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 12]

Saturday- 13 Dec.

Small sub captured in P.H. yesterday - or so we heard!! It seems these small 65 foot subs with a crew of 6 men follow the ships in and lie on the bottom. At least four subs have been sunk in P.H. , and, as the story goes , the first was a large one which entered flying the Ameican flag and with the name "Pompano" on her stern.

G.Q. on schedule this A.M. - a very beautiful morning with a truley lovely sunrise. Too much beauty to realize these are most dangerous waters in world. Sighted another [submarine] today off Oahu - started in the entrance at 1230, had to wait until after 1530.

As we went in over a dozen destroyers & many planes covered us. Four depth charges were released nearby and the sound made one young sailor remark that he thought it sounded like we had hit some rocks on one side.

[Page 13]

#1 MWB out of commission due to for (EM1C) [Engineman 1st Class] securing without my knowledge -so I got the riot act- but also got to stand on boat deck as we came in and see the damage to P.H.

A pursuit ship washed on beach our first sight of damage, then the burned hangers at Hickam and the barracks gutted by bombs and fire, then we entered the channel to find the Nevada on the bottom at the entrance to Middle Loch across from Ford Island- her deck almost awash, yet her guns manned and flag flying from exposed mast. The story of the Nevada is that she got underway in 13 minutes with several hits and a Chief Qtrmstr [Quartermaster] took her out alone with no other officer on the bridge. In the channel she was torpedoed again and so was directed to get clear of channel. Nose on mud- then tugs pused stern around until she rests as is now.

[Page 14]

Casulties -not exceedingly heavy, 4 officers -7 men.

One hanger on Ford Island burned , wreckage of PBY's [Patrol Bomber Y-"Patrol Flying Boat"] quite prominent, pursuits disabled seen to one side of field -many good PBY's still available.

To right Hosp [Hospital] O.K.- Floating Drydock badly damaged - the 373(Shaw - Walter Seedloch aboard) had a hit on bridge and all fwd part destroyed completely- one other vessel in dock and the dock itself sunk.

The Pennsyvania alongside 1010 dock- bow patched- had been hit only there- O.K. otherwise and with a strong anti-sub net around her.

Honolulu & Helena in drydock slight damage only-ready for action soon. Oglala on side at 1010-seems she has usual berth for Penn [Pennsylvania] and was sunk thereby. Navy Yard & shops in good shape-no hits.

[Page 15]

Now to our left lay the most sickening sight imaginable -namely the result of that dammable
attack made last Sunday. The California on the bottom, decks covered, foremast burned , turrets trained askew, and looking like an old tired water-logged hulk with with fairly good masts stuck
on her.

Thr Oklahoma lay on its side with one screw exposed-no holes seen in her side, but it must have been terrific, for she sank in 12 minutes. I was told that mem are still being removed from closed compartments - many of them alive. The West Virginia astern with the Tennessee inboard.
The West Va. was badly damaged -her decks only a foot or so above the water and her forecastle and bridge completely destroyed -a mass of wreckage - turrets visable, burned badly, boats shattered -aft there was little damage. The Tennessee was burned but not badly enough to delay her long-

[Page 16]

however she is unable to move due to position of WV [West Virginia] & Okla [Oklahoma] .

Astern of these lay the Arizona, or what is left of it. Forecastle under water and the foremast a twisted charred mass of metal-mainmast alone sticking out of water and recognizable. Looks far worse than the Baltimore.

Once in we went into dock at berth 17- anti-sub net astern. Immediately began fueling and provisioning ship. #2 mwb crushed by a barge- bow stove in -can be salvaged -I have duty section- port watch posted. @ 2130 took YO-43 alongside for gas & diesel oil. - Through by 0100-packed suitcase and so to bed.

Sub supposed to have followed us into harbor-(?)

December

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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

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Center for Digital Projects | Special Collections | Joyner Library | East Carolina University

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