Evening star., 1950-01-31
Missouri
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Missouri
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degree to Starboard (the right
but she did not move an inch
toward the deep water that lies
only half mile astern.
| Fog on the bay was as nothing
to the gloom that hung over the
crew of the proud Missouri after
today'S failure. The crew had
been sure-so sure-that today
would bring victory.
| Only last midnight Admiral
Smith had assured all hands:
"It's almost certain she will
come af1oat at high tide today at
GAS am"
After today's effort, Admiral
Smith summoned newspapermen
to his cabin and said:
1--WE were hopeful, yes, but after
all this was really a coordination
rehearsal. We have seen the needs
and we can make the required
corrections.
Admiral Homer N. Wallin, COM
manding officer at the Norfolk
Naval Shipyards. told reporters he
is certain the Missouri had enough
buoyancy today to float her off
the shoal.
Plans Will Be Revised.
He explained that the ship has
been given great buoyancy by the
removal of more than 1000 tons
of ammunition, by the use of pom
toons to raise the stern, by re-
moving sand from beneath the
hull and other steps.
On the basis of the experience
gained today Admiral Smith and
Admiral Wallin said salvage plans
will be revised until they succeed.
"There has never been any
question about relocating the Mis-
souri," said Admiral Smith en-
phatically. The only questions are
about means and methods. From
now on it's just plain hard work. /"
Bow will be Lightened.
For the future activities, the
admiral disclosed the Missouri's
bow will be lightened another 600
tons and her 15-ton anchor will
! be transferred to a barge. Among
other things two more pontoons
will be placed beneath the stern,
making a total of six.
A lift barge now being complet-
ed at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard
will be placed under the Missouris
stern if it can be fitted in under
tow lines running from the ships
fantail to the pulling tugs. The
barge has rated lifting capacity
of 1000 tons.
And if the 45,0OO-ton ship re-
mains stuck tomorrow, several de-
stroyerS probably will be sped past
the scene to set up heavy waves.
1t is believed this may provide a
nudge to start the battleship
moving.
The principal force, however,
will be supplied as it was today.
This involves the use of 13 sea-
going tugs and two large salvage
ships plus the pull which the Mis-
souri, exerts on anchors through
her winches. Lines from these
strong revolving devices tug at
the buried anchors while the sur
rounding craft pull and push.
Several Thousand Men Take Part.
Several thousand officers and
men took part in the struggle this
morning. Gradually tension was
/ increased on all tow lines and
the smaller vessels worked up to
maximum power just before the
high tide-6:45.
There were no personnel mis-
haps, but one towdline carried
away and twice the block and
tackle gear on the after deck was
yanked out of place. One small
tug dead astern temporarily
fouled the ''beach gear"-lines
leading to the buried anchors.
There was obvious disapoint-
ment about several weather fac
tors. A favorable 20-knot north
east wind which was whipping
up the tide when Admiral Smith
predicted success. died down to
nothing before the operation be-
gan.
The bridge personnel also were
hampered by the dense fog be-
cause officers there were able to
see practically nothing beyond the
Missouri.
!. The commanding officer of the
Missouri, Capt. William D. Brown,
witnessed the operation from the
coming tower. He remained
silent most of the time.
Once, at TIT am, he told a
reporter: "She is ready to come
now. All she needs is a good
shaking or something to twist her
from the sand"