|
1. This report must be weighed in the light of the vagaries of the human memory under stress. As is always the case, witnesses to the same event differ radically in reporting their observations. The entire action filled a crowded two and one-half hours, which in retrospect seems like but a bad dream of a few minutes duration. The action was followed by a two day period spent in the water awaiting rescue and another day in the rescue craft looking for additional survivors before any attempt was made to record the events covered by this report. All logs, records and notes taken during the action were lost with the ship. Nevertheless, the principle events are believed to be set forth in proper chronological order and the intervals between successive events are probably not seriously in error. The exact time indicated for each occurrence, however, may be in error by as much as ten minutes. 2. Statements made concerning allocations of missions and responsibilities are made without benefit of reference to the applicable operation orders (lost with the ship and replacement copies not obtainable at present) . It is hoped that significant omissions, if any, will be clarified by forwarding seniors. 3. U ntil the time that the ship was hit in the forward engine room with consequent loss of speed and resultant separation (about 0825) from the Task Unit, the ship conformed to the maneuvering signals of G.T.U. 77.4.3 whose report no doubt embraces this phase of the action. 4. All times stated herein are ITEM (--9 Zone) and east longitude date
page -1 - |
|
|
|
|