Comments by "Steve Valley" (@stevevalley7835) on "The Drydock - Episode 334 (Part 1)" video.

  1. re ships running out of fuel, one of the USN destroyers that was transferred to the RN in 40 came very close. The episode is recounted in "Fifty Ships That Saved The World". The ship was a Caldwell class, shorter ranged than the later Wickes class. There was concern about her short range, but, it was reasoned, she made it to France in 1918, so should be able to make it across the Atlantic again. Her group of six destroyers were en route from Halifax when they picked up radio traffic from Jervis Bay, which was engaging the Scheer. As the USN had handed over the ships with full magazines and torpedo tubes, the destroyers rang up flank and rushed to Jervis Bay's aid. They arrived too late, but the flank speed run had used up a lot of fuel. According to the book, the burners in the Caldwell class went out from lack of fuel, just as she dropped anchor in Belfast.
    18