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(f) About two minutes after the explosion described in (e) above, a third explosion occurred. My only
recollection of this being the sensation of flying through the air, after which there must have been a period of unconscious-ness. Upon
regaining consciousness. I found myself on the deck some ten or fifteen feet from my
usual station on the flying bridge. I got to my feet with some difficulty to survey the damage. The flying bridge was completely demolished with the mast laying across the debris: all personnel appeared dead or unconscious except
myself and Ensign W. B. Cunningham, assistant Gunnery Officer, but upon going to the side, a few more could be seen moving on the
deck below. The force of the explosion and its effect on material and personnel were terrific, and the following descriptions are based on personnel observations placed together with information obtained later from survivors. It is believe that the mine exploded approximately under the aft Machine Room. The bow drooped forward of a
spot just aft of #1 3"/50 gun, and it is believed that the force of the explosion had opened, or sprung doors and hatches so that flooding was extending forward of the Forward Mess hall and more slowly aft of that space. The ship began to settle slowly by the bow. The forward
fire room was severely damaged and had to be abandoned: the after fire room
lost pressure and was forced to secure. The extent of damage in engine rooms is not definitely known, except for the leakage in No.2 caused by the previous explosion. Personnel casualties were heavy, the force of the explosion having thrown men as much as fifty feet or more, and it is believed that not more than two
or three men who were forward of the mast survived without more or less severe head, back or leg injuries. Considering the damaged condition of the ship, the immediate and urgent task appeared to be to removed the injured to small craft before the ship should sink, and the number of uninjured able to assist in this task was entirely inadequate to accomplish this in the time believed available. Life rafts were cast loose. Attempt was made to hail alongside all
PT, British ML, and Coast Guard patrol craft in the vicinity, and these vessels sent men and blankets aboard to move the injured. The crew of the motor whaleboat also came aboard after having picked up survivors blown into the water by the explosions. All these worked unstintingly to remove the wounded to the small craft that came
along side and left only when the ship started its final plunge. It is estimated - very roughly - that the ship floated for about fifteen minutes, starting the final plunge slowly by the bow, but gathering momentum and turning on its starboard side as it settled. Men who had been working to remove the injured stepped off with the last injured men as their deck went under.
All cleared the ship, swam free of the turbulent waters, and were picked up by a coast guard patrol craft from which we were delivered to LST-401 for treatment and later transfer to hospitals in the United Kingdom.
(g) The forward section of the vessel was a complete loss, sinking in about forty feet of water in a location approximately three miles bearing 325 degrees from Ile du Large Lt. in the San Marcouf Islands (Lat. 49 degrees 31' N Long. I degree 10.6' W). The aft section was not seen to sink by the Commanding Officer, but is understood to have sunk in the near vicinity in approximately the same depth of water. Salvage is believed possible although the hull is considered to be damaged
severely and of doubtful value. However, it is believed that considerable machinery, ammunition, guns
and other equipage would be found in good enough condition to make salvage worthwhile. So far as is known, none of the ship's ammunition detonated, and no fires broke out.
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