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11 Dec 1941

ww2dbaseACTION REPORT

USS Tennessee SERIAL 0157

BB-43 11 December 1941

ACTION REPORT - Japanese Attack on Pearl Harbor, 7 December 1941.
Covers Activities of USS Tennessee, During Japanese Attack on Pearl Harbor.

BB43/A16-3 (0157)

U.S.S. Tennessee

December 11, 1941.

From:	The Commanding Officer.
To:	The Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet. (Direct)
Via:	(1) The Commander Battleship Division Two. (Direct) (2) The Commander Battleships, Battle Force. (Direct) (3) The Commander Battle Force. (Direct)
Subject:	Narrative of events of action in Japanese Air Raid on Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941.
References:	(a)U.S. Navy Regulations, Articles 712, 874(b), 948, and 2029. (b) Cincpac 102102.
Enclosure:	(A) Chronological report of general events. (B) Report of damage sustained, Listed by departments, plus pictures of damage to turrets II and III. (C) Report of Executive Officer. [omitted] (D) Report of Gunnery Officer, Duty Commander, December 7, 1941. [omitted] (E) Tennessee mailgram 131950. [omitted]

1. In accordance with references (a) and (b) the following data concerning the action participated in by this vessel on December 7, 1941, is submitted.
2. On Sunday, December 7, 1941, the U.S.S. Tennessee was moored starboard side to interrupted quay Fox 6, Pearl Harbor, Oahu, T.H., with two wire hausers and seven manila lines. The U.S.S. West Virginia was moored alongside to port with one wire hauser and seven manila lines. Boiler #1 was steaming for auxiliary purposes. Various units of the U.S. Pacific Fleet and various yard craft were present in the Harbor. Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet was the Senior Officer Present. Commander Battle Force in the U.S.S.California was the Senior Officer Present Afloat. This ship was the Flagship of Commander Battleship Division Two. The U.S.S. Maryland was moored to quay Fox 5 and the U.S.S. Arizona (inboard) and the U.S.S. Vestal (outboard) were moored to quay Fox 7, these quays being about seventy-five feet ahead and astern respectively of the U.S.S. Tennessee. At about 0755, planes, observed to be Japanese by their markings, were seen dropping bombs on Ford Island. This ship went to general quarters and started setting condition Zed. Immediately, after the bombing of Ford Island, planes began torpedoing and bombing the battleships and other ships in the Harbor. This ship opened fire with 5" 25 caliber, 3" .50 caliber, and .50 caliber machine guns about five minutes after the first attack. Orders for sortie were received but later cancelled for battleships. This ship was ready to get underway with both plants and 6 boilers about 0930. Shortly after the attack began the Oklahoma, West Virginia, and California received torpedo hits. The Oklahoma listed over and in about 10 minutes capsized. The West Virginia listed heavily but was righted by counter flooding. The California listed. The Arizona received several large bomb hits at least one of which apparently penetrated the magazines. There was a large explosion forward. The foremast fell forward and burning powder, oil, and debris was thrown on the quarterdeck of the Tennessee. The Arizona settled rapidly by the bow. The Nevada got underway but was struck by bombs and torpedoes and grounded in the channel. Large fires were raging around the Arizona and West Virginia. The Arizona was moored to quays about seventy-five feet astern of the Tennessee and the West Virginia was moored to the Tennessee. The burning powder, oil, and debris from the Arizona explosion plus the intense heat from the fires started fires in the stern and port quarter of this ship. These fires and the subsequent wetting caused considerable damage to the wardroom and officers' quarters in this vicinity. The fires were brought under control about 1030. The Captain returned aboard about 1000 and resumed command. During the engagement the Tennessee received two bomb hits, one on turret III and one on the center gun of turret II. The hit on turret III wrecked the high catapult and penetrated the roof of the turret. The bomb broke into large pieces but did not explode. The explosive charge spilled into the turret and burned. Fragments of the bomb strongly indicate that it was a converted 15" armor piercing shell and weighed about 1500 to 2000 pounds. The training gear and rammers were damaged. The range finder was completely wrecked. Several casualties occurred as a result of this hit. Casualties will be listed separately. The hit on turret II split the hoop of the center gun, rendering it inoperative. Fragments from this hit caused casualties on the machine gun stations. The active fighting was over by about 1000 although small numbers of planes were observed and fired at through the day, no more bombs or torpedoes were observed. It is believed that this ship shot down four enemy planes. When fires started in and around the West Virginia and Arizona, this ship led out all fire hoses and fought fires in the former ship and the oil fires on the water that endangered this ship. This fire fighting continued throughout the day and night. About 1030 it was decided to try and moved the ship forward so as to escape the fires from the badly burning Arizona. Both engines went ahead five knots but the ships did not move. It is believed that the West Virginia, as a result of her torpedo hits, had wedged the Tennessee so close to the quays that she could not move. The engines were kept turning over from five to ten knots throughout the day and night in order that the screw current could wash the burning oil from the stern of the Tennessee. During the bombing #3 motor boat was sunk. Number 2 motor launched burned and sank when caught in the oil fire from the Arizona. When the fires started magazine number 306, 310, 312 were flooded. At about 1800 fire broke out in the after crane room, caused by heat from fires on the Arizona. At 1930 fire under control. After airplane crane out of commission. At 2104 commenced firing on planes crossing over the ship. 2109 ceased firing. At the end of the day the ship was in the following condition: Main battery ready for action except center gun in turret II and left gun in turret III. All guns of other batteries ready for action. High catapult out of commission. After airplane crane out of commission. No underwater damage. Main propulsion machinery and ship's lighting and power not effected. Considerable damage to forward machine gun platform and navigation bridge. None of this effected the fighting ability of the ship. The three planes attached to vessel were shore based at N.A.S. Ford Island during the action, but were destroyed by enemy planes at that place.
3. Casualties as follows: Men - (killed outright) ADAMS, Jesse Leroy, #366-28-84, GM3c, USN; MILLER, J.B. Delano, #375-97-50, Cox, USN; ROE, Eugene Oscar, #279-65-37, Sqc, USN. (Died on board as a result of injuries) HUDGELL, Alfred William, #320-86-79, BM1c, USN. (Missing in action) BOYD, Robert Leroy, #279-78-38, S2c, USN; SMITH, Gerald Owen, #291-47-10; SK1c, USN. (Injured in action) BANKSTON, William Homer, #274-50-26, S1c, USN; BOWEN, Samuel Franklin, #283-39-37; USN; BOZEMAN, Troy Eugene, #346-84-23, GM3c, USN; CARSON, Louis Edgar, #356-09-09, GM3c, USN; CASSERLY, Clyde Milton, #283--39-70, S1c, USN; CROSBY, Mulford Cullin, #274-50-43, S1c, USN; DePAUL, Vince, #360-25-82, S1c, USN; EVANS, Henry Herbert, Jr., #287-36-82, S1c, USN; FOLAND, Raymond Glen, #393-29-24, GM3c, USN; HALQUIST, William Lowell, #328-22-07, S1c, USN; HARPER, Eugene Everett, #287-22-07, Cox, USN; HUBER, Lawrence John, #262-41-78, Cox, USN; KNUDSON, Reo Irwin, #328-64-39, S1c, USN; LAMBERTH, Grady Joe, #272-12-31, GM2c, USN; MANWEILER, Leslie Carl, #316-32-90, FC2c, USN; OLEJARZYK, Anthony Joseph, #283-18-34, BM2c, USN; RICHARDS, Bige, #346-85-05, S1c, USN; RITH, Ernest Richard, Jr., #258-30-10, S1c, USN; SPRADDLING, Douglas Reid, #356-59-44, S2c, USN. Officers - (Injured in action) Ensign D.M. KABLE, USN, (6993). Marines - (Injured in action) Sgt. Walter HOLLAND (276646), USMC; Pvt. Raymond W. GARLAND (312457), USMC. All casualties were received while performing duty of highest order. All transferred to Naval Hospital, Pearl Harbor, except Sgt. HOLLAND, Pvt. GARLAND, and BANKSTON. The following injured from other ships were transferred to the Naval Hospital, Pearl Harbor: Officers - Ensign G.S. FLANAGAN, USN, U.S.S. Arizona. Men - CARSON, C.M., #unknown, S1c, U.S.S. Arizona; LA VACK, L.F., #unknown, MM1c, U.S.S. Vestal.
4. The following ammunition was expended during the battle: 760 rounds 5"25 A.A. cannon, 180 rounds 3"/50, 4000 rounds 50 caliber machine gun.
5. The average depth of water at Berth Fox 6, Lat. 21-22. 0N. Long. 157-57'-18" W., where the Tennessee was moored was 40 feet. The draft of the ship Dec. 8 at 1200 was: Fwd, 34' 7¼", Aft, 35' 8", Mean 35' 1 5/8". The ship had been fueled on Dec. 3. Fuel on hand at 0800, Dec. 7 was 1,380,000 gallons, 94% capacity.
6. The condition of the weather Sunday morning, December 7, 1941, was: Sea - slight wind ripples; Wind - N.E. force 4; Visibility - 40,000 yards; Clouds - cumulus moving from N.E. amount 6.
7. The conduct of the officers and crew of the Tennessee was uniformly in accordance with the highest traditions of the Service. Not only did they fight the battle with calmness and deliberation but for the next twenty-four hours they fought the oil fires in the Arizona and West Virginia which threatened to destroy the Tennessee. The Arizona was eight feet to windward and her burning oil was a real menace to this ship; the West Virginia was alongside with her forward magazines in danger of explosion; nevertheless, the crew carried out their gunnery and damage control duties as if at drill. The Commanding Officer considers that the conduct of the following officers was especially distinguished:(1) Lieut-Comdr. John W. Adams, Jr., U.S. Navy:
   As Gunnery Officer and temporary Commanding Officer he fought the ship with a calmness and precision that was an inspiration to the entire ship's company.
   
   (2) Lieutenant Robert R. Moore, U.S. Navy:
   As senior Damage Control Officer aboard he carried on all of his duties in an extremely calm and efficient manner.
   
   (3) Captain Chevey S. White, U.S. Marine Corps:
   Acting as Air Defense Officer, he displayed outstanding coolness and courage during the engagement. While exposed to enemy bombing and strafing attack at his unprotected battle station he directed the fire of the A.A. battery in a calm and efficient manner.
   
   (4) Ensign William S. Thomas, D-V(G), U.S.N.R.:
   As A.A. Group Control Officer, while exposed to enemy bombing and strafing attack in an unprotected battle station, he carried out his duties in a calm and efficient manner.
   
   (5) Ensign Donald M. Kable, U.S. Navy:
   As .50 caliber machine gun Control Officer he directed the fire of his guns while being strafed by enemy planes until he was so seriously wounded that he was carried below.
   
   (6) Chief Boatswain Lewis W. Adkins, U.S. Navy:
   In charge of the after repair party, his leadership and heroic conduct while fighting the fires contributed much toward saving the ship from destruction. Throughout the attack he was in an exposed position and continued to fight the fires until they were brought under control.
   
   (7) Enlisted Men:
   The Commanding Officer will make appropriate entries in the service records of enlisted men who are deserving of special commendation.

[signed]
C.E. REORDAN.

---

ENCLOSURE (A)

U.S.S. Tennessee

CHRONOLOGICAL REPORT OF GENERAL EVENTS, AS RECORDED IN CENTRAL STATION, U.S.S. Tennessee ON SUNDAY, DECEMBER 7, 1941.

This is a chronological report of all reports received by ship's service telephone and other means, and recorded in Central Station during action on December 7, 1941. A few of the following entries are not entirely accurate, as can be realized by reading the "Narrative of Events of Action", nor is this report to be considered absolutely complete.

0758	-	Attacked by enemy planes (Japanese).
----	-	Oily water around stern burning.
----	-	Canvas awning on stern on fire, Turret III.
----	-	Smoke pouring into Repair I. Smoke so thick, cannot see.
----	-	Repair I have man standby magazine flood, Turret III.
----	-	All boats on fire.
----	-	Fire in maintop. secondary aft.
----	-	Fire in maintop seems to be out.
----	-	West Virginia's quarterdeck and planes on fire.
----	-	Fire on Turret III.
----	-	Could not get morphine out of doctor's room because it was unsafe; men report that room was too hot to go in and cut safe open.
----	-	D-310 excessively hot - investigate.
----	-	Squadron of planes diving on Navy Yard.
----	-	Repair I, unit 3, abandoned station - too hot.
----	-	Fire on topside seems to be under control.
----	-	D-310-A is all right.
----	-	Set Condition ZED in lower handling room of Turret III.
----	-	Oklahoma seems to be capsizing.
----	-	California down by the stern.
----	-	West Virginia has pretty bad fire below Signal Bridge.
NOTE:		Tennessee was hit twice, soon after attack began; one hit (bomb) on face of Turret II, and bomb hit on top of Turret III, penetrating.
0930	-	Enemy planes coming in on port beam.
----	-	West Virginia's gangway still burning.
0940	-	Wounded being removed from the West Virginia.
----	-	Oklahoma upside down.
----	-	Bow blown away on Arizona.
----	-	Destroyers getting underway on other side of Ford Island.
----	-	Fire either on Argonne or dock.
----	-	Air attack coming in on starboard bow.
----	-	West Virginia on fire from Turret I to bow. Flames up as high as foretop.
----	-	Fire on port quarter (oil on water).
----	-	Firemain ruptured, port side, boat deck. (False Report)
0948	-	Planes coming in on starboard bow; do not know whether enemy or friendly.
----	-	Ship will not get underway until further orders. Engineering Department, standby.
----	-	Destroyer getting underway from Navy Yard.
----	-	Unidentified ship in Pearl Harbor down by stern.
0951	-	Lighter alongside starboard beam on fire (ammunition lighter, top blown out, can see no ammunition on it).
0954	-	Bow of Maryland on fire.
0955	-	Still playing fire hose on ammunition lighter. Fire seems to be under control.
0956	-	Solace getting underway.
0958	-	Fire on bow of Maryland under control.
----	-	Superstructure on West Virginia on fire - 4 or 5 men trapped, trying to escape by crane.
----	-	Fire (oil on water) at our stern is out.
----	-	Fire very close to D-310-M.
1002	-	Flood D-310-M (D-306-M and D-312-M also flooded, not isolated).
1005	-	West Virginia preparing to abandon ship.
1008	-	Arizona aflame all over.
1010	-	Planes approaching from starboard beam; did not come in.
1020	-	Arizona looks as if she is on the bottom.
----	-	Word passed for the 5th division to lay aft to relieve the fire party.
1024	-	Torpedo boats leaving harbor.
1027	-	People coming from West Virginia on board Tennessee by way of a five inch gun.
1032	-	Arizona abandoning ship.
----	-	Repair II reports all C&R soundings normal.
----	-	Repair IV reports all soundings normal.
----	-	Repair III reports all soundings normal.
----	-	Pull circuit L28 at Aft Distribution Board.
----	-	Mr. Teague says hatches cannot be opened from inside wardroom country - too hot.
1033	-	Ship 6° down by stern from flooding of D-306, D-312-M.
1036	-	Unit 2, Repair I, combatting fire in W.R. country.
NOTE:		Dead man forward of conning tower, sent stretcher party.
1058	-	Naval Air Station planes in air.
1100	-	Repair II told to open drain valve and core valves in GSK. Valves to Sk Bay.
----	-	Enemy plane coming in on bow. All hands, not engaged in fighting fire, seek cover.
1103	-	Destroyer putting to sea, (other side of Ford Island).
----	-	Gasoline stowage filled with CO2.
1121	-	2° list to port.
1130	-	Bridge steering telegraph out (being repaired).
----	-	Sending planes from Hickam Field.
1135	-	Two planes bearing 270°
1136	-	Light cruiser putting out to sea.
----	-	Turning engines over, to keep fire on water away from ship.
1150	-	Channel reported to have been mined.
----	-	Told repair III to rig submersible pump in wardroom country, and pump water overboard via port hole. Power from steering aft.
1156	-	Army fortresses up in the air.
----	-	Believe enemy planes and submarines lying in channel.
1210	-	Draft of ship (internal): Fwd, 34' 6"; Aft, 35' 10¼"; Mean, 35' 4¼"
----	-	Enemy transport reported 40 miles off Barber's point.
----	-	Parachute troops landing on Barber's Point (later, proved false).
----	-	After Battle dressing Station send stretcher party to left gun, Turret III, and remove casualties.
----	-	Three planes on starboard beam coming this way (do not know whether enemy or no). Said planes flying low; apparently, turning away.
----	-	Organize a crew of about 30 men to relieve men of Turret IV who are fighting fire on water.
1230	-	Secure all fresh water, except galley and drinking.
1245	-	Planes on port bow (do not know whether enemy or not).
1246	-	California sinking fast, stern underwater.
----	-	Close all topside hatches, as turrets will be fired. (Did not).
----	-	Gun four port reported Hoist #22, 5"/51, in B-510 was damaged.
----	-	Powder can be sent up, but is slowed.
----	-	Draft of ship, Fwd: 34'9".
----	-	Magazine temperature of Turret I - 84°.
1340	-	Plane coming in on starboard beam. (Proved to be friendly).
1415	-	Set Condition ZED from Turret III, second deck, aft.
----	-	Repair I, unit 2, leading out fire hose to play water on West Virginia.
----	-	Received report that one of our destroyers sank Jap sub.
1500	-	Report states that Wake Island had been bombed by 30 bombers.
----	-	Ens. Kable still alive. Hudgell dead; also, Miller and Adams.
1551	-	Repair 4 - all outboard voids normal. All sounding normal.
NOTICE:		Pennsylvania had been hit while in dry dock.
----	-	No. 2 MG repaired, and in commission again.
1628	-	Open up wardroom country and sleepy hollow.
----	-	Fire on West Virginia seems to be under control.
----	-	Repair I cut off #32 vent system; smoke coming down.
1647	-	Told Fwd Battle Dressing Station to send doctor and stretcher party to West Virginia bridge to get Captain.
----	-	Ship astern (Arizona) blew up.
----	-	Two planes bearing 350°.
1659	-	Engines ahead 1/3.
----	-	Engines ahead 1/3.
----	-	Repairs 2 and 4p - send 2 rescue breathers each, and spare Oxygen bottles to starboard side of West Virginia quarterdeck.
1703	-	Word received to stop main engines.
----	-	Delivered 6 gas masks to West Virginia.
1755	-	Plane, bearing 345. Plane signalled with red light; did not understand meaning of signal.
1823	-	Plane bearing about 300.
1833	-	Plane bearing about 345. (Running lights on; believed friendly).
1835	-	Plane on port beam; running light on.
1837	-	Plane coming in from dead ahead; bright lights on it.
1838	-	Plane bearing about 245.
1855	-	Enterprise plane approaching Oahu.
1900	-	Plane bearing from dead ahead; running lights burning.
1953	-	Word passed over loudspeaker: "All men having hammocks in port hammock nettings remove them, and stow same inboard.

---

U.S.S. Tennessee

December 11, 1941.

ENCLOSURE "B"

REPORT OF DAMAGES SUSTAINED 7 DECEMBER, 1941:
GUNNERY DEPARTMENT
(A) Damage to Turret II.

A bomb, apparently converted 15" or 16" shell about 1500 lbs. of low order detonation and small flame, struck the center gun outside the turret on the chase of the gun adjacent to the gun port. Upper right hand surface of the chase about 45° from vertical center line of barrel.

1. Exterior Damage.
   1. Hole in center gun through out hoops ("D" hoop) and into adjacent hoop ("C" hoop). "D" hoop badly cracked throughout its entire length.
   2. Metal strips used for securing storm bloomers were blown off left and center gun ports and torn loose from face of turret on the right gun port.
   3. Chases of left and right guns badly pitted (maximum depth 3/4") by fragments. (Turret crew filed and machined down the rough surfaces.)
   4. Several bolts holding weather strips to slide shield were sheared off.
2. Interior Damage.
   1. Slide of center gun cracked. There is a 1" crack extending aft on both sides of the lower cylindrical surface for about a quarter of the length of the slide.
   2. Gun port shield cracked above the pointer's seat.
   3. The plug operating lever and cam bolt was sheared off the breech of the center gun. (*New one manufactured by the machine shop and installed.)
   4. Both left and right guns are out of alignment. Guns are moved outboard about 1/2" so that gun port shields bear slightly against face plate and shoes near breech bears heavily against the outboard rubbing strips. It appears that the outboard deck lugs have bent outward slightly. Guns elevate satisfactorily.
   5. Optics in the center pit were badly jarred. (New ones have been installed.)

(B) Damage to Turret III.

A bomb, the same type as that described in paragraph (A), struck the top of the turret and pierced 5" armor of the after key plate. As it entered the turret it exploded with a low order detonation and broke up, pieces flying into the booth and left gun chamber. Flames from the blast shot into the booth and into all three gun chambers. The turret crew had just manned their stations and were in the process of closing all flame-proof doors and hatches when the bomb struck. In its descent it sheared off the starboard after yardarm of the mainmast giving the bomb an angle of fall of about 75°.

1. Exterior Damage.
   1. After key plate (5" armor).
      1. Longitudinal crack 4 feet long and, at the widest portion, 1 foot wide.
      2. Entire left side of plate, 7 feet measured from side armor toward center and 6 feet from after vertical armor to top transverse armor plate, dished in to depth of 10 inches.
      3. Bronze armor bolts in left edge of plate broken off.
      4. Double row of steel bolts connecting after key plate to transverse plate wire-drawn. Bolt heads drawn through transverse plate allowing key plate to bend down.
2. Interior Damage.
   1. Left gun after transverse supporting girder - bent and partially broken by fragments of shell.
   2. Transverse flame-proof bulkhead between booth and left gun buckled vertically from bending of armor plate above. Upper gun buckled vertically from bending of armor plate above. Upper 6 inches flared in toward booth.
   3. Flame-proof door between left gun chamber and booth (had been closed with only one or two dogs) warped until lower half nearly at right angles to upper part.
   4. Rangefinder bent at angle of 45°
   5. Periscope on left side of booth driven through to the deck.
   6. Visual range and deflection indicator and fiddle boards (welded to left bulkhead) in the booth and all electrical cables and sprinkling and air pressure lines on left side broken up.
   7. Rammer head, housing and section of chain badly crushed. Rammer motor frame pushed down out of alignment.

(C) Catapult on top Turret III.

1. 6 foot long section of catapult bent.
2. Left track and side broken and flared out.

(D) Gun No. 2, .50 Cal., M.G. Battery.

1. Trunnion bearings, trunnion bearing nut, cap square and 1-1/2 tap trunnion broken by shrapnel.
   
   Note: Gun out of commission for two hours. Repaired by ship-fitter's shop and now ready for firing in all respects.

C & R Department
(A) Foremast - 3" hole in deck of secondary forward.

(B) Mainmast - Starboard yard arm broken and missing.

(C) Machine Gun Platform forward of Conning Tower - Six holes in gun shield.

(D) Upper Deck:

1. Chock, broken, bent and sheared - upper deck port side, frame 7.
2. Awning stanchion broken and missing - upper deck frame 8-10, port side.
3. Upper deck, port side, frame 37-40 - approximately 10 holes through wood and steel deck.
4. Upper deck, port side, frame 48 - hole in wood deck.
5. Upper deck, port side, frame 58, awning stanchion fitting broken.
6. Upper deck, starboard side, frame 36, hole in wood deck.

(E) Main Deck:

1. Main deck, frame 127-130, steel deck buckled on port side. Wood deck removed, approximately 100 sq.ft.
2. Main deck, wood deck burned and charred from frame 136 to stern.
3. Gasoline pipe line, starboard side of ship at frame 106 to 110 is ruptured.
4. Stern airplane crane - subjected to great heat, extent of damage not known until test can be conducted.

(F) Second Deck:

1. Second deck, frame 102 to stern, port and starboard sides, "50" 12" air ports lens fused and gaskets burned out.
2. Second deck, port and starboard sides from frame 112 to stern, badly gutted by fire.

(G) Third deck - D-518-E, frame 148 starboard, blanked air port welding cracked from heat (welding done by NYPS).

(H) Shell plating (main deck to waterline) badly distorted by heat on port and starboard sides from frame 104 to stern. There is approximately 1,500 feet of cracks in the shell plating and 2,000 loose rivets.

(I) Port gangway and platforms burned and missing; starboard gangway badly burned.

(J) Magazines D-306-M, D-310-M, and D-312-M were flooded, cork insulation on deck water soaked and loosened from deck. Removed by Ship's Force after compartments were drained.

(K) The following damage was done to ship's boats and booms:

1. #3 - 50' motor boat, #2 - 50' motor launch, #2 motor whaleboat, and one 14' punt were destroyed by fire.
2. #1 - 50' motor launch - partly burned - unfit for use.
3. Two boat booms destroyed by fire.

(L) There are 21 blanked off ports in the area which was exposed to great heat. Of these blanked ports, one, item G above, the welding pulled apart due to the distortion of the shell plating. The regular ports in this area had the lenses fused, rubber gaskets burned, and the canvas stop-water between the port frame and the side of the ship destroyed. Except in small isolated cases, there was no burning of linoleum. This was probably due to the fact that the heat was above all linoleum rather than under.
ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
(A) All I.C. circuits and connection boxes aft of Frame 115 on second deck scorched and water soaked, requiring renewal.

(B) Magazines D-106-M, D-110-M and D-112-M flooded, requiring renewal of about 100 feet of lighting cable and about 100 feet of cable in the thermostat fire alarm circuit.

(C) Bomb hit in turret 3 destroyed telephone cable terminal plate and cut firing circuit in two places. Range and deflection indicator destroyed.

(D) Fire in maintop required renewal of about 100 feet of 13 pair telephone cable to selection switch.

(E) Ten ship service telephones destroyed by fire in Wardroom Country.

(F) Twelve telephone leads cut by splinters topside.

(G) Stern crane damaged by heat and fire. One interpole grounded. Push button start and stop remote control circuit burned out. Power lead forward of wardroom on second deck burned out for about 30 feet. Broken coil grounded by moisture from flooding.

(H) Stern light and quarter boom light fixtures burned off.

(I) Lighting cable burned out on second deck aft of Frame 116 with exception of Wardroom Mess. All fixtures burned up on starboard side.

(J) Eight bulkhead ventillating fans damaged beyond repair, two bulkhead heaters destroyed.

(K) The "Q" coil and quarter deck section of the "M" coil of the degaussing circuit destroyed.
COMMUNICATION DEPARTMENT
At no time during or after the action participated in by the U.S.S. Tennessee on December 7, 1941 were there any communication failures. Transmitters were maintained ready on through use of the vertical antennae. Minor damages to radio material were as follows:

1. Forestay, used on two separate receiving antennae, broken by bomb hit on Turret II. Replaced by 7/16" antenna wire.
2. Starboard half of TAQ antenna fell when bomb struck the after starboard yardarm. Repaired by ship's force.
3. CXAB 7/8" transmission line was shorted, presumably by heat in maintop.
4. 2KS sounder line in Navigation Bridge cut by bomb hit on Turret II. Repaired by ship's force.
5. Broadcast antenna plex distribution system and AC lines burned out in Wardroom country.

ww2dbase

Source(s):
United States National Archives, Modern Military Branch

Added By:
C. Peter Chen

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