Remember Pearl Harbor, and my Dad Elverne G. (Hap) Towner
Photo #: 80-G-19933Pearl Harbor Attack, 7 December 1941USS Vestal (AR-4) beached on Aiea shoal, Pearl Harbor, after the Japanese raid. She is listing from damage caused by two bombs that hit her during the attack.Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.
Photo #: 80-G-258905Battle of Kolombangara, 13 July 1943USS Saint Louis (CL-49) comes alongside USS Vestal (AR-4) for initial repair of torpedo damage received in the action. Photographed at Tulagi, Solomon Islands, about 20 July 1943.Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.
My father Elverne G. (Hap) Towner joined the Navy at 17 during the depression. He traveled all over the world. He was stationed in Hawaii along with my Mom and oldest brother on December 7, 1941. My father was an officer aboard the USS Vestal during the attack. His ship was one of only a few that had got up enough steam to get under way .They had to beach the ship as she was a repair ship and the captain wanted her not to sink in the channel. The Vestal was so important it was one of the first in drydock to have repairs done. Repairs were done by their own crew. The Vestal saw just about every surface engagement in the Pacific and did repair on hundreds of our ships. Then came 7 Dec. 1941. The Vestal was alongside the USS Arizona when the Arizona was blown up. The Vestal was hit twice, got away from the Arizona and beached at McGrew's Point.
Below are the ship’s log recordings for the USS Vestal on December 7th 1941: 0-400 hours - Moored port side to Arizona’s port side in berth F-7 in 7 fathoms of water with standard mooring lines in use. #3 boilers in use for auxiliary purposes. Naval ships present: SubBase(CinCPAC-SOPA), ARGONNE (Compasefor) and various other units of the US Pacific Fleet. 4 to 8 & 8 to 12 Moored as before. 0730 DOWNEY, F. G., 201 02 61, CMsmth returned aboard from 10 days leave. 0755 Surprise air attack by Japanese planes. Sounded general quarters. 0800 All guns manned including 30 caliber machine guns. 0805 Opened fire with 3" A.A. and machine guns. Japanese planes were bombers and torpedo planes. Their main objective in the harbor appeared to be the battleships. VESTAL struck by bomb at frame 110 port side, a second hit at frame 44 starboard side. Each hit killed one man and injured several. They apparently punctured the ship. The first bomb struck at frame 44 starboard side, starting a fire in G.S.K. lower hold. The fire parties fought this and additional smaller fires started in various parts of the ship by debris from the ARIZONA. At least six torpedoes were counted which apparently hit the WEST VIRGINIA and OKLAHOMA moored in berths astern of the VESTAL. 0820 One torpedo passed astern of this vessel and apparently hit the ARIZONA in the bow which extended beyond the VESTAL's stern. Observed direct bomb hit in a forward turret of the ARIZONA. These were followed by an explosion in her forward magazine. This explosion started fires aft and amidships on the VESTAL. 0830 ARIZONA was observed to be settling and fuel oil on the water between ARIZONA and VESTAL was ignited. VESTAL's after lines parted, making preparations for getting underway. 0845 Cut forward lines. Underway on both engines, no steering gear. Tug pulled VESTAL's bow away from the ARIZONA. VESTAL started to list to starboard and taking water aft. Shipfitter and Blacksmith shop filling with water. 0910 Maneuvered to position S>E> of McGrew's Point bearing 30 degrees distance 910 yards, 35 feet water. Extinguished all fires except in G>S>K> lower hold. 0945 Ship settling. Draft increased to 27 ftaft the list to starboard gradually increasing, decided to ground ship. Underway and maneuvered to position with Old Aiea Railroad Station bearing 73 degrees T and W. tangent of McGrew's Point bearing 320 degrees T. #2 whitespar close alongside amidship starboard side. Dropped anchor underfoot. Ship resting in mud, ship's heard 92 degreesT. Depth of water forward 11 feet, amidships 18 feet, aft 27 feet. Draft forward 15 feet, aft 27 feet. Casualties: dead identified: Duane, W., USN, killed when bomb struck forward Reid, W.H., USN, killed when bomb struck aft. Three unidentified, one on 3" A.A. platform and two on stern of VESTAL. Those men may have been either the ARIZONA personnel blown over or VESTAL personnel so badly burned as to be unable to indentify. Additional personnel may be lost at time of explosion of ARIZONA's forward magazine. Some men were blown over the side and some jumped. the majority were picked up. an accurate check of all personnel cannot be made until the return of all hands from ashore. Unable to determine the full extent of damage until return of divers now employed ashore. The fire in the G.S.K. lower hold, compartment A-9, the after bulkhead of which is the forward bulkheading of the forward magazine, compartment A-6-M, raised the temperature of the magazine. An attempt was made to remove the powder. Thirty-seven charges were removed when the fumes became so strong that removal had to be discontinued. 3 men were overcome, necessitating removal of two to the SOLACE after administering first aid. 1115 Flooded forward magazine. ADDENDA to 8-12 watch. 1000 Pay Clerk L. Webb, USN, reported on board from 8 days leave. 12 to 16 Beached as before. 1405 General quarters. 1435 Transferred five bodies to 1010 dock, Reid, Duane and 3 unidentified bodies. flooded magazines A-5-M, A-6-M and A-7-M because of severe fire in G.S.K. storerooms A-9 and A-14 1/2 caused by bomb in it. 16 to 20 Beached as before. 1610 Set condition TWO. 1615 Fire still burning in G.S.K. lower hold. Flooded forward magazine. 20 to 24 Beached as before. 2110 Air raid alarm, crew at general quarters. 2115 Ceased firing. 2130 Set condition TWO (A.A. gun, machine guns and #3 5" gun manned).
