Suwannee

Kamakize Attack at Leyte Gulf

Suwannee provided air support for the assault forces at Leyte Gulf with antisubmarine and combat air patrols and strikes against Japanese installations ashore. On 24 and 25 October 1944, the Japanese launched a major surface offensive from three directions to contest the Leyte Gulf landings. While the Japanese Mobile Force sailed from Japan and drew the bulk of Admiral Halsey's 3d Fleet to the north, the Japanese 2d Striking Force, attempted to force the Surigao Strait from the south. This drew the US Bombardment Group south to meet that threat in the Battle of Surigao Strait. With the old battleships fighting in Surigao Strait and Halsey's 3d Fleet scurrying north, Suwannee, with the other 15 escort carriers and 22 destroyers and destroyer escorts, formed the only Allied naval force operating off Leyte Gulf when the Japanese 1st Striking Force transited the unguarded San Bernadino Strait into the Philippine Sea. Just before 0700 on the 25th, the Japanese force of four battleships, eight cruisers, and numerous destroyers were detected by the northernmost group of escort carriers, Taffy 3, and the surface battle off Samar ensued. Suwannee, much farther south as an element of “Taffy 1. did not participate in this surface engagement however her problems came from another quarter at 0740 when Taffy 1 was attacked by land-based planes from Davao in the first suicide attack of the war. The first one crashed Santee (CVE-29) and, 30 seconds later, Suwannee splashed a kamikaze during its attack on Petrof Bay (CVE-80). Her gunners soon scratched a 2nd enemy plane, then engaged a 3rd attacking aircraft, circling in the clouds at 8,000 feet, which in its final dive, crashed into the flight deck of Suwannee 40 feet forward of the after elevator, opening a 10-foot hole in her flight deck. His bomb compounded the fracture when it exploded between the flight and hangar decks, tearing a 25-foot gash in the ship causing a number of casualties. Just after noon on the 26th, another group of kamikazes jumped Taffy 1. A Zeke crashed Suwannee's flight deck and careened into a just recovered torpedo bomber. The two planes erupted into flame along with nine other planes on the flight deck. The resulting fire burned for several hours, but was finally brought under control. Prepared by CAPT R.O. Strange USN (Ret.) 1 172
http://navylog.navymemorial.org/Portals/0/images/ships-tribute/MSB94209132.jpg Oregonian 9 13 1942 1942-09-13 00:00:00.000 Air Attack Near norway While en route to Russia with a cargo if aircraft, SS Oregonian was torpedoed by German Aircraft. The ship was struck by three torpedoes on its starboard side causing the ship to capsize and sink. 17 Merrchant Mariners and 9 Navy Armed Guard survived the attack. A Careless Word, A Needless Sinking 1 173
http://navylog.navymemorial.org/Portals/0/images/ships-tribute/NBD94406191.jpg South Dakota BB 57 6 19 1944 1944-06-19 00:00:00.000 Attack during Marianas Turkey Shoot On June 19, South Dakota was operating with the fast carriers off Saipan. It was known that a major Japanese force was approaching from the west, and the American capital ships were placed so that they could continue to support the ground forces on Saipan and also intercept this enemy force. At 1012, a large group of bogies was reported approaching from the west. At 1049, a Judy dropped a 500-pound bomb on South Dakota'S main deck where it blew a large hole, cut wiring and piping, but inflicted no other serious material damage. However, personnel losses were heavy: 24 killed and 27 wounded. The ship continued to fight throughout the day as air attacks were continuous. This was the first day of the Battle of the Philippine Sea and was called the Marianas Turkey Shoot as the Japanese lost over 300 aircraft. The air battle continued throughout the 20th. When it ended, the badly mauled Japanese fleet no longer posed a threat to the American conquest of the Marianas. Prepared by CAPT R.O. Strange USN (Ret.) 1 174
http://navylog.navymemorial.org/Portals/0/images/ships-tribute/NSB94406191.jpg LST-523 LST 523 6 19 1944 1944-06-19 00:00:00.000 Mined off Normandy LST-523 was assigned to the European theater and participated in the invasion of Normandy in June 1944, While operating off the Normandy beachhead, LST 523 struck an enemy mine. Forty-two of her men perished in the incident. LST 523 was damaged so severely by the mine explosion that she sank almost immediately after being hit. Prepared by CAPT R.O. Strange USN (Ret.) 1 175
http://navylog.navymemorial.org/Portals/0/images/ships-tribute/NSB94406092.jpg LST-376 LST 376 6 9 1944 1944-06-09 00:00:00.000 Torpedoed off Northern France LST-376 was attacked by German surface craft in the English Channel and sustained a torpedo hit. LST 376 sinks from damage 44 men perish in the attack. Prepared by CAPT R.O. Strange USN (Ret.) 1 176
http://navylog.navymemorial.org/Portals/0/images/ships-tribute/MSB94306191.jpg Henry Knox 6 19 1943 1943-06-16 00:00:00.000 Submarine Attack in Indian Ocean The Liberty Ship Henry Know was torpedoed by submarine I-37 while en route to Iran. The explosion ignited gun powder showering flaming cordite capsules on the deck. The ship sank after three hours. In three lifeboats, seperated in rough weather, the survivors endured days at sea before being rescued. A Careless Word, A Needless Sinking 1 177
http://navylog.navymemorial.org/Portals/0/images/ships-tribute/NBD94406251.jpg OBrien DD 725 6 25 1944 1944-06-25 00:00:00.000 Shore Battery fire near Cherbourg On June 25, while supporting minesweeps well inshore of Texas (BB-35), which was engaging German shore batteries at Cape Levi, near Cherbourg, O'Brien's own gunfire was so accurate that enemy gunnery positions shifted from Texas to O'Brien. She received a direct hit just abaft the bridge, but was able to stay on station long enough to lay a smoke screen for Texas. Thirteen men were killed and nineteen wounded. Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships 1 178
http://navylog.navymemorial.org/Portals/0/images/ships-tribute/NBD94406171.jpg Fanshaw Bay CVE 70 6 17 1944 1944-06-17 00:00:00.000 Bomb Attack near Saipan In a melee of raids from all sides which included about 70 Japanese planes, Fanshaw Bay was struck by a bomb, after her antiaircraft guns and fighter planes had splashed many of the attackers. The bomb penetrated the after elevator and exploded in midair above the hanger deck, killing 14 and wounding 23. Fire broke out and the fire main was ruptured, flooding several compartments aft. In just under an hour, the damage was brought under control, but Fanshaw Bay listed 3 degrees to port and settled 6 feet by the stern. She transferred Rear Admiral Bogan to a destroyer, and sailed for Pearl Harbor and battle damage repairs. Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships 1 179
http://navylog.navymemorial.org/Portals/0/images/ships-tribute/NBD81208191.jpg Constitution NULL NULL 8 19 1812 1812-08-19 00:00:00.000 Engagement with HMS Guerriere Various Source 1 180
http://navylog.navymemorial.org/Portals/0/images/ships-tribute/NBD82211091.jpg Alligator 11 9 1822 1822-11-09 00:00:00.000 Merchentmen Resuced from Pirates Various Sources 1 181
http://navylog.navymemorial.org/Portals/0/images/ships-tribute/NSB91711051.jpg Alcedo SP 166 11 5 1917 1917-11-05 00:00:00.000 U-Boat Attack Near Brest France Various Sources 1 182
http://navylog.navymemorial.org/Portals/0/images/ships-tribute/NSN91711191.jpg Chauncey DD 3 11 19 1917 1917-11-19 00:00:00.000 Collision with British Freighter On November 19, 1917, while about 110 miles west of Gibraltar on escort duty, Chauncey was rammed by the British merchantman SS Rose as both ships steamed in war-imposed darkness. At 0317 Chauncey sank in 1500 fathoms, taking to their death 21 men including her captain. Seventy survivors were picked up by Rose and carried to port. Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships 1 183
http://navylog.navymemorial.org/Portals/0/images/ships-tribute/MSB94211011.jpg George Thacher 11 1 1942 1942-11-01 00:00:00.000 U-Boat Attack off Coast of Africa 1 184
http://navylog.navymemorial.org/Portals/0/images/ships-tribute/MSB94211021.jpg Zaandam 11 2 1942 1942-11-02 00:00:00.000 U-Boat Attack in Atlantic 1 185
http://navylog.navymemorial.org/Portals/0/images/ships-tribute/MSB94211031.jpg East Indian 11 3 1942 1942-11-03 00:00:00.000 U-Boat Attack off Capetown 1 186
http://navylog.navymemorial.org/Portals/0/images/ships-tribute/MSB94211041.jpg William Clark 11 4 1942 1942-11-04 00:00:00.000 U-Boat Attack in North Atlantic 1 187
http://navylog.navymemorial.org/Portals/0/images/ships-tribute/MSB94211071.jpg La Salle 11 7 1942 1942-11-07 00:00:00.000 U-Boat Attack near South Africa 1 188
http://navylog.navymemorial.org/Portals/0/images/ships-tribute/MSB94211072.jpg Nathaniel Hawthorne 11 7 1942 1942-11-07 00:00:00.000 U-Boat Attack near Isla de Margarita 1 189
http://navylog.navymemorial.org/Portals/0/images/ships-tribute/NBD94211071.jpg Thomas Stone AP 59 11 7 1942 1942-11-07 00:00:00.000 U-Boat Attack near Gibraltar 1 190
http://navylog.navymemorial.org/Portals/0/images/ships-tribute/NSB94211091.jpg Leedstown AP 73 11 9 1942 1942-11-09 00:00:00.000 Air Attack near Algiers 1 191
http://navylog.navymemorial.org/Portals/0/images/ships-tribute/NBD94211111.jpg Hambleton DD 455 11 11 1942 1942-11-11 00:00:00.000 U-Boat Attack near Casablanca As she lay anchored by Witidoakl off Fedala in the evening of November 11, 1942, Hambleton was struck amidships on the port side by a U-boat torpedo. ... With all power gone, the destroyer took a 12 degree list to starboard as her damage control parties worked swiftly to jettison topside weights and shore up weakened bulkheads. The crippled ship was towed to Casablanca for temporary repairs. Seabees there cut the ship in two, removed a 40-foot section of her damaged hull, then Joined the two remaining halves together. Escorted by a tug, Hambleton reached Boston on June 28 for permanent repairs. Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships 1 192
http://navylog.navymemorial.org/Portals/0/images/ships-tribute/NSB94211111.jpg Joseph Hewes AP 50 11 11 1945 1945-11-11 00:00:00.000 U-Boat Attack near Casablanca By November 11, the Joseph Hewes had completed unloading and had received 30 casualties from the beach. At 1950 she took a torpedo hit in No. 2 hold from U-173. The transport settled by the bow and began filling rapidly with water. Captain Smith endeavored to pick up anchor or slip chain but, as the entire forecastle was under water, this was not possible. He then attempted to beach the ship by backing engines but her propeller was out of the water, so the order was given to abandon ship. ... Joseph Hewes went down at 2032, taking Captain Smith and several seamen with her. By his coolness, calmness, and his devotion to duty in placing the safety of the crew and ship before his own, he instilled confidence in every officer and member of the crew. The U-173 paid heavily for her victory, for she was sunk 5 days later off Casablanca by American destroyers. Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships 1 193
http://navylog.navymemorial.org/Portals/0/images/ships-tribute/NBD94211121.jpg Buchanan DD 484 11 12 1942 1942-11-12 00:00:00.000 Naval Gunfire Near Gualacanal On November 12, the Buchanan was damaged during the initial stages of the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal when she was accidentally hit by U. S. naval gunfire. She suffered the loss of five of her crew and had to withdraw from the action. Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships 1 194
http://navylog.navymemorial.org/Portals/0/images/ships-tribute/NSB94211121.jpg Edward Rutledge AP 52 11 12 1942 1942-11-12 00:00:00.000 U-Boat Attack near Casablanca The Edward Rutledge successfully landed troops at Fedhala, French Morocco, on November 8, and lay off the beach unloading her cargo with two lifeboats, the only boats remaining after the assault. ... On November 12, she was torpedoed by U-150 who slipped past the escort screen to sink three transports. Edward Rutledge's crew attempted to beach her but all power had been lost; she settled rapidly by the stern and sank with the loss of 15 men. Prepared by CAPT R. O. Strange USN (Ret.) 1 195
http://navylog.navymemorial.org/Portals/0/images/ships-tribute/NSB94211122.jpg Erie PG 50 11 12 1942 1942-11-12 00:00:00.000 U-Boat Attack Near Curacao USS Erie was torpedoed off Curacao, Netherlands Antilles and was beached to prevent sinking. After being towed from Curaco to Willenstadt, Netherlands Antilles the Erie capsized and sank; Struck from the Naval Register, July 28 1943. Prepared by CAPT R.O. Strange USN Ret. 1 196
http://navylog.navymemorial.org/Portals/0/images/ships-tribute/NSB94211123.jpg Hugh L. Scott AP 43 11 12 1942 1942-11-12 00:00:00.000 U-Boat Attack Near Casablanca The Hugh L.Scott approached the beaches at Fedhala, French Morocco, on the morning of November 8, 1942 and after bombardment by surface ships, landed her troops. The transport then cleared the immediate invasion area, and did not return until November 11, when she entered the refueling area, anchoring in the exposed Fedhala roadstead to unload her supplies. During the evening of November 11, German submarine U-173 slipped inside the protective screen to torpedo transport Joseph Hewes, tanker Winooski, and destroyer Hamberton. Hugh L. Scott and the other transports went to battle stations the entire night, and resumed unloading the next day. ... On November 12, another German submarine, U-130, stalked the transports and torpedoed Hugh L. Scott, Edward Rutledge, and Tasker H. Bliss. Hugh L. Scott, hit on the starboard side, burst into flame and foundered, but owing to the availability of landing craft for rescue, casualties were held to a minimum - 8 officers and 51 men. ... U-173 was later sunk by destroyers, but U-130 escaped. Prepared by CAPT R. O. Strange USN (Ret.) 1 197
http://navylog.navymemorial.org/Portals/0/images/ships-tribute/NBD94211122.jpg San Francisco CA 38 11 12 1942 1942-11-12 00:00:00.000 Air Attack off Laguna Point San Francisco, operating in the Guadalcanal area as flagship for TG 67.4 was spotted by a Japanese twin-float reconnaissance plane which began shadowing the formation. As the transport vessels were unloading off Lunga Pt , an approaching Japanese air group was detected and ships commenced evasive maneuvering. Soon afterward 21 enemy planes attacked the force and a damaged torpedo plane dropped its torpedo off San Francisco's starboard quarter. The torpedo passed alongside, but the plane crashed into San Francisco's control aft, and plunged over the port side into the sea. ... Fifteen men were killed, 29 wounded, and one missing. Control aft was demolished. The ship's secondary command post, Battle Two, was burned out but reestablished by dark. The after antiaircraft director and radar were put out of commission. Three 20 millimeter mounts were destroyed. The wounded were transferred to attack transport President Jackson (APA-18) just before the approach of an enemy surface force was reported. Prepared by CAPT R. O. Strange USN (Ret.) 1 198
http://navylog.navymemorial.org/Portals/0/images/ships-tribute/NSB94211124.jpg Tasker H. Bliss AP 42 11 12 1942 1942-11-12 00:00:00.000 U-Boat Attack Off Casablanca Assigned to participate in the invasion of North Africa, Tasker H. Bliss in company the ships of the task force arrived off Fedhala, Morocco on November 8. ... On the evening of November 12, while the transports were anchored in Fedhala Roads the German submarine U-130 slipped in among the ships and fired five torpedoes. All torpedoes hit their targets, and the victims were transports Edward Rutledge (AP-52), Hugh L. Scott (AP-43), and Tasker H. Bliss. All were abandoned and the first two sank shortly, but Tasker H. Bliss burned until 0230 the next morning and then sank. ... Thirty three fatalities occurred as a result of the attack She was struck from the Navy list on 7 December 1942. Prepared by CAPT R.O. Strange USN (Ret.) 1 199
http://navylog.navymemorial.org/Portals/0/images/ships-tribute/NBD94211131.jpg Aaron Ward DD 483 11 13 1942 1942-11-13 00:00:00.000 Naval Battle of Guadalcanal After several escort missions Aaron Ward joined the covering force at Guadalcanal, October 17, 1942. During the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal, November 13, 1942, she performed gallantly, and took nine hits killing 15 of her crew and wounding 55. Prepared by CAPT R. O. Strange USN (Ret.) 1 200
http://navylog.navymemorial.org/Portals/0/images/ships-tribute/NSB94211131.jpg Atlanta CL 51 11 13 1942 1942-11-13 00:00:00.000 Naval Battle of Guadalcanal While operating off Guadalcanal, Japanese dispatched 25 aircraft to destroy the US forces and disrupt the invasion. Atlanta was credited with shooting down two of the aircraft, but as the air attack ended. A Japanese surface action group was detected entering the area. During the early morning hours the Japanese surface force comprised of 2 battleships and twelve other ships was detected steaming into the area. Atlanta, the lead ship in a column of 13 ships was initially illuminated by Japanese searchlights and within 10 minutes of engagement commencement, she had taken two surface launched torpedo hits and 50 major caliber hits from the battleships and cruisers. As a result of battle damage Atlanta lost all ship's power other than auxiliary power. Before drifting out of the fight in the urgency of battle, darkness and confused intermingling of friend and foe, San Francisco mistook Atlanta for an enemy cruiser and took 2 additional hits from eight inch projectiles. ... Shipboard damage control parties valiantly set to work repairing battle damage, shoring up holes and jettisoning topside weight to improve stability. Remaining powerless, other than auxiliary power Atlanta drifted perilously close to enemy held island east of Cape Esperance and was forced to anchor rather than going aground. ... A total of 172 men died and another 79 were seriously wounded during the battle. Prepared by CAPT R.O. Strange USN (Ret.) 1 201
http://navylog.navymemorial.org/Portals/0/images/ships-tribute/NSB94211132.jpg Barton DD 599 11 13 1942 1942-11-13 00:00:00.000 Naval Battle of Guadalcanal During Naval Battle of Guadalcanal, Barton engaged Japanese force with gunfire and later launched a spread of 4 torpedoes. While slowing to avoid collision with friendly forces during the battle, Barton was struck by Japanese torpedoes. Two enemy torpedoes struck Barton - one hit in the forward fireroom and the second hit in the forward engine room. ... Within seconds, the ship broke in two and sank taking the lives of 90% of her crew. 42 survivors were rescued by friendly forces. Prepared by CAPT R. O. Strange USN (Ret.) 1 202
http://navylog.navymemorial.org/Portals/0/images/ships-tribute/NSB94211133.jpg Cushing DD 376 11 13 1942 1942-11-13 00:00:00.000 Naval Battle of Guadalcanal Cushing screened transports safely into Guadalcanal November 12, 1942 and was in the van of the force that moved out to intercept the Japanese fleet in the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal on the night of November 13. As the range closed, she suddenly sighted three enemy destroyers at 3,000 yards. In the bitter gunfire which followed Cushing received several hits amidships, resulting in a gradual power loss, but she determinedly continued to fire her guns at the enemy, launching her torpedoes by local direction at an enemy battleship. ... Fires, exploding ammunition, and the inability of Cushing to shoot any longer made the abandon ship order unavoidable as the battle with the Japanese force continued. Her burning hulk was last seen from Guadalcanal when she sank about 3,500 yards southeast of Savo Island. ... Cushing lost 70 men killed or missing, some of them later rescued from the water, and many wounded, but with the task force she had aided in saving Henderson Field from a disastrous bombardment by a Japanese force. Prepared by CAPT R. O. Strange USN (Ret.) 1 203
http://navylog.navymemorial.org/Portals/0/images/ships-tribute/NSB94211134.jpg Juneau CL 52 11 13 1942 1942-11-13 00:00:00.000 Submarine Attack near San Cristobal

 

At 0145 Juneau, in company with 4 cruisers and 8 destroyers encounter a Japanese force of 2 battleships, 1 light cruiser and 11 destroyers. Three Japanese destroyers conduct a coordinated torpedo attack of US Forces. One US cruiser and one US destroyer are sunk. Juneau is hit by a torpedo in her port side near forward fire room. The explosion buckles the deck, shatters the fire control computers and knocks out ship's power. ... At 1100 while conducting evasive maneuvering (zigzagging) in company with 2 US cruisers and 3 destroyers, Japanese submarine launches torpedoes at US force striking Juneau on port side near the previous hit. Ensuing magazine explosion blows Juneau in half, killing most of the crew. Survivors were noted in the water by accompanying ships but due to risk of further submarine attack, no other ships of the task force stayed in the area to rescue survivors. ... After eight days in the water survivors were spotted and rescue effected. Of the 115 crewmembers that survived the explosion on the ship and made it into the water, only 10 men were ultimately rescued. ... The  Sullivan brothers, Joseph, 24;  Francis,27;  Albert, 20; Madison, 23 and George, 28 from Waterloo,  Iowa died

in the sinking of the USS JUNEAU (CL 52).

 

President Roosevelt directed that one of the new Fletcher class destroyers be named after the brothers.

 

To honor the five Sullivan brothers, the Navy has named two destroyers, USS THE SULLIVANS.

 

The first USS THE SULLIVANS was launched in San Francisco, California on April 4, 1943.  Sponsored by Mrs. Alleta Sullivan, the mother of the five Sullivan brothers, USS THE SULLIVANS (DD 537) was commissioned on September 30. 1943.  The ship sported the shamrock of Ireland on her forward stack and sailed into World War II with 23 crew members named Sullivan. She fought in the Marshalls, Carolinas, Marianas and Philippines and earned nine battle stars. After deployment in Korea, where she earned two

battle stars, the Cuban blockade, and the rescue efforts for the sub Thresher, she was decommissioned on January 7, 1965.  In 1977 the vessel was acquired by the City of Buffalo as a memorial and is on display at the Buffalo and Erie County Naval & Servicemen's park. It has been designated as a National Historic Landmark.

 

The second USS THE SULLIVANS (DDG 68)was laid down on 14 June 1993 at Bath Maine, by Bath Iron Works Company. She was launched on 12 August 1995 by ship’s sponsor, Kelly Sullivan Loughren,

granddaughter of Albert Leo Sullivan.  Commissioned on 19 April 1997 at Staten Island, New York

and brought to life by Kelly Sullivan Loughren and brother, John Sullivan.   

 

USS THE SULLIVANS (DDG 68) continues to carry on the fighting Sullivan sprit with the motto:

“We Stick Together.”  USS THE SULLIVANS (DDG 68) recently underwent a massive and expensive Ballistic Missile Defense upgrade, making her one of the few elite destroyers capable of intercepting and destroying hostile exo-atmospheric intercontinental ballistic missile tracks.  Utilizing this new skill set, THE SULLIVANS is currently on a 5^th Fleet / 6^th Fleet BMD Deployment, providing air defense coverage for a large portion of the Middle East.

Submitted by Charles Patrick Brown

Prepared by CAPT R.O. Strange USN (Ret.) 1 204
http://navylog.navymemorial.org/Portals/0/images/ships-tribute/NSB94211135.jpg Laffey DD 459 11 13 1942 1942-11-13 00:00:00.000 Naval Battle of Guadalcanal The naval battle of Guadalcanal was just about to begin when the enemy force, a group of two battleships, one cruiser and 14 destroyers appeared on the horizon. Laffey lashed out at the enemy with gunfire and torpedoes. At the height of the violent battle, an enemy battleship came slashing through the darkness and both ships headed at full speed for the same spot. The destroyer unleashed her torpedoes and using all her firepower, machine-gunned the battleship's bridge. With a battleship on her stern, a second on her port beam, and two destroyers on her port bow, Laffey fought the Japanese ships with the three remaining main battery guns in a no-quarter duel at point blank range. ... Suddenly, from the battleship whose bridge she had shot away, came a salvo of 14-inch guns, swamping the crippled destroyer. Then a torpedo in her fantail put Laffey out of action. As the order to abandon ship was passed, a violent explosion ripped the destroyer apart; and she sank immediately. But her gallant skipper and crew had made the enemy pay a fearful price of one battleship severely damaged, one cruiser and two destroyer sunk. Prepared by CAPT R. O. Strange USN (Ret.) 1 205
http://navylog.navymemorial.org/Portals/0/images/ships-tribute/NSB94211136.jpg Monssen DD 436 11 13 1942 1942-11-13 00:00:00.000 Naval Battle of Guadalcanal In what would later be called the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal the heavily outnumbered US forces sighted the Japanese fleet headed toward Henderson Field to bombard it and cripple Allied air operations long enough to sneak in 11 of their transports to relieve their beleaguered comrades fighting on the island. The battle commenced at 0150 and within 30 minutes Monssen, which had been spotlighted in the darkness and hit by some 37 shells was reduced to a burning hulk. Twenty minutes later, completely immobilized in all departments, the ship was ordered abandoned. ... After daybreak Monssen was still a floating incinerator. Survivors whoo had previously abandoned ship reboarded the hulk and rescued eight men still aboard and alive, five of whom lived after reaching land. The survivors, 40 percent of the crew, were picked up and taken to Guadalcanal. The ship continued to blaze until early afternoon, when the waters of Ironbottom Sound closed over her. Prepared by CAPT R. O. Strange USN (Ret.) 1 206
http://navylog.navymemorial.org/Portals/0/images/ships-tribute/NBD94211132.jpg Portland CA 33 11 13 1942 1942-11-13 00:00:00.000 Naval Battle of Guadalcanal On November 13, Portland was part of a surface combat unit that fought a greatly superior Japanese force close to Guadalcanal. Portland was torpedoed in the stern in that action and had to be towed to Australia for temporary repairs. Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships 1 207
http://navylog.navymemorial.org/Portals/0/images/ships-tribute/NBD94211133.jpg San Francisco CA 38 11 13 1942 1942-11-13 00:00:00.000 Naval Battle of Guadalcanal The San Francisco, in company with one heavy cruiser, three light cruisers, and eight destroyers, entered Lengo Channel. At 0125 on the 13th, the enemy force was discovered about 27,000 yards to the northwest and the US task group maneuvered to intercept. ... At 0148, San Francisco opened fire on an enemy cruiser 3,700 yards off her starboard beam. At 0151, she trained her guns on a small cruiser or large destroyer 3,300 yards off her starboard bow. An enemy battleship was then sighted and taken under fire, initial range 2,200 yards. At about 0200, San Francisco trained her guns on a second battleship. At the same time, she became the target of a cruiser off her starboard bow and a destroyer which had crossed her bow and was passing down her port side. The enemy battleship joined the cruiser and the destroyer in firing on San Francisco, whose port 5-inch battery engaged the destroyer but was put out of action except for one mount. The battleship put the starboard 5-inch battery out of commission. San Francisco swung left while her main battery continued to fire on the battleships which, with the cruiser and the destroyer, continued to pound San Francisco. ... A direct hit on the navigation bridge killed or badly wounded all officers except the communications officer. Steering and engine control were lost and shifted to Battle Two. Battle Two was out of commission by a direct hit from the port side. Control was again lost. Control was then established in the conning tower which soon received a hit from the starboard side. Steering and engine control were temporarily lost, then regained. All communications were dead. Soon thereafter, the enemy ceased firing. San Francisco followed suit and withdrew eastward along the north coast of Guadalcanal. ... Seventy-seven sailors, including Rear Admiral Callaghan and Capt. Young, had been killed. One Hundred and five had been wounded. Of seven missing, three were subsequently rescued. The ship had taken 45 hits. Structural damage was extensive, but not serious. No hits had been received below the waterline. Prepared by CAPT R. O. Strange USN (Ret.) 1 208
http://navylog.navymemorial.org/Portals/0/images/ships-tribute/NBD94211134.jpg Sterett DD 407 11 13 1942 1942-11-13 00:00:00.000 Naval Battle of Guadalcanal In the Guadalcanal campaign, after shepherding the transports o safety, Sterett joined the US cruiser-destroyer force to intercept the Japanese raiding force. Upon detecting the Japanese force Sterett and her colleagues increased speed changed course and threaded their way into the enemy formation. ... A deadly crossfire immediately engulfed Sterett. She fired on a cruiser to starboard and, in turn, took a terrific pounding from battleship Hiei on her port side. Soon her first target was enveloped in a large explosion and sank. Sterett turned now to the Japanese battleship tormenting her port side, let fly four torpedoes, and peppered her superstructure with 5-inch shells. Though the battleship neither sank nor sustained severe damage, Sterett had the satisfaction of scoring two torpedo hits before a third target crossed her bow. At the appearance of an enemy more her size, Sterett tore into the destroyer with her guns and launched two torpedoes. Before the Japanese destroyer could fire a single shot at Sterett, she was lifted from the water by exploding torpedoes and rapidly sank. ... Sterett had undergone a brutal beating from Hiei and various other enemy ships. With the Japanese retiring toward Savo Island, Sterett, her after guns and starboard torpedo tubes out of commission, began to withdraw. She had difficulty overtaking the rest of her force because of her damaged steering gear and the necessity to reduce speed periodically to control the blaze on her after deck. ... During the battle Sterett sustained 11 hits (three were major caliber hits) and several near misses that caused damage. ... Casualties incurred were 26 killed and 18 seriously injured. However, by dawn, she was back in formation on the starboard quarter of USS San Francisco. Prepared by CAPT R. O. Strange USN (Ret.) 1 209
http://navylog.navymemorial.org/Portals/0/images/ships-tribute/NSB94211141.jpg Preston DD 379 11 14 1942 1942-11-14 00:00:00.000 Shellfire near Salvo Island Preston, in company with TF 64, sailed along the western end of Guadalcanal to intercept another Japanese run down the Slot to bombard Henderson Field and land reinforcements. Swinging around Savo Island, the force of two battleships and four destroyers, entered the channel between Savo and Cape Esperance. At 2300, the enemy cruiser Sendai was picked up on radar, and, the 3rd Battle of Savo Island commenced. ... Sendai, accompanied by the destroyer Shikinami, had been following the Americans, but 16 projectiles drove them off. Soon after, however, the battle was rejoined. The Japanese force had been dispersed and within minutes of the battleship-cruiser encounter, enemy destroyers, edging along the southern shore of Savo, entered the fray. Benham and Preston followed. Gwin, which had been firing illumination shells toward the earlier gunfire exchange, came into the action in time to sight the cruiser Nagara and 4 destroyers closing in. Farther out heavier Japanese ships were preparing to join in. The concentrated American destroyers were now central targets. ... Approximately 8 minutes after the enemy was engaged, Walke was hit. Soon after, Preston, preparing her torpedoes, was struck. One salvo from Japanese cruiser Nagara had put both firerooms out and toppled the afterstack. ... Her fires made an easier target and shells came in from both port and starboard. The fires spread. At 2336, she was ordered abandoned. Seconds later she rolled on her side. She floated for another 10 minutes, bow in the air; then sank, taking 116 of her crew with her.