I have always been interested in salvage operations, what we did at Pearl Harbor was damned impressive, but for a really interesting salvage with political connotations and even some humorous (though embarrassing for the US Navy) I always found the grounding of the USS Missouri fascinating.
Grounding of the USS Missouri in 1950
RADM Homer Wallin was the officer in charge of the USS Missouri salvage. He is the same officer that lead the salvage operations in Pearl Harbor after the Japanese attack.
Fascinating story about the Missouri. Skipper with a serious case of recto-cranial inversion IMO....
On one of television’s documentaries about either the Missouri or Wisconsin years ago they had a guy on who said that he was at the helm of the Missouri when thee Captain give the order to change course[I can’t recall the degrees or whether it was right or left] . He said he responded with,” Sir, there are shoals there” The Captain replied, “I have given you an order and I expect you to carry it out.” Aye, Aye Sir and over the wheel went. We were making 20 knots.