To Save the Cole

Navy Times ^ | 3-5-01 | William H. McMichael

[SJackson]

Sailors topside raced to get below decks. Shipmates below fought to get out.

They all worked to save their ship.

The refueling stop was going smoothly. At the rate things were progressing, it wouldn't be long before the USS Cole pulled out of the Port of Aden to continue its journey to the Persian Gulf.

[SJackson]

Don't think this was ever posted. Since the correspondent recently won an award for his coverage, it seemed like a good time.

[Joe Hadenuf]

It's amazing what a couple of idiots on a rubber raft can do.

[Free the USA]

Check the Bump List folders for articles related to and descriptions of the above topic(s) or for other topics of interest.

[RaceBannon]

bump

[Harrison Bergeron]

""And for all those people who say, well, maybe we lack something that the other generation had - I didn't see it."

Amen to that.

[SJackson]

Actually, permission to fire would probably have been enough.

[Boot Hill]

SJackson,

You posted "To Save the Cole" on FR back in May. I bookmarked it then for later reading and just got around to reading it this Friday night. And what a read it was!

I think the thing that impressed me most, and that was repeated time and again throughout the story, was summed up best in this sentence: "Sailors were working nearly autonomously and well beyond their normal levels of responsibility". This is very telling about their level of seamanship, training, leadership skills and their sense of team effort.

With such an uplifting example of esprit de corps while under enemy fire, the puzzle is why only 5 replies were posted to it!

Regards,

Boot Hill

[SJackson]

Thanks for the reminder.

[brityank]

With such an uplifting example of esprit de corps while under enemy fire, the puzzle is why only 5 replies were posted to it!

Good story about some very brave and competent sailors.

AJ & SW -- For your 'Ping' lists; and yes -- keep me on; I may not answer much but I do read. Thanks.

[SAMWolf]

Thanks for the ping.

I can't believe I missed this first time around.

[Jen]

Thanks for the ping. I missed this story too. That's why I appreciate being pinged to good stories. I'll post a link to this thread at the Foxhole for others who may have missed it too.

[Soaring Feather]

Save the Cole

bump

[Hillarys Gate Cult]

Anyone know the Cole's current status on a return to full service? Last I could find on the web was that the ship was still undergoing sea trials and systems certifications as of Sept 18 this year.

[1rudeboy]

[1rudeboy]

[SAMWolf]

Good pictures!

[is_is]

bump for later....

[Darksheare]

Remember the Perry clas frigate that got hit by a silkworm missile back in the 80's?
It was never able to reliably get back up to it's normal design flank speed again without massive vibration problems.
The Cole will have the same problem.

[Darksheare]

By the by, the crew did good to save their ship. There were ships during WWII that weren't damaged half as bad that didn't make it.