California (BB 44) - Naval Cruise Book

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Baldwin, R.M., C.Y. CPAJ, USN, for his outstand- ing work in performing his duties of Damage Control Officer in a very efficient manner while the First Lieutenant commanded the ship. OPERATIONAL HISTORY F RoM SALVAGE TO DECOMMISSION, I 942- I 94 7 The USS Calqfornia CBB-445 was berthed at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor on that fateful December 7, 1941 day, the day of the merci- less Japanese attack. Atthe time when the bombing attack was launched against the Na- val Air Station, General Quarters was ordered. Before anti-aircraft batteries could be supplied with sufficient ammunition the ship was taken under strafing attack. Concurrently, torpedo planes commenced their attack on the battle- ships and the USS Calgfornia CBB-445 was struck with three torpedoes, two amidships and one forward, causing the ship to list. Forward, because of the rupture of fuel tanks, the third deck commenced flooding with fuel. The strength of the fumes was such as to overcome the ammunition party attempting to expedite the delivery of ammunition. Water entered the fuel lines causing loss of light and power at this critical time. The flooding of compart- ments in close proximity to the torpedo hits prevented the necessary access to make pos- sible some control of damage. Three dive bombing attacks were made, coming succes- sively from the starboard bow, from ahead, and from the port bow. The explosion of near hits along the starboard side, from ahead, and from the port bow. The explosion of near hits along the starboard side caused minor sized holes in the hull, and a hit abreast casemate number one penetrated the main deck and exploded on the second deck, on the starboard side. This hit started a fire arrridships which remained largely uncontrolled due to the loss of pressure on the fire main. The attack left the USS Calgfornia CBB-445 listing eight degrees to the port side. Five officers and forty-eight enlisted men were killed, forty-eight enlisted men were missing, and six officers and fifty-eight enlisted men were wounded as a result of that attack. During the attack, the USS California CBB-445 downed one aircraft and assisted in shooting down another. By Thursday of the following week, December 11, 1941, the USS Calgfornia CBB-443 was sitting on the bottom due to flooding. Having been pumped free of water and re- floated the USS Calyfornia CBB-445 entered dry-dock on April 9, 1942. Underwater repairs were effected and on June 7, 1942 she left dry- dock under her own power once again. It was not until October, 1942, however, that she was underway from Pearl Harbor en route to the Naval Shipyard in Bremerton, Washington, for reconstruction and rearming with a new sec- ondary dual purpose battery of sixteen five inch, thirty-eight caliber guns. Many of those examining the wreckage in the port at the close of 1941 were appalled. CINCPAC Admiral Chester W. Nimitz thought WMM' Q, ' 4 we 4. 9 Z W, at Wwwk Q Q! WW Motor launch - Captain Lv gig crews ofthe BB-44. fCourtesy ofjoe Lorenz., several of the sunken ships were finished. Despite the carnage, plans were made to raise as many of the ships as quickly as possible in an enterprise which, when completed, would prove one of the engineering Hmiraclesn of the Second World War. As the new year of 1942 dawned, efforts to get the USS Calyfornia CBB-445 up were begun under the able general direction of Pearl Harbor Navy Yard salvage boss Captain Homer N. Wallin, with Lieutenant W. L. Painter the Prune Bargew project officer. They, together with the shipls Acting Captain, Commander J. F. Warris, various divers and salvage experts, and all of the ship's ratings not yet transferred, quickly recognized one important fact- the slow sinking meant that the USS Caljornio CBB-445 was not badly damaged below the wa- terline. It was then decided to re-float the dam- aged port side. Using an untried idea, the seals on the subsequently-built patches would be made of tremic cement, the underwater kind used for bridges and dry-docks. To make the re-floating job easier, the first step would be to lighten the ship. Commander Warris and 500 bluejackets began the awesome task of clearing the USS Calgfornia CBB-445. Nine of the twelve 14- inch guns were removed Cthose in turret num- ber four were underwater and therefore notre- movableb, as were the broadside guns, the ship and flag towers, the catapults, cranes, boars, anchors and anchor chain, and the main mast, which was cut off at its base. Meanwhile, en- gineers and divers, mainly from the Pacific Bridge Company, built wooden fence-like cof- ferdams, which were placed around the quar- ter-deck and in the forecastle area. When huge deep-well centrifugal pumps arrived, and as divers plugged the leaks, the huge electrical machines, with power from Ford Island. pushed out thousands of gallons of water. As the pumps gradually lowered the wa- ter level, workmen cleaned out the refuse cont- partment by compartment. Regular and can- teen stores plus 14-inch and lesser shells and powder were removed. Personal property was put under guard and classified infomation was turned over to the proper authorities. About 200,000 gallons of free oil was collected. Meanwhile, Commander Hyman G. Rickover became involved in a plan which could allow 50 General Electric specialists and more than 100 Pearl Harbor electricians to reclaim and recondition the ship's various electric motors and electric-drive machinery. Rotten stores were flushed out and with great dignity. a num- ber of bodies of the crew were sent ashore for identification and proper burial. ln a pleasant surprise, it was found that the work of plug- ging the leaks was so successful that the over- flow from the pumps was greater than the in- flow of sea water. This good news meant that. with additional plugging. it would be possible to raise the dreadnought without patches over the torpedo damage. The USS California tBB-4-ll carrie atioat on an even keel on March 24. 19-12. her draft being about 40 feet. Once the colferdams were struck off. she was placed in Dry-dock Num- ber Two on April 9. 1942, where she was wel- comed by Admiral Nimitz. who had come down personally to witness the event. The USS Calijinrnici QBB-4-ll was bruised but not bro- ken: battered but unbowed. She would sail and fight again. The USS Cc1liforn1'clfBB--l-ll remained in dock until .lune 7, 1942. ln the dock, perma- nent structural repairs were made to almost all of her damage. After a few trials to test her power and seawotthiness, Commander Warris vessel departed Pearl Harbor under her ow n power on October 10. 1942. A week later. she met the brand new destroyer USS LitiIIXt'l'UOI'f QDD-6085, and arrived at the Puget Sound Nayy Yard on October 20, 1942. Captain Henry P. Burnett. who had .rs- sumed command in October. 19-13. began .1 - s--X . rigid tutrttulum of statrtlartlt:ation trials .rs soon as the newly --motlernifed old battleship 'Ss ,Y 5 Q, ,rj 5 4 ig ,- -K Jw ft 1 if. 5' .

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fbi: TN 'Ns E .. ln., 'K N. Wi-ro REMEMBERS PEARL HARBOR by Joseph A. Ryan They came on a serene Sunday morning, From carriers anchored secretly at sea. Winging to Hawaii, without warning, Couriers of death by perfidy. In two successive, savage waves The sneaky bastards came In Bombers and Zeros - fantasizing glory - Destined for eternal shame. In the Sabbath quiet below them, In peaceful repose, their targets lay, Pearl Harbor, Hickam, Wheeler Field, Schofield Barracks. ASLEEP! NOW, TORPEDOES AND BOMBS AWAY! I In two hours the carnage was completed, The 'fDastardly deedn was done, The gloating bastards flew back to their carriers, To toast the Emperor and the Rising Sun. Back clouds billowed over Pearl Harbor. Hickarn, Schofield and Wheeler lay gored. But out of the death and destruction, The Spirit of America roared. . Pearl's ships, once proud, were in ruins. Their sailors entombed, forever, under the sea, Their souls and the souls of their loved ones, VW11 remember Pearl Harbor for all eternity. number seven. This fire remained largely un- controlled due to the loss of pressure on the fire main and the lack of sufficient fire extin- guishers to cope with it until the tugs came alongside at about 1015 hours to supply fire protection and assistance. A horizontal bombing group had, at 0825 hours, dropped four bombs which fell harm- lessly between the bow and the Northern quay of berth Fox-two. 'fLight and power, with the pressure on the fire main were restored at about 0845 hours and maintained until 1000 hours. Such resto- ration was effected by lighting off the after four boilers with cold oil and natural draft. During this process the after plant was iso- lated and was ready in all respects for getting underway at about 0910 hours. The Engi- neering Plant was secured on orders to aban- don ship. f'At 0845 hours, Cammander E.E. Stone, Executive Officer, returned to the ship and as- sumed command ofthe ship, and Commander Battle Force returned aboard. f'At 0900 hours, Captain J.W. Bunkley, Commanding USS California CBB-445 re- tumed aboard. Lieutenant Commander O.F. Naquin, the Engineer Officer, and Lieutenant Commander K.V. Dawson, the Gunnery Of- ficer, returned aboard about 0905 hours. At 1002 hours, the Captaij, with the ap- proval of Commander Battle Force, due to the enveloping flame from fuel oil fire on the sur- face of the water, orderedc the ship to be aban- doned temporarily. At 1015 hours, the order to abandon ship was cancelled, flames from the water having cleared the ship, and battle stations topside were manned and a large number of men re- turned from the bach to resume work. A large number remained to procure fire fighting equipment on Ford Island. The fire aboard the ship was fought with all available fire equip- ment on board and such that was obtained from Ford Island- and extensive salvage operations of movable gear was started. The ship was listing about 8 degrees to port. The engineer- ing plant suffered no mechanical or electrical casualty that would have prevented its opera- tion during the engagement. The fire in A-611, however, produced such heat and smoke in the forward engine room as to make its operation possible only with great difficulty. Damage Received- Personnel Officers Five C55 killed. Six C65 wounded. Men Forty-eight C483 killed. Fifty-eight C585 wounded. Forty-five C451 missing. KC UNITED STATES PACIFIC FLEET BATTLE FORCE, BA TTLESHIPS USS CALIFORNIA CBB-442 PEARL HARBOR, TH. DECEMBER 22, 1941 Damage To Enemy At 0830 hours shot down an enemy dive bomber with forward machine guns, which crashed in flames. 'fAt 0832 hours, one enemy plane shot down over Ford Island by either own fire or that of another ship. f'Distinguished Conduct- Personnel The following named men and officers were outstanding in their work during the battle at Pearl Harbor, T.H., December 7, 1941 in the ammunition supply and in removing the wounded: Ski Lman, J.H., Commander CSCJ, USN Cage, W.F. Ensign, USNR Pharris, J.C. Gunner, USN Newman, J., C.S.K. CPAJ, USN Pearson, G., C.S.A. CPAJ, USN Keener,J.C.,S.K.lc.,USN Bell, C.R., G.M. 5c., USN Nix, J.P., Sea.lc., USN Doran, G.P., Sea. 2c., USN Jeffery, I.W., Ensign, USNR CDeceasedJ Jones, H.C., Ensign, USNR CDeceasedJ Underwood, R.C., C.G.M. CPAJ USN Reeves, T.J., C.R.M. CPAJ USN CDeceasedJ O'Connell, W.F., G.M. lc., USN London, J.F., S.K.lc., USN Cleveland, E., Sea. lc., USN Bonthius, R.C., Sea, 2c., USN For outstanding work in removing the wounded trapped in either closed compart- ments or in compartments on fire: Hall, B.C., Ensign, USN Walker, W., Jr., Ensign, USN Settle, R.L., Ensign, USN Champion, C.H., Ensign, USN Gunnels, C.W., Ensign, USN Rudden, T.J., Jr., Ensign, USN Canfield, R.B., Ensign, USNR Lyden, C.J., Ensign, USNR Osmon, S., Boatswain, USN Price, E.V., C.E.M., USN Belden, E.W., M.M. lc., USN Bezvoda, S.F., E.M. lc., USN Illian, E., E.M.lc., USN Hall, C.H., Ensign, USN Kirkpatrick, R.D., Jr., Ensign, USN McGrath, T.P., Ensign, USN Lewis, W.A.J., Ensign, USN Nicholson, A.T., Jr., Ensign, USN Fain, E.M., Ensign, USNR La Barre, C. A., Ensign, USNR Taylor, L. S., Ensign, USNR Miller, R.W., Chief Electrician, USN Campbell, E.R., C.E.M. CAAJ, USN Bly, C.L., M.M.lc., USN Maxwell, G.R., E.M.lc., USN Alford, L.B., E.M.lc., USN Ward, D.E., B.M.2c., USN Isenhour, R.A., M.M. 2c., USN Minckley, R.F., E.M.2c., USN Franck, D.E., E.M.3c., USN Litz, C.L., E.M.3c., USN Greenbaum, H., E.M.3c., USN Garoutte, J.H., F.lc., USN Toth, H.J., F.2c., USN Pluard, F.D., F.3c., USN Samuel, H., F.3c., USN Nunnelley, L.E., F.3c., USN Brooks, W.M., M.Att.lc., USN Celesteine, B., M. Att.lc., USN Fleming, C.H., M.M. 2c., USN Koepplinger, C.F., Bmkr., 2c., USN Streeter, C.L., E.M.2c., USN Coon, R.V., E.M.3c., USN Waite, J.E., E.M.3c., USN Wilson, K.L., E.M. 3c., USN Rountree, W.H., F.lc, USN Gary, T.J., Sea. 2c., USN CDeceasedJ Galyean, C.W., F.3c., USN Ebberson, L.F., F.3c., USN Bottolfson, R.L., F.3c., USN Bacot, J.D., M.Att.lc., USN Wallace, H., Jr., M.Att.2c., USN For obtaining ammunition from other ships while under fire: Applegate, H.A., Pay Clerk, USN Pavlin, B.F., E.M.3c., USN For treatment of the wounded although bumed about the face and the arms from fires nearby his station: Jewell, J.D., Commander, CMCJ, USN Fleming, W.S., B.M.lc., USN, Gun Captain of five inchl25 gun number four, who, al- though wounded, continued to direct his gun crew and by his coolness and example, under fire, instilled confidence in the men about him.

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- . - . ..i . '4' j, sg, ' , -milli- ,if 4. ASW Jw We -gf dj , wi X. sf- 'ii' ffl-f 6 we 'J QOBB1 got under way forthe first time on Janu- ary 31. 1944. Taking her down the coast to San Pedro. the skipper oversaw gunnery and rnaclrinery tests. maneuvering and radar drills. conducted by the thousands of new oliicers and ratings. many draftees or reservists fresh from continental training stations. Searrranship drills. first aid and fire fighting lectures, and more gurrnery were the order of the day, but in those first weeks. the newness of the crew caused many a drill to go awry. On May 5, 1944. after an engine check. she steamed to Pearl Harbor. FromJanuary 19. 1944 until May 5, 1944, the USS California QBB-445 underwent post repair trials. shakedown, operational training, and post-shakedown availability. On May 5, 1944. she departed for Pearl Harbor where she joined the Battleship Division Two on May 10, 1944. On May 31. 1944, she was again under- way for Roi. Kwajalein Atooll, from whence after a two day layover she was underway on June 10. 1944 for the bombardment of Saipan, Marianas Islands. She was once again back in full service, back in the fight for freedom. The Prime Barge. the Golden State Battlewagon was back to bring retribution to her attackers at Pearl Harbor. Mooring at 'fFox Threefl the same place in which she was savaged on December 7, 1941. the USS Calyfornia CBB-441 was soon assigned to Fire Support Group One CTask Group 52.173, under the able command of Rear Admiral Jesse Oldendorf. After a week of intensive short bombard- ment rehearsals off Maui and Kahoolawe, Ad- miral Oldendorfs heavies departed Hawaiian waters for Kwajalein. At that central Pacific site, the ships would prepare for Operation Foragerf' commanded by Vice Admiral Rich- ard K. Tumer. On June 10, 1944, the Prune Barge and her task group left Roi anchorage. All rumors as to the former flagship's destina- tion ended when the executive officer, Com- mander F. R. Bunker came on the public ad- dress system with a message from the skipper. The ship's objective was the Saipan Island in the Marianas. On June 14, 1944, as an element of Fire Support Unit One, the USS California CBB- 44J was again in action, which resulted in the death of one seaman, and the wounding of an officer and eight seamen. Action continued until June 22, 1944. Reveille sounded aboard the USS Calyfor- nia QBB-441 an hour before dawn on June 14, 1944. Clothed in fresh garments, many men were at their stations before general quarters was sounded. Rounding Saipan's northem tip as the sun rose, Captain Burnett's vessel launched her float planes for air spotting and gingerly maneuvered into position off Garapan, the islandls capital. With directors on target and the main batteries trained out, the standby buzzer went off in the turrets. Then, at pre- cisely 0548 hours, the USS Calyfornias high capacity CHCJ bombardment shells began crashing home against the enemy batteries and supply dumps inland of the selected landing area- the southern portion of Saipan's west coast- in support of minesweepers carrying out an assault sweep of the landing zone. The USS Maryland CBB-465 drew fire from a con- cealed battery on a tiny islet off Tanapag harbor, but she, together with gunners on the USS Cali- fornia CBB-445 quickly put it out of business. At 0430 hours on June 15, 1944, the pre- landing bombardment of Saipan began. In a new target off the town of Charon Kanoa, a tall sugar mill smokestack was chosen as a base sight in the USS Caljornia Ls preparatory soft- ening of the beach. Her aerial spotters calling corrections, salvo after salvo departed the big guns while tracers from her 40mm projectiles drifted into the beach to disappear in clouds of dust, blossoms of fire. Oldendorf's ships lifted their fire at 0630 hours for an air strike and then recommenced until, with the Second and Fourth Marine Divisions landing craft within a thousand yards of the beach at 0812 hours, the three flares of the cease fire signal appeared in the air. The naval bombardment had proved to be less than a total success and many Japa- nese positions were not damagedg the leathernecks', would face extremely tough going. .Sleamlnf under fullpower and blowing lubes - removing WUT b'4lld'W7 in bmlff M555 bl' MOWIWL' live steam inlo rombuslmn heads. fCoarles'y 0fR bW' Gardngnl Cannonading became a routine call fire pastime for the USS California CBB-449 dur- ing the remainder of the Saipan operationg one sailor called the practice a Navy-sponsored farm project that simultaneously plows the fields, prunes the trees, harvest the crops, and adds iron to the soil. There was one night of excitement, however, which should have bro- ken the routine. On the evening of June 16, 1944, the Japa- nese 136th Infantry Regiment as part of a gen- eral counteroffensive and backed up by armor of the 9th Tank Regiment, moved against the positions of the 6th Marines. This, the first sizable Japanese tank attack of the Pacific Is- land fighting, brought emergency calls to the duty ship USS Caljornia CBB-445. Firing both star and explosive shells, Captain Bumett's gunners helped the U.S. Marines tum back determined enemy charges which left 700 enemy soldiers dead and 31 lightlmedium tanks knocked out. A decided victory won through a cooperative and determined effort. As part of the plan which brought the Japa- nese tanks into the USS Caljornias range, Japanese admirals attempted a naval relief of the Marianas. Departing the beaches at day- light on June 17, 1944, the USS CalU'ornia CBB-445 joined Odendorf's task group in pa- trolling west of Saipan. Over the next three days, planes from Task Force 58 wiped out the Imperial naval air force in what American car- rier men later called the Marinas Turkey Shoot? Released, the USS CalU'ornia CBB- 44J retired to Eniwetok where her battle dam- age of June 14, 1944, was repaired by mid- July. At Guam on July 19, 1944, the USS Cali- fornia CBB-44J and her sister ship, the USS Tennessee, took up their labors as the heavy fire support units in Rear Admiral Richard Connolly's Southern Attack Force. From early on July 20, 1944, until 0830 hours the follow- ing morning. the two Pearl Harbor veterans assisted in the pre-invasion pounding the island's northwest coast. On July 20, 1944, the USS Caljornia CBB-443 was at Guam, firing upon targets of opportunity in support of the landing on Guam. Three days later she was conducting similar operations at Tinian. Heavier guns on nearby Tinian Island joined in and soon geysers were appearing in the wa- ter alongside the USS Calzfornia CBB-445. Then a shell from one of those concealed bat- teries hit on the dreadnought's upper deck aft, penetrating to explode. Damage control par- ties reacted quickly, and as the duel continued, crewmen learned that one of their comrades had been killed and 14 wounded. Late that aftemoon collecting the OS2U planes, the USS Calgfornia CBB-441 took up her night station west of Saipang there her officers and men could reflect on how this war had become such a serious business so quickly. Late on July 21, 1944, after the U.S. Marines were ashore, the sister ships, Calyfornia and Tennessee, re- tumed to Saipan to rejoin TG 52.17. The USS Calyfornia CBB-441 next provided cover for underwater demolition teams recon- noitering the landing area. As the USS Caljor- nia CBB-445 closed the beaches to within 3,000