Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1942-10-27
Wasp Officers
Do Jack Singer S
Last Assignment
They Describe Sinking
of Huge Plane Carrier
by Japanese Torpedoes
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room, up every ladder and hatch,
the conclusion and flame and
smoke and impact sought out the
personnel and infiammable objects
alike.
The topside had become a rag
ing inferno.
In the hangar deck were scout
bombers, fighters, torpedo planes
and utility and amphibian craft.
Some had just returned from a
flight. All were full of gasoline
and ammunition, some with bombs
and depth charges.
The battery officer and bos'ns
mates organized gun crews into
powder chains to throw over ready
powder. Although the flames licked
at their heels they got over all
but a few charges and prevented
a serious explosion on that gallery.
CUT OFF ON DECK
Those in the third deck were
cut off before they worked their
way through the blaekness and
smoke to the fo'csle head.
The chief engineer and engine
roomers worked heroically but
nearly every emergency device
failed to work or gradually
stopped, out of commission.
The hangar fire got rapidly out
of hand. A terrific explosion for
ward In the hangar forced repair
workers aft. They were burned
and bruised and discouraged.
Forward there was a fireworks
Of exploding five inch shells and
the steady patter of machine-gun
bullets in planes. There were
flashes and conclusions when the
planes gas tanks exploded.
The impact of explosion S
wrecked the landing. gear of every
plane adeck, an dit was necessary
to drag the planes on their bellies
to the edge and throw them over
into the sea to reduce the explo-
sion menace.
Following tremendous blast
from the hangar, further compli-
eating rescue workers, Capt. For
rest Sherman went to the signal
bridge to discuss with the admiral
the abandoning of the ship.
One hour and 20 minutes after
the first sight of a torpedo word
passed to all hands to get over
side. The wounded were dressed
and ready.
Along the entire ship sings,
nets, lines, hose and anything that
would carry the weight of a man
were dropped over. Planks, mat
tresSes. RATS, cans, pillows and
everything floatable were heaved
into the sea.
JACKETS FOR WOUNDED
Every wounded man was bum
died into a life jacket and low
cred and soon little islands of
people on the hangar and poop
decks dwindled down and down to-
nothing.
Below in the engine house the
spasm of chaos was gradually
clearing and desperate efforts toI
operate the fire and damage con-
troll facilities continued. But ex-
plosions above continued and the
men in ide could not know
whether they were inside the ship
or were continuing rain Of
bombs and torpedoes from the
enemy.
Despite the many men burned.
wounded and horribly injured the
engine room crew secured every
thing and left 1t entirely orderely.
The chief machinSt did his final
chores and left last. He was
never seen again.
AS the abandoning continued
aboard continued while
oil burned on the water and the
ship drifted slowly to port. Those
who went overheard on the port
side found the carrier bearing
down on them no matter how hard
they swan.
An escorting ship saw the men
dropping from the Wasp and
rescue work began.