Posted on 08/20/2019 8:42:26 AM PDT by Rebelbase
When the US transport ship Cape San Juan was torpedoed in the Pacific, the survivors faced an horrific ordeal in seas full of sharks. Find out the horrifying story of the 'other' USS Indianapolis.
I’ve heard it said that the Oceanic White Tip is (along with the Tiger Shark) one of the most aggressive toward humans. Since they live in the open ocean (and food is scarce), they go after anything.
Thank you for posting. See this link for more information.
http://www.ssarkansan.com/home/american-hawaiian-in-wwii/cape-san-juan
There was another one with the light cruiser Juneau in 1942 with the Sullivan brother.
Thank you for this information. My father, about to turn 94, was WWII Navy and helped rescue the victims left from USS Indianapolis. He had quite the sad stories I remember hearing since I was a child.
http://www.ssarkansan.com/home/american-hawaiian-in-wwii/cape-san-juan
A poem about the incident was written by Private Hugh H. Shanks of the 855th and typed by the 253rd Company Clerk Americo L. Vergari from Cambridge, OH. Kent Hunt of the 253rd provided the cover art, which I show on the 253rd’s page.
The two units were stationed nearby in the Philippines in 1944 and collaborated on creating and distributing the poem to all their members. Pretty amazing considering the official segregation policies in place at the time.
I debated whether I should include the poem in the 855th’s section because one of its members wrote it and most of the references to men in it refer to 855th members, or the 253rd’s section because they published it and survivor Stephen Dybas generously provided a scan of his copy. Ultimately, I decided it would be best to create a new section for it at the end because it applies to everyone involved, and helps summarize the whole event.
Disclaimer: The following poem includes some very dark passages, but captures the full range of emotions the men were feeling. Political correctness was not a consideration for them, so readers sensitive to such issues should exercise caution. While I don’t agree with everything in it, especially the characterization of the Merchant Marine, it provides a raw, uncensored view of the events that is very unique. I am presenting it here in its original form with spelling and grammar intact.
‘THE LAST DAWN OF THE S.S. EL KOPITON OR ODDESSY OF THE _______ BATTALION.’
(Ed. NOTE – Events and Incidents are accurate and true. Names mentioned are all real characters: Because of censorship Fictitious names used for ships)
THE WAR AT SEA
Thru out the year of ‘43
The “Gods of Death” ruled the sea.
Enemy Subs were scourge of the Waters
Making Widows of Mothers and Daughters.
Convoys molested, lone ships sunk,
U.S. Sea Supremacy – was that the bunk?
THE DEPARTURE
Early the morn, October Twenty Eight (28)
The Transport El’Kopiton, steamed out the
Golden Gate.
Alone, 2000 men going over sea,
The _____Battalion, C. of E.
How quiet and calm the vast Pacific
We’d all expected the waves to be
terrific.
LIFE ABOARD SHIP
Men on deck, a milling mass,
torture of seasickness over at last.
Time stands still as days pass,
Gulls all gone from the main top mast,
Boxing today, somebody said
Ah! heres a book I haven’t read.
Rinse the decks, not once but twice
resume your reading, cards or dice.
Jumpin over legs, steppin on hands,
Buddies making post-war plans.
Ice cold Cokes, being sold below
Olds will buy, he’s won our dough.
NITE MUST FALL
7-O’clock, the water is on
Good! my canteen’s empty, every drop gone.
Nite Falls on the El’Kopiton.
Blackout, til the crack of dawn.
Men are singing, all are gay
some admiring the Milky Way.
A TYPICAL DAY
Nite over the boys are gay
as usual gambling starts the day.
The good ship plods sou’west direction
Calesthenics, Rifle and hatch inspection
10 O’clock, abandon ship drill
done to suit The Captains will.
Musical show on Hatch No. two (2)
Neptune party, Joy of the crew.
Vesper service, softly spoken,
Hear the mate, “lights out, no smoking”.
Movie to-nite, in the Troop Mess Hall
one hatch at a time can’t take all.
15TH DAY
Three days off the Fiji Isles,
sight British Bomber, we’re all smiles
“Torpedo Junction” they call this spot,
because Jap Subs keep it hot.
Oh well, so far the trip’s been fine,
tomorrow we cross the great date line.
Where do we land? Some-one shouts,
Melbourne or Moresby, we bare doubts.
Where do we land? That’s the issue,
hope it’s soon cause we’re out of toilet tissue
And we’re tired of rationed water, tired of making wishes,
We’re tired of pretty sunsets and countin’ Flyin Fishes.
Nite falls on our ocean queen
cloudy and dark, no silvery sheen.
Some still gamble, others sleep.
Cramped in hatches (800) deep.
Some never saw another dawn
disaster befell the El’Kopiton.
THE DISASTER
November eleventh, (11) five-forty (5:40) in the morning.
I stand on deck stretching and yawning;
As I watch the water I gasp for breath,
for speeding our way come’s Sudden Death!
“Torpedo”! I cried”, off the Star-board bow,
too late, Our guns boom now.
The “Fish” explodes in lower two (2),
the steps blow out, hatch caved thru
carrying sleepers to their death
crushing others last breath
Men die as they sleep;
without a sound. Some weep.
WHO DARES COMMAND?
Captain shouts “Abandon Ship”!!
El’Kopiton can’t finish its trip.
Terror held many in its grip,
Havoc reigned aboard the ship.
Merchant crew rowing o’er the Horizion
have deserted us all, this is surprisin!
Men jumpind, oily water
Sharks approach from ev’ry quarter
Cap’n shouted “Rafts!!” We let’em go,
killin’ some who swam below
T’is a ghostly thing, but its always been true –
to save the many, sacrifice the few.
COURAGE OF MEN
Cap’n Bass and Corp. Barkley of Company “A”
shall long be remembered for their deeds this day,
Braving the terrors of the flooded hold
bringing up bodies, crippled, crushed, some cold.
Stout of heart they will not fail
Hear us shout – “Hail Heroes, Hail!!!”
HALLOWED DEATH
And there are others, brave and true
saving buddies from the blue.
Yokum, Watson, and Wyatt I call by name;
the’ lost, you’ll live, in our Hall of Fame
I loved you much, I knew you well
God Grant, for you, there be no Hell.
THE SEPARATION
Many men ne’er left the Ship,
held by terror, white of lip.
Merchant crew has stole life boats
Ironical, yes, it got our goats
Sharks hang round, dare not draw near
strugglin’ men shriek in fear.
THE FIRST RESCUE
The good ship ______ comes our way
And saves two hundred men (200)(same day)
Its Cap’n carries orders for a non-stop trip;
but loudly he cries – “Stop the Ship,”
Defies his orders in spite of Court-Martial.
T’wixt Orders and Mercy to Mercy he’s partial.
DEATH OF A “MAN”
He knows our ship is a Troop Transport,
“Pick-up those Men”, “To Hell with the Court”.
Men left forlorn as she sails out of sight.
Sadness aboard. “Josh” died that nite,
he was my pal, every man’s friend,
Parlyzed, he smiled and welcomed the end.
THE CASTAWAYS
Left behind in Tropical Squall
deepens the misery of us all.
Some weaken and slip in to the water
midst the Prayers and insane laughter.
Some scream, and curse the Sea,
some are mute, like Ross and Lee.
SECOND RESCUE
Just fore darkness falls o’er the Sea
A Plane is heard by Brown and me.
A Giant Sea Plane, takes forty (40) men
“Thats all this trip, be back again”
High she soars and flies away
We know she won’t be back to-day.
REMINISCENT MEDITATIONS
Huddled close, chilled to the bone,
but each man still feels all alone.
Mom once said she feels when I’m in trouble.
Does Telepathy traverse this big blue bubble?
I’d say “all’s well” if I could write.
God grant she doesn’t feel this night.
AS CHRIST HAS TAUGHT, PRAY YE THUS
Amidst our plaintive sincere prayers,
To our Savior way up stairs
A choking gasp, a splash is heard
another gone without a word.
Pal calls Pal, to find out who
weakened and slipped into the blue.
Rafts drift far in two (2) long days
toss by furious Ocean waves
roughest days we’ve seen so far
Ironic yes, but so is War.
Nites dark and eerie, faces drawn
We pray – “Oh God please rush the dawn.”
HOPE
Grey morning falls in a misty shroud,
the sky is hid by a solid cloud
A plane! A plane! some one shouts
some have hopes, some have doubts.
Oil smeared faces scan the sky
Tears welled-up in every eye.
FAITH
A Bomber sweeps down, inspects the lot,
We aren’t sure if its ours or not.
Drops food and water, soars away
He’ll bring help sometime to-day.
Feeling better we all are calm
A ray of hope is soothing balm.
JOY
Mast Ahoy! On yon Horizion.
Wobblylegs on Raft a’risin.
Oil filled eyes strain and peer.
“A U.S. Destroyer” – We shout and cheer.
Fast she speeds bearin round,
looks as though she’ll run us down.
THE RESCUE – “FINAL”
Hauled aboard in hasty fashion,
given food and coffee ration.
Sailin round to pick up others,
friends greet friends like long lost brothers.
Some in need of Medic care;
Eyes blind beyond repair.
SO’JOURN IN SUVA
Off to Fiji, rest in Suva
Heal quickly Soldier, Mac Arthur needs ya!
Telegraph home all is well
Jus’ ‘bout all we’re ‘llowed to tell.
Heat, humidity, jungle stickiness;
Tropic Fruits good for sickness.
SUVIAN STREET SCENE
Giant natives awful haughty,
Hindu Urchins awful naughty,
Souvenirs at inflation prices.
Smells of cooking, lots of spices.
Jungle fighters, some yet ill,
anxious to go to Bougainsville.
GIVE YE THANKS UNTO THE LORD
Thanks givin dinner, Turkey and Peas.
Second helpin? If you please.
Pack-up to-nite, we sail in the morning.
The H.P. Ship looms grey in the dawning.
Happy lad? You’ll see your pal
He was saved with the rest, they’re in “New Cal”.
NEW CALEDONIA
Land Ahoy!! Sounds from the nest
mountains seen far in the West.
Scissors and comb, I’m a barber
dozens of ships, Noumea Harbour
New Caledonia, owned by the French
Jungles and mountains; Native stench.
MEDITATIONS
Ridin’ at anchor, ships of all nations.
Linin’ the shores, men of all stations.
Many races, creeds and faces
gathered here from many places
United in cause, tho’ different in birth.
Preserving democracy, fightin’ for earth.
REUNION
We camp on a hillside, o’er looking the sea
‘Bove winding roads. Whats that I see?
A truck convoy, hear the noise
Hey gang! Fall out! Here come the boys;
Theres Parker, Skipper, and Chicago Red!
Why Hell! We thought you guys were dead.
FRIENDS THOU HAS’T – BY VIRTUES TRIED
Strong men weep; a slap on the shoulder;
Even the timid seem more bolder.
We welcome many whom we used to hate.
Boy, Oh boy! Reunion’s great.
Freddie Price, arguing as usual,
he makes an issue of a casual perusal;
adopted me, call’s me big brother,
I call him mouse cause he’s such a bother.
“Diesel” Hill shouts to be heard;
Hi ya kid, whats the word?
Frantic lad, my home town boy,
reg’lar fella, full of joy.
Here’s Harry Gaddis, starry eyed
dashing, bold, Pittsburgh’s pride.
There’s Pierce, “Prim”, and T’ler, as usual calm.
Smilin’, sweatin, neath tropic Sun.
Here’s “Bill” Jones, called “Soho Slim”,
(I’m carryin’ $200.00 bucks for him)
loud his laughter, firm his grip,
squeezin’ my hand till I bite my lip
Chambers, Gill and Mason from the Buckeye State.
Ask either a favor, t’is never late.
Could go on naming, giving honorable mention
but 1st Sgt. Arnold calls us to attention.
ROLL CALL
“Fall in formation in reg’lar places.
We gaze forlorn for absent faces
Roll Call shows there is much absence
Names unanswered cause reminiscence,
Jones, Kincade, Parsons, Parker, Logan,
Lee, Nelson – Absent. (His place was next to me.)
BEWARE THE WRATH OF AVENGANCE
Absent! Echoes thru the lines.
Bleeding hearts; angry minds.
O’ Son’s of Nippon you shall pay and pay
ten-fold for that bloody day.
We’ll smash your cities for revengeful glory,
and crumble Tokyo to end our story.
BACK TO SEA
Pack-up men, we sail tomorrow
forget your pain, cast out your sorrow
Our Battalion’s motto is “Can Do”
Push on, we must, til’ War is through.
Standing on deck, in the early dawn
We think ahead; what lies beyond?
THE BLOOD OATH
Farewell New Cal. We leave you now.
But on your shores we made a vow;
We swore to never quit this battle,
to slaughter Japs like Hogs and Cattle,
‘Til their women shall wail, their children lament.
To kill til Nipponese blood is spent.
WOMEN OF OUR ENEMY, TAKE HEED
Well used influence, Nippon mothers
might have saved sons and brothers
too late now – their doom we seal;
their death the salve our wounds to heal.
Away Vile thoughts, for I need rest.
We’ll keep our vows, we’ll stand the test.
DUE CREDIT GIVEN
Sleep on dear brothers you’ve staked first claim.
In your Battalions Hall of Fame.
A lesson you taught in blood and hell
True t’was tough, but we learned it well.
Your deeds were good, the mem’ry clings
Our laughter we trade for more sober things.
TO THE LOVED ONES “THEY” LEFT BEHIND
O’ you mothers, sweethearts and wives
Weep on lament once precious lives,
Fear not for them; they know no sorrow
in that land “Beyond to-morrow”.
To go “Beyond” makes none forget,
they loved you then, they love you yet;
Tho’ life was short they loved you much
for your caress and tender touch.
EPITAPH
Your names be remem’bred, you died not in vain;
expendable you were, t’was Tojo’s gain.
Death took you away but glory remains.
Without seeing a battle your lives were lost.
You’ll be avenged no matter the cost.
Someday we shall meet, face to face,
but first we must earn a right to that place;
and win your approval of our deeds here on Earth
in defence of America, land of our Birth.
We’ll meet you someday and share your
leaven. Wait for us there – At the
Gates of Heaven.
THE END
BFL
What a cluster that was. Ship was damaged in one of the naval battles off Guadalcanal and was limping back with with other damaged ships.
A Jap sub fired at one of the others but hit the Juneau, which blew up and sank in 20 seconds. The surviving ships were afraid to stop because of the subs, and anyway, they thought all hands were lost and steamed on, leaving 100 guys in the water.
Rescue aircraft spotted them and reported in, but everyone thought someone else was going to the rescue. Eight days later, after exposure and sharks, 10 guys were picked up. The Juneau originally had a crew of 687 men.
A research crew found her in 2018 in pieces at a depth of 13,800 feet.
*ping*
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