast destroyer transports earlier two Minekaze class destroyers had earlier been converted to fast destroyer transports citation needed These new ships were based on the Matsu class destroyer with the stern sloping down to the waterline to allow fast deployment of Daihatsu landing craft or other boats amphibious tanks or cargo 13 14 However by the time these were operational they had limited use for a navy that was no longer involved in far flung offensive operations citation needed See also EditList of United States Navy high speed transports HMS Campbeltown I42 Wickes class transferred to UK and used in the St Nazaire Raid ARA Hercules B 52 Type 42 destroyer converted in ASMAR Chile for the Argentine Navy in the 2000s Attack transportReferences Edit Shuck Eric 2019 Shoestring Logistics Lessons from Guadalcanal Proceedings US Naval Institute Retrieved November 25 2019 US Navy World War 2 ships page 131 hyperwar APD High Speed Transports and LPR Amphibious Transports Small a b Silverstone Paul H 1970 U S Warships of World War I Ian Allan pp 118 129 Lenton H T 1971 American Fleet and Escort Destroyers 1 Navies of the Second World War Doubleday p 12 Lenton H T 1971 American Fleet and Escort Destroyers 2 Navies of the Second World War Doubleday p 44 Friedman Norman 2004 U S Destroyers Naval Institute press pp 524 amp 532 Friedman Norman 2002 U S Amphibious ships and Craft Naval Institute Press pp 195 197 ISBN 1 55750 250 1 Lenton H T 1971 American Fleet and Escort Destroyers 2 Navies of the Second World War Doubleday p 101 Friedman Norman 2002 U S Amphibious ships and Craft Naval Institute Press p 195 ISBN 1 55750 250 1 a b Lenton H T 1971 American Fleet and Escort Destroyers 2 Navies of the Second World War Doubleday pp 46 71 Keieth Patton November 29 2022 High Speed Transport Destroyers The Navalist Retrieved November 21 2022 Bob Hackett Sander Kingsepp 1 September 2018 DAI 1 GO GATA YUSOKAN Stories and Battle Histories of the IJN s No 1 Class Fast Transports Combined Fleet Retrieved November 21 2022 IJN No 1 Class Fast Transport T6 Warlord Games August 23 2019 Retrieved November 21 2022 External links EditHigh Speed Transports in the Korean War Flush deck APDs at DestroyerHistory org Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title High speed transport amp oldid 1124558255, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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