Which ultimately became fondly known as the “Mighty
90!”
Although initially I was a bit apprehensive
about “reading,” err listening to this book due to it’s title. I’d have to say
that Days of steel rain: the epic story of a WWII Vengeance Ship
in the Year of the Kamikaze, by Brent E. Jones was Hands Down the Best of the four
World War II ‘Ol School CD Audiobooks I’ve recently read.
What I liked about it best was it’s portrayals of the Men
serving on the Ship and their various roles and how they interacted. As the two
leading characters seemed to be the Ship’s first Captain, George Carol Dyer and
Marine Captain Gerard T. Armitage.
As I was unaware that during WWII, since I Don’t know if the
practice’s still carried out today? But a small Marines compliment, 42 men
total I believe, were assigned to serve as the Ship’s Security Detail. Providing
Security for the Ship’s Captain, along with being in charge of the Brig and general
Security.
Although both Men Held the same rank, Dyer was the Senior in
rank. Yet both Men formed a strong bond of Admiration, and Armitage took warmly
to Dyer simply calling Him soldier, which apparently were typically “fighting”
words to Marines then…
Both Dyer and Armitage overcame physical injuries incurred previously
during the war,. As Dyer suffered a serious Leg injury while aboard the USS Biscayne
in Salerno, Italy when being attacked by German aircraft. Yet Dyer was consumed
with recovering in order to gain command of a ship, since He desperately wished
to achieve the Fleet rank of Admiral, and at Age 45, saw His chances waning Fast.
Having to Skip accepting two commands while recouperating…
Armitage suffered a Broken Back when upon a Liberty ship that
I think was torpedoed by a Japanese Submarine? As Armitage served at Guadalcanal
and spent considerable time on the Island with His Back against a Palm Tree
awaiting transportation Home. As Armitage would spend a year becoming physically
fit to return to service.
Before Armitage’s Doctor said, you’re the first patient I’ve
Had that wants to Go Back to the War!
The Author Brent E. Jones, who I’d never Heard of before,
writes a wonderful “Nuts
& Bolts” account of the individuals involved in taking the Delayed Light
Cruiser to Battle in the last year of WWII. As the USS Astoria (CL-90) took 1,000
Days to build, and was the most costly and over budget Light Cruiser built
during the War.
As
it’s Funny How the “Statute of Limitations” has apparently run out after some
75 years plus, which the Author details, in a book that He spent ten years researching!
Beginning with describing how Bad the William Cramp & Sons Shipyard in Philadelphia was, being constantly
beset by workers Striking! Along with the low morale, and describing one
Enlisted Shipmate’s attempts at Gaming the System to keep from returning to War.
The
third USS Astoria, eventually known simply as the Mighty 90. Was named after
Her predecessor, which was Sunk in 1942. Although many Sailors believed this to
be a Bad Omen and flirting with King Neptune.
Captain
Dyer is Not impressed by the looks and workmanship of the Cramp & Sons
Shipbuilding concern when being on Hand for the Christening of Cleveland light
Cruiser USS Oklahoma City (CL-91) in December, 1942. As His USS Astoria (CL-90)
who’s Keel was laid down in September, 1941 sits unfinished and Overlooked in
another of the Shipyard’s “Berths.”
As
Dyer tasks His “XO,” (Executive Officer) Erasmus W. Armentrout Jr. to begin filling
the Astoria’s roster. Which I believe was comprised of 1,100 Enlisted Men and
some 110 or more Officers, since I’ve seen
numbers ranging between 1,263-1,285 total compliment.
The Cleveland Class Cruisers
were derived from the Brookland class Cruisers, and was larger than Her New
Orleans Class Cruiser Namesake’s predecessor with an Overall length of 610 Feet
One inches. Her Beam was 66 Feet Four inches wide and She drew a Draft of 24
Feet Six inches.
She weighed in at 11,744 Long
Tons, (11,932 T) which I finally got curious about this measurement I’ve seen
quoted several times. Learning that a Long Ton is the Imperial measurement or
short, the Metric amount vs. Standard Full Tons being U.S. measurement. And
Fully loaded, she weighed in at 14,131 Long tons. (14,358 T)
As where’s ‘Ol Professor
(Steve) Matchett to tell us about New Money vs. Old Money…
Her Armament consisted of 12
Six inch 152mm and 12 five inch 127mm Artillery Guns. Sporting two Six inch and
one five inch Turret Fore and Aft. With the remaining Five inch Turrets being
Midships. Along with sporting 28 40mm Bofors and 10 20mm Oerlikon Anti Aircraft
Guns.
Propulsion was generated from
four Steam boilers providing 100,000 Shaft Horsepower to Her four GE
Westinghouse Steam Turbine engines each turning one “Screw,” (Propeller) with a
Top Speed of 32.5 Knots.
She was also equipped with a compliment
of four Vought OS2U Kingfisher Floatplanes being launched from two stern Steam
Catapults. And I swear as a Wee’ lad that I built a plastic model kit of this
rugged Floatplane.
As the Kingfishers weren’t
equipped with folding Wings and therefore, obviously took more storage space
aboard their ships.
As there’s many snippets
about one of the Astoria’s Float plane pilots named Chuck Tanner. As Tanner and
Armitage became fast Friends thick as Brothers, since I believe they both
Hailed from the same City.
As Tanner and two other Floatplanes
are tasked with making a twilight rescue of Downed airmen in Japanese
territory, which wasn’t a normal mission. And the other two Floatplanes run low
on AvGas’. (Aviation Gasoline) Forcing All three to set down and wait for Daylight.
Sadly, the other Crews are
lost at Sea, since Tanner was the only one to Have a Sea Anchor in order to
ride out the Night. While Tanner decides the next morning He’d better try
getting Out of there. Since if He can See the Enemy’s shoreline positions, then
obviously they can See Him!
As Tanner goes out on the
main float and cleans the Fouled Sparkplugs in Hopes of being able to restart His
engine!
Taking off, Tanner’s forced
to land since the propeller’s stuck in low speed Pitch setting and will burn
more petrol. Landing and crawling out on the main float once again, Tanner
manages to Hammer the propeller into High pitch mode and quickly Departs again.
Using His Instruments and Dead
Reckoning from Charts. Tanner runs into a thick Cloud Barrier and determines
the Kingfisher will run Out of Gasoline in Six minutes Flying time. Pulling
back the canopy after setting his watch’s timer, Tanner prepares to Bail Out
and Parachute for what He Hopes is “Friendly” territory.
And while the USS Astoria’s Crew believes that Tanner’s been lost at Sea. The “Cucumber Cool” Float plane pilot who’s motto is “Low ‘N Slow.” Is then rescued by Friendly Coast Watchers who Help Tanner “Island Hop” back to Safety and ultimately be reunited with the USS Astoria.