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The Whale - 20 May 1945
From: "James Stevenson" jimpat96@juno.com
To: bennington@uss-bennington.org
Sent: Thursday, June 08, 2000 9:09 PM
I've heard mention of a whale being a problem for the Benn. Can someone relate the tale of the whale for myself and others not familiar with the story.
Many Thanx.
T J [Steve] Stevenson
Subject:
Re: The Whale
Date:
Thu, 8 Jun 2000 22:25:40 -0400
From:
"Bill Copeland" BCopeland@uss-bennington.org
To:
bennington@uss-bennington.org, "James Stevenson" jimpat96@juno.com
References:
1
During World War 2, Bennington was taking part in air strikes against Okinawa, and routinely was retreating back to sea, when Japanese Navy forces appeared in the area. The Task Force was making good time, when all of a sudden Bennington started slowing down, unable to keep up with the other ships, even though they were "full speed ahead" It soon became apparent that the bow of the Bennington had rammed and IMPALED a whale on the bow, causing the great drag. The ship came to a complete stop and they backed down the engines, trying to dislodge the whale. Meanwhile Japanese Navy Ships remained in the area. Faced with no other choice, the ship came to a complete stop and divers went over the side of the ship to use small explosives to finally dislodge the whale carcass.
(This is the story as I remember it, when making the video Bennington goes to war....... actual details including declassified pictures of the whale impaled on the bow are included in the video.)
Bill Copeland
BCopeland@uss-bennington.org
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