Franz Wessel 2001
“ A MEMORABLE DAY ON THE USS SWANSON.”
My most memorable recollection while serving on the USS Swanson happened during the invasion of Sicily. At the time I was in charge of the forward fireroom. I remember we were responding to a flank speed bell when all of a sudden I was knocked off my feet by a flood of water rushing in from a hole in the port side of the fireroom.
At first I didn’t know what had happened but I later learned that the USS Roe rammed us resulting in a large hole centered just about between the #1 and #2 boilers. I did know it was serious because the fireroom was rapidly filling up with water. The rest of the fireroom personnel went up the starboard side ladder and I tried to go up the port side ladder. I was unsuccessful as the structure was blocked by debris from the collision .
When I started back down the ladder, I realized that both boilers were still steaming with all burners still lit. I just knew the boilers were going to explode. I swam back to the boiler fronts and closed the quick closing oil valves on both boilers and quickly went up the starboard side ladder. These events took place probably less time that it’s taking me to write this. When I exited the hatch to the fireroom, two of my shipmates asked me what happened . Of course I didn’t know except that the fireroom was flooded.
Next I was asked to help the personnel in the forward engine room to shore up the bulkhead between the engine room and the fireroom. We used timbers and mattresses and managed to slow down the water flow.
Later while walking down the starboard side deck. I saw a plane coming towards us. All of a sudden our forward 5”/38 cal. guns fired and I saw the plane explode. I later learned that’ it was a German Fighter Bomber. Word at this time came from the Loud speaker to clear the deck because of falling shrapnel.
I was so proud of our ship that here we were badly wounded but we were still fighting.
All of this happened in one day. For my efforts in helping to save the ship I was given a commendation.
In 1980 my first reunion with the USS Swanson, Maurice Dondis came up to me and said, “I remember you, you’re the red head that swam out of the forward fireroom after the collision with the USS Roe.”