Yokosuka Naval Base hit by Typhoon (USS Vincennes breaks mooring lines, hits the USS Coronado)

Freeper Skwidd (eyewitness) | 10OCT04 | Skwidd

[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.

[dk/coro]

My question exactly, Sully.

I cannot condone the failure to put to sea with any significant weather pending that could place the Naval Unit in danger.

That is the basic responsibility of command -- and cannot be excused under ANY circumstance.

Heads must roll in this instance -- sooner, rather than later. Summary relief for cause is a hallmark of the Senior Service, and has been derogated far too much in recent decades.

Off with their heads !! Or, in Naval Jargon, terminate the careers by relief for cause of those that placed their commands in jeopardy. Respectfully, from an old salt.

[B4Ranch]

ping

[beezdotcom]

How ironic. The only time I've ever been in Japan, I spent 2 weeks at Kamiseya, right around the corner from Yokosuka - and had to ride out a typhoon then, too.

[Skwidd]

Actually, I'm 29. Terp just happened to see me mention that I had been on the Indy once here on Free Republic. I was a brand-new FC2 back then and one of his chaff-launchers was outside of my CIWS mount.

[billhilly]

OK you young salts, carry on.

[aposiopetic]

Thanks to both of you for your service to protect this Republic.

[uglybiker]

So Tonk, you you going to the reunion?

Just curious. Charleston's my old stompin' grounds.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

I wish!

But no!

I'm waiting for one on the West Coast

[uglybiker]

Well, okaaaaay.

But Dixie Sass will be disappointed you didn't come for a visit. ;-)

[Skwidd]

Coronado and Blue Ridge are currently tied up across from each other on the same pier. They came here for a "temporary forward deployment" while the Blue Ridge went through a yard period. I think they'll be headed back from whence they came pretty soon.

[Skwidd]

the North Korea situation?

Never know what those crazy Norks are gonna do next. =)

[Jimmy Valentine]

Question: With advanced warning of a storm like that why wouldn't the ships have steam up for the possibility that their lines might part? Also is it not customary for the Navy to put to sea when a major storm approaches?

Just Askin'

regards,

[Jimmy Valentine]

"the ship take a 46 1/2 degree roll."

Yeow!

That's a little rough on the tummy. Anything go flying out the side windows?

Regards,

[rabidralph]

O hai-o, gozaimas. What an exciting night for you. I hope no one was hurt and that the damage to the ships was minor.

[Stag]

"unexpected underway"

I love the understatement of that statement. Can't imagine the scene on the bridge of the Vincennes when the lines parted. Slightly more turmoil then the quote implies.

Very glad it seems all are alright though.

[Ax]

We went through a major typhoon in Japan in 67 or 68. The general kicked us out of the O Club at Camp Zama at midnight as the winds were really kicking up. Winds atop Mt. Fuji were clocked at 217MPH. Uprooted trees in our town of Minami-Rinkan crushed several houses where our people were living; thankfully, there were no injuries.

Our neighborhood in Palm Beach County looks pretty much like Minami-Rinkan (we called it "Miami-Stinkin") did lo these many years.

[dixie sass]

Curiosity compels me to ask - in the states when a hurricane is approaching they move the ships out to sea - since a typhoon (my understanding) is the same as a hurricane, why did the Navy leave the ships moored?

[RightWhale]

Good report.

[dixie sass]

Are you coming to Charleston? Lets get together for coffee.

[dixie sass]

Just got through with a post asking if you were coming to Charleston, lol, then scrolled down and found the answer from Tonk.

Yep, am disappointed. (pout, sniff)