If you can see this text here you should update to a newer web browser

Normal | Highlight & Comment Highlighted Text will be in Yellow, but there's nothing here yet.

CV/S74(272)

An

3-Aug 1944

RESTRICTED

To: Officer in Charge
U.S. Naval Drydocks,
Hunter's Point, San Francisco, California.
 
Subj: 40 MM Guns - Installation on CV9 Class - Comments on (Related to reference (a)).
 
Refs:
(a) P.S.N.Y. Memo Dated 4 July 1944. (Related to phone call, Capt. Sweeten, Hunter's Point and Lt. Comdr. R.A. Pierce, P.S.N.Y., dated 3 July 1944.)
(b) Comdt. MI ltr. S74-2, (368-669515) of 14 June, 1944. CL58/S74(1)
(c) BuOrd Ltr. BB48/S74,(Re5d) of 27 June, 1944. BB48/S74-1 (23)
BuShips No.Title
(d) 530236         40 MM Ammunition - Empty Case Disposal.
 
Encls:     (HW)
 
(A) Copy of reference (a).
(B) Copy of reference (b).
(C) Copy of reference (c).
    BuShips No.Title
(D) 530236         40 MM Ammunition - Empty Case Disposal.
 
1.   Regarding any modification to the empty case disposal indicated on the Bureau's type plan, reference (d), as proposed in reference (a), attention is invited to reference (b) which also proposes modifications concerning the same subject. Reference (c) was recently received from the Bureau of Ordinance and proposes a trial installation of a pipe guard rail at the muzzle end of the mount, but no other changes are indicated.

2.   It is assumed from paragraph 2(a), of reference (a) that it is intended to eliminate the inner coaming as also proposed by reference (b). Regarding this feature, it is the Yard's opinion that retention of the inner coaming reduces the possibility of empty cases jamming between the rotating mount and the numerous projections on the stand and base ring. Such a condition might result in a cessation of gunfire at a critical time at the mount affected. As reference (b) was directed to the Bureau of Ordinance and the Bureau of Ships, it is considered advisable that any contemplated changes concerning empty case disposal be held in abeyance pending the Bureau's notion on reference (b).

 

 


CV/S74(272)

An

3-Aug 1944

RESTRICTED

3.   For information, and referring to reference (b), the features such as the passer's platform, sloped diversion plates and sweeping rake were discussed with the Bureaus during the development of plan, reference (d). Regearding the sloped diversion plates, observation indicates that they are highly desirable, as they materially assist in the disposal of empty cases during gun fire and eliminate the possibility of a pile-up under the mount.

4.   Regarding the elimination of disposal holes located in the deck or gun platform to the inboard side of the mounts, as proposed in paragraph 2(a), of reference (a), it is recommended that holes be provided in all cases to cover the full firing arc of the gun, which may include the inboard side of the mount as for instance when the gun is elevated and rotated inboard. Under such conditions, the empty cases will discharge towards the inboard side of the mount. On this basis, the CV16 plans forwarded for use are considered correct as shown, as it will be noted that some holes have been omitted in accordance with the above.

5.   The Yard concurs with paragraph 2(b), of reference (a) and Puget Sound Navy Yard plans will be modified accordingly and forwarded at an early date.

R. M. GRIFFIN
Commandant

CC:
 BuShips    (with 1 copy ref. (a) (HW))
 BuOrd      (with 1 copy ref. (a) (HW))
 Comdt,NYMI (with 1 copy refs. (a) and (c) (HW))
 Hull Ftgs. (272) (2)
 Ord. Grp.  (275)

 

 

 

- 2 -


 

DS
CV9/S74(223)

 

 

4 July 1944

MEMORANDUM

To: Planning Officer
Subj:     Installation of 40mm Guns on Ships of CV9 Class

1.     Capt. Sweeten, Planning Officer at Hunter's Point, called on my telephone extension 3 July 1944 and talked with me regarding plans and installation of 40mm guns on ships of the CV9 class. He called particularly in response to a recent speedletter that I originated which suggested that instead of Puget Sound nanufacturing sponsons and cutting them in small sections and shipping them to Hunter's Point, that Hunter's Point do all the manufacturing work. Capt. Sweeten agreed and said that Hunter's Point would manufacture complete such sponsons as are needed. He further stated that he was in receipt of a speedletter from the Bureau which apparently we did not receive here that more or less suggested the same thing, namely, that Hunter's Point manufacture sponsons for the 40mm guns.

2.     After Capt, Sweeten had finished, I talked with Lt. Comdr. Rumble, Design Superintendent at Hunter's Point, regarding certain changes in our plans which Hunter's Point recommends and which the USS INTREPID had felt were very important. These changes are as follows:

  (a)  Empty case disposal - Hunter's Point feels that by shortening case disposal chutes the outside diameter of the holes in the deck throuph which the empty cases go can be reduced to the point that the holes in the deck are covered almost completely by the mount itself so that with the personnel working around the gun at night, there will be less chance of stumbling or falling into these holes in the deck. Lt. Comdr. Rumble particularly pointed out that holes are being provided for empty case disposal on the inboard side which would require that the gun be trained toward the ship in order for these holes to be effective and suggested that in such cases holes not be provided.

 

- 1 -


Ds

 

   (b) Mounts port side gallery dock aft. Hunter's Point suggests that the directors for these two guns which now are located next to the 40mm shield, and that by moving the directors forward and inboard that the arc of fire of these guns can be improved. Lt. Comdr. Rumble feels that the directors can be moved an much as ten feet forward and as much as two feet inboard.
  (c) Plans used by Hunter's Point for removal of #1 gun and increase in size of Flag Plot were forwarded to us on 27 June.
  (d) Plans used by Hunter's Point for CIC on CV11 have been or will be forwarded at an early date. Lt. Comdr. Rumble stated that Bureau of Ships arrangement was used, apparently in spite of a frontal attack by Forces Afloat.
  (e) I stated that Yard is completing plans for bow and stern guns including cutbacks of flight deck and changes to starboard catapult track, and that all such plans would be forwarded at an early date.

H. A. PIERCE

cc:
 CV Desk
 Design Supt
 P & E Supt

 

 

 

- 2 -


 
Copy

Cd

S74-2
(368-669515)
COMMANDANT'S OFFICE
Navy Yard, Mare Island, California
June 14, 1944

RESTRICTED  

From: Comdt.NY, Mare Island
To: Bu0rd
BuShips
Subj: U.S.S. Denver (CL58) 40MM Ammunition Empty Case Disposal - Modifications to.

1.   Drawings and photographs of the empty case disposal arrangement for 40MM mounts numbers 3 and 4 on the USS Denver (CL58) are forwarded for the Bureau's consideration. Encls l, 2, and 3 show the installation as made in accordance with the type plan, Encl 4, which was developed by Navy Yard Puget Sound. Subsequent to making this installation the ship requested alterations to improve the safety conditions and the ammunition handling around the mount. The modified installation may be noted on Encls 5 and 6.

2.   The original installation, as shown on Encls 1, 2 and 3, provides 33 inches between the outer and inner coamings for shell disposal and only about 24 inches between the outer coaming and the ready service bulwark stowage for a walkway. This arrangement creates the following conditions.

     a.  The ammunition passers have an excessively long reach to make over the rear hand rails without stepping over the outer coaming.
b. The deck openings offer a dangerous pitfall for personnel around the mount.
c. The narrow walkway gives insufficient footing for the ammunition passers handling the ready service.
d. The inner coamings cover up the access plates in the training rack cover installed by Ordalt 1819.

3.   A study of the arrangement of the empty case chutes and the shell disposal indicates that, since the end of the outer case chute on a quad mount is only 62" from the centerline of the mount, the outer coaming needs to be only about 68 or 70 inches from the center of the mount instead of 78" as specified on Encl 4. The fact that the curved end of the ejection chute throws the cases downward precludes the necessity for the larger diameter of coaming. The additional 8 or 10 inches of walkway thus provided would greatly improve the conditions noted in paragraph 2. The narrower space between coamings would still permit deck openings of sufficient size to pass the empty cases.

 

- 1 -

(ENCLOSURE (B))


Copy

Cd

S74-2
(368-669515)

4.   Ordalt 1380 provides an ammunition passers platform on the rear of the 40 MM quad mounts for the purpose of preventing the passer from stepping into the ammunition case chutes when foundations have been provided in accordance with Encl. 4. This Ordalt was not performed on the USS Denver for the Following reasons:

     a.  While the passers platform covers the holes in the deck at the rear of the mount, the holes at the front of the mount are still exposed.
b. The addition of a platform on the rear of the mount creates a condition of unbalance on the training gear.
c. The conditions could be corrected more simply as noted below.

5.   This Yard modified the Denver installation as noted on Encls. 5 and 6. The outer coaming was moved in 8". The diversion plates were removed since the were considered ineffective in aiding case disposal. The 15º to 20º slope on these plates would not cause a case to slide and would only be effective in the event that a case dropped in the exact position to roll to one of the deck openings. The inner coaming was removed to obtain access to the training rack as provided by Ordalt 1819. To prevent personnel stepping into the disposal holes in the deck a pipe rail guard was added both in the front and rear of the mount. The pipe guards in the deck openings noted on Encl. 4 were omitted since they would not prevent a man from stepping in the openings. A formed rod to act as a rake was added on either side at the front of the mount for the purpose of sweeping the empty cases into the disposal holes as the mount trains. This feature may be noted on Encls 5 and 7.

6.   It is to be noted that the modified Denver installation results in a net decrease in topside weight of 700 lbs. per mount. The net weight accounts for the addition of pipe rails, the elimination of diversion plates, inner coaming and ammuntition passers platform, and a reduction in length of the outer coaming.

7.   By copy of this letter it is requested that the Commanding Officer of the USS Denver (CL58) report on the effectiveness of the rakes and changes noted above and make appropriate recommendations to BuShips and BuOrd with copies to Navy Yard Puget Sound and this Yard.
By direction of the Commandant.

J. S. CRENSHAW

Ordnance Superintendent

 

- 2 -


 


NAVY DEPARTMENT
BUREAU OF ORDNANCE
Washington 25, D.C.
copy
Cd

27 June 1944
BB48/S74
(Re5d)

From: The Chief of the Bureau of Ordnance.
To: The Commanding Officer, U.S.S. WEST VIRGINIA (BB48).
 
Via: The Commandant, Navy Yard, PugŪt Sound, Bremerton, Washington.
 
Subject: 40mm AAG Mount MK 2 - Request for Experimental Installation of Guard Rail.
Reference: (a) NYPS End 1 on USS WEST VIRGINIA ltr BB48/ S74-1(49) of 25 Jan 1944 to BuOrd Via NYPS.
(b) USS WEST VIRGINIA ltr BB48/374-1(49) of 25 Jan 1944 to BuOrd Via NYPS.
(c) BuOrd Sk No 140573 - 40mm Mount MK 2 - Guard Rail, General Arrangement.
Enclosure: (A) One B/P of ref (c).
(Herewith)

l.         Reference (b) recommended that an expanded metal screen or light metal shield be installed on the front of 40nun Mounts Mark 2 to cover the portion of the empty case disposal chute area around the mount that is exposed between the front of the mount and the coaming around the chute area since this uncovered area, although it is beneath the gun barrels, was considered a hazard to loader personnel, particularly at night.

2.         The Bureau of Ordnance concurs with the comment of reference (a) which stated that the hazards referred to in reference (b) are believed to be no greater than many others normally encountered aboard ship.

3.         Reference (c) shows a guard rail which is designed to serve the same purpose as the cover recommended by reference (b) which, since it is well above the mount case deflectors and chutes, eliminates any of the complication with them that was anticipated in reference (a) and which reduces the additional on-mount weight for this personnel protection to a minimum.

 

 

020944 00001
- 1 -
(ENCLOSURE (C))


 

BB48/S74
(Re5d)

4.         It is requested that the Navy Yard, Puget Sound, install guard rails in accordance with reference (c) an several vessels for experimental purposes. Vessels on which installations are made should be requested to comment on the effectiveness of the guard as a safety device. Comment should be forwarded direct to the Bureau of Ordnance with a copy to the Naval Gun Factor.

 

G. F. HUSSEY, JR.

 

/s/ F. Entwistle
By Direction

CC:
 NavGun (w 1 B/P & 1 VD encl (A))
 BuShips(w 1 VP encl (A))

 

 

CRC/Jezn

 

 

 

 

- 2 -

SOURCE:
National Archives & Records Administration, Seattle Branch
Record Group 181, 64A-283, Entry PSNS-3 Central Subject Files, 1936-61

Transcribed by RESEARCHER @ LARGE. Formatting & Comments Copyright R@L.

CV-16 Lexington Home | Ships Home | Researcher@Large Home