Yes, Jeff. A lot of folks think that too...but, it helped with the overall weight and weight distribution on the ships...until aluminum became scarce. Thanks as always!
This was great information Shane; I never knew that back in WW 2 that ships were being built with aluminum and steel. learnt something again today, as always you keep things interesting.
So does that mean that USS Laffey DD 724 is all steel? Because if that’s the case that’s interesting. But also I got to tell you you are correct about the Fletcher class destroyers being in service. Because at the end of 42 Fletcher was with Juneau CL 52 in the battle of Guadalcanal
Thanks legohistorysam. Great question. I don't know Laffey would be an all steel superstructure, or if it would be a combined construction like ours. If I meet any Patriot's Point staff at our annual symposium this year, I will be sure to ask them! Thanks again!
Thanks Shane! Now two things have to happen, 1) I need to research when they figured out how to weld aluminum, and B) When the Kidd (DD-661) gets home, Tim will be asking me why I'm running around sticking (or trying to stick) a magnet to his freshly painted bulkheads!
Ha! LOL eherrmann01...fabulous comment! Thank you...oh please, please, PLEASE do that when Kidd gets back! It would be hilarious to see what Tim would do! Thanks for your continued support!
I'm going to guess that one of the reasons for the shortage of aluminum for ships was that most of the airplanes were aluminum, and given the scale of production, a lot of it was going to that.
Here is another interesting research question: As construction transitioned from the use of aluminum to steel, did the additional weight of the steel have any negative effects on ship stability, particularly in heavy weather conditions, and is there any evidence as to whether this question was, or was not, evaluated through an engineering analysis?
Great question for sure, tronmcconnell4465! The General Board, naval architects, private shipyards were constantly testing weights, and center of gravity using inclining experiments. These are conducted even today. Shipyards conduct these tests with different loading procedures. Wartime reports were also invaluable to shipyards building later ships of a class, as they would be able to incorporate lessons learned. No doubt steel would make vessels more top heavy, and even the Cleveland Cruisers would work to save weight anywhere they could...even adding 20MM stations without the protective shields or tubs. Hope this helps! Thanks for watching!
Thanks for watching. It was reinforced aluminum in many spots...but, yes...definitely helped to lighten the tonnage to place more weight where it was needed!
An interesting way to make the distinction between aluminum and steel on the deckhouse. I was curious about the three welded penetrations seen on the nonmagnetic riveted section aft, there were three squares with roughly rounded corners with portholes in each, welded into the deckhouse material, @ 6:07 - 6:16. Aluminum welding is not easy to do successfully, especially at that time, though not impossible. I found it to be an anomaly to your shortcut. Lol
Excellent point, jbellos1! Appreciate the anomaly. This also starts me down the path of all welded ships in WWII, like the Victory\Liberty ships. I believe those were all welded construction, and presumably the deckhouses\superstructures. I haven't stepped foot on one yet! I appreciate you pointing that out! Sometimes I get stuck looking at the big picture...always seeing the forest for the trees!
I thought at first that aluminum would not provide any protection for the bridge, but then realized that the steel would be thin enough so it would not help
With STS (special treated steel) and high tensile steel, it would offer some protection from splintering action. It was probably 20lbs steel plating .Thanks as always, Kirk!
Great Info, as always Shane! I think one of the things that I like and makes this channel and your presentations unique is you are a curator that came to the historic naval ships. So you are learning much of it right along with us. Not to compare to Ryan The Great from BB62, who got fascinated as a kid and made a career out of it specifically. Many of the videos I have loved watching because being along for the discovery of the information is like seeing it again for the first time. Granted there are a few times I am talking at my screen going 'Shane! Just go there!', or 'Shane! It's obvious!'. I also love getting the history on the smaller ships. The Battleships and carriers get all the glory, cause they are huge. But then you think about it, there are only what, three cruisers left in the US? Each one is unique and different, and so are the only ones of their kind that remain? Little Rock, Salem and Olympia. Even the destroyers, each one is now unique and arguable the last one in the world. Don't get me wrong, I love the Iowas.. but there are four of them. So, great job, and keep up the amazing work!
Bryce - Thank you for your very kind words! I appreciate it, and I'm glad you appreciate the different perspectives as well. It is true, I came to this world later in life, and I'm glad I continue to learn everyday - not just from being here, but also people like yourself who leave inciteful comments...so, next time...just scream louder - I'll hear you! So glad you enjoy!
Robert - so, DD445 - DD518 (Fletcher to Brownson) did have the rounded bridge. Do to wartime reports, the rest of the Fletchers after 518 were constructed with the square bridge. Better sight lines! Thanks!
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Thanks Shane, i guess i didn't realize that some of the deck houses are actually aluminum, i just figured everything was steel.
Yes, Jeff. A lot of folks think that too...but, it helped with the overall weight and weight distribution on the ships...until aluminum became scarce. Thanks as always!
This was great information Shane; I never knew that back in WW 2 that ships were being built with aluminum and steel. learnt something again today, as always you keep things interesting.
Hey Ed. Glad you enjoyed as always! Appreciate your continued support...and I'm glad you continue to find the channel and content interesting!
So does that mean that USS Laffey DD 724 is all steel? Because if that’s the case that’s interesting. But also I got to tell you you are correct about the Fletcher class destroyers being in service. Because at the end of 42 Fletcher was with Juneau CL 52 in the battle of Guadalcanal
Thanks legohistorysam. Great question. I don't know Laffey would be an all steel superstructure, or if it would be a combined construction like ours. If I meet any Patriot's Point staff at our annual symposium this year, I will be sure to ask them! Thanks again!
Thanks Shane! Now two things have to happen, 1) I need to research when they figured out how to weld aluminum, and B) When the Kidd (DD-661) gets home, Tim will be asking me why I'm running around sticking (or trying to stick) a magnet to his freshly painted bulkheads!
Ha! LOL eherrmann01...fabulous comment! Thank you...oh please, please, PLEASE do that when Kidd gets back! It would be hilarious to see what Tim would do! Thanks for your continued support!
I'm going to guess that one of the reasons for the shortage of aluminum for ships was that most of the airplanes were aluminum, and given the scale of production, a lot of it was going to that.
Yes, agreed 100% with your assessment! Buffalo alone produced 30,000 aircraft for the war effort. Thanks for watching and your thoughts.
Here is another interesting research question: As construction transitioned from the use of aluminum to steel, did the additional weight of the steel have any negative effects on ship stability, particularly in heavy weather conditions, and is there any evidence as to whether this question was, or was not, evaluated through an engineering analysis?
Great question for sure, tronmcconnell4465! The General Board, naval architects, private shipyards were constantly testing weights, and center of gravity using inclining experiments. These are conducted even today. Shipyards conduct these tests with different loading procedures. Wartime reports were also invaluable to shipyards building later ships of a class, as they would be able to incorporate lessons learned. No doubt steel would make vessels more top heavy, and even the Cleveland Cruisers would work to save weight anywhere they could...even adding 20MM stations without the protective shields or tubs. Hope this helps! Thanks for watching!
Very interesting
I would never believe aluminum would be a wartime material for combat ships.
Thanks for watching. It was reinforced aluminum in many spots...but, yes...definitely helped to lighten the tonnage to place more weight where it was needed!
An interesting way to make the distinction between aluminum and steel on the deckhouse. I was curious about the three welded penetrations seen on the nonmagnetic riveted section aft, there were three squares with roughly rounded corners with portholes in each, welded into the deckhouse material, @ 6:07 - 6:16. Aluminum welding is not easy to do successfully, especially at that time, though not impossible. I found it to be an anomaly to your shortcut. Lol
Excellent point, jbellos1! Appreciate the anomaly. This also starts me down the path of all welded ships in WWII, like the Victory\Liberty ships. I believe those were all welded construction, and presumably the deckhouses\superstructures. I haven't stepped foot on one yet! I appreciate you pointing that out! Sometimes I get stuck looking at the big picture...always seeing the forest for the trees!
I thought at first that aluminum would not provide any protection for the bridge, but then realized that the steel would be thin enough so it would not help
With STS (special treated steel) and high tensile steel, it would offer some protection from splintering action. It was probably 20lbs steel plating .Thanks as always, Kirk!
@@BuffaloNavalPark It did but I have read where shells went in and out of both construction
Great Info, as always Shane! I think one of the things that I like and makes this channel and your presentations unique is you are a curator that came to the historic naval ships. So you are learning much of it right along with us. Not to compare to Ryan The Great from BB62, who got fascinated as a kid and made a career out of it specifically. Many of the videos I have loved watching because being along for the discovery of the information is like seeing it again for the first time. Granted there are a few times I am talking at my screen going 'Shane! Just go there!', or 'Shane! It's obvious!'.
I also love getting the history on the smaller ships. The Battleships and carriers get all the glory, cause they are huge. But then you think about it, there are only what, three cruisers left in the US? Each one is unique and different, and so are the only ones of their kind that remain? Little Rock, Salem and Olympia. Even the destroyers, each one is now unique and arguable the last one in the world. Don't get me wrong, I love the Iowas.. but there are four of them.
So, great job, and keep up the amazing work!
Bryce - Thank you for your very kind words! I appreciate it, and I'm glad you appreciate the different perspectives as well. It is true, I came to this world later in life, and I'm glad I continue to learn everyday - not just from being here, but also people like yourself who leave inciteful comments...so, next time...just scream louder - I'll hear you! So glad you enjoy!
Didn't the Block 1 Fletchers have the square bridge?
Robert - so, DD445 - DD518 (Fletcher to Brownson) did have the rounded bridge. Do to wartime reports, the rest of the Fletchers after 518 were constructed with the square bridge. Better sight lines! Thanks!