LOST CRUISER

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 78, 1 May 1943, Page 5

LOST CRUISER

SINKING OF CHICAGO DEADLY SECOND ATTACK New York, March 7. The United States cruiser Chicago, already powerless from two torpedo hits the night before and being towed slowly, never had a chance as Japanese torpedo planes attacked again on the afternoon of 30th January. Eleven torpedo planes concentrated on the cruiser, says a delayed despatch to the New York "Times.” “Five torpedoes headed right for us. We sat there knowing at least three or four would hit us,” said Lieutenant Edward B. Jarman, aged 25, the Chicago’s air defence officer. “It was still for a minute or more before they hit —four of them,” he added. TORPEDO HITS MAGAZINE “One torpedo hit the forward magazine, which already was flooded. Three struck aft where he had been hit the day before. She laid over on her starboard side and went down fast but smooth —in 19 minutes.” In spite of that concentrated attack, one of the most intense yet hurled at any United States ship, the Chicago lost only six officers and 56 men of more than 1100 personnel. “We got off every survivor on rafts,” Lieutenant Jarman added. TWENTY-FOUR ENEMY PLANES The Chicago was a member of a task force patrolling south of Guadalcanar when 24 Japanese torpedo planes made the first attack in two waves an hour after sunset on 29th January. The escorting fighters had left the task force just 15 minutes earlier. Lieutenant Jarman continued : “There was just enough light to silhouette our ships. We opened fire at 7.25 p.m. One torpedo just missed us. The first wave of Japanese dropped float lights to light us up and marker flares to designate our position. “We shot down at least three Japanese planes and other ships in the task force got at least three more. “Two torpedoes hit us. They all concentrated on the Chicago, apparently mistaking her for a battleship because of her construction. No other ship was hit. Fire broke out in our engine-rooms and we lost all power. “WE WERE A COLD SHOT” “The fires were not serious and we had them out in 25 to 30 minutes. We were taken under tow and headed for port, while the task force resumed its patrol. “The next morning we were taking more water than the books said we could and keep afloat, but we kept her up. “At 4.25 p.m. we sighted more planes on ourl beam. We were making only four knots under tow. The Japanese dropped their torpedoes well out because we were a cold shot, and then came straight in to strafe.” The loss of the Chicago was announced by the United States Navy Department in a communique on 16th February, saying 17 Japanese ships in all were sunk or damaged in a four-day engagement in the Solomon Islands. American losses were given as the Chicago and an unnamed destroyer.