The USS North Carolina (BB-55) My all-time favorite warship. As an elementary school student in North Carolina, I donated nickels and dimes to save this ship back in the early sixties.

Sunday, January 15, 2023

USS Blue (DD-387)-- Part 4: Sunk Off Guadalcanal

After patrolling off Noumea, New Caledonia,  from 13-17 August, 1862, the Blue returned to Guadalcanal, arriving  21 August.  59, 22 August, while patrolling "Ironbottom Sound" she was torpedoed by the Japanese destroyer Kawakaze.

("Ironbottom Sound" was the name given by U.S. sailors for the sea area near Guadalcanal where dozens of ships were sunk and many planes shot down.)

The explosion wrecked the Blue's engines, shafts and steering gear, as well as killing  nine men and wounding 21 others.

Throughout 22 and 23 August, unsuccessful attempts were made to tow the Blue to Tulagi.  

She was scuttled  at 2221  on 23 August 1942 after all attempts to save her failed.

--GreGen


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