Researcher@Large - CV-12 Hornet Flight deck after June 1945 Typhoon

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U. S. S. Hornet (CV12)

File No:  CV12/S11/CAM.
Serial:    0158
50/kh
15 June 1945

From: The Commanding Officer.

To  : Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Fleet.

Via : (1) Commander Task Group 38.1, (Commander Carrier Division FIVE).
(2) Commander SECOND Carrier Task Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet.
(3) Commander THIRD Fleet, U.S. Fleet.
(4) Commander Air Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet.
(5) Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet.

Subject: Damage to Ship's Structure.

Reference: (a) PacFlt Conf. Ltr., 33CL-43, (Revised).
(b) Article 840, U. S. Navy Regulations.

Enclosures:   (A) Photographs of damaged areas.
(B) Meteorological data.

      l.      This vessel, at about 0525 (East Longitude Date), while proceeding on duty assigned, incurred serious damage to the flight deck forward and internal members supporting the affected area, including various installations and devices contained within or adjacent to this structure.
      2.      Enclosure (A) consists of photographs which clearly reveal the nature, location, and extent of the damage sustained. Enclosure (B) gives the speeds made, the courses steered, and pertinent meteorological data for the period from 1 A.M. to 10 A.M. on 5 June 1945.
      3.      The ship was in a tropical storm of severe intensity at the time. The damage was caused by the plunging of the ship's bow into the heavy sea.
      4.      Descriptive list of damage:
(a) Ship's structure.

1. Flight deck entirely collapsed from forward edge back to frame 4, a distance of about 24 feet.

2. Transverse outboard bents at frames 4 and 8 torn loose at all welded unions.

3. Arches at frames 14 and 15, port side, gallery deck level, twisted.

4. Perforated walkway at frames 14 and 15, port side, gallery deck level, torn and distorted.

5. Four vertical frames in Compartment A-0201-L twisted.

6. 40mm Quad Two platform, life lines and two gun barrels demolished.

7. Battle port and air port, Room 102, sheared off hinges.

File No:  CV12/S11/CAM.
Serial:    0158
50/kh
15 June 1945

Subject: Damage to Ship's Structure.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

      5.      With the exception of the minor damage incurred the repairs necessary are beyond the capacity of the ship's force. It is considered questionable whether a tender force can restore the catapult track.
      6.      The ship operated efficiently with a complement of 72 VF 14 VB abd 7 VT after incurring this damage. Inconvenience was experienced due to lack of catapult.

A. K. DOYLE.

Copies to:
    Condt. Nyd., Puget Sound.
    BuShips.
    ComWesSeaFron.
    ComSerRon TEN.
    BuAer.
    DCNO (Air)
(Advance Copies)
    ComTaskGroup 38.1 (ComCarDiv5)
    ComSECOND Car., TF, Pacific.
    ComTHIRD Flt.
    ComAirPac.
    ComInch.
    CinCPac.
    ComSerForPac, (FMO)

ENCLOSURE A: Photographs
- Click to enlarge -

View of starboard section of bow, taken from tanker.
View of starboard section of bow, taken from tanker.
View of starboard section of bow, taken from tanker.

View of starboard section, Flight Deck forward.
View of port section of Flight Deck forward.
View of starboard section of Flight Deck forward, showing catapult track folded at about 20 feet from forward edge of deck.

View of underside of starboard section of Flight Deck taken from forecastle. Note: Antenna gear and severed gasoline hose for one gasoline filling station.
Closeup view of bulkhead at Frame 1, Forecastle Deck.
View of port section of Flight Deck where folded, taken from forecastle deck looking forward. This section contains the Forward Emergency Radio Room, Motor Generator Room and one gasoline filling station.

View of bent at Frame 4 where weld has parted. White paint on stringer indicates strain has been placed on members for some distance aft to obvious damage.
View of bottom flange of bent at Frame 8, showing twist.
View of longitudinal member, port inboard at about Frame 9. Note crack in bent, lower center.

View of under starboard side of extreme forward flight deck, where collapsed. Taken from centerline.
View of under port side of extreme forward flight deck, where collapsed.
Closeup view of twisted metal adjacent to No. 2 40mm gun mount.

View showing forward edge of flight deck resting of (sic) 40mm gun barrels. This gun beyond economical repair. (Note canvas cover over recoil springs!)
View of gasoline filling stations port side. These stations are actually vertical and not almost level as appears in this picture. (This is the part of the flight deck hanging down towards the water)
View at Frame 26, port side, walk-way level, showing slight buckling of bulkhead.

ENCLOSURE B: Meteorological Data

OOPS! I forgot to scan this chart.... I'll grab it next visit.

SOURCE:
National Archives & Records Administration, Seattle Branch
Record Group 181, Ship Files ca 1940-1950

Transcribed by RESEARCHER @ LARGE. Formatting & Comments Copyright R@L.

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View of starboard section of bow, taken from tanker.	View of starboard section of bow, taken from tanker.	View of starboard section of bow, taken from tanker.

View of starboard section, Flight Deck forward.	View of port section of Flight Deck forward.	View of starboard section of Flight Deck forward, showing catapult track folded at about 20 feet from forward edge of deck.

View of underside of starboard section of Flight Deck taken from forecastle. Note: Antenna gear and severed gasoline hose for one gasoline filling station.	Closeup view of bulkhead at Frame 1, Forecastle Deck.	View of port section of Flight Deck where folded, taken from forecastle deck looking forward. This section contains the Forward Emergency Radio Room, Motor Generator Room and one gasoline filling station.

View of bent at Frame 4 where weld has parted. White paint on stringer indicates strain has been placed on members for some distance aft to obvious damage.	View of bottom flange of bent at Frame 8, showing twist.	View of longitudinal member, port inboard at about Frame 9. Note crack in bent, lower center.

View of under starboard side of extreme forward flight deck, where collapsed. Taken from centerline.	View of under port side of extreme forward flight deck, where collapsed.	Closeup view of twisted metal adjacent to No. 2 40mm gun mount.

View showing forward edge of flight deck resting of (sic) 40mm gun barrels. This gun beyond economical repair. (Note canvas cover over recoil springs!)	View of gasoline filling stations port side. These stations are actually vertical and not almost level as appears in this picture. (This is the part of the flight deck hanging down towards the water)	View at Frame 26, port side, walk-way level, showing slight buckling of bulkhead.

*ENCLOSURE B: Meteorological Data*
OOPS! I forgot to scan this chart.... I'll grab it next visit.