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Newspaper clipping of USS Mayo standing by burning USS
WAKEFIELD on 3 September, 1942.
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As a fire-rescue feat, this cooperative
performance by cruiser and destroyers was tops. That
over 1,400 men had been snatched from the inferno
without a single fatality speaks well for the Navy's
training and discipline. |
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Theodore Roscoe, Historian, Destroyer
Operations of World War
II | |
Rescue of USS Wakefield AP-21
While escorting convoy RA-18 back to the States on September
3, 1942, the lookouts of the cruiser Brooklyn and destroyer Mayo
noticed a cloud of smoke billowing from the ex-liner- now troopship-
USS Wakefield around 1830 hours. The Wakefield had 650 crewmembers,
plus 1000 defense workers that had been working in England, on board
at the time of the fire. Immediately seen from the transport was the
signal……." I am on Fire.", as she dropped out of the convoy
formation.
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MAYO alongside WAKEFIELD fighting fires
and taking on survivors. Cruiser BROOKLYN is coming
alongside.
| Receiving
permission from Task Force 38's Commander Bryant, the Mayo moved
alongside the transport's port bow to render assistance at 1900
hours as quickly but carefully as possible. The transport's
amidships was now fully engulfed in flame, driving the ship's
passengers and crew to the bow and stern of the transport.
The first to reach the blazing Wakefield, the Mayo broke out
firehoses and took in rope ladders from WAKEFIELD to take on
survivors. Within 20 minutes, 247 men were taken from the burning
liner to safety aboard the Mayo. The cruiser Brooklyn moved
alongside at 1907 hours -taking some 800 survivors- and by 1927
hours had cast off. About 300 men still remained aboard the
transport as her Captain believed the fire could be brought under
control. The Task Force Commander ordered BROOKLYN to "stand by" as
the fire seemed to intensify. MAYO was ordered to rejoin the convoy
and head to New York.
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Men massed together on the fantail of
WAKEFIELD.
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At
this time, the WAKEFIELD's Captain ordered "Abandon Ship" and
USS Madison moved in to take 80 survivors aboard from lifeboats.
BROOKLYN again came forward to pick up the remaining men aboard and
searched WAKEFIELD's decks with her searchlights. NIBLACK DD424
picked up a lifeboats worth of survivors and provided a screen with
two other destroyers to escort WAKEFIELD to Halifax as a tug came
out to tow her in.
All hands were removed from the burning
liner in a exemplary show of outstanding seamanship. Wakefield was
eventually rebuilt from the waterline up and was back at sea by
Mid-late 1944.
MAYO and Commander Irving Duke were awarded
the Legion of Merit for their heroic action and show of leadership.
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The MAYO crew members did a outstanding job in
feeding and bedding down the survivors. There were
almost too many to handle, but, fortunately, they were
only aboard for a short time. |
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Jack Downin,
Lieutenant | |
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