The
Development of Naval Camouflage 1914 – 1945
Part II: United States Navy – World War I
By Alan Raven
(Article
reprinted courtesy of Plastic Ship
Modeler Magazine issue #96/4)
at a distance takes on a tone
scintillating with the atmosphere and blending into it and thereby lowering the
visibility of the ship. All
highlights are reduced and the illumination of shadows is given due
consideration. The vertical and
horizontal lines of the ship are apparently broken by the different curved lines
of the panels.”.
By the end of 1917 scores of
cargo vessels and transports were painted in the Brush scheme.
Toch and Mackay designs were also much in evidence, especially on
transports. The Herzog designs were
seen on a few ships, while the Warner system was only worn by five vessels.
On the Brush system, the
following reports from sea were made:
The Commanding Officer of the
USS JUPITER reported July 3, 1917, as follows: “The destroyers in company with
the JUPITER reported that the visibility of the ship was considerably reduced by
her painting. At night the white streak on the stern increased her visibility
due to the swash of the propellers. This
streak has now been painted out and a light gray substituted.
On one occasion the WALKE was
sent to investigate a sail about 5 miles from the ship.
Although the smoke of the WALKE was always visible from the JUPITER the
WALKE reported that she had difficulty in finding the JUPITER after her duty was
completed”.
The Industrial Manager,
Norfolk, July 25, 1917, states that after examination of the JUPITER this system
is not believed to be as effective as the systems in which the outlines are
broken up.
The USS Margaret, October 13,
1917, reports that the MESSICK (Brush) has markedly less degree of visibility
than the AMAGANSETT (Toch original) or the DAVIS (Mackay): “From the
observations on this vessel that system of painting used on the MESSICK was
better than any other vessel of the district.
A dark war gray with light or dark bow and stern, it is thought would
produce excellent results”.
The USS DE LONG, October 13,
1917, reported on the USS MESSICK at 11:20 a.am: “Visibility of the smoke
stack somewhat narrowed; bow
apparently cut off on a line with forward deckhouse; otherwise presented a
clear-cut silhouette”.
Theoretically the Brush system
of counter-shading appears to be the correct solution for low visibility but was
proven impractical due to the impossibility of removing the large black shadows
such as cast by deckhouses and large top hamper which indicate a ship’s
position and course.
Reports from sea on vessels
painted with the Mackay system:
Report form the Commanding
Officer of the OHIO August 31, 1917, relates to observation of the steamer M.M.
DAVIS at 4:20 p.m., August 9, with sky overcast and atmosphere hazy. The report states the scheme of painting to be very good and
far superior to the ordinary slate or war color.
The top of the smoke pipe was banded with black which stood out
distinctly from the rest of the color scheme, which was light green on different
shade painted somewhat to resemble waves. There was no difficulty in focusing range finder on the
vessel at 14000 yards.
The U.S.S. HIAWATHA, September
26, 1917, reports on the DAVIS at 1:45 p.m., with overcast sky and fairly clear
atmosphere. The DAVIS was easily
picked up with the naked eye as the outlines showed up clearly as light gray.
Compared with black vessels near her, which appeared dark gray,
visibility was about equal.
The same ship sighted the DAVIS
about 4:30 p.m., five miles to the westward; sky overcast.
The ship showed up clearly, the colors seeming to have no effect
whatsoever.
The U.S.S. D.K. PHILLIPS,
September 29, 1917, sighted the DAVIS at 9:45 a.m., three miles distant. In slightly foggy weather she showed up more plainly than
other vessels sighted at the same time painted battleship gray.
Report from the Master of
steamship PHILADEPHIA, October 18, 1917, forwarded by lieutenant Commander J. O.
Fisher, U.S.N., November 17, 1917, states that two destroyers convoying the ship
during 24 hours of varying atmospheric conditions were very enthusiastic
regarding the efficiency of the colors. They
stated that at night the PHILADEPHIA was almost invisible during bright
moonlight and totally so in overcast weather at about a mile. One destroyer lost sight completely for some time during the
night and sighted the ship again only at daylight.
The U.S.S. C.H. MC NEAL,
October 15, 1917, observed the LEGONIA II 3 miles north-northwest with the sun
south-southwest and a smoky atmosphere. The
vessel could be plainly seen.
The U.S.S. MARGARET, October
10, 1917, reported the DAVIS less visible than other ships painted by other
schemes which follow in order: MESSICK (Brush); KAJERUNA (Toch improved);
AMAGANSETT (Toch original); BELLOWS(Norfolk B).
The U.S.S. MC NEAL, October 10,
1917, reported the DAVIS and LUCE BROTHERS about 5 miles north close together at
3:30 p.m., “The DAVIS could be seen much plainer and better than the LUCE
BROTHERS which was painted war color”.
The U.S.S. PALMER, October 2,
1917, reports that the DAVIS (Mackay) and MARGARET (Norfolk A) showed much more
prominently than other vessels in clear weather with the sun shining.
Reports from sea on vessels
painted with the Toch system:
The U.S.S. BELLOWS, October 18,
1917, reports the AMAGANSETT, 2 miles northeast, at 3:30 p.m. in hazy
atmosphere: “could be seen very distinctly.”
The U.S.S. THORTON, October 15,
1917, reports the AMAGANSETT at 1:05 p.m., 2 ½ miles northwest by west in hazy
atmosphere, more noticeable than vessels painted light gray: “White stripes
were especially noticeable”.
The U.S.S. MARGARET, October
13, 1917, reports the KAJERUNA, (Toch improved) more visible than
the DAVIS (Mackay) or the MESSICK (Brush) but less visible than the
AMAGANSETT (Toch original) or the BELLOWS (Norfolk B).
The U.S.S. MC NEAL, October
10, 1917, observed the AMAGANSETT and the HELEN EUPHANE, close together, 8
miles distant:
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