TERRIBLE HOURS

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 29, 29 October 1942, Page 5

TERRIBLE HOURS

Destruction Of AircraftCarrier Wasp (Received October 28, 8.10 p.m.) PEARL HARBOUR,' October 27. It is revealed that several enemy submarines took part, in the attacks against the United States aircraftcarrier Wasp, and some are believed to have been destroyed. The Wasp was changing course when the torpedoes struck, and but for a matter of minutes would have escaped disaster, the ship’s captain, Forest 'Sherman, told reporters. He said that the Wasp was the flagship of a task force which was bringing badlyneeded reinforcements of troops and planes to Guadalcanal- At 2.44 p.m. on October 15, three torpedoes struck just while the petrol system, was actively fuelling planes and while other planes were being armed with bombs. A tremendous shock rocked the ship, and the flash, extending over 100 feet into the air, immediately set fire to the deck and hangars.

Heavy internal explosions, including tanks, bombs and ammunition, were caused, enveloping the bridge in gas and smoke, and also setting fire to oil and petrol on the surface of the sea surrounding the Wasp. Breakage of water-lines hampered the fire-fight-ing, and at 5 p.m. the entire ship was aflame. Little could be done except getting planes overboard. “Eighty minutes after this I ordered abandon ship, but because enemy submarines were still in the vicinity it was impossible to abandon ship too deliberately,” the captain said. “Most of the men went down lines and swain to a destroyer, which while picking up the men carefully manoeuvred to evade the submarines. I observed enemy torpedoes passing the area while the rescue was in progress. Heroic Crew. “After taking a last round I climbed down a line and was picked up by the destroyer after an hour and a half in the water. After dark our destroyers torpedoed and sank the Wasp, which was brightly burning from stem to stern.” Captain Sherman related some inspiring deeds of self-sacrifice and heroism. Bor example, an air officer, Commander Michael Kernodle, giive his lifebelt tq_a man who could not swim. Lieutenant-Commander Shea directed the fire-fighting on the flight deck, disregarding exploding ammunition and the air filled with fragments of debris. He was last seen dying in a violent explosion. The entire crew displayed valiant heroism, the captain said. “The chief difficulty I encountered in abandoning the ship was getting the men to leave, because all were insisting that someone else should go first.” Captain 'Sherman also confirmed that Jack Singer, correspondent of the International News Service, was killed in the blazing ship while running his typewriter. The planes which left the burning ship landed on other carriers or on island airfields. Some flyers who have remained in the Solomons have avenged the Wasp, since destroying Japanese ships. One squadron commander alone has accounted for several sldps. Wounded survivors whom Captain Sherman visited in hospital, unanimously asked to get ani other carrier. “Captain, wo want to j go back again,” he. was told.