by dick » Wed Jul 31, 2019 3:26 am
I am fairly sure that I have read in some document/Fleet Order that the extra draught marks were to assist damage control but one senses that they were perhaps being a tad over-optimistic if they thought things would be salvable if the water had reached forecastle deck level!
The October 1942 edition of CB 0815B (the half yearly armament return), corrected to 30th September 1942, gives Eskimo 6 x 4.7�, 2 x 4� HA, 1 x 2 pr pom-pom 4 barrel, 2 x .5� M MG, 2 x Lewis and 4 x Oerlikon.
As Brett has highlighted, two of the Oerlikons were on the wings of the signal deck. There is a photo of Eskimo taken in July 1943 during Husky showing a third was centrally on the light AA platform between the funnels (ie between the quad 0.5�s) and a fourth right aft on the quarterdeck. I have a (private) 1942 photo taken onboard Eskimo showing that this was offset to starboard so as to avoid the centerline depth charge rail.
There is a well-known photo of Eskimo taken during PQ18 (Sept 1942). The silhouette of the angled shield of the quarterdeck Oerlikon can be discerned (the gun is aiming broadside to port). The Oerlikon on the light AA platform cannot be made out but there is a distinct gathering centrally there where it should be between the quad 0.5�s. Maybe someone has a clearer photo?
I am fairly sure that I have read in some document/Fleet Order that the extra draught marks were to assist damage control but one senses that they were perhaps being a tad over-optimistic if they thought things would be salvable if the water had reached forecastle deck level!
The October 1942 edition of CB 0815B (the half yearly armament return), corrected to 30th September 1942, gives Eskimo 6 x 4.7�, 2 x 4� HA, 1 x 2 pr pom-pom 4 barrel, 2 x .5� M MG, 2 x Lewis and 4 x Oerlikon.
As Brett has highlighted, two of the Oerlikons were on the wings of the signal deck. There is a photo of Eskimo taken in July 1943 during Husky showing a third was centrally on the light AA platform between the funnels (ie between the quad 0.5�s) and a fourth right aft on the quarterdeck. I have a (private) 1942 photo taken onboard Eskimo showing that this was offset to starboard so as to avoid the centerline depth charge rail.[attachment=0]Eskimo July 1943 Husky.jpg[/attachment]
There is a well-known photo of Eskimo taken during PQ18 (Sept 1942). The silhouette of the angled shield of the quarterdeck Oerlikon can be discerned (the gun is aiming broadside to port). The Oerlikon on the light AA platform cannot be made out but there is a distinct gathering centrally there where it should be between the quad 0.5�s. Maybe someone has a clearer photo?[attachment=1]Eskimo Sept 1942 PQ18.jpg[/attachment]