USS Rich DE695 Action Reports

(d) At this time (about 0920, as later deduced by the fact that all clocks had stopped) a heavy explosion shook the ship and staggered personnel as a mine exploded approximately fifty yards on the starboard beam. The ship at that moment was on a heading of about 180 degrees T, about 300 yards ahead of the AM engaged in passing a tow to the GLENNON, in the fire support channel, and in waters through which the AM and the RICH had passed shortly before. All light and power were temporarily lost due to tripping of circuit breakers. Sound-powered telephone communications were lost temporarily also, but this, it is believed, was due to personnel shock as bridge talkers reported all stations in about a minute. Word was passed to engine rooms and repair parties to check and report any damage. The quartermaster was interrogated closely and stated that degaussing coils were definitely and positively set for a southerly heading at the time of the explosion, but were off now due to the loss of power: a moment later he reported degaussing coils again energized. Three depth charges were blown from their projectors into the water, but did not explode, and two were blown to the deck. Orders were given to check the setting of all depth charges on safe. Repair parties reported there was no visible damage, and the forward engine room reported light and power regained, ready to answer all bells, and that only minor damage to gauge lines and instrument glasses had been sustained.

(e) An estimated three minutes after the above described explosion, a second underwater explosion occurred aft and directly under the ship. Bridge personnel were thrown to the deck and upon recovering it was observed that about fifty feet of the stern had been blown completely off and was drifting slowly away. It is believed that this break occurred aft of the deck house between #3 3"/50 gun and the 1.1/75 gun, and appeared to be a clean and complete break across one frame (about the middle of C-202-L). A few personnel were observed to be moving about on this after-section and others were observed in the water, in the process of being picked up by the ship's boat, and by small craft in the vicinity. Some debris and casualties were observed on the main section of the ship from the break forward to the stack. Two of the three torpedoes ran hot in their tubes. Word was passed to all stations with which there were still communications to report the extend of damage sustained, and orders were given to check all depth charge settings again, attempting to pass this word by voice to the stern section also. The only report received was from the Damage Control Officer to the effect that compartments forward of engineering spaces had suffered only minor damage. There was a sag about three feet in depth at the main deck across the ship in the vicinity of No.2 engine room, which might indicate the ship's back was broken there. Later check with survivors indicated that of the engineering spaces, only No.2 engine room was making water, and that only to a limited extent, through the after bulkhead and around sea chests. It is believed that at this point the ship might have been saved with the assistance of tugs. With this thought in mind, the Communication Officer was ordered to prepare to dispose of confidential and secret publications, and the Radio Technician was ordered to stand by to actuate IFF and radar destructors.