Page:DoD USS Liberty Inquiry Press Release 28 Jun 1967.djvu/14

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Within a couple of minutes, a lOud explosion was heard that appeared to me t0""c0me from the port side of the ship. I immediately ordered the general alarm to be sounded, and this was done. I went from the starboard wing of the bridge to the port wing to see the area of damage. I immediately noticed that the two 55-gallon gasoline drums stowed on the 01 level, portside amidships, were burning furiOusly. It was evident that it w0uld not be possible to reach the quick release lever by proceeding down the outside port ladders of the ship. I ordered the ExeCutive Officer to go to the starboard side of the ship and proceed down to the 01 level, cross over to the port side, and there release the gasoline cans. Lieutenant O'Connor was still on the bridge and he joined the Executive Officer and both proceeded to the starboard wing of the bridge, 03 level. Approximately the time they reached the top of the ladder to proceed down, the ship received an apparent bomb hit in the vicinity of the whaleboat stowed on the 02. level starboard side, immediately aft of the bridge. Mr. Armstrong, Mr. O‘Connor and others in the bridge area were thrown back into the bridge and other personnel in the pilothouse were blown from their feet. At this time, I grabbed the engine order annunciator and rang up all ahead flank.

Up to this time, the ship had one boiler on the line steaming at speed five knots. The other boiler was not on the line but pressure was being main— tained in order to be able to respond to Speeds in excess of that which is capable with one boiler, apprOximately 11 knots, should it be necessary. Earlier in the day, the Engineering Officer had requested permission to let number two boiler cool so that he could replace a steamline gasket. This per- mission had been granted and the boiler had started to cool from about 1200 on 8 June. I do not know whether the engine room acknowledged by the engine order telegraph the flank bell or not, but smoke immediately commenced coming out of the stack and I assumed that they did. It seemed to me that shortly thereafter the ship increased speed.

At this time I ordered a person, who I believe to have been Lt. Bennett, to report'to CNO via the highcom that LIBERTY was under attack by uniden— tified jet aircraft and that immediate assistance was required. I do not recall whether I ordered any course changes to have the. ship zig~za:g or not. One helmsman was Seriously injured in the starboard bridge bomb blast, and he was replaced by Quartermaster Third Brown. I do not re call who had the helm at the time of the initial attack.

The response of the crew to general quarters was very expeditious. I do not recall whether all of the bridge personnel ever arrived on station or not, but the public address System, the 21 MC, (an electrically-powered inter-com system) and most sound powered phone circuits were severed or destrOyed during the initial first or second of the total number of six to eight strafing attacks that occurred. Rh