Shannon (DM 25) - Naval Cruise Book

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t t , 1 c . . . K x ' i 5 . 4 e ' 1 .- ' ' if ' K H i T .bn , Then, like the answer to a prayer, a triumphant shout came from the other ship: VVe're connected up! A low murmer of excitement ran throughout the ship as we started ahead slowly, paying out the remainder of the wire. Then from the Warcl came the word, You'll have to pull our chain out. Roger, Let it pay out to forty-five fathoms, please. zcOkay.:9 A Now that we were connected up and moving ahead, un- certainty and impatience crept into the voices of the VVard's crew. They were anxious to get going, and although we sym- pathized and agreed with them, it would have been foolhardy to start too fast. As painstaking and nerve-racking as it was opening the distance between the two ships so slowly, it was safest. If we had parted the wire or fouled the screws, then it would have been necessary to start all over again, pro- vided we weren't disabled too, leaving both ships at the mercy of Jap planes. Again and again we heard shouts from the Ward, Please go faster. To relieve the tension and for something to say, we liollered back, Let us know when you have way on. , Roger. Then, after a long few minutes, a barely audible but thankful voice cried, VVe have way onf' This word was passed from our fantail to the Captain. As the number of turns of the engines was increased, the towing wire stretched out cleared the water once, and then settled into the desired catenary. The bow of the VVard slowly came about into our wake-she was in tow! But our task was far from completed, for there were still forty-five miles of dangerous waters between us and the haven of Kerama Retto. It was then just 2300, and the night that lay ahead would be a long, restless one, hard on already frayed nerves. To make matters worse the moon rose at 0300. As we worked up speed, the Ward crabbed badly to star- board, increasing the danger of parting the wire. Using hand steering, she had trouble maintaining a steadv course, Although, over a period of an hour, we had worked up to tugqnsffor eight and a half knots, we made good only five and a a . Before we had gone many miles, tracers and ack ack filled the s-ky over the area we had just left. The ships which had remained to search for survivors were again being attacked by Jap planes. Soon the firing ceased. We prayed that the Japs wouldn't spot us, steaming at our crippled-snail's pace. But the radar soon picked up a plane off our port quarter, closing. The guns trained out and waited, as we all literally held our breath. The Captain ordered control to hold ire. The moon had been up for some time, but at the moment hea.vy clouds shadowed us, and firing would only have given away our position. The ruse worked, for the Jap closed to four miles and then Offiria! U..5'. Navy Photograph veered off without seeing us. The VVard had repaired her steering casualty and took con- trol front the bridge, enabling her to hold a better course. Suddenly, she lunged to port. The wire straightened out with a huin. For an anxious moment, we watched the strain, standing helpless and transfixed. The Captain immediately slowed our engines and, dropping back, allowed the wire to slacken until the VVard could come about, under control. Then, with the tow saved, we laboriously worked back up the former speed. About 0440, just after receiving word of another approach- ing raid, we saw AA fire over Kerama Retto. A plane eXDl0dCd in the air about fifteen miles away. Combat tracked the rest of the raid as it passed to the south of us and headed for Formosa or Sakishima. Again, we breathed more easily. At 0740, we arrived off the southern entrance to Kerama Retto and released our tow to the Tekesta CATF-93J. TCH minutes later, another red alert was sounded. Smoke from the anchorage, augmented by our own smokehcovered all three ships. Although there were many planes in the area, none were sighted and apparently none sighted us. Only then was our mission successfully completed. Although somewhat haggared by the experience, the tension was lifted and we relaxed, feeling no little pride in our accomplishment- The Skipper of the VVard thanked us profusely fOr 3 Jig well done, and asked Captain Foster, How do .we look- He could not make a very heartening reply, but 1n.SQfte Of what the crew of the VVard later referred to as' their fllght deck, the ship was still afloat, and her casualties were not nearly so heavy as they might have been. .We returned to Hagushi and assumed our duties mlthe anti- aircraft screen. In the early evening more ,lap raids were feported closing from the north and west. Before they had Passed the radar picket stations, we were ordered to the assistance of the Gwin QDM 333 which had just been hlf On Roger Peter 10. As we got underway, already feeling fatigue at the thought of facing another ordeal similar to that of the previous Hlghii the Gwin sent word that she was not badly damaged an would remain on station. Consequently, our orders Wefe Changed, Sending us to support the anti-small boat Patrol on station 155 A. A5 USPHI, our sleep that night and the next was iltteffupfefl many times by enemy air raids, but no planes came C1053 enough to bother us. On .the afternoon of the 6th, we took charge of fueling ?PCfTtl0llS northwest -of Hagushi and then returned to 155 A Ol' llYCL unusually quiet dave, ,The Ilwmmg of Mai' 10, we entered Kerama RENO, at VYl'C.l' tlme Captain W. G. Beecher, USN, was relieved as ',m lD1V 7 ln Cfmtaitt H larrou Usn Captain Beee Suisequentlv 1-.sunitd tonnnand of lkslyon S3 ei 1 1 L0 J . , T, 4 ,i S t 4 -1 - ' ' 7 Y 1 ' ' ' , . 5 W K' 50 . L, QE,-ft 1 .25 13 ,I V

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l Official 0.5. Navy Plzafogrcifilz First Splash this plane was picked up on the surface radar, circling the ship at low altitude. We tracked him for six minutes before he began his run. As he came in he was sighted by several men on the secondary battery. The 40's and 20's opened up. They had tired for only a few seconds when an explosion rent the darkness. The Captain, after seeing the plane hit the water, wasted no time in announcing, Splash another Jap. That was damn -good work men. That ended the excitement for the night, although more enemy planes in the area kept us at GQ. for another two and a half hours. Later in the morning, we entered Kerama Retto for logistics and remained anchored there for the next 48 iours. At 0400, May 1, just after we had gone to GQ. in response to a red alert, a Jap plane sneaked in through the smoke, Fly- ing low, and without warning crashed into the Terror QCM 59, which was anchored only 1500 yards off our starboard quarter. Except'for a short alert in the evening, the rest of the day was quiet. Upon completion of logistics the morning of the Znd, we moved to Hagushi for the rest of the day and night. May 3rd we operated as Fuel Div 7, after which we returned to Hagushi. AARON WARD RESCUED FROM UNDER JAP WINGS The familiar Flash Red, Control Yellow came over the circuits at 1838, sending us to General Quarters. just hve minutes later we were ordered to proceed at best possible speed to Radar Picket Station 10, southwest of Kume Shima, about 75 miles from Hagushi, and render all possible assist- ance to the Aaron Ward CDM 343 and the Little CDD 8035, which had been badly damaged in a suicide attack. We sped to the rescue. Not knowing the extent of the damage, we made all preparations for fire-Hghting, transfer of casualties, rescue of survivors, towing, and anything, else that we might be called upon to do. -To our dismay, we learned.that'the damaged ships were still under attack and were still being hit. They fought gal- lantly trying to drive off the remainder of the 26-plane raid and to control the damage that had already been inflicted, but the odds were overwhelming. lly the time we arrived, at 2050, the NVard's guns had accounted for five of the attackers, but six others had gotten through and crashed to her decks and superstructure. The l.ittle's score will never be known, she sank after taking at least three suiciders. The VVard herself was in danger of foundering. Several compartments had been Hooded and she was very low in the water. Her crew worked furiously to keep her afloat, although at times it looked hopeless, and they were ready to abandon ship should that be necessary. As we approached cautiously through the oil-thickened, debris-cluttered water, Comi11Div 7, as Senior Officer Present, assumed command of the rescue operations and directed the smaller craft in their search for survivors. Through flooding and fires, the Ward had lost all main propulsion and auxiliary power. She was dead in the water. The sea sloshed back and forth through two gaping holes in her side. The superstructure abaft number one stack was a mass of twisted steel. Number two stack was gone, and jagged stumps were all that remained of her after forty and twenty mounts. In the darkness, the ship ironically resembled a pile of scrap metal collected by some Stateside patriotic group. The racing of 'Ahandy-billy motors rose above the sounds of rasping metal and muffled orders. The last of the fires had just been put out as we moved slowly abeam of the stricken ship, but the odor of burned flesh and blistered paint stung our nostrils. The only light then visible on the black hull was the beam of a battle lantern, Hickering on and off, revealing men, in silhouette, working laboriously amidst the smoking debris. Occasionally, a searchlight from one of the -LCI's or PCECRJ's engaged in rescue work would flash across the water and sweep close to the Ward. High-pitched voiced, close to hysteria, would scream, Put out that light. Muttered curses would follow, for the slightest light X might guide the Iaps back for another attack. Once a voice pierced the quiet, shouting, There's a man off the port bow, then pleadingly, Please pick him up. Another survivor was talking to his rescuers from the water. His legs were badly mangled, but the sailor showed no signs of pain. A body Hoated by, face down, angidst a variety of articles, including an unoccupied life ra t. It was decided that we would take the Aaron VVard in tow, so the Captain maneuvered the Shannon a little closer. The towing operation had to be carried out in total dark- ness, which imposed no little difficulty. Operations were further hampered by the Ward's lack of communication facil- ities, for with no power, she had only one small, undepend- able battery radio that could be used. But the operation was effected with the methodical meticulousness that comes from good training and drill. As we took station ahead of the yVard a request was shouted over from her bridge. Back down closer, please. We got a line over to their forecastle and paid out our messenger, which was attached to the wire towing hawser. At first, the Ward had no power on her capstan and had to tend the lines by hand. In order to prevent fouling our screws, it was necessary to work slowly, shouting orders back and forth. - Have you our twenty-one thread messenger? Affirmative Wie have it. xi Let us know when you get the four inch. Roger. The line snaked out of the chock as rapidly as the sailors on the VVard's forecastle could haul in ab,oard. On the Shannon. Wie have power on our capstan! Every- one felt relief. This would speed up operations and reduce the tension on everyone's nerves. We have your four inch messenger now. Roger, VVe're paying out the wire now. Heave around slowly, please. uixyey Aye.rv A few minutes later they shouted, VVe have your wire. YVe stopped paying out the wire and waited quietly, but somewhat impatiently, listening to the sledge hammer blows, while the connecting shackle of the Wai-d's anchor chain was broken at the tive fathom shot. It wasn't a very comfortable feeling lying dead in the water, an easy prey to any Jap planes that should happen along and spot us. Minutes seemed like hours. V 49

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-i RUGGED DUTY TORI SHIMA SWEEP Task Unit 52.4.4 madea rendezvous north of Kei-uma Retto at 0700, and then proceeded to Tori Shima, 50 miles west of Okinawa, to conduct a sweep of the surrounding shallow waters, in preparation for a landing the next day, Tori Shima is just a pin-point of rock, but its strategic position made it important as the location of a land-based air Warning station. Every destroyer and destroyer type was happy to see land based stations established, for each one reduced the number of radar picket ships needed. At 0830, we arrived. The AMG commenced their sweep, which lasted until early afternoon, and proved uneventful. Throughout the day, many enemy planes attacked shipping in the Okinawa area, especially around Hagushi, and the northern radar picket stations. Fortunately, no planes ap- proached or attacked us, for with the sweep gear streamed our maneuvers were greatly hampered. During our return trip, a sonar contact was picked up at 2800 yards. It was first believed to be a sub, but after investi- gation it was evaluated as non-sub. The sweeps were left at Kerama Retto while we were ordered to anti-submarine patrol station B-18, with additional duties as radar picket. After their unusually heavy daylight raids, the Japs were not very active, and the night passed without disturbance. The next day, May 12, was spent conducting fueling opera- tions, and the night, which once more found the laps active, on station 155-A. Daylight hours of the following day were spent on anti-sub- marine and radar picket patrol south of Kerama Retto. That night, we returned Okinawa. This .and several successive raids headed directly for the island, passing us up for bigger game. Our feelings were not hurt in the least by thus being slighted. The Japs, however, must have thought we missed their company, for .they soon became interested in our welfare and tried to make it as unhealthy as possible. r The first attackers to approach R.P. 16 were taken under Hre at. 2259. While the other planes circled the ship, a Betty came in low. just after this plane fiew over the ship, a torpedo wake was sighted passing down the port side, close aboard. Ihe Betty had been hit by our fire, and was finally knocked down while going away, crashing off our port quarter, close aboard the Smith. -Six minutes later another Betty attacked from the starboard side and was taken under fire by both ships. In less than a 1I1ll'lL1lC,-'IDIS plane, intent on suiciding, was splashed close to the Smith. The other planes of the raid were turned by our fire and opened towards Okinawa. For about the next hour, the japs gave ug 3 little breathing spell, wlnle they concentrated on other picket stations and on Okinawa. Shortly after midnight, new adversaries began to close us, in raids of from one to ten planes. The first of these was taken under tire at 0026. High speed and violent maneuvers, aug- menting our large volume of fire, proved very effective in countering the Jap attacks. For fifteen minutes, we fired almost without a break. Many of the attackers were Kamikazes, although some attempted bombing and torpedoing tactics. Although only two of the planes in this attack were officially claimed as prob- , 6, ables, several 'others could not be ac- ' , counted for after they had made their to our old favorite-155-A. ffiffiw' runs. Those planes that were not We passed the following five days in A 'Oli K Splaished were tllmed by Ovf me and the AA Sweep around Hagushi and on a ,l,.Q, Ni 14' gx Elhased lhoine with their tails between Shoff aV9fil3-b1litY period at that anchor- 1 - l ' len Wwe S' . . . age and in Kerama Retto. Enemy air R ,Q , 51,-N A few minutes of inactivity and rest activity during this time was heavy, but Qt if ' gf was Interrupted by 9' fevoff of gr0up5 we were usually prevented from tiring jf- '- ! H' Of DIHHCS Closing us. These were sub- by the smoke conditions in the anchor- Q fxq WW' J' . Sefluently DIQICCC1 UD. At 0120, 2111 STIIDS ages. Q 0 . X . -Y H-- gf-1 X on the station .commenced firing and , , . g '15 s tired almost continuously throughout the From May 19 to Zn, we patrolled Sta- k f i ltihll 1 thirteen minute attack . , . . Y N.. . X. . . . tion 135'A' Ja? alf raids were prevalent ,A At one time during the attack, there throughout this period, although few 'N-5 ' were ten planes within ten miles of the planes came close enough to our station ' Ship all closing to allow us to fire. ' ' The few occasions on which planes were sighted and taken under-tire, they were either quickly turned away, or splashed by ships nearby. ROGER PETER 16 During the morning of May 25, came the orders that we had long expected, but had dreaded to hear- Proceed immediately. in company with the Robert H. Smith, to Roger Peter 16 and relieve the Cowell CDD 4575 and Wren CDD 5681 1 With the ominous feeling that gripped his heart showing in his voice, the Combat Officer Rogered for the message and passed the word on to the Captain. At 1023, We left station and proceeded on our assigned duty. The Smith joined us an hour later for the rest of. the trip. When we arrived on station, the Smith assumed the fighter direction duties, and the Shannon joined the Ingersoll CDD 652D and the LCS's 14, 17, 18, and 21, which were already on station, as supporting ships. CominDiv 7 assumed tactical command and issued instructions for the patrol. Soon after our arriva.l the sky became heavily overcast and a steady, heavy downpour began. This blessed weather lasted for two days and nights, keeping the laps at home. But when the skies cleared, on the evening of May 27, we realized that the past two days had been only the calm before the storms of what proved to be the most harrowing night in the Shan- non's existence. And the situation was aggravated by the loss of almost one-third of the station's fire power, when thc Ingersoll was ordered to return to Kerama Retto, during the early morning of May 26th. The usual routine dusk general quarters was SOHHCRNI HT 1845, May 27, but the routine aspect was soon replaced by one of necessity and activity. Shortly after sunset the first of the night's 54 raids was reported by a picket northwest of This attack seemed to be more coordi- nated than any of the previous ones, and entailed a variety of tactics. The first plane started his run from about five miles on the starboard bow. As soon as his intentions were detected, con- trol was put on the target and the main battery opened up. The plane maneuvered to get ahead of us and seemed intent on suiciding. But the Captain's expert ship-handling, enriched by previous experience with Kamikazes, kept the attacker between the beam and the bow, allowing all guns to bear. Suddenly control passed the dreaded word to combat: VVe've lost him! One quick, new bearing from combat was fortunately enough to put them back on. They resumed fire. At about 4000 yards the forties opened up, telling those who couldn't see of our adversary's nearnessg at 2500 the twenties. I-Ie was breathing his fiery breath down our necks, but no one flinched-we were all too busy. Anxious moments later, we could see that he had been hit, but was trying- to maintain the altitude and aim necessary.to carry out his diabolical mission. But the Shannon's Irish Luck was still with her. He fell into the sea a very few hundred yards away. We had chalked up another sure! But our spirits were soon dampened, and thoughts were never allowed to turn to the added meatball that would soon grace our bridge, the attack was being pressed from another quarter. Both ships resumed fire. This plane turned away at 5000 yards, having suiiiciently diverted our attention from one of his cohorts .who was com- ing in on the starboard quarter. Both ships shifted targets. The plane never had a chance, and was splashed before he got in to 3000 yards. 51