Evening star., 1948-08-22
A 'Dry-Run' Torpedo Just Missed Roosevelt
DetoiIs' Of Holf-Told
Story Obtoined
From Navy

scores of guns opened up 1t was
a beautiful exercise to watch. Every
fifth bullet was a tracer, and thus
the President could easily follow
their flight.
I remember that was feeling
extremely proud Of the Iowa, for
up to now every balloon released
had been shot down.
Torpedo Warning Given
Suddenly. cry over the ships
loudspeaker momentarily froze
every one aboard: Torpedo on the
starboard beam! Torpedo on the
starboard beam!" 2
In an instant the thought raced
through my mind: "A sub has got
through" simultaneously, before
turned away, I saw members of the
Presidents party fairly leap into
action.
The valet, Prettyman, grabbed the
Presidents wheelchair. With q
rush, he began racing him around
the starboard side. assumed the
President would be taken imme-
diately to the comparative safety
of the flag conn"
Now the crews long months oil
training paid of in smooth per.
formance under battle conditions
The ship surged ahead at full speed
at the same time swerving sharply
to port. Capt. McCrea had instantly
issued these orders to bring the ship
parallel to the torpedo's path, thus
offering as small . target as pos
sible.
Perspiration from fear or excite
ment broke out on my forehead as
I rushed back to my battle station
Comdr. Pohl was alongside me as
I reached the hatch of the chart
house. The heavy hatch already
had been closed and dogged down
As Comdr. Pohl and / wrestled
futilely with the hatch, a heavy ex-
plosion shook the Iowa. Comdr
Pohl grabbed me by the shoulder,
saying, my God, he's hit us
But the ship was not damaged
Fortunately, the change of course
to port and the extra burst OF
speed enabled us to escape the
torpedo, which apparently exploded
in the terrific churning of our wake
What Actually Happened
In the months that followed we
could only wonder at the mysterious
firing of that torpedo. To this day
only handful of men know what
lay behind President Roosevelt's
brush with fate at sea.
What happened can be briefly
told. A Navy Board of Inquiry set
up few dayssiater at Bermuda
learned 40 acciaeat happened whlis
the escorting destroyer Willsam ~
Porter also was conducting target
drill. ~ -
Using the battleship as q point
Of aim, the destroyers skipper had
ordered a mock torpedo attack un-
der radar control.
The Porter had simulated firing
seven torpedo tubes without mis-
hap. In the eighth tube-unknown
to any one-was a live primer, left
accidentally in the firing cartridge
during night inspection just be-
fore the ship left Norfolk.
When the assistant torpedo Of
1cer pressed the button for the
eighth mock firing, he was aston
ished to hear a sharp explosion. A
torpedo shot into the water, head
ing toward the Iowa at express
train speed.
Hearing the sound, the skipper
yelled What happened?" In
formed, he Immediately hoisted a
flag-warning and broadcast to the
Iowa by voice radio: Torpedo
headed your way!"
1t was this prompt warning, lead
ing to Capt. McCrea's immediate
order for evasive action, which may
have saved the Iowa from a direct
hit.
And while one torpedo could
never have sunk this mighty ship,
Gripping blow might have made
her easy prey tor lurking U-boat
wolf-pack. =.
AS for my assumption that Presi-
dent Roosevelt was rushed to the
protection of the coming tower,
was wrong. Not until later did 1
learn what really happened. Vir-
tually helpless in his wheelchair,
he told Prettyman, his valet:
Take me over to the starboard
rail- want to watch the torpedo" ="
Prettyman said later: Il was
shaking all over, but I did it."