| 0738 |
Completed
gassing and purged the gasoline system. (Pumped inert gas
in risers to all filling stations.)
|
| 0740 |
OTC
gave TBS order to "open fire with the 'pea shooters' when
range is clear.
|
| 0741 |
Commenced
firing 5" gun at enemy cruiser 17,000 yards on port quarter.
|
| 0745 |
Launched
one TBM, enemy salvos straddling the ship.
|
| 0745--0810 |
Salvos
fell near the ship shortly after fire was opened with the
5 If gun. During this period the ship was maneuvered to
avoid salvos .
|
| 0746 |
Changed
course to 210° (T) (on this course there was not enough
wind across the deck to catapult a loaded TBM).
|
| 0750 |
Jettisoned
one TBM by catapult. (This left only I plane -a TBM-l C
aboard which was on the hangar deck near the forward elevator).
|
| 0750 |
Three
unidentified ships sighted on horizon dead ahead of formation.
Sent effective major war vessel challenge on 24" searchlight.
All three ships responded immediately with correct reply.
On the strength of this identification (too far away to
be identified by sight, on order from the Captain, the Signal
Officer sent "BT WE ARE UNDER ATTACK BT K". The center
vessel "dashed" for each word and "rogered"
for the message.
|
| 0800 |
Changed
course on TBS signal to 200° (T).
|
| 0805 |
Changed
course on TBS signal to 240° (T).
|
| 0810 |
First
hit, after end of flight deck starboard side near Batt II.
Fires started on flight and hangar deck -personnel casualties
small.
|
| 0815 |
Changed
course on TBS signal to 205° (T) .
|
| 0820 |
Hit
in forward (port) engine room below waterline.
|
| 0821 |
Two
portable electric submersible pumps placed in operation.
Bilge pumps turned on.
|
| 0825 |
The
Captain informed OTC by TBS that ship had been hit hard
and had lost one engine.
|
| 0825 |
Engine
room flooded to burner level. Boilers secured.
|
| 0826 |
All
loads shifted to after generators and engine room.
|
