| Watch |
Time |
Entry |
| 0 to 4 | Status | Steaming on course 090 (T) at convoy speed of about 7 knots, standard pedd 15 knots, 143 RPM, in company with ComTaskGroup 4.1.4 in PLUNKETT, Comdesdiv 21 in LIVERMORE, DECATUR and four british Corvettes and one British destroyer escorting an eastward bound convoy. Steaming under Boilers Nos 1 & 3 with a split engineering plant. Ship darkened and in Condition of Readiness III, Material condition Afirm set. On station off port quarter of convoy, patrolling station. Captain on the bridge |
| 0000 | Ship of convoy, bearing 070 relative, distance about 1200 yards, was struck by torpedo and burned brilliantly. Called all hands to General Quarters. Changed speed to 15 knots, 143 RPM and commenced swinging ship to port, conducting embarrassing barrage with depth charges in accordance with convoy doctrine |
| 0002 | Dropped 600 lb. depth charge |
| 0006 | Steadied ship on 240 (T) and changed speed to 10 knots, 93 RPM to avoid collision with British Corvette. Shortly thereafter with full left rudder, resumed swinging ship to port to parallel convoy course and take further action as necessary |
| 0010 | A torpedo struck the ship amidship on the starboard side abreast of No. 1 fireroom below the waterline. A torpedo wake was seen crossing the bow and another was seen crossing the stern. The explosion of torpedo striking the ship caused the following casualties among the ships company: |
| | The immediate inspection of the ship by the heads of the departments determined the following material damage sustained: |
| | The following is as nearly possible an account of steps taken and the order in which they were taken to bring the ship under control and get underway, apprise Task Unit Commander of ship's predicament, and maintain the fighting powers of the ship at the highest possible efficiency |
| 0013 | Two white Very pistol shells were discharged to inform the surrounding vessels that this vessel had been torpedoed |
| 0015 | The Captain went aft to the Secondary Conn. |
| 0020 | Regained steering control by hand steering and headed ship into the wind and away from the vicinity of the convoy by order of the Executive Officer Conning from Secondary Control |
| 0022 | Stopped port engine |
| 0025 | H.M.S. BADDECK challenged and KEARNY replied, using a battle lantern |
| 0040 | Way was gotten on the ship by use of the port engine and the after fireroom which were still operative, and an approximate westerly course was established at about three knots |
| 0041 | Radio communication was reestablished in emergency radio. A message was sent to comTaskGroup 4.1.4 stating that we had been torpedoed but were able to proceed slowly |
| 0100 | Captain took Conn. and set course approximately North at a speed of about 5 knots which the engine was by then giving; zigzagging ship as much as possible |
| 0103 | Received orders from ComTaskGroup 4.1.4 to proceed to the nearest port |
| 0115 | Regained electric control and shifted from hand steering to power steering in steering engineroom. About this time, the starboard engine was started on back pressure from the after fireroom and speed gradually increased to about 8 knots |
| 0130 | Established telephone connection between Secondary Conn, engineroom, and steering aft by jumper leads |
| 0150 | Shifted steering control to Secondary Conn. and continued on northerly course at about 8 knots |
| 4 to 8 | Status | Steamed as before on course 010 (T) at 8 knots (starboard engine 70 RPM, port engine 98 RPM) |
| 0721 | Increased speed gradually to 10 knots (starboard engine 90 RPM, port engine 98 RPM). During watch, star shell illumination was visible periodically bearing about 150 (T) |
| 8 to 12 | 0800 | Mustered crew by signature. Absentees: (killed in action). zigzagging on northerly course at about 10 knots |
| 0921 | Sighted ship bearing 045 relative |
| 0955 | Changed course to 020 (T) and dropped 5 turns on both engines |
| 0955 | Changed speed to 89 RPM starboard engine, 95 RPM port engine |
| 12 to 16 | 1415 | Sighted GREER bearing 218 (T), distance about 17 miles |
| 1550 | GREER formed anti-submarine screen ahead |
| 1552 | Changed time zone to zero time |
| 16 to 20 | 1610 | Secured from Condition of Readiness III and set regular sea watch |
| 1622 | Sighted MONSSEN on port bow |