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On returning
to San Pedro Harbor from the Far East, Kawishiwi’s
captain had to display his ship handling capabilities. Kawishiwi was making ready to receive needed
repairs when she encountered trouble. Seaman A.M. Blackner explained in an email.
”I was on
the flying bridge which is where the conn was during our trip to Todd
Shipyard
in San Pedro, CA. The pilot and Captain J. B. Swain were running the ship
from
anchorage, proceeding to Todd shipyard with the pilot
having the conn. A Navy tug was
assisting in the move as Kawishiwi
neared the shipyard. We did have a liberty boat in the water which was
normal
when the ship was at anchorage in Long Beach harbor. The
coxswain was a
guy named Wooten. As we entered the shipyard waters, very tight
quarters, the
tug was along port side aft helping to maneuver the ship to the pier in
Todd. The ship was also
under
power as we neared the pier, Captain Swain and his great ability as
a good
ship handler knew that we were moving too fast...he sang out
loudly...."I
have the conn!"....."Emergency BACK" this
prevented Kawishiwi from ramming the
pier in front of the ship which had many pipes...probably carrying a
variety of
products...no doubt some of explosive nature. At that moment the tug
was in
close on the port aft quarter and as the screws probably caused some
drawing of
the tug closer...managed to take a few chops through the tugs starboard
aft
quarter and it sank in a matter of minutes. Scranton SM2 also on the bridge, told Capt.
Swain,"you better send a boat back to the tug -
it's sinking".
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The crew of the tug
jumped
into the water...we called to the liberty boat verbally ....it was on
our
starboard aft quarter, to go around to port and pick up the tug crew.
Since I
was 1JV talker I heard and saw the whole thing unfold.
After
being in dry dock
in Long Beach for some time, having
the screw
repaired, Kawishiwi entered San Pedro Harbor again, but while
shifting oil from one tank to another, she dumped several tons of oil
into the
local marina. Kawishiwi then
left for Hawaii, leaving many yacht
owners very upset.
All Photos by
Robert Lewandowski SF2 (54-57)
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J. B. Swain was a good captain and
expert ship
handler but a very tough captain. The first year we were in
commission we
had 25 summary court marshals on board. He also convened one
special
court martial aboard during my time on Kawishiwi.
One of the crew missed movement and that lead to the special court
martial. He was defended by a seaman by the name of Walsh who
unbeknownst
to the board of officers on the court martial board, Walsh was a member
of the
bar in the state of Illinois who was drafted into the Navy during the
late
fifties. Walsh got the man off with a
light
sentence and later moved from the deck force to ship's office to never
represent another mate."
Tony Blackner YN3 (55-57)
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Click this photo
for larger view
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I
was aboard when we sunk that tug in Todd's Shipyards. Fox Div. had
anchor and sea duty on the fantail so we watched it jump with each prop
hit. Seemed like the tug Captain thought he could ignore it and
continue on. Surprise! I will send you some pix one of these days as
promised in Boulder. They're slides and I have to get them out.
Richard
Inman FT2 (56-59)
GIANT CRANE RAISES SUNKEN TUG
Huge
German-made crane salvages 320-ton tug, YBT-266, near Todd Ship yards
drydock Saturday. tug sank in 30 feet of water Friday while towing Navy
tanker Kawishiwi after larger vessel's propeller struck side of tug and
ripped it. open, forcing five crewmen to swim ashore.
Press-Telegram
photo by Bob Shumway
Submitted by Bill Willis ETSN 55-57
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