In 1944 the USS Shadwell (now the EX-USS Shadwell) began its long history with the US Navy and my father James T. Jones was aboard during the some of the more interesting times (i.e. the torpedo attack in Jan. 1945). Unfortunately, with his passing, he left me with many unanswered questions about his career, particularly his duties on the Shadwell. I'm in the process of writing a book about this vessel and it's unique history. The problem is that there are very few men left from that time. I have a wealth of information from the 50's to present day, but there are many gray areas in the 40's. If anyone who reads this was one of the crew from WWII or knows of someone who was aboard and is still with us, please contact me. This is a grand ship, it has a rich history and any help would be greatly appreciated. Chris Jones email: cjones0305@military.com or cjones0305@yahoo.com

Posted by Chris Jones
May 28 2001 11:48:31:000PM

After shakedown, Shadwell sailed from Hampton Roads on 26 August 1944. She transited the Panama Canal on 1 September and headed for San Diego, where she laid over for a docking period. After almost a month at San Diego, she departed on 2 Octoher to join the Pacific Fleet. Upon arrival, Shadwell was employed in the transportation of heavy amphibious equipment between the islands of the southern Pacific. During this time, she visited Tulagi and Guadalcanal in the Solomons, Espiritu Santo on the New Hebrides Manus in the Admiralties, and Hollandia and Aitape on New Guinea.

On 28 December 1944, Shadwell embarked elements of the 1060th Engineer Battalion, United States Army and sailed from New Guinea with Task Force 78. Though her convoy came under continual submarine, surface, and air attack, so efficient were the screening units that Shadwell's guns remained silent throughout the entire voyage to Lingayen Gulf, Luzon, P.I. However, on 9 January 1945 (Lingayen D-day), Shadwell's gunners proved their worth by splashing a Zeke. Shadwell returned immediately to the staging area at Hollandia, New Guinea, embarked additional troops of the 1060th Army Engineers, then departed for Leyte, P.I. At Leyte, she joined Task Group 78.8, which soon made for Lingayen.

On the evening of 24 January 1945, the task group was sailing south of Siquijor Island, in the Philippines, when it was attacked by three torpedo bombers. Two were splashed bv the convoy's combat air patrol but the third escaped into the darkness. It soon returned, swooping down from the hills on the island, and pressed home its attack. The convoy's antiaircraft guns brought the enemy down, but not before he was able to release his torpedo. The air-dropped "fish" struck Shadwell just forward of amidships on the starboard side, tearing a hole in her bottom 60 feet wide. The landing ship was taking water badly and soon began to sink. The convoy steamed on while two destroyers stood by to evacuate her crew if necessary. Shadwell's crew worked frantically to save their sinking ship and, by morning, their efforts were rewarded. Shadwell was steaming under her own power, steering for Leyte by trick wheel. Of the more than 500 men aboard Shadwell at the time, there were no fatalities and only three casualties, all only slightly injured.

Temporary repairs were made at Leyte and, when she was deemed seaworthy, Shadwell steamed on to Manus in the Admiralty Isiands. There she went into drydock and underwent further temporary repairs before crossing the Pacific for permanent repairs