Weapons
3 inch/50
Mk22
Three mounts
These weapons were used for both anti-air and anti-ship roles. they
were manually operated and fired fixed case ammunitions available in AA,
HA, HET, APT and illuminating rounds. They were mounted two forward and
one aft.
1.1 inch/75
Mk 2 Quad
One mount
Known as the "Chicago Piano" this "long range"
anti-air weapon was developed in the early 1930's and had a tendency to
jam under heavy use.
20MM Mk 4
- Oerlikon
10 mounts
(originally 8)
These mounts we shielded, manually controlled and fitted to a conical pedestal
which allowed for vertical adjustment during firing. It required a
three man crew: gunner, loader and elevator. Each mount was fitted
with a Mk14 computing gun sight.
Mk 15 Torpedo
Three
carried in a triple tube mount on the 01 level aft.
The three tubes were fitted to a base that allowed for rotation so the
mount could be aimed starboard or port. The torpedoes were loaded prior to
operations. The Mk 15 was 21 inches in diameter, turbine driven
(air-alcohol-water superheated), gyro guided, weighed two tons and carried
a war head of 825 HBX. Range was 15,000 yards at 26.5 knots, 10,000 yards
at 33.5 knots.
7.2
inch Projector Mk 10 - Hedgehog
1 Mount with 144 rounds
(250 rounds on May 28, 1944 from USS Spangler)
Standard ahead throwing anti-submarine weapon. Small missiles launched
in pairs about 1/10th second apart. The average range was about 200
yards and the charges fell in an elliptical pattern about 140 feet X 120
feet.
MK9
Mod 0 Depth Charge Release Tracks
Two
on the fantail port and starboard
These could carry Mk6, Mk8, MK9 and Mk14 charges. England likely carries
Mk6 depth charges that had only a 200 pound charge of TNT but have a high
sink rate of 14 feet per second.
Mk 6 Depth
Charge Projectors - K-guns
Eight
- aft, four on each side
This weapon would launch the Mk 6 depth charge 50, 75 0r 120 yards.
It could also launch the Mk 9 depth charge a range of 60, 90 or 150
yards. The ready service racks allowed for storage of four 300 pound or
600 pound depth charges.
Smoke
Generators
Mounted on
the fantail and used to make clouds of smoke to make it harder for enemy
guns to target the ship.
Fire
Control
2.5
Meter range finder
One
- Mounted on the open bridge
Standard optical site for anti-ship use. It controlled the main
battery 3 inch/50
Mk22.
Mk
51 Gun Directors
Two
Computing gun site with rate gyros to calculate through dead reckoning
the target's next position.
Radar
SL
Surface Search
This
radar used a 42 inch parabolic antenna operating in the S-band at
150kW with a range of 13 miles.
SA
Air search with IFF (Identification Friend or Foe) - Bedspring
This
radar used an 8 foot 9 inch X 5 foot antenna operating in the P-band
(1.36 meters) with a range of 8 miles. Made by RCA.
Sonar
QCS
Search
light type sonar, sending out a 'ping' in a 14 degree wide beam. It
could report only range and bearing.
Electronic
Counter Measures
TDY
Radar Jamming Antenna
Mounted
above the bridge these early forms of Electronic Counter Measures (ECM)
were used to jam Japanese search radar.
Communication
Ship
to Ship
Signal
flags, signal lights, fighting lights on the mast and Talk Between
Ships (TBS) voice radio. TBS was short range VHF. Its short range made
allowed un coded communications since it was unlikely the enemy would
be within range to receive it.
On
board
| Circuit |
Description |
| J
Series |
Primary
battle circuits lettered JA through JZ. JA was the Commanding
Officer's circuit connecting the bridge with the Combat
Information Center (CIC), after control, Damage control Central
and other major battle stations. |
| 1JV |
Navigation
circuit connecting the Commanding Officer with the engineering
spaces, after steering, mooring stations, the forecastle and
fantail. |
| Secondary
X (example X1JV) |
Backup
for primary circuits. |
Information
here is based on the book Anatomy of the Ship, The Destroyer Escort
England by All Ross.
| 
