Bunker Hill (CV 17) - Naval Cruise Book

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steaming in an opposite direction and it was expected that the Burns would not return to it until the next morning. Night came over the lone destroyer, returning from its mis- sion of mercy, and Brown and his crew hit the sack. The destroyer skipper, Commander D. T. Eller, USN, had given Brown his own room just off the bridge and as Brown lay there, he heard snatches of conversation mention- ing surface vessels. In a moment he was out on the bridge, fully dressed and asking questions. How many? Where? Do you suppose it could be part of the Jap fleet that had been baited out of hiding? No one on the bridge had even an inkling, but when the young Oflicer of the Deck asked: Shall I order Hank speed and try to slip through them sir? The Skipper bellowed: Slip through them my foot! I've been waiting for a chance like this for years, and we're not going to run for it now. As the Burns stalked her quarry in the light of a quarter moon, it became apparent that the targets were four Jap ships. The Burns closed to maximum range, the open fire command was given, and she let Hy with her heavy five-inchers. A tremendous sheet of Hame in the distance testified to accuracy and the Burns careened on, closing the range. 1.-nm-.5 .Jls.LN6:.0

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X 'Q wild melee of battle stopped all time, while guns l'01lI'CCl and mp, I58 z V 1 nis 1 nlllckul violent splzxslws hom Hull I