US Flush-Deck Destroyers 191645: Caldwell, Wickes, and Clemson classes

(Paperback)

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Description

Four pipes and flush decks these ships were a distinctively American destroyer design. Devised immediately prior to and during the United States involvement in World War I they dominated the US Navys destroyer forces all the way through to World War II. They were deployed on North Atlantic and Norwegian Sea convoys, and virtually everywhere in the Pacific, from Alaska to Australia. Fifty were given to Great Britain in its hour of need in 1940, and many would serve in other navies, fighting under the Soviet, Canadian, Norwegian, and even the Imperial Japanese flags. They also served in a variety of roles becoming seaplane tenders, high-speed transports, minesweepers and minelayers. One was even used as a self-propelled mine during Operation Chariot, destroying the dry dock at St. Nazaire. Fully illustrated throughout with commissioned artwork and contemporary photographs, this volume reveals the operational history of these US Navy ships that fought with distinction in both World Wars.

Reviews

...delivers a lot of information in a quick and easy read, with engaging photographs and color illustrations. This book is an excellent primer for those interested in learning about this large class of destroyers that morphed into other roles, and aided England in her Darkest Hour. - IPMS / USA

Make this succinct study your introduction to that fascinating, 33-year history. Recommended! - Cybermodeler Online

Author Bio

Mark Lardas holds a degree in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering, but spent his early career at the Johnson Space Center doing Space Shuttle structural analysis, and space navigation. An amateur historian and a long-time ship modeller, Mark Lardas is currently working in League City, Texas. He has written extensively about modelling as well as naval, maritime, and military history.