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1 Nov. 2008
First person account of the USS Hartley
collision as edited for the DESA news letter.
Collision of the USS Hartley DE 1029 and
Norwegian Freighter Blue
Master
by
HTCM T. D. Lathrop, USN/Ret.
June 1965, Newport, RI, as I walked up the gang way to the quarter deck
of the USS Hartley, sea bag on the shoulder, orders in hand, I was greeted by a First Class Ship Fitter, who said “Boy am
I glad you're here” handed me a ring of keys, he then saluted the Ensign and called back to me “good luck on this one” and
he disappeared down the pier.
After I checked in, I was informed we were getting underway by the weekend to go down to
Norfolk area and then head back up for a North Atlantic cruise.
It took a couple of days to get housing arranged, schools
for my kids and next thing I knew we were leaving port. I'd been in the shop area one day, met the fellows that made up R
division. I found a bunk and locker in the Engineering 1st class section, which was a small 8 bunk compartment off the starboard
side of the Engineering berthing. The next day, I took inventory of R division spaces, met more crew and then took in depth
tour of the Hartley. Taps, lights out, sea detail at 0400 next day. I recall reveille, sea detail being announced over the
1MC, then BANG, got knocked out of my rack, lights flickering, people yelling, heard “engine room blew up”, “hit a mine”,
everyone scrambling for the only scuttle out of compartment. When I came through the scuttle onto fantail, I looked forward,
could see starboard main deck peeled up in the air, steam blowing and a huge forward section of a dark ship that appeared
to have cut us in half. It was pushing us sideways, we were leaning over to the port and I remember looking up what seemed
like 80 – 90 feet to their foc'sle area and seeing one small flashlight peering down on us.
The seas were rough, wind blowing,
spitting rain, the side push came to a halt, then suddenly the freighter slowly backed out of the ship. The Hartley came upright
then slowly started to list to the starboard side. In all the confusion, I don't recall the collision alarm or GQ alarm being
announced, which conflicts to the report.
Damage control is an R Division responsibility. I looked around at unfamiliar
faces, said we need a damage assessment now, the faces jumped up and took off to investigate. One of the ship fitters opened
the DC locker and brought some emergency lanterns.
My new found friend was an engine man 1st class, think his name was
Phillyar, a big stout guy.
As the faces came back with their reports, it was apparent the compartment aft the engine room,
forward bulkhead and starboard skin would need to be shored up to prevent flooding and further damage.
Yelling out, we
need shoring timbers, shoring kit, more lights. Phillyar came back, looked like a northwest logger, with shoring and helpers.
We went down into the compartment, it was taking on water. We had to keep a steady stream of lights coming as each one would
only last for a few minutes, then die. We got mattresses stuffed into the big rip, backed up with a bunk bottom and shored
it into place. Then started on the forward bulkhead, it took two guys to hold the floating shore and one to cut by hand, then
stand on them to hold in place so they wouldn't float back up. Overhead shoring was a little easier, you could see the wedges
to hammer in place.
We all came back up on deck, told Phillyar we need to start pumping out the flooded space. There was
a P-500 on the fantail, rigged it up to pump out, pulled on the starter rope numerous times, finally sputtered to life, then
suddenly quit. A quick check revealed that it had seized up. I told Phillyar, I saw another P-500 forward near foc'sle, bring
that back here, we changed everything over to that pump, went to fire it up, we broke both starting ropes, it was seized up
tight!! No pumps.
During all that commotion, there was a coast guard helicopter hovering over our helo pad. Someone yelled
that the Captain wants to see me up on Helo deck, I ran up there, he said I don't know your name, but do we need any assistance?
I told him we need pumps to start dewatering. The coast Guard had lowered a pad and a pencil, I wrote we needed dewatering
pumps with suction lines, he retracted the clip board, gave me a thumbs up, flew off, they returned shortly with two big salvage
pumps and all the gear, I thanked them with a big thumbs up.
We got everything hooked up and finally started to make headway
on dewatering.
I do remember the tug trying to get a tow line aboard. The messenger line would break because of rough seas.
On their last effort, you could see the tugs screw kick up sand off the bottom, it was almost time to abandon ship to get
ashore, but the helo took the line from the tug and slowly inched his way across the foc'sle and the crew up there was able
to hold on, then it was all hands to pull the tow howser on board.
The damage control efforts and calamities encountered
on the Hartley influenced me from that day on, for the constant importance of preventative maintenance and proper operation
of all damage control equipment and training of all personnel aboard ship.
After the Hartley, I continued a Navy career
aboard ships and stations on both coasts. I retired from the Navy after 20 years service and the last tour of duty was 3 years
as the officer in charge of the Fleet Fire Fighting School, Naval Station, Treasure Island, CA.
5-13-08
Military
Salute When Not in Uniform
Amendment to Title 4, United States Code, to prescribe that a member of the Armed Forces
and veterans out of uniform may render the military salute during hoisting, lowering, or passing of the flag.
The National
Defense Authorization Act for FY 2008 (Public Law 110-181) was signed by the President on 28 January 2008 and included a section
(Section 594) addressing this issue. According to the law, “all persons present in uniform should render the military salute.
Members of the Armed Forces and veterans who are present but not in uniform may render the military salute. All other persons
present should face the flag and stand at attention with their right hand over their heart, of if applicable, remove their
head dress with their right hand and hold it over their heart. Citizens of other countries present should stand at attention.
All such conduct toward the flag in a moving column should be rendered at the moment the flag passes.
3-28-06
Hartley/Boyaca
Project Guatape Colombia Update
On 3-26-06, The Newport Dealeys received the following email from Luis Castro in Colombia:
Hello
Shipmates:
This week I had lunch with Capt. Raul Tamayo, he is a former engineering officer from the Boyacá, and used to
work for the company in charged of telling the government how much would it cost to put the Boyacá back in one
piece. The
lowest budget is $4,500,000. So,looks finally it will not come out. It is a very high price and the project won’t be profitable.
Luis Castro ARC Boyaca DE 16
Luis will keep us informed on any further developments
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