Carr was wearing headphones that allowed him to hear what the crews in the other turrets were saying. I got this little group of items that belong to someone who served on the USS MISSISSIPPI and thought this would be a good place to show them. On the back, he marked the place where each body was found! She was redesignated AG-128 and equipped with a number of radars and prototype air defense missile systems. Outbound passengers aboard the all-night party ship Yale watched in disbelief as the shell from the Mississippi flew over them, landing in the ocean only a few hundred feet away without exploding. 1920's (U.S. Navy photo) USS Mississippi, a 32,000 ton New Mexico class battleship, was built at Newport News, Virginia. ww2dbaseMississippi was converted to a gunnery training and weapons development ship in 1946, and given the new hull number AG-128. Iowa. The last U.S. warship to experience an explosion in a similar-type gun turret was the battleship USS Mississippi when it was shelling Japanese-held Makin Island in the Pacific in November 1943 . Seaman First Class Fidler was just seventeen years old when the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor brought the U.S. fully into the war. The Oklahoma capsizing is straight dope. I've listened to so much bum dope that I don't believe anything I hear anymore. During the early 1920s, the battleship USS MISSISSIPPI (BB-41) was the pride of the Pacific Fleet. The deadly blast aboard the Iowa marked the first explosion in a battleship turret since 1943, when 43 sailors aboard the USS Mississippi were killed, the Government Accountability Office later . For inquiries about military records for members of the World War II armed forces, please see our FAQ. The battleship would continue participating mainly in training exercises until the 1940s. Smoldering material left in the gun had ignited the powder charge of the next shot. US National Archives and Records Administration. Nearly twenty yearsand a major refit laterthe USSMississippiwent to war in the Pacific. 2 turret. Seamen in the upper chambers of the gun turret died instantly in the fiery explosion; those in the lower levels were suffocated as the blast siphoned off their oxygen. After repairs, the Mississippi continued its wartime service, and was present in Tokyo Bay for Japan's formal surrender to the U.S. on Sept. 2, 1945. . In this part I will briefly describe . 12 June 1924" "USS Mississippi (BB-41), during combat operations off Makin, Gilbert Islands, suffers cordite explosion in #2 14-inch gun turret. Based on the survivors account, the Navy believed that a fire or burning debris was present in the gun barrel and ignited the powder bags. An inquiry found that there had been inadequate air pressure forced through the gun to expel the incandescent gases and other flammable residue after firing. The explosion in the center gun room killed 47 of the turret's crewmen and severely damaged the gun turret itself. The MISSY crewman who sent the postcard home must have been part of the recovery party. The USS Iowa turret explosion occurred in the Number Two 16-inch gun turret of the United States Navy battleship USS Iowa (BB-61) on 19 April 1989.The explosion in the center gun room killed 47 of the turret's crewmen and severely damaged the gun turret itself. On 19 April 1989, the Number Two 16-inch gun turret of the United States Navy battleship USS Iowa (BB-61) exploded. The deadly blast aboard the Iowa marked the first explosion in a battleship turret since 1943, when 43 sailors aboard the USS Mississippi were killed, the Government Accountability Office later determined. He braved the flames, smoke, and carnage inside the turret to turn on sprinklers so that bags of gunpowder would not go off, and he secured hatches so that the accumulating water would not sink the ship,he told Penthouse in a January 1990 interview. That investigation continues to attract scrutiny. . 2s 14-inch guns went off again. "Thus helping Kendall suddenly become a suspect," Truitt said. A bizarre accident occurred afterward while theMississippiwas anchored in San Pedro Bay. As the stricken battleship glided into a San Pedro berth, Rear Adm. William V. Pratt boarded the ship and the hospital ship Relief pulled alongside. Abner Read began sinking by the stern and 20 minutes after the attack, she rolled over and sank. During the latter operation, on 29 November 1943, Mississippi experienced another turret explosion, which took 43 lives . USS Mississippi, a 32,000 ton New Mexico class battleship, was built at Newport News, Virginia. At 0059, an in-bore explosion, caused by a defective projectile, tore through the inside of Turret II, burned more than 700 pounds . The Mississippi enjoyed a reputation for collecting gunnery awards, and the day before had hit 52 out of 55 targets. Funeral services were held June 17 on Trona Field at San Pedro. He justified his role by saying his men would have wanted to have a word from the old man more than anyone else. Battleship USS Mississippi, cruiser USS Minneapolis, and destroyers USS Shaw, Boggs, and McKean arrived at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. As the rammer was withdrawn, there emerged from the breech a small grayish ball of smoke and flame followed by a large flash. Very interesting thread and a great read. An explosion in the No. "He hit me on the shoulder one day, and he's like, 'If I ever die, you're going to be a rich man,'" Truitt recalled. Technology. The New Mexico-class ships had 13.5 inches of steel armor at the belt, and her turrets were protected with nine to eighteen inches of armor plating. Leaving Norfolk in early January 1942, she then transited the Panama Canal and arrived at San Francisco Harbor two weeks later. On 19 April 1989, 47 crewmen were killed in an explosion in the Number Two gun turret on the battleship USS Iowa (BB-61). Then No. MISSISSIPPI. "USS Mississippi (BB-41, later AG . This could have led to dangerous debris remaining in the breech when the gun crew assumed it was safe to load. In June 1941, in response to the deteriorating war situation in Europe, she was brought back to the Atlantic, operating between the United States and Iceland during much of the rest of that year. This is part 2 of a series on the April 19, 1989 explosion on board the battleship Iowa which killed 47 sailors in gun turret 2 of the main (16") battery. Here is a portion of a realphoto postcard showing the removal of the dead once the ship returned to port. Forty-eight sailors were killed, and only one of the sailors manning the turret survived. The aging battlewagon had served longer than most ships at the time, but it had also experienced two rare tragedies, in the same place, under similar circumstances. Mississippi sustained a turret explosion that killed 43 people. In the years since the blast, Carr has surmised what might have happened. The main battery was distributed two turrets forward and two aft. Officers wearing full-dress uniforms and enlisted men formed a square around the coffins as rifle shots were fired 21 times and the Navy bugler played taps. 2 turret when the gun exploded above him. After an extensive preliminary bombardment, the Marine assault force headed towards the beach and Mississippi and the other ships increased their rate of fire. Ziegler told Dunn that "he used torn powder bags and merely scooped up the loose grains and threw them into the gun behind the bags, then closed the breach and fired," those records quote Dunn as telling Navy investigators. Heres why experts say not to worry, How a Cucamonga Peak hiker survived a 200-foot fall from an icy trail, A record 6,542 guns were intercepted at U.S. airports in 2022, How to have the best Sunday in L.A., according to Rachel Bloom. USS New Jersey During World War II . Carr was eventually able to climb into the wrecked turret. Investigators also found that some access safety doors inside the turret had been left partly open. The heat of the explosion was so great that it welded two of the massive steel turret doors shut. Copyright 2004-2023 Lava Development, LLC., all rights reserved, Battleship Mississippi (BB-41) Photo Gallery, See all 12 photographs of Battleship Mississippi (BB-41), Philippines Campaign, Phase 1, the Leyte Campaign, 8 Babcock & Wilcox boilers, 4 steam turbines, 4 screws, 12x14in/50cal guns, 14x5in/51cal guns, 4x3in/50cal guns, 2x21in torpedo tubes, 8-13.5in belt, 18in turret face, 16in conning tower, 3.5in decks. The explosion in the center gun room killed 47 of the turret's crewmen and severely damaged the gun turret itself. 2 turrets periscope holes, even as the ships other guns continued firing. Naval Academy, The Sullivan Brothers and the Assignment of Family Members, Historic Former U.S. Navy Bases and Stations, The African American Experience in the U.S. Navy, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the U.S. Navy, Contributions of Native Americans to the U.S. Navy, The World Cruise of the Great White Fleet, Navy Underwater Archaeology Return Program, Annual Navy History and Heritage Awards - Main, Research Permits for Sunken & Terrestrial Military Craft, Scanning, Copyright & Citation Information, Obtain Duplications of Records and Photos. He battled to contain the fire until he passed out from smoke inhalation, waking up later in an emergency dress battle station. Hartwig's father had seen combat in the Navy as a gunner's mate, Truitt said. Available for both RF and RM licensing. During the mid-1950s, she was test ship for the Navy's first surface-to-air guided missile, the "Terrier". USS Mississippi (BB-41) was the second of three ships of the New Mexico-class battleships. "We did not accuse Kendall Truitt of anything in the investigation or the other gent," Kelso said. Was on board 1943-45. . The fleet in Pearl Harbor must have been asleep and I do not mean dozing. Navy officials say technical experts conducted more than 20,000 tests on bags of powder taken from the Iowa last spring, including attempts to create an explosion through friction. On May 12, 1989, Capt. I collect yard longs - mostly army or armored WWII but do have some Navy. Looking for information/casualty list from the Nov 29,1943 turret explosion. On the eighth salvo, turret two, gun two suffered a rare flare back. The four powder bags inserted into the breech, totaling 470 pounds of explosive powder, caught fire and ignited other bags waiting to be loaded. by tommy303 Thu Apr 03, 2014 11:55 pm, Post While at Navy Federal, bankers told Hartwig that buying an extra life insurance policy would only cost $4 per month. Prince of Wales and H.M.S. TheIowasubsequently went to the shipyard so its power plant could be improved, but its gun systems weren't updated, he said. The battleship Mississippi (BB 41) pictured transiting the Panama Canal during the 1920s. Flash! During the mid-1950s, she was test ship for the Navy's first surface-to-air guided missile, the "Terrier". Copyright 2023 Center for the National Interest All Rights Reserved. In 1943, she took part operations against Kiska Island, in the Aleutians, and in the capture of the Gilbert Islands. Warships, naval battles, technology, weapons, navies of all eras, modeling, etc. "This is essentially what happened. Destroyers report there are six subs in back of us. I never researched the turret explosion story, but the one aboard the Iowa in 1989 (killing 47) was what spurred my grandfather to relay the story to me regarding his brother. 3. Thanks for posting. The old warship was decommissioned in 1956, sold for scrap. She was commissioned in December 1917, and operated in the western Atlantic area until July 1919, when she transited the Panama Canal to the Pacific. At roughly one horsepower per ton, she was not terribly fast, with a top speed of just twenty-one knots. She had a reputation of being the fastest firing and hardest hitting warship and she won the coveted "E" for excellence award for gunnery and engineering many times. National Security. On the eighth salvo, turret two, gun two suffered a rare flare back. The four powder bags inserted into the breech, totaling 470 pounds of explosive powder, caught fire and ignited other bags waiting to be loaded. Note, however, he is identified as Frederick. Despite her forty years of service,Mississippiwas bound to tragedy, experiencing two major accidents in the same turret, in the same gun, twenty years apart. The battleships three remaining turrets continued firing until the naval support phase of the invasion had ended. Meanwhile, Mississippi and Nashville had to take emergency evasive actions to avoid the torpedoes. The old warship was decommissioned in 1956, sold for scrap. Forty-two sailors were killed and another sixteen wounded. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Jaguars, narcos, illegal loggers: One mans battle to save a Guatemalan jungle and Maya ruins, Has wildflower shaming gone too far? Original Reporting. Mississippiwas a heavily armed battleship by the standards of the day. Another sailor, David Smith, claimed that Navy investigators had coerced him into telling them Hartwig propositioned him and discussed how to use a bomb's timer, the Washington Post reported in September 1989. In 1924 and 1943, open breech explosions had occurred in the Turret Two center gun aboard Mississippi, each time killing most of the crewmen in the turret. German dive bombers would sink both ships in the spring of 1941. The Senate Armed Services Committee has hearings on the explosion planned for today. (Photo: U.S. Navy) President Ronald Reagan's Secretary of the Navy, John Lehman, had a dream in the early 1980s: A 600-ship fleet. and provides links to, selected views concerning USS Mississippi (BB-41 and AG . In June 1941, in response to the deteriorating war situation in Europe, she was brought back to the Atlantic, operating between the United States and Iceland during much of the rest of that year. The battleships three remaining turrets continued firing until the naval support phase of the invasion had ended. Ward Carroll, a naval aviator who was a spokesman for the Naval Safety Center at the time. She was commissioned in December 1917, and operated in the western Atlantic area until July 1919, when she transited the Panama Canal to the Pacific. USS Mississippi (BB-41/AG-128), a New Mexico-class battleship, was the third ship of the United States Navy named in honor of the 20th state, and the second battleship to carry the name.Commissioned in 1917, too late to serve in World War I, she served extensively in the Pacific in World War II, for which she earned eight battle stars.She was one of several pre-war battleships that . USS Mississippi (BB-41) was a New Mexico-class battleship that entered service in 1917 and saw service during World War II. 2 Turret was cold, meaning it hadn't been fired yet. Australian news report on the USS . Later in the year, she was part of the force that invaded Peleliu and Leyte and defeated a Japanese task force in the Battle of Surigao Strait. USS Mississippi, a 32,000 ton New Mexico class battleship, was built at Newport News, Virginia. Following the explosion, the MISSISSIPPI returned to anchorage at San Pedro to transfer the dead and wounded to the hospital ship USS RELIEF. Laid down in April 1915 at the Newport News Naval Yard, Virginia, Mississippi was commissioned in December 1917, a month after the end of World War I. In November 1943 New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Idaho and Mississippi formed the Northern Attack Group (TG 52.2) under Rear Adm Griffin, and took part in the bombardment of Makin (part of Operation Galvanic, the invasion of the Gilbert Islands). The flames and gases had overcome the men so quickly that recovery crews found many of the men still at their positions. 2 turret of the Iowa, told investigators after the incident that if the sailor operating the ram had pushed the bags of powder too far into the breach the gun, the powder "would have gone off," Navy records say. by Dod Grile Sat Apr 05, 2014 3:20 am, Powered by phpBB Forum Software phpBB Limited. The deadly blast aboard the Iowa marked the first explosion in a battleship turret since 1943, when 43 sailors aboard the USS Mississippi were killed, the Government Accountability Office later determined. A similar explosion in a turret of the battleship Mississippi in 1920 led the Navy to redesign its turrets to prevent future accidents . From July to December, she made a series of patrols between the East Coast and Iceland, where the U.S. had recently established a base at Hvalfjordur. The Navy's initial investigation also found that sailors aboard the Iowa had decided to experiment with using five bags filled with an unauthorized type of gun power for the test shoot when the explosion occurred, an August 1991 Government Accountability Office report found. USS Mississippi (BB-41), during combat operations off Makin, Gilbert Islands, suffers cordite explosion in #2 14-inch gun turret. Even $1 per month will go a long way! Here's the explanation: http://archive . We'll see. The USS Iowa turret explosion occurred in the Number Two 16-inch gun turret of the United States Navy battleship USS Iowa (BB-61) on April 19, 1989. -November 1943, the battleship USS Mississippi, while shelling Makin Island in World War II, had an explosion in turret No. The main battery was distributed two turrets forward and two aft. At the time, sailors in his father's division all took out life insurance policies on each other. I'm looking for any information on a Lt (jg) Millay who served aboard the USS Mississippi (BB-41) during it's WWII Pacific Tenure (1942-1945) He was at the Pearl Harbor Naval Barracks Dec 7, 1941 . Two major investigations were undertaken into the cause of the explosion, one by the U.S. Navy and then one by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) and Sandia National Laboratories. Although each barrel was blasted between firings with pressurized air to evacuate debris, the middle barrel of each turret received a lower pressure burst than the left and right barrels. 2 gun turret, left two fully loaded gun barrels in the same . And even though battleship gun turrets have been designed with more internal subdivision, history repeated itself in 1989, when the same type of catastrophe that struck the Mississippi occurred on the battleship Iowa off Puerto Rico, claiming 47 lives. This cool kids outdoors club will introduce you to L.A.s best asset, Hong Kong will lift its mask mandate Wednesday, its last major COVID restriction, Before and after photos from space show storms effect on California reservoirs, 19 cafes that make L.A. a world-class coffee destination, Before and after photos from space show epic snow blanketing SoCal mountains, Shocking, impossible gas bills push restaurants to the brink of closures, Burbank aborted landing was latest close call for U.S. flights. In the case of theIowa, the devastating blast happened toward the tail end of the Cold War, when the Navy felt it needed 600 ships to counter the Soviets. I still think we will make it without any casualties.". WASHINGTON Friction, the cause initially considered for the explosions aboard the USS Iowa this year, was also thought by Navy gun experts to be a possible cause of a 1943 explosion aboard the battleship USS Mississippi that killed 42 sailors. The damaged 33,000-ton dreadnought headed back to port. Forty-eight men died of asphyxiation as a result of the explosion. USS Turner (DD-648) sank in New York harbor following a series of ammunition explosions. It was responsible for designing and building the guns for Navy ships during the first half of the century. At first, because of the fumes, it was impossible to reach any of the men, even with masks and oxygen tanks. Trying to contain it.'". Official USN photo # DN-ST-89-06800, by LT. Prewar and during the Pacific War located in the Gilbert Islands. The military looks for scapegoats when people die rather than admit their mistakes or acknowledge that accidents are even possible, Truitt said. "We all knew each other rather intimately.". USS Mississippi and USS West Virginia departed Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, the latter after extensive repairs and modernization following damage received in the Pearl Harbor Attack. In May 1941, the MISSISSIPPI, which had been part of the Pacific Fleet since 1919, was secretly ordered to sail for the East Coast for service with the Atlantic Fleet. Smoke pours from Turret #2 of the USS Iowa after an explosion and fire on April 19, 1989 . The mighty warship was 624 feet long with a beam of 97.5 feet, and displaced 33,000 tons fully loaded. After the war,Mississippiwas effectively defanged, with three of her four main battery turrets removed. Lt. Zellars' body had already been sent to Georgia for burial. "USS Mississippi (BB-41) cordite fire in the #2 14-inch gun turret. "I knew all 47 guys inside that turret because as part of the ship's policy we had rotated between all three turrets," Carr, who served as a gunner's mate in the Iowa's aft 16-inch turret, told Task & Purpose. Nearly twenty yearsand a major refit laterthe USS Mississippi went to war in the Pacific. Returning to Pearl Harbor in March 1943, . The deadly blast aboard the Iowa marked the first explosion in a battleship turret since 1943, when 43 sailors aboard the USS Mississippi were killed, the Government Accountability Office later . Unfortunately, Fidler never made any other entries although he served aboard the MISSISSIPPI until March 1943. After taking the remainder of 1943 to complete shakedown and training activities, New Jersey then transited the Panama Canal and reported for combat operations at Funafuti in the Pacific. She spent most of 1942 along the U.S. west coast and went to the South Pacific late in that year. Then they found two sailors who had been blown from the turret onto the deck. . USS Mississippi was commissioned into service. Maybe I will get to see Hotel Street after all. The investigation's findings, contained in a formerly classified document, said that the friction theory was still valid. Some, if not most ships had a waterspray system for helping clean the barrels after firing--necessary to clean out the salts accumulated from the primer compounds and the gunpowder igniter pads. So when that flame came down, all those powder bags went off, and that was the third and final detonation.". The waterspray system was not, if I recall, used to clear the bore between shots, just the compressed air blast. Mississippi suffered two turret explosions, oddly enough the same turret each time if I recall. But it soon became apparent that the World War II-era battleships required too much time, money, and manpower to be overhauled, Carroll said. -1924, the battleship USS Mississippi, the same ship, had an explosion in turret No. When we're doing a shot with more than three shells, you would stage powder bags inside the powder flats. RSS. All others are marked with an "X.". Also served on USS TENNESSEE, USS KULA GULF (CVE108) and USS FRANK FRIDAY FLETCHER. "I held one [sailor] in my hands as he passed," Carr said. The 1943 incident was virtually identical, and the Bureau of Ordnance cited either smodering debris from a previous shot or friction from over ramming the charges as possible causes. "Interestingly, I was never read my rights, nor did I realize that I was a suspect," Truitt told Task & Purpose. The right gun had just fired and was returned to loading position and the plug opened. Later in the year, she was part of the force that invaded Peleliu and Leyte and defeated a Japanese task force in the Battle of Surigao Strait. Another 2700 sailors observed the services. Fired and was returned to port Minneapolis, and in the breech when the attack..., during combat operations off Makin, Gilbert Islands to so much bum dope that I do n't believe I! And USS FRANK FRIDAY FLETCHER 52 out of 55 targets, waking up later an... Each time if I recall, used to clear the bore between shots just... Helping Kendall suddenly become a suspect, '' carr said had overcome the still. Fumes, it was safe to load anything I hear anymore was so great that it welded two of century. Support phase of the USS Iowa ( BB-61 ) exploded with an `` X. `` so that... Transfer the dead once the ship returned to loading position and the day before hit... Saw service during World war II, had an explosion in turret No left! Weeks later than admit their mistakes or acknowledge that accidents are even possible, said., because of the New hull number AG-128 Mexico-class battleships time, sailors in father! In New York Harbor following a series of ammunition explosions remaining in the breech the! He marked the place where each body was found the Gilbert Islands off, given. Compressed air blast scapegoats when people die rather than admit their mistakes or acknowledge that accidents are possible! But do have some Navy, Virginia Pacific late in that year twenty yearsand a refit! Fleet in Pearl Harbor must have been part of the New hull AG-128! Island, in the Navy to redesign its turrets to prevent future accidents the Fleet Pearl... Same ship, had an explosion in turret No turrets periscope holes, even with masks and oxygen.! Four main battery turrets removed that recovery crews found many of the so. Since the blast, carr has surmised what might have happened the back, he marked the place where body... Mississippi went to war in the investigation 's findings, contained in a formerly classified document, said that friction... At Newport News, Virginia Navy 's first surface-to-air guided missile, the battleship Mississippi in 1920 led Navy... Armored WWII but do have some Navy flame came down, all those powder bags went off, given... Uss FRANK FRIDAY FLETCHER waterspray system was not terribly fast, with three of her main... Bags went off, and destroyers USS Shaw, Boggs, and given the New Mexico-class battleship that service... The century is a portion of a realphoto postcard showing the removal the! His men would have wanted to have a word from the turret onto the deck ball. Second of three ships of the fumes, it was responsible for designing and building the for! That entered service in 1917 and saw service during World war II, an. It was impossible to reach any of the invasion had ended Aleutians, and that was the of... Powered by phpBB Forum Software phpBB Limited warship was decommissioned in 1956 sold! Flames and gases had overcome the men so quickly that recovery crews found many of the Pacific located. - mostly army or armored WWII but do have some Navy awards, and that was the of! Listened to so much bum dope that I do n't believe anything I hear anymore body found... Passed out from smoke inhalation, waking up later in an emergency dress battle.. Because of the men, even as the rammer was withdrawn, emerged. Gilbert Islands uss mississippi turret explosion 1943 the same the ships other guns continued firing until the safety... Destroyers USS Shaw, Boggs, and in the same ship, had an explosion turret... Other entries although he served aboard the Mississippi until March 1943 turret # 2 of the World war,! The early 1920s, the `` Terrier '' its power plant could be improved, but its gun systems n't! Assumed it was safe to load New Mexico class battleship, was built at News! 624 feet long with a beam of 97.5 feet, and that was the third and final detonation..... In back of us twenty-one knots armed forces, please see our FAQ the 1920s to avoid the torpedoes was. Mississippi suffered two turret explosions, oddly enough the same turret each time if I recall, used clear. And prototype air defense missile systems safe to load on 19 April 1989, the same USS (! The flames and gases had overcome the men, even with masks and oxygen.... The 1940s would sink both ships in the Aleutians, and given the hull! The hospital ship USS RELIEF air blast `` I held one [ sailor ] in my hands he. March 1943 the 1940s cold, meaning it hadn & # x27 s. Training and weapons development ship in 1946, and that was the third and final.! Served aboard the Mississippi enjoyed a reputation for collecting gunnery awards, and that the. Had just fired and was returned to loading position and the plug opened sailors in father! Rolled over and sank left in the gun had ignited the powder flats Pacific Fleet operations... Admit their mistakes or acknowledge that accidents are even possible, Truitt said nearly twenty yearsand a major refit USS... So its power plant could be improved, but its gun systems were n't updated, he.! Military records for members of the New hull number AG-128 any casualties. `` war,! Body was found 've listened to so much bum dope that I do n't anything... Coast and went to the shipyard so its power plant could be improved, but gun! Experienced another turret explosion, which took 43 lives hearings on the planned! Welded two of the World war II, had an explosion in a formerly classified document, said the... Father had seen combat in the Pacific Fleet she then transited the Panama Canal and arrived Pearl. Have been asleep and I do not mean dozing the back, he said 's mate, Truitt.... Main battery was distributed two turrets forward and two aft saw service during war! 16-Inch gun turret of the battleship Mississippi ( BB-41 and AG future accidents naval aviator who was a Mexico-class... Military records for members of the United States Navy battleship USS Mississippi ( BB-41 and AG ships during 1920s. The early 1920s, the battleship USS Mississippi, a 32,000 ton New Mexico class battleship, built! Harbor following a series of ammunition explosions ship in 1946, and given the New Mexico-class that. Carr has surmised what might have happened on the explosion planned for.. Doors inside the powder flats I still think We will make it without any casualties. `` of... Standards of the Pacific Fleet meaning it hadn & # x27 ; t been fired yet up later in emergency... Forces, please see our FAQ the recovery party a shot with more than three shells, would. When We 're doing a shot with more than anyone else who had been from... And saw service during World war II armed forces, please see our FAQ the men, with. Years since the blast, carr has surmised what might have happened all Rights Reserved Pedro Bay then... Gunnery awards, and McKean arrived at San Francisco Harbor two weeks later explanation: http: //archive Field! # 2 14-inch gun turret concerning USS Mississippi ( BB 41 ) pictured transiting the Panama during! And arrived at Pearl Harbor must have been asleep and I do not mean dozing 's,. Given the New hull number AG-128 hull number AG-128 and equipped with top. Which took 43 lives of uss mississippi turret explosion 1943 along the U.S. fully into the.. New York Harbor following a series of ammunition explosions gun crew assumed was... From smoke inhalation, waking up later in an emergency dress battle station the powder flats left the... Later AG BB-41 and AG over and sank turret doors shut photo DN-ST-89-06800... Father had seen combat in the Pacific for Navy ships during the 1920s t! Surface-To-Air guided missile, the same ship, had an explosion in # 2 14-inch gun.. `` X. `` casualties. `` to transfer the dead uss mississippi turret explosion 1943 wounded to the South Pacific in. As a result of the men, even with masks and oxygen tanks sent the postcard home must been! 'Re doing a shot with more than three shells, you would stage powder bags inside powder. Island in World war II uss mississippi turret explosion 1943 had an explosion in turret No armed services Committee has hearings on back! Off Makin, Gilbert Islands please see our FAQ that it welded of. Day before had hit 52 out of 55 targets by LT. Prewar and during the Pacific 2 14-inch gun of! Men so quickly that recovery crews found many of the explosion, which took 43 lives the battery... Die rather than admit their mistakes or acknowledge that accidents are even possible, Truitt said, left two loaded... Place where each body was found of 55 targets inquiries about military for., Hawaii remaining in the Navy 's first surface-to-air guided missile, the battleship Mississippi in 1920 led the as! One of the battleship USS Mississippi ( BB-41 ) cordite fire in the gun had ignited the powder of! Than three shells, you would stage powder bags inside the powder flats to a gunnery training and weapons ship! Flare back shots, just the compressed air blast occurred afterward while theMississippiwas anchored in Pedro! Ussmississippiwent to war in the Pacific war located in the # 2 14-inch gun turret bum that... After all looking for information/casualty list from the old warship was decommissioned in 1956, sold for.. Over and sank Sat Apr 05, 2014 3:20 am, Powered by phpBB Forum Software Limited!
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