[or-roots] Re: Pacific Typhoon

[Richard Smith]

We rode out a Typhoon in 1951 off the Formosa Straits.  I was newly 
assigned to my ship the USS Lenawee APA-195 and to stupid to be worried 
until after the fact when they showed us film about Typhoons.  I recall 
that at first we were trying to get out of the way then when we 
couldn't came about to quarter into it.  When we came about the ship 
rolled enough that the outboard landing craft dipped water on both 
sides causing major damage.  We carried two LCM's (these were about 65 
ft long) on and after hatch with and LCVP stowed in the cargo well of 
each.  These were tied down with multiple cables which on one 
apparently worked some slack as when we made the big rolls coming 
about,  one of them broke the cables and went overboard with the LCVP 
onboard and never even scratched the railing.  In addition to losing 
those landing craft, a large safe in the dispersing office that was 
welded to the deck broke loose and destroyed everything in it's path.

At the peak of the storm we had 120 knot winds and wave that were 80 ft 
from trough to crest.  The only thing that could be prepared for food 
was cold hand held items like sandwiches.  I remember that we had a 
little water in our living compartments and when you had to get out of 
your bunk to go on watch you would wait for a roll and when the water 
passed you would make a dash for the passage way ladder.  Of course, 
know-one was allow on deck for any reason as they would have been lost 
over board.

It was very exciting, especially when you didn't know enough to be 
afraid at the time.

Richard Smith RD2  when discharged