The Chinese T'ai-fung means, literally, "big wind", and has been corrupted to "typhoon". But "big wind" can hardly describe what the Indiana experienced on 05 June 1945, somewhere west of Okinawa. The typhoon arrived about midnight and by 0500 it was raining horizontally at a reputed 138 miles per hour. Green water was well over turret two and a record roll of 26* was recorded. Although the Indiana sustained slight damages, other ships did not come through the typhoon as well. Indiana lost steering control at 0711 when water poured down the engine room ventilation ducts and flooded the steering motors, but overall, damage topside, one float plane torn off its catapult, and below decks was minor. Steering was regained at 0746 as the steering motors were dried out.

The carriers USS Hornet (CV-12) and USS Bennington (CV-20)smashed the forward corners of their flight deck, 75 feet above the water line, while the cruiser USS Pittsburgh (CA-72) appeared in the early dawn minus 80 feet of her bow. The light cruiser USS Duluth (CL-87)and the destroyer USS Blue (DD-744) were so badly damaged that they left the task Group for Guam, USS Pittsburgh under tow. Many planes in the task group were torn from their lashings and destroyed, and six men in the fleet were washed overboard by the mountainous waves and lost. It was all over by 0800 hours.

Looking aft, Taken USS Indiana 05 June 1945










Looking forward, Taken USS Indiana 05 June 1945






Looking aft, Taken USS Indiana 05 June 1945

Last Updated 13 October 2000

All the world's a stage