TShip-Plane Mail; Delivery of at Sea

Ship-Plane Mail; Delivery of at Sea

ComCruPac File
A6-4    CRUISERS, PACIFIC FLEET
DESTROYERS, PACIFIC FLEET ComDesPac File
A6-4

Serial 061 Serial 0179

~~CONFIDENTIAL~~ [Declassified] 12 January 1945

From: Commander Cruisers, Pacific Fleet.

Commander Destroyers, Pacific Fleet.

To: Cruisers, Pacific Fleet.

Destroyers, Pacific Fleet.

Cruiser Division Commanders, Pacific Fleet.

Destroyer Squadron Commanders, Pacific Fleet.

Destroyer Division Commanders, Pacific Fleet.

Destroyer Escort Division Commanders, Pacific Fleet.

Subject: Ship-Plane Mail; Delivery of at Sea.

1. A method of transferring mail between destroyers and planes has been devised. A

part of a loop of manila line, to which the mail container is attached, is spread about

75 feet above the destroyer’s deck by means of helium filled balloons. A plane with

a hook attached to a trailing line flies over the ship and picks up the mail container.



2. Equipment required to be carried by the destroyer:

(a)       Two (2) 10 foot target balloons.

*(b)      About six (6) cylinders of helium to fill the balloons.

(c)        Two (2) 100 foot lengths of manila line to hold the balloons.

(d)        One (1) 200 foot length of 1 1/2 inch manila line formed into a loop.

(e)        Watertight container for mail. A watertight 5” powder can is

             recommended.
*Helium bottles will normally be carried by carriers or other

large vessels and will be passed to the destroyer when she comes

alongside to receive mail that is to be transferred.

3. To rig for passing mail at sea for a plane:

(a)        Fill one balloon to capacity (523 cubic feet) and fill the

             other balloon to about 90% capacity. Plug balloon necks with

             rags and tie with piece of line to prevent gas from escaping.

(b)        Make fast 100 foot length of guide line to each balloon.

(c)        Attach loop line to balloon guide lines. Use one and one half

             turns of ordinary one inch friction tape, attach about five (5)

             feet from balloon. Part of loop between balloon guide lines

             should be about 50 feet.

(d)        Raise balloons to about 75 feet. The fully inflated balloon

             is to be forward of the balloon which is 90% inflated. Make

             after balloon guide lines (90% inflated balloon) fast to star-

             board lifeline or other suitable fitting near stern of ship.

             Make forward balloon guide line (fully inflated balloon) fast

             to starboard lifeline or other suitable fitting at about frame

             140 (guide lines should be made fast about 100 feet apart).

             Top part of loop should be taut, adjust as necessary to make

             it so.

(e)        Lash, parcel fashion, 5” powder can containing mail to the

             bottom of the loop. Place loop and mail container outboard of

             lifeline. Lay mail container in waterway and lash to lifeline

             with a single strand of small stuff, this to prevent container

             from rolling over the side and at the same time allowing it

             to be picked up without undue stress on the loop.

4. In actual tests it was found that the balloon rig remains

steadfast if the ship steams down wind at about five (5) knots faster

than the wind velocity. Also if the wind is kept 5 to 10 degrees off the

port quarter the balloons ride slightly outboard on the starboard side.

5. The pick-up plane will make all runs from port to starboard.

The first run will be made without streaming the hook in order to estimate

wind drift, ship’s course and speed. The initial pick-up run will be made

at an absolute altitude of 170 feet. If this proves to be too high suc-

ceeding runs will be made reducing altitude 10 feet per run.

6. Planes delivering mail to destroyers at sea will normally fly

over the destroyer’s bow and drop a long line (100 to 300 feet) on

the ship. A Mae West painted yellow will be on one end of the line and

the mail container on the other. If the line misses the ship, pick up

using a grapnel.

7.
Destroyer Squadron Commanders are hereby directed to have

one (1) ship of each squadron prepared to transfer mail by the method herein

described. They are further directed to notify Commander Destroyers, Pacific

Fleet, Commander THIRD Fleet, Commander FIFTH Fleet, and their Task Force

Commanders of the ship in their squadron so prepared and designated.

8. All cruisers are hereby directed to transfer mail by the method

herein described, modifying details of balloon rig as necessary

to meet requirements of individual ships.

W. L. AINSWORTH

DISTRIBUTION: (20n-44)

List I, Case 2 – B, C

SPECIAL

CinCPac (4)

ComAirPac (2)

Com3rdFlt

Com5thFlt

ComFairWing 2

Com1stCarTaskFor

Com2ndCarTaskFor

ComFwdAreaCenPac

ComAirForward

ComFairWing 1

ComCarDivs 1,2,3,4,5,6,

ComBatPac

RepComDesPacCenPacFwdArea

RepComDesPacSoPac&7thFlt

/s/

C. McC. WALDNER

Flag Secretary

Source: Philatelly vertical file, Navy Department Library.

13 August 2009


ComCruPac File A6-4		CRUISERS, PACIFIC FLEET DESTROYERS, PACIFIC FLEET	ComDesPac File A6-4
Serial 061				Serial 0179
~~CONFIDENTIAL~~	[Declassified]			12 January 1945

From:		Commander Cruisers, Pacific Fleet.
		Commander Destroyers, Pacific Fleet.
To:		Cruisers, Pacific Fleet.
		Destroyers, Pacific Fleet.
		Cruiser Division Commanders, Pacific Fleet.
		Destroyer Squadron Commanders, Pacific Fleet.
		Destroyer Division Commanders, Pacific Fleet.
		Destroyer Escort Division Commanders, Pacific Fleet.

Subject:		Ship-Plane Mail; Delivery of at Sea.

1.		A method of transferring mail between destroyers and planes has been devised. A
		part of a loop of manila line, to which the mail container is attached, is spread about
		75 feet above the destroyer’s deck by means of helium filled balloons. A plane with
		a hook attached to a trailing line flies over the ship and picks up the mail container.

2.		Equipment required to be carried by the destroyer:

		(a) Two (2) 10 foot target balloons.
		*(b) About six (6) cylinders of helium to fill the balloons.
		(c) Two (2) 100 foot lengths of manila line to hold the balloons.
		(d) One (1) 200 foot length of 1 1/2 inch manila line formed into a loop.
		(e) Watertight container for mail. A watertight 5” powder can is
		recommended. *Helium bottles will normally be carried by carriers or other
		large vessels and will be passed to the destroyer when she comes
		alongside to receive mail that is to be transferred.

3.		To rig for passing mail at sea for a plane:

		(a) Fill one balloon to capacity (523 cubic feet) and fill the
		other balloon to about 90% capacity. Plug balloon necks with
		rags and tie with piece of line to prevent gas from escaping.
		(b) Make fast 100 foot length of guide line to each balloon.
		(c) Attach loop line to balloon guide lines. Use one and one half
		turns of ordinary one inch friction tape, attach about five (5)
		feet from balloon. Part of loop between balloon guide lines
		should be about 50 feet.
		(d) Raise balloons to about 75 feet. The fully inflated balloon
		is to be forward of the balloon which is 90% inflated. Make
		after balloon guide lines (90% inflated balloon) fast to star-
		board lifeline or other suitable fitting near stern of ship.
		Make forward balloon guide line (fully inflated balloon) fast
		to starboard lifeline or other suitable fitting at about frame
		140 (guide lines should be made fast about 100 feet apart).
		Top part of loop should be taut, adjust as necessary to make
		it so.
		(e) Lash, parcel fashion, 5” powder can containing mail to the
		bottom of the loop. Place loop and mail container outboard of
		lifeline. Lay mail container in waterway and lash to lifeline
		with a single strand of small stuff, this to prevent container
		from rolling over the side and at the same time allowing it
		to be picked up without undue stress on the loop.

4.		In actual tests it was found that the balloon rig remains
		steadfast if the ship steams down wind at about five (5) knots faster
		than the wind velocity. Also if the wind is kept 5 to 10 degrees off the
		port quarter the balloons ride slightly outboard on the starboard side.

5.		The pick-up plane will make all runs from port to starboard.
		The first run will be made without streaming the hook in order to estimate
		wind drift, ship’s course and speed. The initial pick-up run will be made
		at an absolute altitude of 170 feet. If this proves to be too high suc-
		ceeding runs will be made reducing altitude 10 feet per run.

6.		Planes delivering mail to destroyers at sea will normally fly
		over the destroyer’s bow and drop a long line (100 to 300 feet) on
		the ship. A Mae West painted yellow will be on one end of the line and
		the mail container on the other. If the line misses the ship, pick up
		using a grapnel.

7.		Destroyer Squadron Commanders are hereby directed to have
		one (1) ship of each squadron prepared to transfer mail by the method herein
		described. They are further directed to notify Commander Destroyers, Pacific
		Fleet, Commander THIRD Fleet, Commander FIFTH Fleet, and their Task Force
		Commanders of the ship in their squadron so prepared and designated.

8.		All cruisers are hereby directed to transfer mail by the method
		herein described, modifying details of balloon rig as necessary
		to meet requirements of individual ships.

		W. L. AINSWORTH

DISTRIBUTION: (20n-44)
List I, Case 2 – B, C

SPECIAL
		CinCPac (4)
		ComAirPac (2)
		Com3rdFlt
		Com5thFlt
		ComFairWing 2
		Com1stCarTaskFor
		Com2ndCarTaskFor
		ComFwdAreaCenPac
		ComAirForward
		ComFairWing 1
		ComCarDivs 1,2,3,4,5,6,
		ComBatPac
		RepComDesPacCenPacFwdArea
		RepComDesPacSoPac&7thFlt

/s/
C. McC. WALDNER
Flag Secretary