If you can see this text here you should update to a newer web browser

Normal | Highlight & Comment Highlighted Text will be in Yellow, but there are none yet

S19/(01045) UNITED STATES PACIFIC FLEET CRUISERS, BATTLE FORCE U. S. S. HONOLULU, Flagship 50-RWB VIA CLIPPER AIR MAIL Pearl Harbor, T. H., August 26, 1941.  CONFIDENTIAL From: Commander Cruisers, Battle Force To: Commanding Officer, U.S.S. HELENA   SUBJECT: Painting of Ships with low-visibility gray paints.   References:    (a) Comcrubatfor Conf. ltr S19/(0644) dated May 26, 1941. (b) USS HELENA Reqn. 477-41 dated June 2, 1941. (c) (c) BuShips conf. ltr S19-7(341) dated July 30, 1941. (d) Comdt. NYd M.I., Conf. ltr 2438, S19(SU) (45) dated August 19, 1941. (e) CO HELENA Conf. ltr CL50/S19-1(0111) dated AUgust 22, 1941.          1.    In reference (d), the Commandant, Navy Yard, Mare Island, stated that the HELENA requisition for dark gray paint, reference (b), has been cancelled because th Bureau of Ships in reference (c) had directed the Yard to discontinue the manufacture of dark gray paint, formula 5-D. The Commandant stated that the Yard was directed to continue manufacture of white untinted base, formula 5-U, and also to manufacture for issue blue-black composite paste, formula 5-TN. It was further stated various shades of exterior paint could be obtained with mixtures as follows: To obtain haze-gray, add 2 Pts. 5-TM to 5 Gals. 5-U. To obtain ocean-gray, add 5 Pts. 5-TM to 5 Gals. 5-U. To obtain sea-blue, add 10 Pts. 5-TM to 5 Gals. 5-U.          2.    Information has been received that "sea-blue" paint corresponds to and will replace the present dark gray paint, formula 5-D.          3.    In reply to reference (e), the Commanding Officer is directed to obtain the necessary materials for an initial, and one subsequent, painting of the HELENA with "sea-blue" paint, mixed in accordance with the formula given above; turn into store at Navy Yard, Mare Island, any dark gray materials now on hand; and have the HELENA completely painted "sea blue" including masts and superstructure and - 1 -

S19/(01045) UNITED STATES PACIFIC FLEET CRUISERS, BATTLE FORCE U. S. S. HONOLULU, Flagship 50-RWB VIA CLIPPER AIR MAIL August 26, 1941.  CONFIDENTIAL Subject: Painting of Ships with low-visibility gray paints. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - omitting the painted bow wave, prior to departure from the Navy Yard. The provisions of reference (a), with respect to the HELENA, are hearby modified accordingly.   H. P. LEARY Copy to:      CinCpac      Combatfor      Comdt.,NYd,M.I.      Comdt.,NYd,Pearl.

Transcribed by RESEARCHER @ LARGE. Formatting & Comments Copyright R@L.

Ships Home | Ship Camouflage Home | Researcher@Large Home