Posted on 10/09/2004 6:28:20 PM PDT by Skwidd
Hello, everybody. Typhoon 22 swept through Japan last night and wrecked the Yokosuka Navy base. I happened to have duty last night (onboard the USS Vandegrift) and was connected to the rest of the harbor through the Bridge-to-Bridge circuits, so here's what happened.
We didn't see much of the typhoon until 4 PM, but when it hit, it hit hard. The USS Vincennes was the first to part mooring lines and experience an unexpected underway period. According to the bridge-to-bridge, they shortly thereafter drifted over and hit the USS Coronado. The USS Chancellorsville and two of the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense ships also parted lines and experienced an unexpected underway period, but they were able to get control of their ships before they drifted too far.
The bridge-to-bridge also gave alerts of men overboard, though there was some confusion over who they were and what ship they were from. Since yesterday was Saturday in Japan, lots of people were off work and going from place to place, so identities (or even if people were actually in the water) is unknown.
After I got off duty this morning, I went to have a gawk at the Coronado. There was no apparent damage visible from the pier, but then again I don't know exactly where the Vincennes hit them (might have been on the fantail). The most dramatic damage was a sunken pusher boat, but even that looked recoverable. I drove through the base looking for other damage, but all I saw were a few trees knocked over.
Al Qaeda claims responsibility, news at 11...
5.56mm
Bush didnt secure the lines right!
From Hurricane Central, i.e., Florida, sympathies and glad you're ok.
If memory serves, the Coronado is a flag command-type vessal. Hope the damage wasnt too severe!
My ignorance but don't ships put out to sea and away from danger in a hurricane?
The navy language is unique, but pleasant. For many years I was in the Air Force, and unexpected underway aircraft usually crashed.
Sounds exciting. Hope everyone's accounted for.
This brings back memories for me. I was on the USS New Jersey anchored off the Yokosuka navy base. The Jersey took over from the Missouri after the signing of the Japanese surrender. Later I transferred to the Japanese cruiser Sakawa for the trip to Bikini for the A Bomb/H Bomb tests. The Sakawa upended and sank on the first test.
Nothing like a typhoon to create a little navigation-by-braille. I hope all is well.
My ignorance being unimportant to the situation, however, glad to hear that you and the rest of the folks are safe (or so it sounds). I imagine there's some more painting and hammer banging coming up for the crew. Let us know here if there's anything anyone needs. I have a feeling we can find a way to come up with just about anything you guys might need.
Stay safe.
P.S. my son passed his DOD physical. He is under contract at Texas A&M and will enter the Marines as a lieutenant in just about 2 years. Dumb SOB wants to go Recon and is up to his chin in training as we speak. God I'm proud of him and his choices. JSOC, here we come.
God Speed to all stationed there. I was born at this base in 1966 - my father was in the Navy, where he met my native Japanese mother. I am a fellow Asian half-breed 100% behind George Bush.
5.56mm
We were in Yokosuka in 1959 when a typhoon was supposed to hit there and we had to leave port and ride it out in the Taiwan Straits.
FReepers on the ground (and sea) bump!
Thanks for the report, and thank you for your service.
Normally ships get underway to avoid typhoons. However Yokosuka Naval Base is considered a typhoon haven. In other words it's considered safe to stay pier side. I went through at least half a dozen while stationed there and they were no big deal. This one must have hit just right.
I'm not sure why we were still in port, I don't make those decisions. Probably has something to do with being strapped for cash thanks to the WoT.
Hi Skwidd. It was 2 hours of intense wind and rain, wasn't it. Strongest typhoon I've felt in this area. Looking out from our balcony, we saw horizontal rain and the wind whirling it in huge circles. Nice that it wasn't a weekday so most people could stay home.
kk22tt
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.