USS Independence [KTB 104]

From the data sent by CHARLES A. THOMPSON (519-1988) we read more of the damage to the aircraft carrier USS INDEPENDENCE on 20 November, 1943. She was first of eight light aircraft carriers of her class, which were refitted from CLEVELAND class cruisers, laid down in 1941.

DAMAGE ANALYSIS

Toward the end of the day on 20 November, 1943, a task force of high- speed aircraft carriers, with USS INDEPENDENCE in company, underwent an air attack by Japanese aircraft in the vicinity of the Gilbert Islands. During a left turn at high speed, INDEPENDENCE received a hit from an aerial torpedo which exploded four meters from the after bulkhead of the after machinery spaces on the starboard side. All of the hull structure in the area of the explosion was destroyed, including the first platform and the lower armored deck; a large hole was formed in the side.

Within two or three minutes after the explosion, the after machinery spaces were flooded and the water slowly began flooding the after boiler room and the after magazine through the open piping system and electrical cable packing glands. The right inboard screw began to vibrate and, before the engines could be stopped, it broke the flange. Then, as a consequence of strong vibration, one more shaft went out of commission, and speed dropped to 13.5 knots.

At the auxiliary base. toward which the ship headed under its own power, the hole was temporarily fixed and a preliminary repair was made to enable transfer to a main base for major repairs.

CONCLUSIONS

USS INDEPENDENCE received severe damage to the hull and engines from the explosion of one aerial torpedo in the stern section and went out of commission. Open piping and leaky electric cable packing glands in the bulkheads caused the spread of water to compartments adjacent to those which were flooded as a result of damage by the explosion.