USS Leahy Grounding Incident Tokyo Japan - September 1978 Shipmate rememberances and photos............
USS Leahy Grounding Incident
Tokyo Japan - September 1978
Shipmate rememberances and photos............
The Below Sequence Of Photos (In Drydock) Shot At Yokosuka, Japan - Taken By Dan Day I don't remember the date of the wreck (it is in the WestPac Cruisebook). We were leaving the harbor to go to Honk Kong, at about 8 or 9 at night, and beyond. From what I heard, we ran over a pile of rocks marked in the harbor. We were going fast enough to run over them. That's how the screws were torn up. The great crew that we had stopped the flood- ing, and kept the ship from sinking right there. There was one forward hatch between us and the bottom. We had to wait until they got a drydock ready for us, which was later the next day. It took a little over 2 months for repairs, and the Navy paper said it cost $17-20 million to get us back in the water. Dan Day BT3 30 April 2003
The Below Sequence Of Photos (In Drydock) Shot At Yokosuka, Japan - Taken By Dan Day
I don't remember the date of the wreck (it is in the WestPac Cruisebook). We were leaving the harbor to go to Honk Kong, at about 8 or 9 at night, and beyond. From what I heard, we ran over a pile of rocks marked in the harbor. We were going fast enough to run over them. That's how the screws were torn up. The great crew that we had stopped the flood- ing, and kept the ship from sinking right there. There was one forward hatch between us and the bottom. We had to wait until they got a drydock ready for us, which was later the next day. It took a little over 2 months for repairs, and the Navy paper said it cost $17-20 million to get us back in the water.
Dan Day BT3 30 April 2003
(Click on any image to enlarge)
The Below Sequence Of Photos Shot At Yokosuka, Japan - Taken By Ben Siebels Here are several photos taken right after the Leahy was damaged in Tokyo Bay from colliding with the underwater concrete ruins of an old gun fort during the evening of 21 SEP 1978. This accident sheared off the sonar dome and created several large holes in the forward third of the ship. The ship sustained other collision damage all the way back to the screws! It was decided the ship should towed backwards to the Ship Repair facility at the Yokuska Naval Base. There was a concern that towing the ship forward might cause increased water pressure and result in even more progressive flooding if additional bulkheads and hatches started to leak. Once moored at the Ship Repair Facility, a diving barge was brought alongside so divers and SRF experts could use video equipment to determine the full extent of damage. Some large pieces of jagged hull plating and the remains of the sonar dome were cut away by the divers in preperation for dry-docking. Some of that debris can be seen on the pier in photos you already have on this web page! Another item of interest in these photos......You'll notice a number of round steel beams up forward along each side of the ship in the drydock photos. These had be welded to the ship to provide structural support for the bow section while in dry-dock. There simply was no keel remaining up forward to sit on the keel blocks. Ben Siebels EMCS 29 September 2003
The Below Sequence Of Photos Shot At Yokosuka, Japan - Taken By Ben Siebels
Here are several photos taken right after the Leahy was damaged in Tokyo Bay from colliding with the underwater concrete ruins of an old gun fort during the evening of 21 SEP 1978. This accident sheared off the sonar dome and created several large holes in the forward third of the ship. The ship sustained other collision damage all the way back to the screws! It was decided the ship should towed backwards to the Ship Repair facility at the Yokuska Naval Base. There was a concern that towing the ship forward might cause increased water pressure and result in even more progressive flooding if additional bulkheads and hatches started to leak. Once moored at the Ship Repair Facility, a diving barge was brought alongside so divers and SRF experts could use video equipment to determine the full extent of damage. Some large pieces of jagged hull plating and the remains of the sonar dome were cut away by the divers in preperation for dry-docking. Some of that debris can be seen on the pier in photos you already have on this web page! Another item of interest in these photos......You'll notice a number of round steel beams up forward along each side of the ship in the drydock photos. These had be welded to the ship to provide structural support for the bow section while in dry-dock. There simply was no keel remaining up forward to sit on the keel blocks. Ben Siebels EMCS 29 September 2003
Click on the news clipping image: The text is here
The Below Sequence Of Photos Shot At Yokosuka, Japan - Taken By Chuck Thunnell
Chuck Thunnell RMC 22 June 2004
1978-1979 WestPac Cruisebook Photos
(Click on either image to enlarge)
Russ Killingsworth Remembers.... We were steaming out of Yokosuka on the afternoon of September 21, 1978. We must have been far enough out into Tokyo Harbor, as we were assigned to line 5, yet we were all down in the compartment watching TV. All of a sudden, there was a huge rocking and shuddering, followed by a scraping. Then all was silent. We stood looking at each other, then finally sprinted to GQ. There was a long silent period from the bridge until they finally sounded GQ. We were 3 decks above the sonar dome in our berthing compartment, and it was mostly sheared off. Not a lot of flooding damage overall, but both screws were shot. Anyway, we were towed uncerimoniously backward into Yokosuka by a couple of Navy tugs, with our hind end riding VERY high. No loss of life, but we heard that the CO and the NAV Boss got punished by getting desk jobs in Washington, D.C. The rest of us got 7 more weeks in Japan..... Russ Killingsworth FTM1 9 May 2003
Russ Killingsworth Remembers....
We were steaming out of Yokosuka on the afternoon of September 21, 1978. We must have been far enough out into Tokyo Harbor, as we were assigned to line 5, yet we were all down in the compartment watching TV. All of a sudden, there was a huge rocking and shuddering, followed by a scraping. Then all was silent. We stood looking at each other, then finally sprinted to GQ. There was a long silent period from the bridge until they finally sounded GQ. We were 3 decks above the sonar dome in our berthing compartment, and it was mostly sheared off. Not a lot of flooding damage overall, but both screws were shot. Anyway, we were towed uncerimoniously backward into Yokosuka by a couple of Navy tugs, with our hind end riding VERY high. No loss of life, but we heard that the CO and the NAV Boss got punished by getting desk jobs in Washington, D.C. The rest of us got 7 more weeks in Japan.....
Russ Killingsworth FTM1 9 May 2003
Ed Wagner Remembers.... I was serving on board as an FTM1 when we hit the rock in Tokyo Bay. We were due to leave early in the afternoon, but due to "social priorities " we didn't leave till after dark. We got behind a freighter at 5 knots, and worried about "missing a committment", the Captain ordered an illegal pass at above 20 knots. The rest is history. Admiral Sinclair was not happy. Ed Wagner FTM1 28 July 2003 Voce Moody Remembers.... I was onboard when the "leakyboat" hit the rocks in Yokosuka. I was one of those that were hospitalized as a result of the crash. In fact I was injured to the point that my career ended and I am now 100% disabled. I was also stationed at 32nd street NLSO (Lim Du) as a "baliff" during Capt. Pearlman's fitness hearing. Voce Moody FTM3 29 July 2003 Greg James Remembers.... Following the grounding, we were towed to an emergency drydock. Because we needed immediate repairs, we bumped the USS Horn out of the drydock it was in. The Horn was scheduled to return to the USA in a couple of months when it's work was completed. As you can imagine, the crew of the Horn were not happy. This led to several incidents in bars around town in which the guys from the Horn were insulting the Leahy crew. Eventually it came to a head in a giant bar room fight at the local club. I received ten stitches in my head when someone hit me with a chair. Ouch! (but I got a couple of them first) Ken's Note: The above lingering bad feelings could also have been the result of the famous "drag race" between Leahy and Horn......
Ed Wagner Remembers....
I was serving on board as an FTM1 when we hit the rock in Tokyo Bay. We were due to leave early in the afternoon, but due to "social priorities " we didn't leave till after dark. We got behind a freighter at 5 knots, and worried about "missing a committment", the Captain ordered an illegal pass at above 20 knots. The rest is history. Admiral Sinclair was not happy. Ed Wagner FTM1 28 July 2003
Voce Moody Remembers....
I was onboard when the "leakyboat" hit the rocks in Yokosuka. I was one of those that were hospitalized as a result of the crash. In fact I was injured to the point that my career ended and I am now 100% disabled. I was also stationed at 32nd street NLSO (Lim Du) as a "baliff" during Capt. Pearlman's fitness hearing. Voce Moody FTM3 29 July 2003
Greg James Remembers....
Following the grounding, we were towed to an emergency drydock. Because we needed immediate repairs, we bumped the USS Horn out of the drydock it was in. The Horn was scheduled to return to the USA in a couple of months when it's work was completed. As you can imagine, the crew of the Horn were not happy. This led to several incidents in bars around town in which the guys from the Horn were insulting the Leahy crew. Eventually it came to a head in a giant bar room fight at the local club. I received ten stitches in my head when someone hit me with a chair. Ouch! (but I got a couple of them first)
Ken's Note: The above lingering bad feelings could also have been the result of the famous "drag race" between Leahy and Horn......
THE RACE
Greg James BMSN/QMSN
James Fisher Remembers.... Remember well Leahy's time in Yokosuka after '78 grounding. We (Lockwood FF-1064) were kicked out of the dry dock early. Those of us that lived there were getting as annoyed with you guys as you were with your extended stay. Found a Leahy jacket on my way to my apartment one night, used it for years as a work coat. J.M.Fisher (MM1/SW had enough after 12) John Kraft Remembers.... I was the MM2 on watch as "MMOW" in the aft engineroom when it happened. We had just gotten on turns for 20 knots when we hit. My chief (Joe Schaffer) had always said if we ever hit anything, to grab the "bell sheet" and don't give it to anyone but him! That's what I did. I have also enclosed an article from the San Diego Union, dated 15 November 1978. John Kraft MMCM(SW), Retired
James Fisher Remembers....
Remember well Leahy's time in Yokosuka after '78 grounding. We (Lockwood FF-1064) were kicked out of the dry dock early. Those of us that lived there were getting as annoyed with you guys as you were with your extended stay. Found a Leahy jacket on my way to my apartment one night, used it for years as a work coat. J.M.Fisher (MM1/SW had enough after 12)
John Kraft Remembers....
I was the MM2 on watch as "MMOW" in the aft engineroom when it happened. We had just gotten on turns for 20 knots when we hit. My chief (Joe Schaffer) had always said if we ever hit anything, to grab the "bell sheet" and don't give it to anyone but him! That's what I did. I have also enclosed an article from the San Diego Union, dated 15 November 1978. John Kraft MMCM(SW), Retired
Joe Shaffer Remembers.... On the evening of the grounding we were at "Sea Detail" and I was the Engineering Officer of the Watch (EOW). The Chief Engineer (Cheng) was on station with me. We got underway a little after 1900 hours, and were in line with a few other ships leaving port. Our Commanding Officer, Capt. Pearlman, evidently got antsy and rang up 20 knots. We normally never go over 12 knots in a channel. Then Cheng asked me what to do, and I told him we were answering the bell because we were not in charge. The Capt. was the one who gave the order and the ones who had the OOD, JOOD, never relinguished the watch. The end result was that the OPS Boss, The Ensign who was JOOD, the ships Navigator, and the Capt. were all relieved. The Capt. rang up 20 knots and turned to starboard to go around the other ships. This is when QM1 Durflinger told the Navigator about the lights they could see that showed where the underwater hazards were located. (From what I understand they were pillons that supported guns during WW 2.) When QM1 Durflinger finally convinced the CO he screwed up, the CO turned the rudder to port. As we swung to port we contacted one of the pillons and that's how we tore off the Sonar dome and transducer. There wasn't much of a jolt but we knew we had hit something. They never sounded collision or G.Q. The only thing I heard was to set Zebra. We went between two of the pillons, and that's how we tore up both screws Joseph P. Shaffer MMCM(SW), Retired Tony Latourette Remembers.... I was aboard the USS Leahy during its grounding, I agree mostly with all accounts, with the following exception. MMCM Shaffer reported that the OPs boss was relieved. The OPs boss, LCDR Dallas Bethea was not on the bridge when the incident happened, and was not relieved of his duties. LCDR Bethea went on to have a very successful career. I was in the first class mess when we hit - I felt the ship roll then shudder, I went to radio central where RMC Thunnell, myself and the excellent watch section brought up the appropiate radio circuits. RM1 Tony La Tourette USN (ret) 6 February 2005 Bob Burns Remembers.... Robert L. Burns FTM2 Michael Murphy Remembers.... Michael P. Murphy MM1 Mark Ahles Remembers.... As a Mess Specialist on board USS Leahy from 1975 to 1979 I happened to be standing next to my bunk in the forward most berthing compartment when the ship struck ground. I can still recall the screeching noise of twisting metal and the sound of water filling up the forward compartments. My first reaction was to be the first up the ladder and save my butt. Later the ships crew would be commended for saving the ship and sealing hatches. As a side note and before the incident, while in port in Japan, I happened to be the cook and server for Captain Pearlman’s onboard dinner with the Admiral. I recall Captain Pearlman telling the Admiral that “he feels like he is driving a sports car when at the helm of the Leahy”. A couple of days later the speedy sports car missed the apex of the turn and nearly sank. Mark Ahles MS3 14 September 2007 Paul E. Wolf Remembers.... During the Sea & Anchor detail, I was on duty at the after steering watch, sitting in a tilting back chair listening to the typical communication on the sound power phones. This message ended up being one I will never forget. We were leaving Yokosuka Japan's port one day early and at night in an attempt to relieve the USS Knox ahead of schedule and make an impression. I had heard talk that leaving Yokosuka port was not such a good idea given the high volume of traffic. Typicallly during a Sea & Anchor detail, the chat over the phones and machinery noise is routine, however this time things just didn't feel the same. I noticed that EM1 Lemon, well liked and at times a kidder, had the front starboard watch. After about a half hour or 45 minutes, I noticed the screws becoming louder indicating that the ships speed was increasing, which seemed odd… (Later I found we were attempting to go around a freighter). Then I heard EM1 Lemon very excited, saying we were getting very close to the light house marker and it looked like we were going to hit it. Unfortunately we did…hard! As the ship ran over the large rock the screws underneath me started elevating the rear of ship pitching me off the floor, nearly to the ceiling with each rotation. Immediately thereafter, (GQ) General Quarters was sounded and being part A-Gang and the fire fighting crew, I grabbed my gear and ran up to the forward part of the ship. The first thing I heard was all of the sounding tubes whistling loudly. Looking down the forward fire pump room hatch, all I saw was water rushing in. We then started dropping in the dewatering pumps and unfortunately the ship hit bottom and we found out later we were just recirculating the channel water. It took the divers a week to cut enough metal away so we could fit in the dry dock. We were in dry dock about 3.5 months with the Japanese shipyard working 24-hour shifts. The Japanese fixed the whole front of the ship with no leaks. Our hats were off to them for the quality job --- but all of the repairs measurements were painted in metric! Paul E. Wolf 13 November 2007 Mike Shetler Remembers.... I remember that night all to well......I was SKSN/SK3, at the time. Our famous Skipper? Pearlman.............. Because of our leader, we left late, but were able to make it back, only because of the CREW of the ship. We could have gone down in the bay. We were underway, happy to be leaving THAT Port, but too fast. What we ran over was a lighted rock jetty. I was in my bunk, happy to get some rest, looking forward to our next Port. (of course not before we had our next round of WAR GAMES). The CCTV was on, the movie on the Mess Deck was going, when we hit. I was thrown out of my bunk, to the deck. The compartment deck buckled and fuel oil started to come in. I, to this day, remember, NO panic. Everybody knew, something was bad. I can still hear all the hatches slamming closed and being dogged down. I was with SK2 Gale later that night, we were on the D.C. party, going through compartments forward. We went through the Deck compartment Forward, going to a SK Storeroom below. It was quite erie, because there were no lights except for the Battle Lanterns and our hand helds. We went below the Deck compartment, to one of the SK storerooms, in ankle deep water. The hatch was dogged, but you could see air bubbles coming from the side vent. We made sure it was good and dogged down, and left. If you see some of the photos, from the Dry Dock, one shows a pic. looking up into the ship, with a light still on, thats the storeroom we were checking on. Mike Shetler SK3 11 December 2007
Joe Shaffer Remembers....
On the evening of the grounding we were at "Sea Detail" and I was the Engineering Officer of the Watch (EOW). The Chief Engineer (Cheng) was on station with me. We got underway a little after 1900 hours, and were in line with a few other ships leaving port. Our Commanding Officer, Capt. Pearlman, evidently got antsy and rang up 20 knots. We normally never go over 12 knots in a channel. Then Cheng asked me what to do, and I told him we were answering the bell because we were not in charge. The Capt. was the one who gave the order and the ones who had the OOD, JOOD, never relinguished the watch. The end result was that the OPS Boss, The Ensign who was JOOD, the ships Navigator, and the Capt. were all relieved. The Capt. rang up 20 knots and turned to starboard to go around the other ships. This is when QM1 Durflinger told the Navigator about the lights they could see that showed where the underwater hazards were located. (From what I understand they were pillons that supported guns during WW 2.) When QM1 Durflinger finally convinced the CO he screwed up, the CO turned the rudder to port. As we swung to port we contacted one of the pillons and that's how we tore off the Sonar dome and transducer. There wasn't much of a jolt but we knew we had hit something. They never sounded collision or G.Q. The only thing I heard was to set Zebra. We went between two of the pillons, and that's how we tore up both screws Joseph P. Shaffer MMCM(SW), Retired
Tony Latourette Remembers....
I was aboard the USS Leahy during its grounding, I agree mostly with all accounts, with the following exception. MMCM Shaffer reported that the OPs boss was relieved. The OPs boss, LCDR Dallas Bethea was not on the bridge when the incident happened, and was not relieved of his duties. LCDR Bethea went on to have a very successful career. I was in the first class mess when we hit - I felt the ship roll then shudder, I went to radio central where RMC Thunnell, myself and the excellent watch section brought up the appropiate radio circuits.
RM1 Tony La Tourette USN (ret) 6 February 2005
Bob Burns Remembers....
Robert L. Burns FTM2
Michael Murphy Remembers....
Michael P. Murphy MM1
Mark Ahles Remembers....
As a Mess Specialist on board USS Leahy from 1975 to 1979 I happened to be standing next to my bunk in the forward most berthing compartment when the ship struck ground. I can still recall the screeching noise of twisting metal and the sound of water filling up the forward compartments. My first reaction was to be the first up the ladder and save my butt. Later the ships crew would be commended for saving the ship and sealing hatches.
As a side note and before the incident, while in port in Japan, I happened to be the cook and server for Captain Pearlman’s onboard dinner with the Admiral. I recall Captain Pearlman telling the Admiral that “he feels like he is driving a sports car when at the helm of the Leahy”. A couple of days later the speedy sports car missed the apex of the turn and nearly sank.
Mark Ahles MS3 14 September 2007
Paul E. Wolf Remembers....
During the Sea & Anchor detail, I was on duty at the after steering watch, sitting in a tilting back chair listening to the typical communication on the sound power phones. This message ended up being one I will never forget. We were leaving Yokosuka Japan's port one day early and at night in an attempt to relieve the USS Knox ahead of schedule and make an impression. I had heard talk that leaving Yokosuka port was not such a good idea given the high volume of traffic. Typicallly during a Sea & Anchor detail, the chat over the phones and machinery noise is routine, however this time things just didn't feel the same. I noticed that EM1 Lemon, well liked and at times a kidder, had the front starboard watch. After about a half hour or 45 minutes, I noticed the screws becoming louder indicating that the ships speed was increasing, which seemed odd… (Later I found we were attempting to go around a freighter). Then I heard EM1 Lemon very excited, saying we were getting very close to the light house marker and it looked like we were going to hit it. Unfortunately we did…hard! As the ship ran over the large rock the screws underneath me started elevating the rear of ship pitching me off the floor, nearly to the ceiling with each rotation. Immediately thereafter, (GQ) General Quarters was sounded and being part A-Gang and the fire fighting crew, I grabbed my gear and ran up to the forward part of the ship. The first thing I heard was all of the sounding tubes whistling loudly. Looking down the forward fire pump room hatch, all I saw was water rushing in. We then started dropping in the dewatering pumps and unfortunately the ship hit bottom and we found out later we were just recirculating the channel water. It took the divers a week to cut enough metal away so we could fit in the dry dock. We were in dry dock about 3.5 months with the Japanese shipyard working 24-hour shifts. The Japanese fixed the whole front of the ship with no leaks. Our hats were off to them for the quality job --- but all of the repairs measurements were painted in metric!
Paul E. Wolf 13 November 2007
Mike Shetler Remembers....
I remember that night all to well......I was SKSN/SK3, at the time. Our famous Skipper? Pearlman..............
Because of our leader, we left late, but were able to make it back, only because of the CREW of the ship. We could have gone down in the bay.
We were underway, happy to be leaving THAT Port, but too fast. What we ran over was a lighted rock jetty. I was in my bunk, happy to get some rest, looking forward to our next Port. (of course not before we had our next round of WAR GAMES).
The CCTV was on, the movie on the Mess Deck was going, when we hit. I was thrown out of my bunk, to the deck. The compartment deck buckled and fuel oil started to come in.
I, to this day, remember, NO panic. Everybody knew, something was bad. I can still hear all the hatches slamming closed and being dogged down.
I was with SK2 Gale later that night, we were on the D.C. party, going through compartments forward. We went through the Deck compartment Forward, going to a SK Storeroom below. It was quite erie, because there were no lights except for the Battle Lanterns and our hand helds. We went below the Deck compartment, to one of the SK storerooms, in ankle deep water. The hatch was dogged, but you could see air bubbles coming from the side vent. We made sure it was good and dogged down, and left.
If you see some of the photos, from the Dry Dock, one shows a pic. looking up into the ship, with a light still on, thats the storeroom we were checking on.
Mike Shetler SK3 11 December 2007
Ronny Murray Remembers.... What a day to be on Sea & Anchor....... I was in the forward fireroom, on the upper level, watching the water levels in the Boilers, and sittin on a Alum. trash can. Noticing we had a change of bells, the Boilers came to life, along with the Forced Draft Blowers speeding up, and the Lady started increasing in speed. Seeing everything was going fine (as always), I was sitting facing the port side of the hull. Out of nowhere, the ship started rising up, like going up a hill, and I had to grab the hand rail to keep from falling off the trash can. You could hear metal tearing, and I just knew my time had come. I kept looking at the hull waiting for the end of my life at a young age. We then powered down, and about 20 minutes later we got to go see what happened. Fortunatlly for me, I was married to a Japanese girl and had an apartment off base. Boy was i lucky. lol While we were in drydock, we use to have "Quarters" in the morning on the fantail. We had fruit from the mess decks, and when we would see the Captain in the drydock, we would throw oranges and apples at him. (Never hit him though.) We in B division had all already agreed, that we would NOT sail another nautical mile with the Captain at the wheel. I shit you not ! It was sad leaving Yokosuka for me, but sure did enjoy the time there. Great to see others stories..... Ronny Murray BT2 04 February 2008 Earl H. Moreo Remembers.... I was an OS3 on board USS Knox (FF-1052). My station that day was the Operations visual navigation logger. We were departing port ahead of Leahy, and it was still daylight. We had made our turn into the outbound high speed lanes in Tokyo Bay, and come up to 15 kts, which is the speed limit in Tokyo Bay, and one of the visual Nav stations remarked that Leahy was turning very early and picking up speed. Another lookout said she was heading right for Fort # 3, one of our main visual nav points for that part of the nav problem. Almost immeadiately there was a remark about just how quickly she stopped, as she had, apparently hit the fort dead on. When we got back to Yokosuka some time later, (Yokosuka was our home port) Leahy was already up on blocks in the large dry dock with the damage cut away and a temporary bow being installed. As far as I know the remains of Leahy's SQX-26 sonar is still buried in Fort # 3. It is curious that ANY ship should ever have hit that fort, since we, at least, picked it up as a visual nav point as soon as we turned into the traffic lane that leads from Yokosuka to the Main outbound traffic lanes, and kept it until we were well down the bay in the outbound lanes, so it had to be readily visible all over. One or the other of their forward looking visual nav spotters should have noticed that the fort was dead on the bow. For the rest of my time on Knox, the visual nav people reported the fort as "Leahy Shoals". Earl H. Moreo OS3 - USS Knox (FF-1052) 24 May 2008 Ken Klinge Remembers.... I was the 1JV phone talker on the bridge the night of the Yokuska grounding. LCDR Bethea who was the OPS boss at the time, kept telling Capt. Pearlman that we were turning too early and going way to fast to get out of the harbor. Capt. Pearlman would listen to none of it and gave the orders to go 20 knots when we were supposed to be going no faster than 8 knots out of the harbor. If not for the great crew we had onboard, we surely would have sunk right there in the harbor. I thank God for all the brave crewmembers for saving the ship and all the crew on that fateful night. Ken Klinge YN2 17 September 2008 Scott Cannon Remembers.... I was attached to the USS Francis Hammond (FF-1067), home ported in Yokosuka, Japan. Yokosuka, Japan. I remember going to see the USS Leahy in it's dry dock. The scuttlebutt about what had happened was pretty much was has been said at this site; the CO ignored warnings, from CIC, and the quartermaster, ordered an unsafe course and speed change. I use to stand bridge watches and used Fort# 3 ("Fort Leahy") for shooting bearings. (I looked it up, and see that Fort# 3 has been removed). I also remember hearing about a bar brawl with the Leahy crew, and I remember a drink being served on the Yokosuka Ginza at the time, being called "Leahy on the Rocks". Scott Cannon QM3 12 December 2009
Ronny Murray Remembers....
What a day to be on Sea & Anchor.......
I was in the forward fireroom, on the upper level, watching the water levels in the Boilers, and sittin on a Alum. trash can. Noticing we had a change of bells, the Boilers came to life, along with the Forced Draft Blowers speeding up, and the Lady started increasing in speed. Seeing everything was going fine (as always), I was sitting facing the port side of the hull. Out of nowhere, the ship started rising up, like going up a hill, and I had to grab the hand rail to keep from falling off the trash can. You could hear metal tearing, and I just knew my time had come. I kept looking at the hull waiting for the end of my life at a young age. We then powered down, and about 20 minutes later we got to go see what happened. Fortunatlly for me, I was married to a Japanese girl and had an apartment off base. Boy was i lucky. lol While we were in drydock, we use to have "Quarters" in the morning on the fantail. We had fruit from the mess decks, and when we would see the Captain in the drydock, we would throw oranges and apples at him. (Never hit him though.) We in B division had all already agreed, that we would NOT sail another nautical mile with the Captain at the wheel. I shit you not ! It was sad leaving Yokosuka for me, but sure did enjoy the time there.
Great to see others stories.....
Ronny Murray BT2 04 February 2008
Earl H. Moreo Remembers....
I was an OS3 on board USS Knox (FF-1052). My station that day was the Operations visual navigation logger. We were departing port ahead of Leahy, and it was still daylight. We had made our turn into the outbound high speed lanes in Tokyo Bay, and come up to 15 kts, which is the speed limit in Tokyo Bay, and one of the visual Nav stations remarked that Leahy was turning very early and picking up speed. Another lookout said she was heading right for Fort # 3, one of our main visual nav points for that part of the nav problem. Almost immeadiately there was a remark about just how quickly she stopped, as she had, apparently hit the fort dead on. When we got back to Yokosuka some time later, (Yokosuka was our home port) Leahy was already up on blocks in the large dry dock with the damage cut away and a temporary bow being installed. As far as I know the remains of Leahy's SQX-26 sonar is still buried in Fort # 3.
It is curious that ANY ship should ever have hit that fort, since we, at least, picked it up as a visual nav point as soon as we turned into the traffic lane that leads from Yokosuka to the Main outbound traffic lanes, and kept it until we were well down the bay in the outbound lanes, so it had to be readily visible all over. One or the other of their forward looking visual nav spotters should have noticed that the fort was dead on the bow.
For the rest of my time on Knox, the visual nav people reported the fort as "Leahy Shoals".
Earl H. Moreo OS3 - USS Knox (FF-1052) 24 May 2008
Ken Klinge Remembers....
I was the 1JV phone talker on the bridge the night of the Yokuska grounding. LCDR Bethea who was the OPS boss at the time, kept telling Capt. Pearlman that we were turning too early and going way to fast to get out of the harbor. Capt. Pearlman would listen to none of it and gave the orders to go 20 knots when we were supposed to be going no faster than 8 knots out of the harbor. If not for the great crew we had onboard, we surely would have sunk right there in the harbor. I thank God for all the brave crewmembers for saving the ship and all the crew on that fateful night.
Ken Klinge YN2 17 September 2008
Scott Cannon Remembers....
I was attached to the USS Francis Hammond (FF-1067), home ported in Yokosuka, Japan. Yokosuka, Japan. I remember going to see the USS Leahy in it's dry dock. The scuttlebutt about what had happened was pretty much was has been said at this site; the CO ignored warnings, from CIC, and the quartermaster, ordered an unsafe course and speed change. I use to stand bridge watches and used Fort# 3 ("Fort Leahy") for shooting bearings. (I looked it up, and see that Fort# 3 has been removed). I also remember hearing about a bar brawl with the Leahy crew, and I remember a drink being served on the Yokosuka Ginza at the time, being called "Leahy on the Rocks".
Scott Cannon QM3 12 December 2009
I am still looking for additional information regarding this incident!! If you have info to add - mail me at: kengems@ussleahy.com
I am still looking for additional information regarding this incident!!
If you have info to add - mail me at: kengems@ussleahy.com