Lexington (CV 16) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 142 text:

3 I 11:46 11:47 doing so to let me know their decisionf' These words spoken in a quiet deliberate voice by Felix Stump may not go into the history books, but they carry an essence of America that hits me like an electric shock. Here is the Captain of a great ship giving three of his sailors a chance to decide for themselves Whether they are Willing, or not, to risk their lives for their ship and shipmates. He also gives these boys the finest tribute an oificer can give his men . . . his confidence in their own sense of responsibility. I AM NOT CLEAR ON SITUATION. REQUEST INSTRUCTIONS. OVER. WE ARE STANDING BY HANCOCK. SHE GOT ONE. SHE GOT ONE. DO YOU WANT ME TO STAND BY ALSO. NEGATIVE. I WOULD LIKE YOU TO REMAIN SOMEWHERE IN THE VICINITY IN CASE WE - NEED HELP AT DAYLIGHT TOMORROW. ACKNOWLEDGE. OVER. ROGER OUT. SEVERAL BOGIES STARBOARD BEAM TO STAR BOARD QUARTER CLOSING 4 TO 6 MILES. STORK THIS IS FROLIC THIS IS STORK THIS IS FROLIC THIS IS STORK STORK THIS IS FROLIC Radar plot reports are keeping the Captain informed in detail about the position and movement of the various raids of enemy planes. Several groups that have been circling I5 or zo miles out simultaneously begin runs on the task groups from different directions . . . they either miss the target or fail to find them . . . retire again some I5 or zo miles . . . then begin circling the task force while they re-form for the next attack . . . Indian tactics of the old covered Wagon days. 11:50 BOGIE APPROACHING STARBOARD QUARTER 130 2000 YARDS.

Page 141 text:

11:59 11:42 11:45 ENGINE. WE'RE ABLE TO MAKE THE SPEED BUT I'M AFRAID WE WON'T BE ABLE TO STEER. WE'RE SHIPPING WATER FAST AFT. OTHERWISE OK. REPEAT HANCOCK. WE'RE SHIPPING WATER FAST AFT. I THINK WE WILL LOSE STEERING CONTROL. I THINK WE WILL LOSE STEERING CONTROL. WE'RE DOWN ABOUT IO FEET BY STERN. THREE ENGINES OK. OUT. WE WILL WATCH YOU AND STAY WITH YOU. CANEBRAKE STAND BY IN DAYLIGHT TO HELP US WITH HANCOCK. WILCO OUT. BOGIES ON STARBOARD BEAM 6 TO 8 MILES. SAINT JO OUT. EXECUTE TO FOLLOW TANGO KING PLUS 50. I SAY AGAIN EXECUTE TO FOLLOW TANGO KING PLUS SO. STAND BY. EXECUTE. OVER. The ship is swinging hard left in circles, considerable list to starboard. Reports from THIS IS STORK STORK FROM HANCOCK THIS IS STORK THIS IS CANEBRAKE THIS IS STORK damage control center and engineer ofliceg one propeller lost . . . all steering controls disrupted . . . rudder locked 30 degrees left . . . attempt being made to use hand- operated hydraulic steering control. All damage and repair work difficult, due to toxic smoke from broken smoke tanks stowed on fantail. Gas from ruptured air-conditioning machinery is sucked up and blown into the steering control room by the Ventilating system . . . water leaking in through seams of the bulkheads sloshes all over the place. The men in steering engine room send up word that their position is becoming too diflicult and request permission to come out. The Captain steps quickly to the phone. Tell them that if they are positive they cannot stand it any longer they may come out, but before 129

Page 143 text:

is' ' 5, 4 . I 11:51 QSLEOW BEAGLE EXECUTE TO FOLLOW BREAK TANGO UNCLE IS STORK PLUS 2O. I SAY AGAIN EXECUTE TO FOLLOW TANGO UNCLE PLUS 20. STAND BY. EXECUTE. BOGIE NOW 7000 YARDS STARBOARD QUARTER. SAINT JO OUT. That means they are moving out and this attack has either failed or for some reason has not been pressed. My mind keeps going down to those men in the steering room. When we started on this trip Vic and I discussed various means of keeping a camera dry in case we should have to abandon ship. WVe now carry aerographer's rubber balloons in our pockets for this purpose. It is a simple matter to get a camera into such a balloon when there are four hands. I find myself trying every possible combination of two hands and my teeth, while vaguely listening to the rasping voice tones from the TBS squawk-box . . . the radar reports of bogies closing in and opening up . . . of ship turns right and left . . . I hold the camera between my teeth and make futile attempts to force it into the narrow mouth of the rubber bag. This goes on for some time with a stupid sort of patience but no success. The Captain apparently notices my efforts, is puzzled, asks, What are you trying to do? I am trying to get this damned camera into a rubber bag so it will stay dry when we go over the sidef' He gives a chuckle and the entire staff on the bridge breaks into loud guffaws. The Captain says, You won,t need that, you're not going over, we'll be all right. I answer, And that's OK. by me, Sir. The icy tenseness that has been prevalent on the bridge all evening is broken. The skipper goes to the ship speaker system. This is the Captain speaking. We have taken a torpedo hit in our stern and the rudder seems badly damaged. Each man must do his job calmly and efhciently. Don't worry! That's my job. I got you in here and I,ll get you out. 3