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Below are a series of Sea Stories authored by various members of the Class of 1942 . The stories have  previously   been Published on the Naval Academy Alumni Association Web Site

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For Those In Peril On The Sea      LOS

by RADM Kenneth G. Haynes '42, USN (Ret.)

It is autumn in the North Atlantic and the day breaks in typical fashion - cold and windy with surface visibility diminished by sea spray whipped along by a brisk northwesterly wind. A glance at the sky reveals a haze with an overcast around 2000 feet.

From the bridge of a destroyer, we are observing the weather in general and in particular, the operations of three NATO aircraft carriers - two US and one Canadian. It is the early days of a NATO Fleet exercise, and there is no indicator of the dramatic event which is to follow very soon.

On board the flagship, the Officer in Tactical Command confers with his aerologists in preparation for the day’s flight operations. The overcast at 2000 feet is forecast to remain at about that altitude until late afternoon, possibly until the early evening hours. It is also forecast that when the overcast does lower, it will do so quickly and reduce the ceiling and visibility to zero-zero. With the forecast in mind it is decided that flight operations for the first day of the exercise can go forward as scheduled.

Signal flags indicating the aircraft launch course (Foxtrot Corpen) are hoisted smartly to yardarms. The task force turns to the signaled course for flight operations and all three carriers commence launch operations. The course is good. No flight decks are fouled and the launch is completed in good order. Fifty aircraft are launched - forty AD Skyraiders from the two American carriers and ten Avengers from the Canadian. The aircraft circle the task force while rendezvousing and gaining altitude. All aircraft are directed to climb through the overcast, and when formed up to circle the force.

Then, as has been forecast for much later in the day, the overcast suddenly lowers and the entire force is completely “socked in.” One can barely see the foc’sl on the surface ships.

The aircraft are in the clear over the task force. Flight and squadron commanders are advised of surface conditions, and that the task force will remain in its present location. As soon as weather conditions permit all aircraft will be brought on board.

It is now early in the afternoon, and the aircraft are reporting sufficient fuel for at least another four hours. One can hear, via squadron flight radio frequencies, the reassurances by the few experienced pilots to those only recently carrier qualified.

Another look at the weather is not reassuring. Conditions at the location of the task force are widespread over much of the North Atlantic. There is no forecast for improvement in the immediate future. Simply speaking - no improvement is expected before fuel supplies are exhausted.

The Task Force Commander confers with the captains of the carriers. We all begin to understand the true meaning of authority coupled with responsibility. There are fifty aircraft and their crews circling the force in the bright sunshine while disaster threatens in the lowering gloom of the deep, gray North Atlantic.

The weather begins to worsen and darkness seems to approach with lightning speed. Now it is moving from possible disaster to impending catastrophe.

We are within range of an emergency landing facility in Southern Greenland. The Canadians decide that it is to be Greenland for their Avengers and preliminary instructions are transmitted to the crews. The Greenland facility is flanked by 7000 foot mountains on three sides. The area is subject to large magnetic compass errors. The Avengers fuel supplies are adequate only if optimum cruise speeds are maintained throughout the flight, which will be conducted for the most part, in darkness. The final order to the Avengers - prepare to go to Greenland.

These are sobering instructions. We all begin to realize that with each passing minute our aircraft have an ever decreasing chance of getting back on board. Surface visibility and ceiling remain zero-zero; water temperature is 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

100 miles to the south of the Task Force, a submarine picket is reporting better conditions. At the time, it is the only area of decent weather in the North Atlantic. The carriers are now pitching and rolling, zero-zero conditions are unchanged and darkness approaches. The Task Force turns south and at maximum speed commences to close the position of the submarine picket. Aircraft squadron leaders are instructed to rendezvous all aircraft, proceed in company to the position of the submarine and ditch one at a time.

The force at maximum speed is at least four hours north of the submarine’s position. The 50 aircraft are on the way and will be ditching in the dark, in 40 degree temperature water, with only a valiant submarine and her crew to aid in the rescue.

Now we hear from the Task Force Chaplain on the primary tactical communication circuit. He is asking all of us to join him in a prayer for the salvation of our pilots. He does and we do. Then complete silence descends upon us as the Task Force continues at maximum speed though increasingly heavy seas and impending darkness.

Suddenly, and without any prior indication, the ceiling and visibility in the vicinity of a screening destroyer commences to improve. Almost if by magic, the visibility increases to 3000 feet and the ceiling to about 2500 feet. The conditions continue to improve until in the early evening dusk, the entire Task Force is visible.

Orders go to the aircraft directing them to return and land on any deck available. All three carriers report “ready decks” and ten minutes later the first flight arrives. There is a magnificent scramble and thirty minutes later all are safely on board. Then as quickly as the overcast departed, it returns and envelopes the Task Force in a soft, gray shroud.

Thus ended the day for a NATO naval force