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Posted on 03/12/2004 3:36:30 AM PST by snippy_about_it
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 are acknowledged, affirmed and commemorated.
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| Our Mission: The FReeper Foxhole is dedicated to Veterans of our Nation's military forces and to others who are affected in their relationships with Veterans. In the FReeper Foxhole, Veterans or their family members should feel free to address their specific circumstances or whatever issues concern them in an atmosphere of peace, understanding, brotherhood and support. The FReeper Foxhole hopes to share with it's readers an open forum where we can learn about and discuss military history, military news and other topics of concern or interest to our readers be they Veteran's, Current Duty or anyone interested in what we have to offer. If the Foxhole makes someone appreciate, even a little, what others have sacrificed for us, then it has accomplished one of it's missions. We hope the Foxhole in some small way helps us to remember and honor those who came before us.
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 1944 -1944 USS Mount Hood, a 13910-ton ammunition ship, was built at Wilmington, North Carolina, and converted for Naval service at Norfolk, Virginia. Commissioned in July 1944, she transited the Panama Canal in August and was assigned to the South Pacific area to provide ammunition to the fighting forces. On the morning of 10 November 1944, while she was moored at the Manus Naval Base, Admiralty Islands, Mount Hood's cargo of explosives detonated in a massive blast. The ship was utterly destroyed by the accident, which killed all those on board her. Damage and casualties were also inflicted on ships anchored as far as 2000 yards away. Personnel casualties on Mount Hood and on other vessels totalled 45 known dead, 327 missing and 371 injured.  Off the Norfolk Navy Yard, Virginia, 16 July 1944. She is painted in camouflage Measure 32, Design 18F. Photograph from the Bureau of Ships Collection in the U.S. National Archives.  Underway in Hampton Roads, Virginia, 6 August 1944. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.  Explosion, 10 November 1944  The photograph was taken by a sailor from Spencer, West Virginia, who gave it to the donor. Donation of Admiral Felix B. Stump, 1963. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.  Photographed by a photographer of the 57th Construction Battalion, who had set up his camera to take pictures of the Battalion's camp. Note smoke trails left by fragments ejected by the explosion, and splashes at their impact points. Collection of Commander Lester B. Marx, Commanding Officer of the 57th C.B. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.  Note smoke trails left by fragments ejected by the explosion. Copied from the War Diary, Manus Naval Base, for November 1944. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.  USS Mount Hood (AE-11) Explosion as seen from the Naval Supply Depot on Manus. Copied from the War Diary, Naval Base, Manus, for November 1944. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.  Smoke cloud expanding, just after she exploded. Photographed by a photographer of the 57th Construction Battalion, who had set up his camera to take pictures of the Battalion's camp. Collection of Commander Lester B. Marx. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.  Salvage and rescue work underway on USS Mindanao (ARG-3) shortly after Mount Hood blew up about 350 yards away. Note heavy damage to Mindanao's hull and superstructure, including large holes from fragment impacts. View looks forward from alongside her port quarter. USS Mindanao had 180 crewmen killed and injured by this explosion. She was under repair until 21 December 1944. Small craft alongside or nearby include (from left) YPB-6 (probable identification), two LCVPs and YPB-7. Copied from the War Diary, Manus Naval Base, for November 1944. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.  Four motor minesweepers (YMS) alongside the starboard side of USS Mindanao (ARG-3) shortly after Mount Hood blew up about 350 yards away from Mindanao's port side. These wooden minesweepers were protected from most of the direct force of the blast by Mindanao's hull, but received some damage. USS YMS-340 is second from the left. Note that her open bridge bulwarks have been blown down. Also note differing types of retracting accoustic "hammer box" mountings on the bows of these ships. Copied from the War Diary, Manus Naval Base, for November 1944. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.  Damage to Quonset huts atop the barge YF-681 from concussion from the explosion that destroyed USS Mount Hood. The barge is alongside USS Argonne (AG-31), which was also damaged by the blast. Copied from the War Diary, Manus Naval Base, for November 1944. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.      |
Rough handling accounts for the majority of ordnance accidents.
Postwar analysis indicates that one kaiten damaged the ammunition ship USS MAZAMA (AE-9)
USS Current ARS 22 Raising 2-man Japanese sub found in Pearl Harbor 19 years after WW-II. Sunk by depth charge, conning tower door open, 2 torpedoes aboard (Contributed By John Bauer)
At 0700 on January 12, 1944, Current went to general quarters. In accordance with radio communications from Comservron Ten, Current was underway to Ulithi’s Southern Anchorage 528 to render assistance to the ammunition ship USS Mazama AE-9. The Mazama became a battle casualty of a Kaiten, a one-man suicide submarine. After the attack, an investigation revealed the Mazama was attacked by a Kaiten launched by the Japanese submarine I-36. Because the war in the Pacific was going badly for the Japanese by the end of 1944, they formed special Kaiten units comprised of mother submarines that carried four or five one-man midget submarines. Several Kaiten units were dispersed throughout the Pacific to attack Allied ships. Kaiten Force "Kongo" was directed to destroy ships anchored at Ulithi Atoll's Southern Anchorage.
At 0650 on the morning of January 12, Mazama's crew sighted a suspicious object off the starboard quarter. Four minutes later an explosion rocked the ship and the Mazama began to list two degrees to port and was down at the bow. Pumps were immediately started to counteract the flooding. Later, ballast was emptied to reduce the forward draft. The ship was damaged in the number one hold by the concussion of the Kaiten that prematurely detonated 90 feet from the Mazama. The explosion killed one sailor and injured seven others seriously.
While underway to the Mazama, Current prepared two ten inch salvage pumps, a submersible six inch pump, two P-500 pumps with hose and fittings and rigged the forward and after booms for transfer of this equipment to the Mazama. At 0735, Current arrived at the scene of the damaged ammunition ship. Four rescue tugs were already moored to the Mazama. Current proceeded to tie up port side to ATR-34 heading down wind in a position to use the ATR’s booms to pass Current’s equipment to the damaged and settling bow of the Mazama. Current’s fire hoses, fire monitors and foam throwing equipment were manned and ready. The fire fighting party was prepared to board. Lieutenant Commander Duffy, captain of Current was senior officer in charge of the Mazama salvage operation and all vessels on the scene. After inspection, Mazama’s number one hold, containing fifty three hundred tons of ammunition, was found completely flooded and the number two hold partially flooded. At 0935, Current exchanged positions with ATR-34, to be directly alongside Mazama to more effectively use its salvage equipment and to be in a better position to use fire-fighting equipment if a fire ignited. After caulking and plugging of open seams and other damage control work was completed, the Mazama stopped settling and leakage into the number two hold was contained. The flooded holds were pumped out and serviceable ammunition from both holds was unloaded and transferred while damaged munitions were dumped at sea. On January 21, 1945 work on the Mazama was completed.
Example of Japanese Submarine (I-58)
This Japanese two-man submarine was part of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, December 7th, 1941.
Returning to Tokyo, it took a wrong turn and wound up here in Bisbee, Arizona, and was detained after a routine traffic stop.
1944 Japan fielded the "Kaiten" suicide torpedo, incorporating elements of the 24-inch, 40-knot version of the "Long Lance" with a control compartment into which the pilot was locked. Range: not more than five hours, no matter what. "Kaiten" were carried into battle by I-class submarines; the record is ambiguous. A fairly large number of "Kaiten" were sent into action; one American tanker and a small landing ship were sunk, perhaps also a destroyer escort, and two transports were damaged.
Japan was not able to field its Godzilla-class boats in time to turn the inexorable tide of defeat by America's determined might.
Returning to Tokyo, it took a wrong turn and wound up here in Bisbee, Arizona, and was detained after a routine traffic stop.
LOL!
"I was deeply affected by the blatant racial profiling of the Arizona Highway
Patrol in its arrest and detainment of the Japanese driver and passenger of a
Submaru driving through Bisbee during WWII.
"So much so that I have now instructed the NTSA security personnel to frisk six
grandmothers, five toddlers, four veterans on crutches, three Chihuahuas in
carriers, two nuns and a priest for every person of Middle Eastern appearance."
LOL. Thanks Phil for my morning laugh!
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