The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1942-11-05
Bluffton Survivor OF Sunken Aircraft
Carrier Swan In Shark-Infested Waters

The Wasp was the flagship of the
| American task force engaged In COW
ering the movements of reinforce
ments being sent to the island of
Guadalcanal. Operations of the
American fleet caused the enemy to
withdraw temporarily but it was still
necessary to support the reinforce
ments.
Destroyers near the vessel had no
indication that a submarine was in
the vicinity and Jap craft never sur
faced. Immediately after the fatal
blow, the destroyers started dropping
depth charges about 1000 yards from
the Wasp.
The captain ordered the vessel back
ed around in order to bring her stern
into the wind and give the crew the
best chance to fight the fire and get
clear of burning oil in the water.
The airplanes on deck, which con-
sisted of fighters, torpedo planes and
light bombers, were pushed over the
side of the ship into the sea in order
to avoid the explosions from their
ammunition and gasoline.
After an hour and 90 minutes of
fighting the fire the captain gave the
order to abandon ship. The manner
of leaving the ship was left up to the
sailors. There were no power hoists
and consequently no life boats could
be lowered.
Abandon Ship
Some jumped in, others dove off
from a height of so to rs feet, but
most lowered themselves by means of
ropes. Some took their clothing off,
others only partially and some went
into the water completely clothed.
Steiner chose to lower himself by
rope with only his shoes and stock
ings off.
The water was warm but the waves
were high and it was difficult to keep
from gulping up the water when one
slid down the crest of a high wave.
The Wasp being $50 miles from shore,
there was no land in sight. Most of
the men had lifebelts and Steiner was
among those so provided.
Alone on Sea
For long time Steiner was by him.
self in the ocean and only occasional
ly could see other men floating on the
water. Finally he was joined by sew
eral others until a group of five was
formed which chung together until the
rescue was effected by destroyer.
Sharks were swimming all around
for the entire three and one-half hours
that Steiner was in the water. The
water was very oily and several of the
boys in the group became very sick
from drinking in some of the oil and
salt water.
While Steiner was in the water the
United States destroyers were drop
ping depth charges and everytime one
of them went off it felt as though you
were shot, Steiner said.
The speaker was not permitted to
state where the survivors of the Wasp
were taken or to give the name of the
vessel that brought them to this
country.
Mediterranean Action
The Wasp was fine, modern large
fighting vessel and had seen action
numerous times in the Mediterranean.
1t carried 80 planes and only few of
them happened to be in the air at the
time of the mishap. These planes
are still fighting in the Solomons, ac-
cording to newspaper reports.
As petty officer on the ship Stein
er directed the activities of a group
Of sailors in cleaning operations.
They worked all day long with inter
ruptions only for meals, or Chow
the sailors term. The work contin-
ued right through the evening at
which time the sailors repaired the
planes and assisted in making ready
for the next operation. In combat
zones the sailors have little rest or