[Oztrich Boy]

In an earlier thread I saw a graphic depicting the path that container ship took. It is bizarre. The Container ship does indeed turn completely around and head straight at the Navy ship.

Not that bizarre if you assume AXC Crystal was ahead of schedule to pick up a pilot to enter Tokyo bay. To maintain its slot in the queue, it's moved south of the shipping lane to run a racetrack c.10 miles long (the length of the U turn)

At this point Crystal and Fitzgerald are running roughly parallel with Crystal c.1+ miles ahead and to starboard, making her double "privileged" and Fitzgerald is supposed to keep out of the way.

Speculation: the Fitz OOW is playing silly buggers, seeing how close he can get to the port quarter without being noticed.

Crystal turns to port to run the racetrack again, and finds a ship that shouldn't be there.

[DiogenesLamp]

You seem to know whereof you speak, so I will accept your explanation unless other information comes forth which contradicts it.

Unquestionably the US Navy people were asleep at the wheel. Someone is getting court-martialed, of that I am sure.