[Jacquerie]

Yeah, IIRC Chester Nimitz lead a four ship squadron of destroyers aground in heavy fog at high speed while attempting to enter San Francisco Bay.

It came real close to ending an otherwise superb career.

[rlmorel]

Yes. Nimitz was fond of the saying, and backed it up with action, that “Every dog deserves a second bite”.

[tlb]

>>> Yeah, IIRC Chester Nimitz lead a four ship squadron of destroyers aground in heavy fog at high speed while attempting to enter San Francisco Bay.

The DESCRON running on the beach was a separate incident years afterward. Previously Lt Nimitz did run his destroyer aground in the Philippines. He was punished but after several years in purgatory was allowed the opportunity to redeem himself. No “one mistake and out”.

Not referring to any one incident but it generally appears to me the Navy will someday pay a price for 1) devouring it’s seed corn, and 2) rewarding with Admirals stars those officers who never take a risk while making it suicidal for any aggressive captain.

Pictures of the Hondo Point disaster at the link. It’s quite a story. 8 September 1923, when seven nearly new U.S. Navy destroyers and twenty-three lives were lost.

http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/events/ev-1920s/ev-1923/hondapt.htm

[Cheburashka]

“On 7 July 1908, Decatur entered Batangas Harbor south of Manila Bay. Nimitz apparently estimated the ship’s position, rather than taking bearings, but failed to account for tidal variances, consequently, Decatur grounded on a sand bar at about the mid point in the first watch, and remained fast. U.S. Army Transport Wright failed in four tries to pull the warship free. Ultimately, the steamer Buena Lurte, alerted to Decatur's plight, pulled the torpedo boat destroyer free during the mid watch on 8 July. Nimitz duly reported the incident, and a general court martial, convened on board Denver (Cruiser No. 14) at Cavite, Philippines, arraigned and tried him on a under a charge of “culpable inefficiency in the performance of duty.” Due to his previously spotless record and the poor conditions of the available charts of the bay, however, the board reduced the charges, finding him “guilty in a less degree than charged...of neglect of duty,” on 1 August 1908. He received a letter of reprimand from the Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Naval Force in Philippine Waters.”

In the Philippines, not San Francisco. No fog. And only the ship he was commanding.

http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/n5/nimitz.htm