0300-0730
At 0307 Commenced zigzagging in accordance with plan #6 on base course
292*(T). At 0355 changed group course right to 042*(T) upon receipt of
emergency turn 9 signal from OTC. At 0415 changed group course left to
340*(T) on signal from OTC. At 0420 commenced maneuvering independently
to leave formation for purpose of refueling destroyers; Captain took the
conn. Changed course left to come to 280*(T) and changed speed to 15 knots
(089 RPM), After swinging approximately five degrees, when ship's head
was about 335* (T). shifted the rudder and steadied up an 340*(T). At this
time ship was in position. At 0424 changed course right to 090*(T), At
about 042 ½ changed course right to 180*(T), but during the swing,
at 0427, ordered the helmsman to steady an 150*(T) . At about 0427 when
on approximately 150*(T) sighted U.S.S. WASHINGTON about 25* on the starboard
bow. Target angle about 350*, distance approximately 1500 yards. Brought
the ship left with full rudder to course 100*(T), and at 0428 with the
U.S.S. WASHINGTON distance about 500 yards ordered full rudder to swing
stern away from U.S.S. WASHINGTON, which was heading for the starboard
quarter at an angle of about 45* with this ship; ordered emergency full
speed ahead. At 0428 +/- collided with U.S.S. WASHINGTON. At 0429 set material
condition Zebra. At 0430 stopped all engines. At 0432 changed course to
090*(T). At 0436 all engines ahead 5 knots (029 RPM). At 0440 went to collision
quarters. At 0441 U.S.S. COTTEN, GATLING, CAPERTON, and HEALY ordered to
remain with U.S.S. WASHINGTON and U.S.S. INDIANA. At 0450 changed course
to 270*(T). At 0450 held sight muster of all hands; one man missing: Neville,
L.H., S2c, V6-SV, USNR. At 0602 changed course to 180*(T) . At 0612 went
to air defense for morning alert. At 0622 changed course to 000*(T). At
0623 changed standard speed to 15 knots. at 0635 changed course to 279*(T).
At 0657 changed speed to 10 knots (059 RPM). Commenced maneuvering on various
courses to take position 2000 yards ahead of U.S.S. WASHINGTON. At 0710
lighted ship, set regular war watch on the anti- aircraft battery. At 0712
sunrise, injury report of personnel due to the collision. The below named
men are casualties; Kelly, V.M., Flc, laceration forehead, fuel oil; Pattenude,
M.L., S2c, fuel oil; Stafford, M.L., F2c, laceration, forehead, left arm,
fuel oil; Martinez, B.E., S2c, head injury, possible fracture; Thompson,
O.V., Pvt., USMC, fracture, right leg and left arm; Eucke, R. F., S2c,
laceration left foot, and fuel oil; McClanahan, P.R., Cox, injuries, multiple
and extreme (deceased); Gerou, J.F., S2c, injuries, multiple extreme (deceased);
Napier, A.N., S2c, laceration left leg. Preliminary report of damage: below
water damage between frames 103-150. Ten wing damage control voids 103-136
and outboard fuel tanks flooded. Fuel lost approximately 75,0006 gallons;
ship took four(4) degree list to starboard which was corrected by counter-flooding
out board frames 36-73 port. Second deck damage, plating holed B-213 just
below main deck level., C-204 L holed at second deck level, frames 129-136.
Main deck scraped from frames 115 aft. Heavy mounts 9 and 11 damaged beyond
repair. Five 20mm guns damaged or lost over the side. Turret III rangefinder
and sight-hood scraped off, with damage to rangefinder and sights. Main
deck holed in several places. Starboard catapult and plane lost over the
side.
0730-1230
At 0757 changed course to 180*(T). Took up position 2000 yards ahead
of the U.S.S. WASHINGTON, unit speed 6.5 knots. At 1015 made daily inspection
of all magazines and smokeless powder samples; conditions normal. At 1120
secured boilers # 1, 4, 5 and 8.
1230-1730
At 1240 U.S.S. WASHINGTON commenced fueling U.S.S. CAPERTON. At 1316
took station 2012 on U.S.S. WASHINGTON, Unit Axis 180*(T). At 1345 lowered
the colors to half mast and held services for Mc Calanahan, P.R., Cox,
USN and Gerou, J.F., S2c, USN, at 1400. At 1415 two blocked the colors.
At 1417 U.S.S. COTTEN commenced fueling from U.S.S. WASHINGTON. At 1555
U.S.S. HEALY commenced fueling from U.S.S. WASHINGTON. At 1700 lowered
the colors to half mast during burial services on the U.S.S. WASHINGTON.
At 1710 all fueling operations completed. At 1702 cut in #8 boiler on the
main steam line. At 1713 secured #7 boiler. At 1720 changed unit speed
to 10 knots. At l730 two blocked the colors.
1730-2230
At 1842 noticed severe vibration while indicating (083 RPM); reduced
speed to 12.3 knots (073 RPM), making 10.7 knots through the water. At
1830 received injury reports as follows; Kasbe, F.A., Pfc, USMC, reported
to sick bay at 1630 with a laceration of the left elbow. He states that
he struck his elbow on a glass coffee pot when he turned around suddenly.
The wound was cleansed with mild soap and water, one suture taken, dusted
with sulfadiazine powder, the man returned to duty; Chipman, R.D., SC2c,
USNR, reported to sick bay with a laceration of the tips of the first,
second and third fingers of the left hand. He states that while he was
breaking out meat, the wire on the meat broke and cut his fingers. The
wound was washed with mild soap and water, three sutures were applied,
dusted with sulfadiazine powder, a sterile dry dressing applied, and the
man returned to duty; Lown, G.N., SF3c, USN, reported to sick bay at 1745
with flash burns of both eyes suffered while using an acetylene burner.
He states that he did not have his head set on at the time. Cold compresses
applied followed by application of butyl sulphate ointment to both eyes,
and man admitted to binnacle for observation. Addenda to collision casualty
list: Beversdorf, R.W., S2c, USNR, wound. lacerated nose; Gieber, C.A.,
F2c, USNR, fracture toe, right; Wlaskalich, M., S1c, USNR, abrasion, top
right hand. At 1859 sunset darkened ship. Set full war watch. At 1915 changed
unit course and axis left slowly to 140*(T). At l943 changed unit course
and axis left slowly to 080*(T). At 2222 changed course right to 090*(T).
Commenced taking station 10* on starboard quarter of U.S.S. WASHINGTON.
Distance 1500 yards.
2230-2400
At 2230 changed speed to 7 knots (041 RPM). Came to course 080*(T).
At 2249 changed speed to 12 knots (072 RPM). Took station 10* on the starboard
quarter of U.S.S. WASHINGTON distance 1500 yards.
02 February 1944
En route Majuro, Marshall Islands. 1700 marine died of injuries in
collision.
03 February 1944
Anchored in Marshall Islands. Funeral services for Marine. Buried him
ashore.
04-06 February 1944
Anchored in Marshall Islands
07 February 1944
Underway for Pearl Harbor.
13 February to 13 April 1944
In Pearl Harbor for repairs from collision.
COLLISION DAMAGE
Click on thumbnail for larger view
SOURCES:
Ship's Log, USS Indiana (BB-58)
Volumes 1-14
US Archives
Washington, DC, 1942-1946
Special Reports, USS Indiana (BB-58)
US Archives
Washington, DC, 1944
Last Updated 07 June 2000
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© 1998-2004 Benjamin M. Givens, Jr.