USS Franklin Deck Log 20 March 1945-With A Little Help From Her Friends
This is the sixth in a series of posts taken from the deck logs of USS Franklin (CV-13). On 19 March 1945, she was attacked by a Japanese bomber. The resulting fires and explosions killed more than 800 men and wounded hundreds more. This is a transcript of her deck log from 19 March of that year.
0000-0400
Under tow from battle area near Kyushu island, Japan, by the USS PITTSBURGH (CA72) making good about 4 knots, on course 180 (t), emergency diesel generators in use, boiler No. 5 on auxiliary steam line with engineering plant being readied for use, in company with USS SANTA FE (CL60), USS MILLER (DD 535), USS MARSHALL (DD676), USS HUNT (DD674), USS HICKOX (DD673), US KIDD (DD661), with Task Group 58.2 interposed between this unit and Kyushu Island and providing air coverage. The following guns manned: 40mm mounts 2 and three, 20mm groups 1and 3. Firefighting parties combating recurrent fires. 0030 cut boiler No. 5 in on main steam line, commenced using No. 3 generator. 0100 (about) list shifted to 10° port list. 0130 lighted fires under boiler No. 6. 0230 cut boiler No. 6 in on main steam line O245 commenced using engines 2 and 3 working up to 80 turns on shafts 2 and 3.
-Lieutenant C. G. Durr
0400-0800
Steaming as before. 0650 received report from USS SANTA FE that there are 1416 survivors from FRANKLIN in various ships of this group. There are 239 wounded, 39 critically injured, 17 dead. 0724 generator #3 back in commission. 0715 lighted fires under boiler #7.
-LIeutenant E. L. Fox
0800-1200
Steaming as before. 0815 lighted fires under boiler No. 8. 0930 regain steering control at pilot house. Commenced steaming in column at 1500 yards astern Pittsburgh (guide), speed 6 knots. 1138 change speed to 14 knots.
-Lieutenant M. M. Tappen
1200-1600
Steaming as before. Tow line still secured to USS Pittsburg [sic]. 1220 change speed to 12 knots. Made all preparations to retrieve tow line. 1224 change speed to 10 knots. 1229 changed speed to 6 knots. Commenced heaving in chain. 1233 tow line parted at shackle connection from wire to chain. 1245 change speed to 9 knots. 1250 changed speed to 12 knots. 1252 changed speed to 14 knots. 133 two changed speed to 15 knots. 1507 ship under attack by single-engine Japanese fighter plane (ZEKE). One 250 kilo bomb fell astern 200 yards to port. Opened fire on plane with 40mm and 20mm batteries.
-Lieutenant J. B. Barr
1600-2000
Steaming as before. 1620 bogie bearing 348 (t), distant 48 miles, reported splashed and identified as a TOJO. 1631 forward gyro out in on bridge and working satisfactorily. 1648 bogues reported bearing 315 (t) distant 58 miles CAP vectored out to intercept. 1715 changed speed to 12 knots. 1747 changed speed to 18 knots. 1750 bogies reported bearing 350 degrees (t) distant 18 miles. CAP vectored out. Bogie reported bearing 314 (t) distant 13 miles. 1815 took station 000, GUAM (O. T. C. and C. T. U.) in 3270, ALASKA, 3090, SANTA FE 4000, with destroyers on screening circle 5. 1822 fire broke out on 2nd deck frame 180, brought under control by a firefighting party. 1826 changed speed to 20 knots. 1841 changed course 2135 (t). 1845 fire on 2nd deck well in hand. 1846 changed speed to 18 knots.
Lieutenant C. G. Durr
2000-2400
Steaming as before. 2120 radio contract contact on unidentified airplane bearing 345 (t), distant 61 miles. Gun firing observed on port quarter on horizon. 2146 change speed to 16 knots changed course to 148.
-LIeutenant E. L. Fox
Thus ended another long day, although nowhere near as life-threatening as the day before.
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