Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

To: Homer_J_Simpson

USS Wasp May 26, 1942
12 posted on 09/15/2012 5:39:14 AM PDT by iowamark
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies ]


To: iowamark

USS Wasp was something of an anomaly. She was built from spare steel left over from construction of the Yorktown class ships. Smaller than the Yorktowns, she was still larger than the CVLs of the Independence class that would follow. Because of her small size and light weight, she was not nearly as well-protected as the Yorktowns. Even though, the spread from I-19 would probably have been fatal to Enterprise had she been the target. It would have taken Enterprise longer to die.

There is a split of opinion regarding the participation of I-16 in this incident. I have seen reconstructions of the torpedo tracks that indicate that every hit on every American ship was scored from the same spread fired by I-19, including one torpedo that passed directly under the Hamman, I believe. If so, it was the single most effective submarine attack ever delivered, sinking a carrier and destroyer, damaging a battleship, and almost claiming a second destroyer.


18 posted on 09/15/2012 9:40:13 AM PDT by henkster (With Carter, the embassy staff was still alive.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson