“High-speed transport”的意思、由来-开放百科全书

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.

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. It could also provide gunfire support if needed. {{USS|Manley|DD-74|6}} was officially designated the Navy's first high-speed transport on 2 August 1940 when she became APD-1.^[1]

Development

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|date=October 2016}} During the war, newly built or unfinished destroyer escorts were converted to APDs.

"Flush-deck" conversions

The first group of APDs (APD-1 through APD-36) were converted from one {{sclass-|Caldwell|destroyer|0}}, 17 {{sclass-|Wickes|destroyer|0}}, and 14 {{sclass-|Clemson|destroyer|0}} "flush-deck" destroyers built during and after World War I. Some of these had been previously converted to aircraft tenders or other uses.^[2]

In the conversion, the two forward boilers (out of four) were removed along with their smokestacks (reducing speed to {{convert|25|kn|kph|lk=in}}). Accommodation for 200 troops was installed in the former engine spaces. The original armament of four 4-inch guns, one 3-inch AA gun, and twelve 21-inch torpedo tubes was replaced with three modern 3-inch AA 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).^[3]

Buckley-class conversions

The second group of APDs were converted from 43 {{sclass-|Buckley|destroyer escort|2}}s (DE)s built in 1943-1945.^[4] Two further planned conversions were canceled at the end of the war.^[5]

In the conversion, the superstructure was expanded to provide accommodation for 162 troops. The original gun armament of three 3-inch AA guns and six 20 mm AA guns was replaced with one 5-inch DP gun and six 40 mm AA guns. The Charles Lawrence class retained the original three torpedo tubes, and carried 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.{{citation needed|date=October 2016}}

Rudderow-class conversions

The third group of APDs were converted from 51 {{sclass-|Rudderow|destroyer escort|2}}s built in 1943-1945. All but one of these were converted while under construction.^[6] These converted vessels were known as the {{sclass-|Crosley|high speed transport|4}}.

This conversion was the same as the Buckley class, except that the original armament had two 5-inch DP guns instead of three 3-inch guns; the aft 5-inch gun was removed.{{citation needed|date=October 2016}}

World War II service

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 with sufficient speed to enable her to outrun more heavily armed ships.{{citation needed|date=October 2016}}

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|date=October 2016}}

After World War II

Nine "flush deck" APDs were lost during the war. The remaining 23 were scrapped in 1945-1946.^[2]

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

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).^[7]

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).^[7]

See also

References

1. ^US Navy, World War 2, ships, page 131
2. ^¹{{Cite book | last = Silverstone | first = Paul H. | title = U.S. Warships of World War I | publisher = Ian Allan | year = 1970 | pages = 118–129}}
3. ^{{Cite book | last = Lenton | first = H. T. | title = American Fleet and Escort Destroyers 1 | publisher = Doubleday | series = Navies of the Second World War | year = 1971 | pages = 12}}
4. ^{{Cite book | last = Lenton | first = H. T. | title = American Fleet and Escort Destroyers 2 | publisher = Doubleday | series = Navies of the Second World War | year = 1971 | pages = 44}}
5. ^{{Cite book | last = Friedman | first = Norman | title = U.S. Destroyers | publisher = Naval Institute press | year = 2004 | pages = 524 & 532}}
6. ^{{Cite book | last = Lenton | first = H. T. | title = American Fleet and Escort Destroyers 2 | publisher = Doubleday | series = Navies of the Second World War | year = 1971 | pages = 101}}
7. ^¹{{Cite book | last = Lenton | first = H. T. | title = American Fleet and Escort Destroyers 2 | publisher = Doubleday | series = Navies of the Second World War | year = 1971 | pages = 46–71}}

External links