| Repairs to USS Randolph (CV 15) Essex Class Carrier |
| On the evening of 11 March 1945, the USS Randopph, while anchored in Ulithi harbor 1,000 yards from the JASON, was crashed by a three-man, two engine Japanese sucide plane. The plane, with bombs, entered the RANDOLPH on the starboard quarter between the hanger deck and flight deck. It penetrated the after hanger deck, destroying approximately 4,000 square feet of flight deck, all shops, and all the oxygen and co2 charging stations in the area were destroyed. |
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| Jason sees fire fightin action on the USS RANDOLPH |
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| Stern of the flight deck before debris had been removed. |
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| View of the Deck Morning sfter the crash |
| The explosion blew downward, making a hole ten feet square in the main deck, damaging the CPO quarters below. Within a few hours, and while the fire was still smouldering, inspections were made to determine the extent of the damage, and by midnight The JASON personnel had turned to, clearing wreckage from the area. Before morning, action had been taken to procure material not available in Ulithi. The next morning, on 12 March, the JASON went alongside to accomplish repairs. The large transverse ventalation duct was ripped apart along with all the bents, beams and bulkheads aft of frame 194. Two 40 MM quad machine guns and two Mark 51 directors on the fantail were burned and damaged beyond salvage by the fire and intermittant explosions of the ready service ammo. A terrific fire fed by gasoline from the destroyed plane in the area followed the explosion. All electrical, Fire control and degausing cable in the area was completely burned out. |
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| The USS Jason alonside the USS Randolph |
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| Looking down and aft from the flight deck. showin 2 damaged 40mm quads |
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| Clearing flight deck of debris |
| Damaged shops --from the flt deck |
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| Ragged edges being cut away |
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| 36" centerlin beam being lowered |
| Placing tempory support beams in place |
| Looking aft, showing size of Hole |
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| Looking to starboard, 36" Lonitude in place |
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| Webmaster Note: Next page will contain more material on the USS Randolph. This is to give you more insight on the workmenship under trying conditions performed by Jason Sailors. |
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