USS Franklin Deck Log 21 March 1945-Steaming As Before
This is the 7th in a series of blog posts transcribed from the deck log of the USS Franklin (CV-13). On 19 March 1945, she sustained more damage than any other carrier without sinking. Unfortunately, more than one-fourth of her crew, 804 men, were killed, and hundreds more were wounded. Her crew’s heroic actions kept her from sinking. As a result of their actions, her crew remains, to this day, the most decorated in the US Navy. On 21 March, she was returning to Ulithi Lagoon, the US Navy’s largest base during World War II.
0000-0400
Steaming enroute from Kyushu island, Japan, on course 148 (T and g ), speed 16 knots with boilers #5, 6, 7, and 8 in use. Franklin is part of task unit 58.2.9 in company with USS GUAM in station 3270 (C. T. G.), ALASKA 3090, PITTSBURG 0000, SANTA FE, 3180. FRANKLIN is steaming in column, 1500 yards astern of PITTSBURG there are 11 destroyers in screening stations on circle 6. Four engines are in operation, two of which are operating on exhaust steam to decrease drag on shafts 1 and 4. Condition of readiness is set in all batteries in operation. The ship is darkened.
-Lieutenant M. M. Tappen
0400-0800
Steaming as before. Base course 148 ( t and g ), speed 16 knots. 0604 sunrise, lighted ship. 0628 changed speed to 12 knots.
-LIeutenant J. B. Barr
0800-1200
Steaming as before. 0820 changed course and axis to 250 ( t ). 0825 changed speed to 20 knots. Three guns in 20mm group number 7 reported ready for use. 1030 changed speed to 12 knots. 1145 USS HICKOX came along starboard side to deliver mail and cast off. 40mm mount 16 reported manned and in condition for firing.
-Lieutenant C. G. Durr
1200-1600
Steaming as before. 1201 unidentified air radar contact bearing on port quarter, distant 20 miles. 1202 changed speed to 20 knots. 1214 changed course to 25 225 ( t and g ). 1320 changed course and axis to 214 ( t and g ). 1520 changed speed to 10 knots, changed course to 110 open ( t ).
-Lieutenant E. L. Fox
1600-2000
Steaming as before. 1757 changed course to 270 ( t and g ). 1830 Sugar-Nan radar back in commission. 1837 changed course to 230 ( t and g ). 1852 changed speed to 15 knots. Commenced working speed up to 20 knots at one knot intervals. 1907 steaming at 20 knots. 1930 TBS #2 back in commission and tested satisfactorily.
-Lieutenant M. M. Tappen
2000-2400
Steaming as before. 2020 change speed to 15 knots. 2245 change speed to 20 knots.
-Lieutenant J. B. Barr
Did you arrive here via a search engine? I am the author of the forthcoming book Heroes By The Hundreds: The Story of the USS Franklin (CV-13). In addition to writing about the bravery of the crews that saved her, I will discuss the lessons we can learn in leadership and decision-making and the changes the US Navy made because of those lessons.
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