The Sailor
04-03-2008, 06:36
While Kearny was escorting a convoy in the North Atlantic before the United States entered the war, three convoy merchant ships were torpedoed 16 October. Kearny immediately began dropping depth charges and continued to barrage throughout the night. At the beginning of the midwatch 17 October, a torpedo fired by U-568 struck Kearny on starboard side. The capable crew confined flooding to the forward fire room enabling the ship to get out of the danger zone with power from the aft fire room. Regaining power in the forward fire room, Kearny steamed to Iceland at 10 knots (20 km/h), arriving 19 October. Kearny lost 11 bluejackets and 22 others were injured in this attack. After temporary repairs Kearny got underway Christmas Day 1941, and moored six days later at Boston, Massachusetts, for permanent repairs.
USS Kearny survived the war.
The bottom picture shows her alongside USS Monassen and the huge hole made by the torpedo. A testament to her design that she could survive such a hit.
USS Kearny survived the war.
The bottom picture shows her alongside USS Monassen and the huge hole made by the torpedo. A testament to her design that she could survive such a hit.