CREW'S STORIES
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DESTROYER USS EDWARDS AND
USS BENNINGTON COLLISION
OFF SAN FRANCISCO
11 AUGUEST 1960
I was on the USS Bennington CVS-20 from Jan 1960-Aug 1962.
I was ships company until Feb 1962 and transferred to VS-33.
I remember the collision on 11 Aug 60.
I was in our berthing compartment on 3rd deck starboard side under the MARDET when there was a bump and a metal tearing sound, then the collision alarm sounded.
We all ran to the hanger deck and looked out through aircraft elevator #3 and saw the USS Edwards falling away with a gash in her superstructure (later it was estimated to be 110').
Photo from Wayne_Buescher
We then looked up and there were the Edward's torpedoes hanging from the bottom of the elevator.
Photo from Wayne_Buescher
The EOD climbed out and disarmed them.
We operated without the use of #3 and with those torpedoes hanging on the elevator. The elevator was kept at an angle and couldn't be used.
Photo from Wayne_Buescher
When we arrived back in San Diego, Long Beach Shipyard came down with a barge and removed the elevator and took it back to the shipyard and repaired it. We operated without it and they finally returned it and re-installed it.
Terry Farley
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