Evening star., 1942-06-18

systems a line of men was formed
along the. deck, down from tht
bridge, and thence down into the
ships bowels where the ''trick
wheel" was being operated. Orders
were transmitted by word of mouth
from man to man down this line
and rudder directions were entirely
dependent upon this relay system
which was slow.
With the failure of the electrical
power systems came an interruption
OF the great blowers-the ships ven-
tilating system. Heat quickly rose in
the engine and fire rooms to between
las and l62 degrees Fahrenheit
Nevertheless, the engineers gang
stayed at their posts and kept their
equipment going to give the 25-knot
speed demanded.
I'VE felt most OF the explosions be-
low more strongly toward the rear
than you did at the 'front.'" one of
the fire tenders told me afterward
THE heat and blasts affected us to
the point where we had dificulty
in keeping our minds clear. We we're
dizzy and had violent headaches
from the heat.
Blazing 1nferc RACES.
During this time the damage con-
troll gangs and fire fighters were en-
gagged in a desperate fight to save
the ship. This fight was becoming
hopeless. The flames rapidly in
creased their grip and extended their
area. More than Is per cent Of the
below-decks section was now a blaz-
ing inferno.
Bulkheads adjoining the burning
sections turned red with heat and
thick layers of paint curled off and
began burning-to transfer the fire
into new areas.
The steel decks above the fires
grew unbearably hot and flames an
grily licked their way up through the
twisted open scuttles.
Then the fire engulfed the ma
chine shop. Twenty bombs-each
weighing 1000 pounds. OF which
three-quarterS was TINT were
stored there for loading into our
heavy dive bomberS. Farther aft in
the fire area was stock Of 48 tor
pedo warheads-about $50 pounds
each, or a total OF 26. 400 pounds. of
the best explosive the Navy knows
how to make
Comdr. Seilgman personally was
leading his fire-fighting squads.
Smoke below became so dense that
beams from electric flashlights
would not penetrate 1t. Only the fa-
miliarity of the men with the in
ternal plan of the ship enabled them
to move around at all.
Some of these fire fighters were
killed or burned by almost every ex-
ploSion. Many Of the injuries came
as the blasts boanched men of the
steel walls. Bones were fractured,
heads broken. and with 1t all there
were critical burns.
Others Replace Injured.
As injured or smoke e-blinded men
from these gangs were brought up
to the flight deck for treatment,
other men stepped forward. donned
the smoke helmets taken from the
casualties, and went below in their
places.
Several times Comdr. Seligman
was blown through open doors and
out of scuttle holes. One Of his
men. told me later: The exec.
was continually being blown through
doors and out OF holes like cork
out of a bottle"
It is not possible to estimate the
total number of men lost fighting
the fire, but medical records for the
Lexington showed that at least half
the casualties were those caused by
explosions and burns.
One of the most violent explo-
sions came at 2:45 pm. 1t hap
pened just forward of the bridge
and caused much damage. 1t was
apparent to all that the end was
near and I found later I had writ
ten in my notes the time Of the ex-
plosion and the one word, "end."
But I was wrong. The crew and
officers did not even give up then.
The Lexington was still making
headway strongly though her steer
ing was becoming awkward. This
was due solely to the loss Of time
in transmitting orders. 1t was i'm
possible to keep the helm steady.
At this time Admiral Fletcher sig
nailed the other ships to disregard
the movements of the Lexington.
Engines Ordered Stopped.
Next the gyro compass failed be-
cause Of a final loss of electric
power. The bridge asked the chart
room: Distance to the nearest
land?" Then the captain asked:
Distance to nearest point OF Aus
tralia?" Finally came the order to
plot the course to a designated point
in Australia. 1t was evident that
the captain was considering a de-
parture from the rest of the fleet.
At 4 pm. Capt. Sherman ordered
the engines stopped and flreroomS
abandoned. 1t. Comdr. Mike Cof-
fin, who received the order, stayed
at his post passing on the word and
assuring himself that every man got
out. The Lexington's speed fell on
rapidly until she was drifting help
lessly sideways with smoke pouring
from the main deck to starboard,
blanketing everything on that side
The fight against the fire con-
tinued for another hour, at which
time it was evident to all aboard
her that the carrier could not be
saved.
To remain aboard the ship any
longer was courting disaster. An
officer braves the heat and flames
below to test the temperature OF the
bombs and warheads. When he put
his hand on their cases his palm
was scorched. This means, of course,
that the temperatures of the explo-
sives inside were beyond the heat
level at which scientists decreed
they would detonate.
Capt. Sherman Last to Leave.
Singed, his clothing half burned
off, Comdr. Seligman reported to
Capt. Sherman the existing condi-
tions below decks and the immi-
nence of a devastating explosion OF