The recent events involving two Navy vessels in separate incidents reminds me of a time in my life where my shipmates and myself were very lucky to be alive.
Having served for almost 12 years in the Navy, I was also involved in a shipwreck resulting in heavy damage to the ship, but luckily there were no fatalities almost no one was injured.
On July 13th, 2000 the USS Denver (LPD-9) was scheduled to do an underway replenishment (take-on fuel) with the USNS Yukon (T-AO 202). Our ship was making its way to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii for our final port visit and to pick up family members so they could ride the ship back to San Diego, California.
The day was sunny with a little breeze. Some clouds hovered over the Denver as I remember seeing the Yukon in a distance standing on the flight deck. I had just left Deck Department and moved to Supply Department after passing my advancement exam and becoming a Postal Clerk.
I remember waiting in line to get lunch with Marines and Navy personnel. As I sat down, there were two Marines and one Sailor sitting at my table with me, a Marine in front and a Marine to my left.
It was a very confusing situation as I was eating and the General Alarm echoed throughout the ship. I looked at the Marine in front of me and he stared back with a concerned look on his face. The alarm stopped after about three seconds.
Shortly after, the Collision Alarm went off. It went off for about two seconds before a loud crash had occurred. Sailors and Marines fell over. Condiments, trays, cups and TV’s all crashed to the deck. The smell of burnt metal quickly made its way from the bow (front part of the ship) all the way to the aft (back part of the ship).
The General Alarm sounded again and every sailor was to make his or her way to the repair lockers, as everyone knew we had crashed with the Yukon. The ship was feared to have been taking on water so it was ordered that the ship lower the aft part of the ship so the bow may rise.
The captain had come over the 1MC to tell everyone that we had hit the Yukon and not to go to the forward part of the ship for safety reasons. After we had been released from our repair lockers I made my way to the Supply Berthing, which was directly behind the forward compartment that had been crushed from the crash.
I had two sea bags full of my uniforms and everything else I had bought for friends and family in that forward compartment. I remember my supervisor opening the door to the forward compartment and you could see right outside to the water. One of my dog tags that were in one of the sea bags was embedded into the bulkhead (wall).
That day the crew and embarked Marines were very lucky to be alive.
I hope the family members, friends and crew of the USS Fitzgerald and USS John S. McCain find peace during this difficult time. May the sailors who lost their lives rest in peace.
