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Cincpac File No. S19/(50) Serial 01391 UNITED STATES PACIFIC, FLEET PENNSYLVANIA, Flagship rbs CONFIDENTIAL Pearl Harbor, T. H. September 8, 1941. From: Commander-in-Chief, United States, Pacific Fleet To  : Commander Destroyers, Battle Force   Subject: Visibility of Ships - Experimental Painting.   Reference: (a) BuShips Conf. ltr. C-S19-7(3-4-DYr) of March 7, 1941 (b) BuShips Conf. ltr. C-S19-7(341) of July 30, 1941. (c) Comdesron FIVE disp. 231725 of August 1941. (d) Ship Camouflage Instructions (SHIPS-2). (e) BuShips ltr. C-S19-1-(1)/C-S19-7(341) of August 8, 1941 (f) Comdesbatfor disp. 282145 of August 1941. 1.In reference (a), the Bureau of Ships stated that experimental tests in ship camouflage by Forces Afloat should be procsecuted vigorously. To this end, it is desired to proceed immediately with service tests of new paint colors, announced by the Bureau in reference (b), to expedite determination of their value. 2.It is therefore desired to apply each of the following measures to one of the ships in Destroyer Division NINE, plus Porter, which are scheduled to complete regular overhaul at Mare Island October 7, 1941:   Measure 1A - Apply Formula 5-S to all vertical surfaces, and to all horizontal surfaces except decks, to which gray deck paint should be applied. Measure 2A - Apply Measure 2 or reference (d), as shown on plate 2, using new Formulas 5-H, 5-O, and 5-S respectively, in place of old Formulas 5-L, 5-O and 5-D. Measure 12A- Apply the following composite style of camouflage painting: (a) Hull to level of first continuous sheer (deck) line - Formula 5-S. (b) Superstructure above line of Formula 5-S, and all masses, whether solid or "clustered", above the gun mount level - Formula 5-0.   -1-

Cincpac File No. S19/(50) Serial 01391 UNITED STATES PACIFIC, FLEET PENNSYLVANIA, Flagship rbs CONFIDENTIAL Subject:          Visibility of Ships - Experimental Painting. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - (c) Pole masts and their yards and slender upper works above (b) above Formula 5-H.   Measure 1B - Same as Measure 1A above, substituting experimental "Sapphire Blue" for Formula 5-S, as prescribed in references (e) and (f). 3.Measures outlined in paragraph 2 above (except Measure 1C) are designed to demonstrate the validity of conclusions reached in the experiments conducted in accordance with reference (a). Instructions regarding observation and reports to be made will be the subject of separate correspondence.   H. E. KIMMEL. DISTRIBUTION:   BuShips   Comdesflot 1   Comdesron 5   Comdesdiv 9   Comdt. NYMI

SOURCE:
National Archives & Records Administration, San Francisco
Mare Island Naval Shipyard General Corespondence Files 1941-46

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

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