Fletcher-class Destroyers
Rigging & Antenna Arrangement
This is an original builder’s drawing to illustrate the rigging, lines and antennas; some of the pencilwork is light and the lettering may be difficult to read. Zoom in completely to read the captions.
The rotation of moving equipment — such as guns — is shown, because nothing could be allowed to tangle the lines and rigging. Also, the ship’s steering light, which was mounted on a pole at the bow, was carefully measured so that a line of sight running from the helmsman through the steering light would hit the water 800 yards (.4 nautical miles or 732 meters) ahead of the ship; this is how the helmsman could accurately gauge short distances in harbors and anchorages.
We have a more complete set of general plans, and we are also assembling a complete set of blueprints for the Fletcher-class destroyers that were built in series with Abbot at Bath Iron Works in Maine. We also have a drawing of the post-war modifications.
Use the interactive controls above to zoom and pan around the drawing. See the Fletcher Class page for more details about blueprints that are available on this site.
Source: National Archives