USS Cape (MSI-2) by Dr PR - 1:48 - Inshore Minesweeper

[Dr PR]

It had an open bridge, but with a windshield on the bulwark and a canvas awning overhead. But it was cold and windy, and pretty wet when it rained. In heavy seas we could take water over the bulwark -  once I had several inches of water sloshing back and forth on the deck, and wet feet. When it got really nasty I would step into the pilot house to warm up.

 

Many (most?) US Navy ships had open bridges until after WWII. I guess it was supposed to "build character" for the watch standers. In the 1950s many ships had the bridges enclosed, with open wings.

[Jim Lad]

Were open bridges 'character building', or were they merely preferred because they gave a much better, uninterrupted, view of what was going on around the ship? Maybe once navies turned electronic, such considerations weren't so important.

 

John

[Dr PR]

Jim,

 

I am sure the open exposed bridge did give better views of what was happening. This was especially critical before radar and sonar when all eyes on watch was very important.

 

On the USS Oklahoma City CG/CLG-5 most of the open bridge had been enclosed, and the bulkhead between the enclosed bridge and pilot house had been removed (the USS Little Rock CG-4 museum ship still has the bulkhead between the bridge and pilot house). However, we always stepped out to the open wing of the bridge to look around before executing a turn, and all maneuvering for UNREPS was done from the open bridge wing.

 

Still, I would like to think standing on an open bridge with freezing water sloshing over your feet for four hours did build character!

[Jim Lad]

Merchant ships of my day had an enclosed wheelhouse and almost invariably a chartroom and radio room abaft it. Definitely a need to do the bridge wing thing before doing anything rash.

 

"Look astern before you turn."

 

John