Robert Hailey, Diary (USS Indianapolis), 7 December 1941

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Robert Hailey, Diary ( USS Indianapolis ), 7 December 1941

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December

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[Page 5]

sea rough
sky cloudy
-27 kts [knots]

Monday 8 Dec., 1941

417.5 mi

- A quiet night -G.Q. at 0515 - landed two planes- Apparently we contacted the enemy last night about 1:30 -at least three ships located by RDF [Radio Direction Finder]- We avoided action - are to meet COMAIRBAT [Commander Air Batallion] with the Lexiington , several cruisers & DD's near Johnson Is. @0900- Sea calmer than yesterday-no water over forecastle @ 27 knots -1100 [hours] Have joined with other forces, one carrier[aircraft carrier], 3 CA [armored crusiers], and about 6 DD's [destroyers] -anticipate action today. Reported that P.H. bombed again this A.M.

News commentators yesterday thought this just a "mad final plunge" much on the order of hari-kari. Wonder if they would say the same if only knew how nearly they seem to to be getting away with it -wow, and we all mad! Whitaker & I wonder if "hail" insurance is going to get us anything in case the car was hit.- All are concerned over friends, families, and relatives .- Wish I could assume mother that all is well and we missed the air raid.

[Page 6]

No action although Lexington's planes searched a very large area .We headed for P.H. until received a report that Johnson Island being shelled. Returned at high speed and found false alarm - our own radio silence sometimes makes it difficult to know what to do. At 2200 I was awakened to check on #2 unit evaporators which was salting up- pulled 2nd effect brine valve and cleaned - cracked 1st effect coils and cleaned sumps - got over 60 lbs salt out. To bed about 0100 after a talk with Mr Young & one of other civilians in wardroom.

December

Citation : [Diary of Robert Hailey], 7 December 1941, Robert Hailey Papers.
Location : East Carolina Manuscript Collection, Special Collections, Joyner Library, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858 USA
Call Number : Robert Hailey Papers #643.2.c. Display Collection Guide

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Citation :	[Diary of Robert Hailey], 7 December 1941, Robert Hailey Papers.
Location :	East Carolina Manuscript Collection, Special Collections, Joyner Library, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858 USA
Call Number :	Robert Hailey Papers #643.2.c. Display Collection Guide


Exhibit Tools Search Browse Contact Us About the Exhibits Contributors User Information About the Collage	Day of Infamy Exhibit War Begins First Reactions Second Wave Striking Back Smaller Ships News Spreads Looking Back