Date: January 1942

Time: approx 0200

Visibility: 150 -200 yards

Weather: Severe North Atlantic storm

Scenario:

The USS Mayo awaits a westbound convoy in the area of her assigned MOMP (Mid-Ocean Meeting -Point). The Mayo and other escort vessels move in to take their duty stations alongside the merchant ships to relieve the originating convoy escorts that came from the states. During early morning darkness, the HMS Douglas, a British escort, crosses the bow of the Mayo from right to left. The Mayo called to her enginerooms for "ALL STOP" but it was too late. The heavy seas carried her into the fantail of the Douglas. Another report stated that the damage was just aft of the forecastle. Anyhow, the Douglas heeled 38 degrees but managed to still make headway.

The Mayo's damage control parties kept the bow section sealed, enabling the Mayo to escort the Douglas to Reykjavik, Iceland. The Douglas was tied alongside the Destroyer Tender--USS Vulcan for repairs.

The Mayo suffered damage that opened her from the keel to 12 feet below the main deck back to the peak tank bulkheads. No crewmen were lost in this incident

The Douglas lost two plates that exposed her Officers' Country to the open sea. One Warrant Officer was the only casualty aboard the Douglas.

At the Boston Navy Yard, a bow off a new construction destroyer was awaiting the arrival of the Mayo. It was welded in place and the removal of the #3 5in gun mount and aft torpedo tubes were removed. In addition, the Anti-aircraft capability of the Mayo was enhanced.

--Thanks to Bill Antoniades BM2/C for information and picture.