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In
1959 The USS Kawishiwi, AO-146 had a collision with the USS Lexington
CV16, that happen off Hawaii. Kawishiwi was trying to set some type of
zig-zag record while refueling the Lexington. The day was clear and
warm and off our fantail a Destroyer was there to record the
event. The fuel lines had been sent over and we were more or less
settled in for a normal run. The night before, the 3.70" ammo
magazines for #3 mount had flooded , port side. The Ammo had been set
on the deck to dry, which is not supposed to happen, in case of
fire cause by a fueling or collision accident.
We
noticed the ships were slowly drifting apart, so far that our
cables were snapping, Both captains were on the bullhorns calling
out "WHERE YOU RUDDER AT", then our ships started moving
towards each other, closer and closer then bang, we lock up. We bounced
off each other for what seems eternity. The 3.70" Ammo stack
on the 2th deck, broke lose and were rolling all over
the place, the Lexington hull was bouncing off the 3.70 mount
adding potential danger for
fire or explosion.
We
finally broken loose, the Destroyer filmed it all, I guess for training
purposes, on what not to do. The Kawishiwi went back to
safe harbor, I think we were in port about two weeks for
repairs, it's been a lone time ago. ..........................................................................................Ronald
Gust S.N. 58-59, 2nd Div.
See Ron's UFO Story
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