The Navy’s Air War Quotes

“minor explosions kept recurring, intensifying fires. By 1600 the last main control telephone was so weak that Captain Sherman, fearing he would lose contact with the engineering personnel, ordered them topside. The safeties were opened, the ship halted, and preparations to abandon ship were made as all water pressure was gone and firefighting was now impossible. Admiral Fitch ordered destroyers with fire hoses to stand by to receive excess personnel. The Morris stood alongside with hoses while personnel descended by lines to her decks and safety. The fires were now beyond control, and explosions were occurring more frequently. Captain Sherman, meanwhile, fearing the ship would blow up, had had the sick and wounded transferred to whaleboats. Admiral Fitch directed him to abandon ship. Captain Sherman passed the word, and orderly disembarkation began. By 1800 the admiral and captain prepared to leave the ship, but not until Captain Sherman had made an inspection and found, on the starboard side in an after-gun gallery, some men having difficulty disembarking. He ordered them to shift aft and disembark from that point. The executive officer, Commander Mortimer”
― Albert R. Buchanan, The Navy’s Air War: A Mission Completed