AP-9 U.S.S. ZEILIN
War Diary and Action Reports November 1942,
U. S. S. ZEILIN
SECRET
WAR DIARY
COMMANDER TRANSPORT DIVISION FOUR (COMMANDING OFFICER, U.S.S.
ZEILIN). OPERATING UNDER COMMANDER TASK FORCE SIXTY-TWO.
From: November 1, 1942 to November 30, 1942.
Enclosures: (A) Copy of action reports on November 11, 1942.
(B) Copy of C.O. U.S.S. ZEILIN MAILGRAM #210131
of 21 November, 1942 (Report of Damage).
Original to: Chief of Naval Operations
(Office of Naval Records and Library).
U. S. S. ZEILIN
November 1, 1942.
G.C.T. L.C.T.
1301 0001 Steaming as before on course 003-T, speed
14 knots, enroute Noumea, New Caledonia, to
Espiritu Santo Island, New Hebrides Group.
Zig-zagging in accordance with Plan No. 11,
U.S. 1940. in company with USS BETELGUESE,
escorted by PC476.
1819 0519 Ceased zig-zag. Resumed base course.
1824 0524 Changed course to 348-T.
1830 0530 Resumed zig-zag plan No. 11.
2035 0735 Futuna Island abeam, bearing 320-T, distant
14 miles.
2100 0800 Position: 19-27 S., 170-24 E.
2200 0900 Adjusted base course to 352-T.
0100 1200 Position: 18-33 S., 170-16 E. Distance since
noon 323 miles. Weather: Wind ESE. Barometer
30.05. Temperature 82. Sea 78. Cloudy. Moderate
ESE'ly swell.
0745 1845 Ceased zig-zag and resumed base course.
0800 1900 Changed course to 299-T.
0900 2000 Position: 16-55 S., 169-53 E.
D. A. DURBANT.
November 2, 1942.
G.C.T. L.C.T.
1301 0001 Steaming as before.
1330 0030 Resumed zig-zag plan No. 11.
1600 0300 Ceased zig-zag.
1619 0319 Various courses approaching Selwyn Strait.
1720 0420 Set course 165-T.
1740 0440 Resumed zig-zag.
1829 0529 Ceased zig-zag.
1832 0532 Changed course to 240-T.
1850 0550 Changed course to 270-T.
1905 0605 Changed course to 295-T. South Point Pentecost
Island abeam to starboard, distant 2 miles.
1910 0610 Resumed zig-zag plan No. 11, speed 15.5 knots.
2100 0800 Position 15-50 S., 167-45 E.
2253 0953 Ceased zig-zag, resumed base course.
2303 1003 Various courses and speeds entering Segond
Channel, Espiritu Santos.
0011 1111 Anchored west of berth A-5 Segond Channel.
0057 1157 Shifting berths.
0100 1200 Weather: Wind SE. Barometer 29.94. Temperature 84.
Partly cloudy. Fine.
0117 1217 Anchored in berth x-6.
D. A. DURBANT.
November 3, 1942.
G.C.T. L.C.T.
1301 0001 Anchored as before.
2100 0900 Unloading drill for crew and troops.
0100 1200 Weather: Wind E-3. Barometer 29.88. Temperature
83. Cloudy.
D. A. DURBANT.
November 4, 1942.
G.C.T. L.C.T.
1301 0001 Anchored as before.
1100 1200 Weather: Wind E-3. Barometer 29.84. Temperature
82. Partly cloudy. Fine.
D. A. DURBANT.
November 5, 1942.
G.C.T. L.C.T.
1301 0001 Anchored as before.
0100 1200 Weather: Wind SE-3. Barometer 29.88. Temperature
83. Cloudy.
D. A. DURBANT.
November 6, 1942.
G.C.T. L.C.T.
1301 0001 Anchored as before.
0100 1200 Weather: Wind SW-4. Barometer 29.94. Temperature
80. Cloudy.
D. A. DURBANT.
November 7, 1942.
G.C.T. L.C.T.
1301 0001 Anchored as before.
0100 1200 Weather: Wind E-4. Barometer 29.93. Temperature
77. Cloudy.
D. A. DURBANT.
November 8, 1942.
G.C.T. L.C.T.
1301 0001 Anchored as before.
0100 1200 Weather: Wind E-4. Barometer 29.87. Temperature
79. Cloudy.
0245 1345 Received six torpedoes for transhipment
to CACTUS.
D. A. DURBANT.
November 9, 1942.
G.C.T. L.C.T.
1301 0001 Anchored as before.
2234 0934 Underway in accordance with ComTaskFor 62
despatch 070430. Various courses and speeds
leaving harbor.
2324 1024 Bogacio Island abeam to starboard.
2330 1030 Set course 090-T. ATLANTA (11) (Flag) ZEILIN (12)
LIBRA (13) BETEIJGUESE (14). USS FLETCHER, ARRON
WARD, LARDNER, and McCALLA destroyer screen.
2334 1034 Standard speed 15.5 knots.
2340 1040 Changed course to 045-T.
0002 1102 Changed course to 350-T.
0024 1114 Commenced zig-zag according to plan #6 FTP #188.
0100 1200 Position: 15-21 S., 167-26 E. Distance since
departure 30 miles. Weather: Wind E-3, Barometer
29.86, Temperature 86, Sea 78, Cloudy.
0142 1242 Sighted USS ALCHEBA with barge in tow and escort
on opposite course.
0225 1325 Ceased zig-zag.
0227 1327 Column left to 3l6-T.
0230 1330 Debarkation drill.
0234 1334 Resumed zig-zag plan as before.
0735 1835 Ceased zig-zag and resumed base course.
0900 2000 Position: 13-47 S., 166-07 E.
D. A. DURBANT.
November 10, 1942.
G.C.T. L.C.T.
1301 0001 Steaming as before.
1745 0445 Resumed zig-zag as before.
2100 0800 Position: 11-24 S., 163-47 E.
2258 0958 Emergency turns on submarine contact.
2310 1010 USS FLETCHER dropping depth charges.
2354 1054 Resumed base course 316-T.
2400 1100 Resumed zig-zag plan as before.
0033 1133 Sighted enemy scouting plane bearing 220-P.
0100 1200 Position: 11-02 S., 163-12 E. Distance since
noon, 358 miles. Weather: Wind NExE-3.
barometer 29.81. Temperature 87. Sea 80.
Partly cloudy. Fine.
0106 1206 Ceased zig-zag. Changed course to 311-F.
0111 1211 Resumed zig-zag.
0155 1255 Sighted Owa Baha Island (Solomon Group)
bearing 281-T.
0207 1307 Reduced speed to 14 knots.
0230 1330 Unloading drill for troops and crew.
0400 1500 Santa Aura Island abeam to port. Distant
17 miles.
0605 1705 Reduced speed to 13 knots.
0710 1810 Reduced speed to 12 knots.
0730 1830 Ceased zig-zag. Changed course to 296-T.
0750 1850 Column open order.
0900 2000 Position: 10-00 S., 161-48 E.
D. A. DURBANT.
November 11, 1942.
G.C.T. L.C.T.
1301 0001 Steaming as before. Base course 296-T.
1427 0127 Nun Island abeam to port, approximate
distance 2 miles.
1630 0330 Nugu Island bearing 290-T.
1643 0343 Changed course to 259-T.
1657 0357 Entering Sealark channel.
1741 0441 Changed course to 248-T.
1745 0445 All hands at unloading stations.
1825 0525 Changed course to 210-T. Various courses
and speeds approaching transport area east
of Lunga Point.
1840 0540 Hove to 1 mile east of Lunga Point 1500
yards from beach. Betelguese and Libra
at 1,000 yard intervals to east, Atlanta
and destroyers formed submarine screen.
Hoisted out all boats.
1846 0546 Commenced debarkation of troops.
1905 0605 Commenced discharging #4 hold.
1914 0614 Commenced discharging #2 hold.
1920 0620 Commenced discharging #3 hold.
1930 0630 Commenced discharging #7 hold.
1935 0635 Commenced discharging #8 hold.
1945 0645 Anchored at short stay.
2200 0900 Received air raid warning from radio
Guadalcanal: 9 bombers and 12 fighters
approaching.
2218 0918 Cast off all boats. Underway preparing to
repell air attack. See Enclosure (A) Action
Report.
2235 0935 Standard speed 15.5 knots. Course North.
Column formation ATLANTA (11) ZEILIN (12)
BETELGUESE (13) LIBRA (14).
2238 0938 Turn right 45 degrees.
2240 0940 All 3"/50 cal. AA guns commenced firing on
ten dive bombers approaching from west at
intermediate altitude.
2242 0942 Turn right 45 degrees. Five dive bombers
attacked this ship. 20mm battery opened
fire. Bombers scored 2 near misses on port
side.
2243 0943 Third bomb glanced off hull at frame 45
starboard side and exploded underwater.
Two dive bombers strafed ship. Flare back
in #2 fireroom. Steam pressure lost on
steering gear.
2244 0944 Steering gear in order.
2245 0945 Starboard shaft alley flooded; #8 hold
flooding.
2246 0946 Turn left to North. Cease firing.
2255 0955 Turn left to 270-T. Starboard list, #7
hold flooding, #8 hold flooded to third
deck level, #9 hold leaking. Starboard
shaft alley flooded, port shaft alley
leaking badly. Repair party shoring up
watertight doors and bulkheads. One casualty,
Thomas, J. Matt 2/c, U.S. Navy struck by bomb
fragment right thigh. Two dive bombers shot down
by our guns and two were damaged. Estimated total
of five dive bombers shot down by AA fire.
2325 1025 Proceeding to transport area.
2341 1041 Anchored as before. Discharging all troops
except Marine gun crews.
2355 1055 Received second air raid warning. See Enclosure
(A).
0013 1113 Cast off all boats. Underway at 14 knots
speed, course north, formation as before.
0027 1127 Ships opened fire with AA batteries. Various
courses from north to west.
0032 1132 Bombers attacking shore targets.
0033 1133 Cease firing. One enemy bomber crashed in
Lengo Channel.
0043 1143 Proceeding to transport area.
0103 1203 Anchored as before. Continued discharging
troops and equipment and cargo from #7 hold.
0200 1300 Secured #2, 3, and 4 holds. Discontinued
discharging forward account trim of ship now
ten feet down by the stern.
0250 1350 Transferred to CACTUS 39 enlisted men (ship's
company), 2 TR and 4 Tare boats in addition
to 4 WI boats without crews (carried art).
0348 1448 All beach party returned to ship.
0404 1504 All troops and equipment ashore (1599 troops
33 naval passengers) plus 48% of cargo.
0425 1525 Flooded compartments controlled as follows:
#8 hold at 3rd deck level, #7 hold at 4th
deck level, starboard shaft alley flooded.
Fresh water wing tank starboard side of #7
hold ruptured. Draft forward 24½ ft., aft
34½ ft. Continued shoring up bulkheads in
#7 and 9 holds.
0457 1557 Received aboard from USS McCALLA four Japanese
prisoners (aviation personnel).
0500 1600 Underway in accordance with ComTaskFor 62.4
Secret OP plan #110330 of November 11, 1942,
base course 055-T, speed 12 knots, 106 RPM
port engine, 45 RPM starboard engine. Escort USS
LARDNER.
0543 1643 Starboard propeller shaft carried away in
vicinity of flooded shaft alley. Proceeding
on port engine.
0550 1650 Changed course to 089-T.
0600 1700 Two deserters from Second Marine Replacement
Battalion found on board: Sorrentino, W.G.,
Pvt. and Kraft, W.T., Pvt.
0627 1727 Pari Pile abeam to starboard, distant 0.6
miles. Changed course to 070-T.
0646 1746 Nugu Island abeam to port, distant 0.? miles.
Changed course to 1l5-T.
0650 1750 Commenced Zig-zag according to plan #6, FTP #188.
0755 1855 Ceased zig-zag.
0900 2000 Position: 9-27 S., 160-45 E.
0927 2027 Nura Island abeam to starboard, distant 1.2
miles. Changed course to l44-T.
1140 2240 Met ships of Task Force 67.4 to port.
1200 2300 Changed course to 180-T.
D. A. DURBANT.
November 12, 1942.
G.C.T. L.C.T.
1301 0001 Steaming as before.
1800 0500 Resumed zig-zag according to plan #6 FTP #188.
1850 0550 Ceased zig-zag.
1900 0600 Changed course to 121-T.
1915 0615 Resumed zig-zag.
2100 0800 Position 11-21 S., 161-24 E.
2325 1025 Sighted orange observation plane bearing 190-P.
0100 1200 Position 11-45 S., 161-57 E. Distance since
departure 207 miles. Weather: Wind ENE-3.
Barometer 29.81. Temperature 82. Sea 78.
Partly cloudy. Fine.
0515 1615 Ceased zig-zag.
0522 1622 Changed course to 150-P.
0527 1627 Resumed zig-zag.
0800 1900 Ceased zig-zag.
0815 1915 Changed course to l15-T.
0900 2000 Position: 12-40 S., 163-01 E.
0930 2030 Resumed zig-zag.
1047 2147 Ceased zig-zag. Resumed base course.
D. A. DURBANT.
November 13, 1942.
G.C.T. L.C.T.
1301 0001 Steaming as before.
1747 0447 Resumed zig-zag plan #6, FTP #188.
2100 0800 Position: 13-37 S., 165-08 E.
2300 1000 Ceased zig-zag.
2305 1005 Changed course to 090-T.
2308 1008 Speed 10 knots. Resumed zig-zag according
to plan #7.
0100 1200 Position 13-43 S., 165-47 E. Distance since
noon 260 miles. Weather: Wind ESE-3. Barometer
29.82. Temperature 83. Sea 77.
Cloudy. Small ESE'1y swell.
0445 1545 Ceased zig-zag.
0446 1546 Changed course to 140-T.
0457 1557 Resumed zig-zag.
0900 2000 Position: 14-16 S., 166-55 E.
1130 2230 Ceased zig-zag. Resumed base course.
D. A. DURBANT.
November l4 1942.
G.C.T. L.C.T.
1301 0001 Steaming as before.
1418 0118 Adjusted course to 175-T.
1708 0408 Resumed zig-zag according to plan #7 FTP #188.
1747 0447 Ceased zig-zag. Changed course to 240-T.
1752 0452 Changed course to 270-T.
1759 0459 Changed course to 290-T.
1821 0521 Various courses and speeds.
1835 0535 Bogacio Island abeam to port.
1853 0553 Entering Segond Channel
1943 0643 Anchored in Berth A-8, Segond Channel, Espiritu
Santo, New Hebrides.
2310 1010 USS NAVAJO moored to starboard side and commenced
diving operations, inspecting hull.
0100 1200 Weather: Wind SE-3, Barometer 29.96, Temperature
84, Sea 78. Partly cloudy. Fine.
D. A. DURBANT.
November l5 1942.
G.C.T. L.C.T.
1301 0001 Anchored as before. USS NAVAJO moored to
starboard side.
2100 0800 Divers from USS NAVAJO making temporary repairs
to hull between frames 44 and 46, starboard side.
0100 1200 Weather: Wind E-3, Barometer 29.90, Temperature
84, Overcast.
D. A. DURBANT.
November l6 1942.
G.C.T. L.C.T.
1301 0001 Anchored as before. USS NAVAJ0 continuing
temporary repairs to hull.
2025 0725 Commenced discharging #2, 3, and 4 holds
(Cargo not landed at CACTUS) to USS LIBRA.
0100 1200 Weather: Wind E-3, Barometer 29.90,
Temperature 85, Cloudy.
1055 2155 Secured #2, 3, and 4 holds, Completed
discharging cargo to USS LIBRA.
D. A. DURBANT.
November l7 1942.
G.C.T. L.C.T.
1301 0001 Anchored as before. USS NAVAJO moored alongside to
effect temporary repairs to hull.
0100 1200 Weather: Wind ENE-3, Barometer 29.80,
Temperature 84. Partly cloudy. Fine.
0200 1300 Discharging vehicles from #2 and 4 holds
to beach.
0455 1555 Completed discharging and secured #2 and
4 holds. Damaged cargo in #7 and 8 holds
not discharged.
D. A. DURBANT.
November l8 1942.
G.C.T. L.C.T.
1301 0001 Anchored as before. USS NAVAJO alongside
to effect temporary repairs o hull.
0100 1200 Weather: Wind, NE-1, Barometer 29.78,
Temperature 81. Overcast, drizzle.
0448 1548 General Quarters -- enemy submarine off
western entrance to Legond Channel.
0541 1641 Secured from General Quarters.
D. A. DURBANT.
November l9 1942.
G.C.T. L.C.T.
1301 0001 Anchored as before. USS NAVAJO alongside
as before to effect temporary repairs to
hull.
0100 1200 Weather: Wind SWxW-2, Barometer 29.74,
Temperature 82, Cloudy.
0345 1445 USS NAVAJO completed temporary repairs to
hull. Started pumping out #7 and 8 holds.
0445 1545 Commenced salvaging cargo from #8 hold.
0545 1645 USS NAVAJO underway.
D. A. DURBANT.
November 20 1942.
G.C.T. L.C.T.
1301 0001 Anchored as before. Continued pumping #7
and 8 holds and shaft alley. Continued
salvage of cargo from #8 hold.
2125 0825 U.S.S. VESTAL moored to port side to complete
temporary repairs to hull.
2128 0828 Transferred 3 TR boats to U.S.S. PRES. HAYES.
0100 1200 Weather: Wind NW-2, Barometer 29.86,
Temperature 81, Cloudy.
0338 1438 Commenced discharging #7 hold of powder,
water soaked shells, and ammunition, sending
them to the beach. Completed pumping out
all after holds.
1250 2350 Completed discharging damaged cargo from
#8 hold.
D. A. DURBANT.
November 21 1942.
G.C.T. L.C.T.
1301 0001 Anchored as before. U.S.S. VESTAL moored to
port side for repair work. continued discharging
damaged cargo from #7 hold.
1445 0145 Completed discharging #7 hold (last damaged
cargo aboard ship).
2110 0810 Transferred 2 TL and 1 TR boat to U.S.S.
NEVILLE, received 1 TL boat.
O100 1200 Weather; Wind SE-2, Barometer 29.83,
Temperature 86. Partly Cloudy, Fine.
0225 1325 Received naval personnel, 83 survivors of
U.S.S. PRESTON and U.S.S. WALKE, for temporary
lodging.
See Enclosure (B), C.0. U.S.S. ZEILIN
MAILGRAM #210131 of 21 November (Report
of Damage).
D. A. DURBANT.
November 22 1942.
G.C.T. L.C.T.
1301 0001 Anchored as before. U.S.S. VESTAL moored
to port side for repair work to hull.
0100 1200 Weather: Wind SE-2, Barometer 29.89,
Temperature 84, Partly Cloudy, Fine.
0200 1300 Transferred 3 officers and 29 enlisted men
(survivors of U.S.S. PRESTON) to U.S.S. RIGEL).
D. A. DURBANT.
November 23 1942.
G.C.T. L.C.T.
1301 0001 Anchored as before. U.S.S. VESTAL moored
to port side for repair work to hull.
0100 1200 Weather: Wind N-2, Barometer 29.97,
Temperature 84. Cloudy to Overcast).
D. A. DURBANT.
November 24 1942.
G.C.T. L.C.T.
1301 0001 Anchored as before. U.S.S. VESTAL moored
to port side for repair work to hull.
0100 1200 Weather: Wind NE-3, Barometer 29.91,
Temperature 78. Overcast, Raining).
D. A. DURBANT.
November 25 1942.
G.C.T. L.C.T.
1301 0001 Anchored as before. U.S.S. V1STAL moored
to port side for repair work to hull.
0100 1200 Weather: Wind NE-3, Barometer 29.92,
Temperature 86. Cloudy).
D. A. DURBANT.
November 26 1942.
G.C.T. L.C.T.
1301 0001 Anchored as before. U.S.S. VESTAL moored
to port side for repair work to hull.
0100 1200 Weather: Wind NE-l, Barometer 29.94,
Temperature 80. Overcast, Raining.
0135 1235 Completed removal of starboard propeller and
hoisted it aboard).
D. A. DURBANT.
November 27 1942.
G.C.T. L.C.T.
1301 0001 Anchored as before. U.S.S. VESTAL moored
to port side to work on hull.
2105 0805 U.S.S. VESTAL underway from port side.
2140 0840 Commenced transfer of provisions from #6
hold to U.S.S. RIGEL.
0100 1200 Weather: Wind E-2, Barometer 29.95,
Temperature 85. Partly Cloudy. Fine).
0220 1320 Transferred the following named prisoners to
C.0. Rear Echelon 2nd Marine Division:
KRAFT, W.T., Pvt., U.S.M.C.
SORRENTINO, W.G., Pvt., U.S.M.C.R.
0515 1615 Completed transfer of provisions to U.S.S.
RIGEL and commenced provisioning U.S.S.
HONOLULU.
0830 1930 99 Naval Personnel (enlisted men) survivors
reported aboard for temporary lodging.
0940 2040 Completed provisioning U.S.S. HONOLULU and
commenced provisioning U.S.S. NEW ORLEANS.
1135 2235 Completed provisioning U.S.S. NEW ORLEANS
and secured #6 hold.
D. A. DURBANT.
November 28 1942.
G.C.T. L.C.T.
1301 0001 Anchored as before.
2010 0710 U.S.S. ZANE moored to port side to be provisioned
from #6 hold.
2045 0745 Commenced loading airoplane engines from
U.S.S. BETELGUESE and scrap tin from various
units in #4 hold.
2221 0921 Completed provisioning U.S.S. ZANE which got
underway. Commenced transferring provisions
to U.S.S. BETELGESUE.
2300 1000 Commenced transferring 1500 troop mattresses
to Cub I.
0100 1200 Weather: Airs 1, Barometer 29.99, Temperature
84. Partly Cloudy.
0510 1610 Secured #4 hold.
1215 2315 Transferred 4 T boats and 2 TP boats to
U.S.S. BETELGUESE. Secured #6 hold.
D. A. DURBANT.
November 29 1942.
G.C.T. L.C.T.
1301 0001 Anchored as before.
1325 0025 Transferred 2 TL boats to U.S.S. BETELGUESE.
2136 0836 U.S.S. GUADALUPE moored to port side and
commenced fueling.
2145 0845 Commenced loading empty ammunition containers
from U.S.S. GUADALUPE into #4 hold.
0030 1130 Completed loading #4 hold.
0100 1200 Weather: Wind E-l, Barometer 29.96,
Temperature 88. Partly cloudy, Fine.
0203 1303 U.S.S. GUADALUPE cast off.
0230 1330 Received 225 naval personnel (both officers
and enlisted men) survivors of U.S.S. ATLANTA
for temporary lodging.
0645 1745 Loaded damaged airoplane on #8 hatch.
D. A. DURBANT.
November 30 1942.
G.C.T. L.C.T.
1301 0001 Anchored as before.
2104 0804 Loaded second damaged airoplane on #8 hatch.
0100 1200 Weather: Wind E-2, Barometer 29.95,
Temperature 87. Partly cloudy, Fine.
0245 1345 Grigerich, C. H., #287-42-18, Sea 1/c, U.S.N,
and Kelley, G.T., #346-70-32, Matt 3/c,
U.S.N., reported aboard under escort for
transportation.
0300 1400 Loaded 2 Japanese torpedoes in #7 hold.
0450 1550 Knowles, G. C., Ensign, U.S.N., reported
aboard for transportation.
0547 1647 Transferred 6 enlisted personnel (U.S.N.
survivors from U.S.S. WALKE) to U.S.S. RIGEL.
0645 1745 Transferred all U.S.S. ATLANTA, U.S.S. PRESTON,
and U.S.S. WALKE survivors to U.S.S. BARNETT
(total 6 officers and 364 enlisted men).
0830 1930 Transferred 2 40-foot ML boats to U.S.S. RIGEL.
0930 2030 Transferred refrigeration unit from Admiral's
Cabin to Cub One.
D. A. DURRANT,
Lieutenant, D-M, U.S.N.R.,
Navigator.
APPROVED:
P. BUCHaNAN,
Captain, U.S. NAVY,
Commander Transport Division Four and
Commanding U.S.S. ZEILIN.
ACTION REPORT
U.S.S. ZEILIN
November 15, 1942.
From: The Commanding Officer.
To: The Commander in Chief, United States Fleet.
Subject: Action Reports
Reference: (a) Cominch confidential letter FF1/TS133
Serial (0332) of March 7, 1942.
Enclosures: (A) Anti-aircraft action by surface ships on
November 11, 1942, (first attack).
(B) Anti-aircraft action by surface ships on
November 11, 1942, (second attack).
(C) Report of executive officer of action on
November 11, 1942.
1. In compliance with reference (a), enclosures (A),
(B), and (C) are forwarded.
2. The following summaries are submitted:
FIRST ATTACK
This vessel in company with U.S.S. BETELGUESE and LIBRA, escorted
by ATLANTA and Destroyer Division TWELVE, arrived off the designated
unloading area east of Lunga Point, Guadalcanal Island, anchored, and
commenced unloading at 0540.
At 0857 a radio message reported that enemy bombers and fighters
were headed for Guadalcanal; subsequently a message by radar set the
arrival time at 0935.
The ship ordered boats to remain clear and at 0919 proceeded to get
underway. At 0936 enemy planes were observed coming in over the
western tip of the island and ten were identified as dive bombers, type
Aichi 99-N-DB. The fighters were to high to be accurately counted,
however a message reported twelve.
At 0940 the hip commenced firing 3"/50 cal. AA batteries using 1.5
second fuse settings. The enemy planes took diving formation and
proceeded to peel off. One was hit by shrapnel and the port wing was
afire. This plane did not dive. Five planes dived on this vessel,
releasing bombs at approximately 1,200 feet. There were three near
misses registered on the ship; two on the port side - one about
amidships, the other aft; and one on the starboard side at about frame
45 opposite No. 8 hatch, depth about 15-30 feet. The ship suffered
severely from this bomb.
The ship sustained the following damage from this attack:
Number 8 hold was flooded to the third deck; number 7 to the fourth
deck. Starboard shaft alley was completely flooded. Port shaft alley
is leaking and is kept dry by pumping. Number four 3"/50 cal. AA gun
carriage was sprung by shock. A 3/8" pipe of inboard water column line
on No 5 boiler in No. 2 fireroom was broken by shock. A 1 ½" overboard
water cooling line from generators was broken by shock next to
overboard valve. Fresh water tank, starboard side of No. 7 hold, c-
611, opened to the sea. Feed water bottoms under engineroom are
leaking slightly. Starboard propeller shaft was either broken or
coupling bolts sheared. This shaft was broken about one-half hour
after ship left CACTUS and no examination can be made until after the
shaft alley is dewatered. The bulkhead between No. 7 and No. 8 holds,
starboard side, is torn for a space of 30 inches. This hole was wedged
practically tight before No. 7 hold was flooded. On starboard side aft
of No. 7 hold at lower first platform deck rivets are sheared for about
6 feet. This leak could not be stopped because of inaccessibility, the
magazine being loaded at the time. The flooding was controlled by
closing of non-watertight door, shoring and wedging, then by pumping.
Later the trunk leading into the magazine, 10'x10', was closed by
welding over the whole trunk. A few rivets were sheared in No. 9 hold
at the skin of the ship, starboard side, between No. 8 and No. 9 holds.
This leak was controlled by plugging and welding. There is a dent in
the starboard side of No. 8 hold about 1 and ½" in depth, caused by
glancing bomb. There are numerous small leaks in after part of ship,
including leaks in after peak tank and small leaks in the feed water
tank under the engineroom. There is approximately 2,000 tons of water
in the ship.
Examination by diver upon arrival at BUTTON disclosed 5 shell
plates between frame 45 and 46 are cracked, one stove in about 2 feet.
One rupture is across three plates, 16 feet long and varies from
nothing to 2 and one-half feet wide. There is another crack 8 feet
long across 2 plates. This crack is about one-half in. in width.
SECOND ATTACK
At 1055 following the earlier attack by dive bombers, the ship
received word that enemy planes were again headed for Guadalcanal.
Although damaged from the attack the ship got underway. At 1127 a
flight of enemy planes identified as heavy bombers, possibly Mitsubishi
97M or 96, about 27 in number, were observed on a course towards
Henderson Air Field.
Fire was opened by all ships, this ship firing all 3"/50 cal. AA
guns as they could be brought to bear. Fuse settings were 21 and 30
seconds. Fire was controlled locally after the initial salvo and was
checked once to change fuse settings and again to allow two guns to
bear. Bursts were well grouped and appeared to be reaching up to and a
little ahead of the planes. No hits were observed. Fighter planes
from Henderson Field began engaging the enemy and "cease fire" was
ordered on all ships.
Following the conclusion of the attack the ship returned to the
unloading area. The enemy's objective appeared to be Henderson Field
on Guadalcanal.
3. The officers and crew preformed their duties in a most
highly creditable manner. Particular mention may be made of Lieutenant
Commander Russell J. Bellerby, U.S. Navy, Lieutenant Einar N. Eriksen,
D-M, U.S. Naval Reserve, Carpenter Allan R. Carlson, U.S. Navy, and the
repair parties for prompt, efficient, and fearless work in damage
control; of Frank Grasso, gunner's mate second class, U.S. Navy, for
excellent gunnery on the 20mm battery; and Thomas Ralph Dobbins,
boilermaker first class, U.S. Navy, for prompt and efficient action in
closing a valve on a ruptured steam line in No. 2 fireroom. The action
of Privates William T. Kraft, U.S.M.C., and William G. Sorrentino,
U.S.M.C.R., of the Second Replacement Battalion are subject to censure.
From statements obtained these men deliberately remained on board after
debarkation of troops. A separate report of the circumstances has been
made to the Commanding General, First Marine Division.
P. BUCHANAN.
U.S.S. ZEILIN
ANTI-AIRCRAFT ACTION BY SURFACE SHIPS
LOCATION OF SHIP: Guadalcanal, Solomon Island U.S.S. ZEILIN
(SOLOMON ISLAND First Attack Date Nov. 11, 1942
(a) REPEL ATTACK FIRST - THEN COLLOECT DATA FOR THIS REPORT!
(b) DO NOT "GUN DECK" THIS REPORT - IF DATA CANNOT BE ESTIMATED WITH
REASONABLE ACCURACY ENTER DASH IN SPACE FOR WHICH NO DATA IS
AVAILABLE.
(c) THESE SHEETS ARE TO BE FILLED OUT IMMEDIATELY AFTER ACTION IS
COMPLETED WITH DATA AVAILABLE FROM SHIP'S LOG, MEMORY, AND CONSULTATION
WITH SHIP'S OFFICERS. INFORMATION IS ESSENTIAL IN ORDER THAT THE
EFFECTIVENESS OF OUR EQUIPMENT CAN BE DETERMINED. WHERE DATA IS
DOUBTFUL ACCURACY FILL IN WITH GENERAL TERMS. THE OBTAINING OF
THIS INFORMATION MUST NOT BE ALLOWED IN ANY WAY TO ADVERSELY AFFECT
THE HANDLING OF EQUIPMENT DURING ACTION.
1. SURPRISE ATTACK (yes or no): No
2. METHOD PICKING PLANE UP (radar, binoculars, naked eye): Radio and
Radar.
(If by Radar state type of set) Radar from ComTaskFor.
3. RANGE PLANE WAS PICKED UP (50 miles, 30 miles, 10 miles, less 5
miles): -
4. NUMBER OF PLANES: 22 (10 bomber, 12 fighter).
5. TYPE OF PLANE (Fighter, scout, dive-bomber): 12F 9DB
TYPE OF ATTACK: Dive Bombing.
6. SPEED AND ALTITUDE (high and fast, intermediate and fast, low and fast,
high and slow, intermediate and slow, low and slow):
Intermediate and fast
7. GUNS FIRING: AA & 20mm MG SIZE: 3"/50, 20mm.
Method of control: Local Number: 4-3"50; 8-20mm.
Method Spotting: by gun captains
8. AMMUNITION EXPENDED: 24 rds 3"/50 cal., 670 20mm.
9. PERCENT SERVICE ALLOWANCE EXPENDED: -
10. APPROXIMATE TIME TRACKING TO FIRST SHOT: 2 minutes
11. APPROXIMATE TIME OF FIRST HITS: 0942
12. APPROXIMATE TIME FIRST SHOT TO LAST SHOT: 0940-46(6 minutes.
13. APPROXIMATE POSITION ANGLE OPEN FIRE: 35 degrees
14. APPROXIMATE POSITION CEASE FIRE: 40 degrees
15. APPROXIMATE BEARING FIRST SHOT: -
16. APPROXIMATE BEARING LAST SHOT: -
17. APPROXIMATE RANGE FIRST SHOT: 2500 yards
18. APPROXIMATE RANGE LAST SHOT: 1330 yards
19. APPROXIMATE ALTITUDE OF BOMB RELEASE: 1200 feet TYPE BOMB: delayed---
action.
20. APPROXIMATE RANGE TORPEDO RELEASE: ----
SIZE OF TORPEDO: ----
21. HITS ON SHIP: None WAS SHIP STRAFED: Yes SIZE GUN: --
22. NUMBER NEAR BOMB MISSES: none CASUALTIES FROM NEAR MISSES: MG cal.
23. PLANES SHOT DOWN: -- Sure:2 POSSIBLE: 1 DAMAGED: 1
By what size gun: 20mm, 3"/50 cal. AA.
24. DETAILS OF DAMAGE TO TARGET BY GUNFIRE IF AVAILABLE: 2 planes shot down
in flames by ships MG fire. One plane struck by ships 3"/50 AA gun
(wing on fire). One plane damaged by MG fire (ripping under wing).
25. PERFORMANCE OF AMMUNITION (Excellent, good, bad, poor): Excellent
26. PATTERN SIZES (Large, small excessive): Small.
SKETCH
(a) INDICATE DIRECTION OF ATTACK RELATIVE SHIP'S HEAD.
(b) SHOW RELATIVE POSITION OF SUN.
(c) INDICATE OWN MANEUVERS.
U.S.S. ZEILIN
ANTI-AIRCRAFT ACTION BY SURFACE SHIPS
LOCATION OF SHIP: Guadalcanal, Solomon Island U.S.S. ZEILIN
Date Nov. 11, 1942
(a) REPEL ATTACK FIRST - THEN COLLOECT DATA FOR THIS REPORT!
(b) DO NOT "GUN DECK" THIS REPORT - IF DATA CANNOT BE ESTIMATED WITH
REASONABLE ACCURACY ENTER DASH IN SPACE FOR WHICH NO DATA IS
AVAILABLE.
(c) THESE SHEETS ARE TO BE FILLED OUT IMMEDIATELY AFTER ACTION IS
COMPLETED WITH DATA AVAILABLE FROM SHIP'S LOG, MEMORY, AND CONSULTATION
WITH SHIP'S OFFICERS. INFORMATION IS ESSENTIAL IN ORDER THAT THE
EFFECTIVENESS OF OUR EQUIPMENT CAN BE DETERMINED. WHERE DATA IS
DOUBTFUL ACCURACY FILL IN WITH GENERAL TERMS. THE OBTAINING OF
THIS INFORMATION MUST NOT BE ALLOWED IN ANY WAY TO ADVERSELY AFFECT
THE HANDLING OF EQUIPMENT DURING ACTION.
1. SURPRISE ATTACK (yes or no): No
2. METHOD PICKING PLANE UP (radar, binoculars, naked eye): Radar.
(If by Radar state type of set) Radar from ComTaskFor.
3. RANGE PLANE WAS PICKED UP (50 miles, 30 miles, 10 miles, less 5
miles): -
4. NUMBER OF PLANES: 27.
5. TYPE OF PLANE (Fighter, scout, dive-bomber): Mitsubishi Twin-motor
TYPE OF ATTACK: Dive Bombing.
6. SPEED AND ALTITUDE (high and fast, intermediate and fast, low and fast,
high and slow, intermediate and slow, low and slow):
High and fast
7. GUNS FIRING: AA SIZE: 3"/50, 20mm.
Method of control: Local Number: 4
Method Spotting: open sights
8. AMMUNITION EXPENDED: 118 rds. 21-30sec. fuses.
9. PERCENT SERVICE ALLOWANCE EXPENDED: -
10. APPROXIMATE TIME TRACKING TO FIRST SHOT: 3-1/2 mins.
11. APPROXIMATE TIME OF FIRST HITS: No hits
12. APPROXIMATE TIME FIRST SHOT TO LAST SHOT: 6 minutes.
13. APPROXIMATE POSITION ANGLE OPEN FIRE: 45°
14. APPROXIMATE POSITION CEASE FIRE: 45°
15. APPROXIMATE BEARING FIRST SHOT: 250°
16. APPROXIMATE BEARING LAST SHOT: 170°
17. APPROXIMATE RANGE FIRST SHOT: 7,000 yards
18. APPROXIMATE RANGE LAST SHOT: 7,600 yards
19. APPROXIMATE ALTITUDE OF BOMB RELEASE: - - TYPE BOMB: - -
20. APPROXIMATE RANGE TORPEDO RELEASE: ----
SIZE OF TORPEDO: ----
21. HITS ON SHIP: None WAS SHIP STRAFED: No SIZE GUN: --
22. NUMBER NEAR BOMB MISSES: none CASUALTIES FROM NEAR MISSES: None.
23. PLANES SHOT DOWN: -- Sure: - POSSIBLE: - DAMAGED: -
By what size gun: 20mm, 3"/50 cal. AA.
24. DETAILS OF DAMAGE TO TARGET BY GUNFIRE IF AVAILABLE: 2 enemy planes
were observed falling as result of attack by our fighters
25. PERFORMANCE OF AMMUNITION (Excellent, good, bad, poor): Excellent
26. PATTERN SIZES (Large, small excessive): Large
SKETCH
(a) INDICATE DIRECTION OF ATTACK RELATIVE SHIP'S HEAD.
(b) SHOW RELATIVE POSITION OF SUN.
(c) INDICATE OWN MANEUVERS.
U.S.S. ZEILIN
ANTI-AIRCRAFT ACTION BY SURFACE SHIPS
LOCATION OF SHIP: Guadalcanal, Solomon Island U.S.S. ZEILIN
(SOLOMON ISLAND First Attack Date Nov. 11, 1942
(a) REPEL ATTACK FIRST - THEN COLLOECT DATA FOR THIS REPORT!
(b) DO NOT "GUN DECK" THIS REPORT - IF DATA CANNOT BE ESTIMATED WITH
REASONABLE ACCURACY ENTER DASH IN SPACE FOR WHICH NO DATA IS
AVAILABLE.
(c) THESE SHEETS ARE TO BE FILLED OUT IMMEDIATELY AFTER ACTION IS
COMPLETED WITH DATA AVAILABLE FROM SHIP'S LOG, MEMORY, AND CONSULTATION
WITH SHIP'S OFFICERS. INFORMATION IS ESSENTIAL IN ORDER THAT THE
EFFECTIVENESS OF OUR EQUIPMENT CAN BE DETERMINED. WHERE DATA IS
DOUBTFUL ACCURACY FILL IN WITH GENERAL TERMS. THE OBTAINING OF
THIS INFORMATION MUST NOT BE ALLOWED IN ANY WAY TO ADVERSELY AFFECT
THE HANDLING OF EQUIPMENT DURING ACTION.
1. SURPRISE ATTACK (yes or no): No
2. METHOD PICKING PLANE UP (radar, binoculars, naked eye): Radio and Radar.
(If by Radar state type of set) Radar from ComTaskFor.
3. RANGE PLANE WAS PICKED UP (50 miles, 30 miles, 10 miles, less 5
miles): -
4. NUMBER OF PLANES: 22 (10 bomber, 12 fighter).
5. TYPE OF PLANE (Fighter, scout, dive-bomber): 12F 9DB
TYPE OF ATTACK: Dive Bombing.
6. SPEED AND ALTITUDE (high and fast, intermediate and fast, low and fast,
high and slow, intermediate and slow, low and slow):
Intermediate and fast
7. GUNS FIRING: AA & 20mm MG SIZE: 3"/50, 20mm.
Method of control: Local Number: 4-3"50; 8-20mm.
Method Spotting: by gun captains
8. AMMUNITION EXPENDED: 24 rds 3"/50 cal., 670 20mm.
9. PERCENT SERVICE ALLOWANCE EXPENDED: -
10. APPROXIMATE TIME TRACKING TO FIRST SHOT: 2 minutes
11. APPROXIMATE TIME OF FIRST HITS: 0942
12. APPROXIMATE TIME FIRST SHOT TO LAST SHOT: 0940-46(6 minutes.
13. APPROXIMATE POSITION ANGLE OPEN FIRE: 35 degrees
14. APPROXIMATE POSITION CEASE FIRE: 40 degrees
15. APPROXIMATE BEARING FIRST SHOT: -
16. APPROXIMATE BEARING LAST SHOT: -
17. APPROXIMATE RANGE FIRST SHOT: 2500 yards
18. APPROXIMATE RANGE LAST SHOT: 1330 yards
19. APPROXIMATE ALTITUDE OF BOMB RELEASE: 1200 feet TYPE BOMB: delayed---
action.
20. APPROXIMATE RANGE TORPEDO RELEASE: ----
SIZE OF TORPEDO: ----
21. HITS ON SHIP: None WAS SHIP STRAFED: Yes SIZE GUN: --
22. NUMBER NEAR BOMB MISSES: none CASUALTIES FROM NEAR MISSES: MG cal.
23. PLANES SHOT DOWN: -- Sure:2 POSSIBLE: 1 BAMAGED: 1
By what size gun: 20mm, 3"/50 cal. AA.
24. DETAILS OF DAMAGE TO TARGET BY GUNFIRE IF AVAILABLE: 2 planes shot down
in flames by ships MG fire. One plane struck by ships 3"/50 AA gun
(wing on fire). One plane damaged by MG fire (ripping under wing).
25. PERFORMANCE OF AMMUNITION (Excellent, good, bad, poor): Excellent
26. PATTERN SIZES (Large, small excessive): Small.
SKETCH
(a) INDICATE DIRECTION OF ATTACK RELATIVE SHIP'S HEAD.
(b) SHOW RELATIVE POSITION OF SUN.
(c) INDICATE OWN MANEUVERS.
U.S.S. ZEILIN
ANTI-AIRCRAFT ACTION BY SURFACE SHIPS
LOCATION OF SHIP: Guadalcanal, Solomon Island U.S.S. ZEILIN
Date Nov. 11, 1942
(a) REPEL ATTACK FIRST - THEN COLLOECT DATA FOR THIS REPORT!
(b) DO NOT "GUN DECK" THIS REPORT - IF DATA CANNOT BE ESTIMATED WITH
REASONABLE ACCURACY ENTER DASH IN SPACE FOR WHICH NO DATA IS
AVAILABLE.
(c) THESE SHEETS ARE TO BE FILLED OUT IMMEDIATELY AFTER ACTION IS
COMPLETED WITH DATA AVAILABLE FROM SHIP'S LOG, MEMORY, AND CONSULTATION
WITH SHIP'S OFFICERS. INFORMATION IS ESSENTIAL IN ORDER THAT THE
EFFECTIVENESS OF OUR EQUIPMENT CAN BE DETERMINED. WHERE DATA IS
DOUBTFUL ACCURACY FILL IN WITH GENERAL TERMS. THE OBTAINING OF
THIS INFORMATION MUST NOT BE ALLOWED IN ANY WAY TO ADVERSELY AFFECT
THE HANDLING OF EQUIPMENT DURING ACTION.
1. SURPRISE ATTACK (yes or no): No
2. METHOD PICKING PLANE UP (radar, binoculars, naked eye): Radar.
(If by Radar state type of set) Radar from ComTaskFor.
3. RANGE PLANE WAS PICKED UP (50 miles, 30 miles, 10 miles, less 5
miles): -
4. NUMBER OF PLANES: 27.
5. TYPE OF PLANE (Fighter, scout, dive-bomber): Mitsubishi Twin-motor
TYPE OF ATTACK: Dive Bombing.
6. SPEED AND ALTITUDE (high and fast, intermediate and fast, low and fast,
high and slow, intermediate and slow, low and slow):
High and fast
7. GUNS FIRING: AA SIZE: 3"/50, 20mm.
Method of control: Local Number: 4
Method Spotting: open sights
8. AMMUNITION EXPENDED: 118 rds. 21-30sec. fuses.
9. PERCENT SERVICE ALLOWANCE EXPENDED: -
10. APPROXIMATE TIME TRACKING TO FIRST SHOT: 3-1/2 mins.
11. APPROXIMATE TIME OF FIRST HITS: No hits
12. APPROXIMATE TIME FIRST SHOT TO LAST SHOT: 6 minutes.
13. APPROXIMATE POSITION ANGLE OPEN FIRE: 45°
14. APPROXIMATE POSITION CEASE FIRE: 45°
15. APPROXIMATE BEARING FIRST SHOT: 250°
16. APPROXIMATE BEARING LAST SHOT: 170°
17. APPROXIMATE RANGE FIRST SHOT: 7,000 yards
18. APPROXIMATE RANGE LAST SHOT: 7,600 yards
19. APPROXIMATE ALTITUDE OF BOMB RELEASE: - - TYPE BOMB: - -
20. APPROXIMATE RANGE TORPEDO RELEASE: ----
SIZE OF TORPEDO: ----
21. HITS ON SHIP: None WAS SHIP STRAFED: No SIZE GUN: --
22. NUMBER NEAR BOMB MISSES: none CASUALTIES FROM NEAR MISSES: None.
23. PLANES SHOT DOWN: -- Sure: - POSSIBLE: - DAMAGED: -
By what size gun: 20mm, 3"/50 cal. AA.
24. DETAILS OF DAMAGE TO TARGET BY GUNFIRE IF AVAILABLE: 2 enemy planes
were observed falling as result of attack by our fighters
25. PERFORMANCE OF AMMUNITION (Excellent, good, bad, poor): Excellent
26. PATTERN SIZES (Large, small excessive): Large
SKETCH
(a) INDICATE DIRECTION OF ATTACK RELATIVE SHIP'S HEAD.
(b) SHOW RELATIVE POSITION OF SUN.
(c) INDICATE OWN MANEUVERS.
U.S.S. Zeilin at Guadalcanal
On the gray morning of November 11, 1942, a U.S. Navy transport lay at anchor east of
Lunga Point off the battered shores of Guadalcanal Island. Beside her rode the attack cargo
ships USS Betelgeuse and USS Libra, screened by the light cruiser USS Atlanta and the
ships of Destroyer Division Twelve. It was 0540 when the first boats were lowered and cargo
began to swing out over the side-ammunition, rations, fuel, the lifeblood of the Marines
fighting ashore.
The sea was deceptively calm.
At 0857 a tense radio message shattered the routine: enemy bombers and fighters were
inbound. Radar soon estimated their arrival at 0935. Boats were ordered clear. At 0919 the
ship weighed anchor and began to maneuver, engines straining as crews raced to battle
stations. Ammunition parties fed shells into the 3"/50 caliber anti-aircraft guns; fuse
setters spun their dials to 1.5 seconds. Every man aboard felt the tightening in his chest.
At 0936 the enemy appeared, sweeping in over the western tip of the island. Ten dive
bombers-identified as Aichi Type 99-circled into formation while a dozen fighters
prowled high above. Four minutes later the ship opened fire. Orange bursts blossomed in
the sky as the guns thundered. One dive bomber caught shrapnel in its port wing; flames
licked backward and it fell out of formation.
The rest pressed home their attack.
Five enemy planes peeled off and screamed down toward the ship, releasing their bombs
at roughly 1,200 feet. The explosions that followed were colossal. Three near-misses
bracketed the vessel-two to port, one to starboard near No. 8 hatch. Columns of water
rose higher than the masts, then crashed down in torrents of steel and sea.
The damage was immediate and severe. Holds Seven and Eight flooded rapidly, water
pouring to the third and fourth decks. The starboard shaft alley filled completely; the port
shaft alley began to leak and had to be kept dry by constant pumping. Shock from the
blasts sprang a 3"/50 gun mount, shattered water lines in the fireroom, and tore open a
fresh water tank to the sea. Rivets sheared along the hull; bulkheads split; the starboard
propeller shaft failed soon after the ship cleared the anchorage-"CACTUS," the code
name for Guadalcanal.
Below decks, repair parties worked in choking heat and rising water. Non-watertight doors
were forced shut, timbers wedged into torn seams, pumps rigged and re-rigged. A
dangerous trunk leading into a loaded magazine was welded closed-ten feet by ten feet of
steel sealed against disaster. By the time the flooding was controlled, some 2,000 tons of
seawater sloshed inside the battered hull.
There was no time to rest.
At 1055-barely an hour after the first attack-word came that more enemy aircraft were
approaching. Though wounded and heavy in the water, the ship got underway once more.
At 1127 nearly twenty-seven heavy bombers were sighted, steering toward Henderson
Field. The 3"/50 guns roared again, this time with fuses set at 21 and 30 seconds. Shell
bursts climbed high into the sky, well grouped and reaching toward the formation. No hits
were observed, but the barrage forced the bombers to contend with both shipboard fire
and American fighters rising from Henderson Field. When friendly planes engaged, the
order "cease fire" rang out.
The enemy's target had been the airfield. The ships had done their part.
When the sky cleared, the damaged vessel returned to the unloading area. Despite flooded
holds, broken shafts, cracked shell plates, and a hull split open along sixteen feet of
plating, the mission continued. Divers later found five shell plates cracked between frames
45 and 46, one stove in nearly two feet. The wounds were grievous-but the ship still
floated.
In the aftermath, praise was reserved for those who had held the line below decks and at
the guns. Lieutenant Commander Russell J. Bellerby and Lieutenant Einar N. Eriksen
directed damage control with calm precision. Carpenter Allan R. Carlson and his repair
parties worked fearlessly in the flooding compartments. Gunner's Mate Second Class
Frank Grasso served his 20mm battery with deadly efficiency. In the fireroom, Boilermaker
First Class Thomas Ralph Dobbins risked his life to close a valve on a ruptured steam line.
Around them, the battle for Guadalcanal raged on. The ship had been torn open, nearly
crippled-but she had stayed in the fight. Cargo would still reach the beach. The Marines
would still be supplied. And in the desperate struggle for the Solomon Islands, that was
victory enough for one hard day in November 1942.
Dictionary Of Fighting Ships
U.S.S. Zeilin AP-9
The second Zeilin (AP-9)-started by the Newport News
Shipbuilding & Drydock Co. near the end of World War I as
an Army troop transport but completed as SS Silver State,
a combination passenger liner and cargo carrier for
mercantile service-served during the 1920's and 1930's on
the West Coast-to-Far East circuit, first with the Pacific
Steamship Line, then with the Admiral Orient Line, and
finally with the Dollar Line. Renamed SS President Jackson
on 23 June 1922, she served under that name until acquired
by the Navy in July 1940. Renamed Zeilin and designated
AP-9, she was converted back to a troop transport at Todd-
Seattle Drydock Co. and was commissioned on 3 January 1942,
Capt. Pat Buchanan in command.
Following shakedown training along the west coast, Zeilin
made a round-trip voyage from San Diego to Samoa and back
between 13 April and 17 June to carry garrison troops to
those islands. On 8 July, she again departed the west coast
and steamed via Pearl Harbor to the Fiji Islands. At
Suva, she prepared for the invasion of the Solomon
Islands. Early on the morning of 7 August, she arrived off
Guadalcanal with Task Force (TF) 62, the South Pacific
Amphibious Force. However, her troops did not land on the
first day of the invasion; and, when they did, it was not on
Guadalcanal. On the 8th, she sent the marines of the 3d
Defense Battalion ashore to help the 2d Marines root out
small, but stubborn, enemy defense forces from Tulagi,
Gavutu, and Tanambogo. Upon completing her disembarkation,
the transport got underway for Noumea, New Caledonia.
For the next two months, she made the circuit between
Noumea, New Caledonia; Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides; and
Wellington, New Zealand. On 9 October, she departed Noumea
to carry troops and supplies to the Solomons. Arriving off
Guadalcanal on the 11th, Zeilin began unloading off Lunga
Point. Still there on the 13th, she witnessed successive
enemy air raids on Henderson Field, but she and the other
transports escaped attack because the Japanese airmen
seemed to feel that the airfield was the only important
target. However, the enemy ashore thought otherwise; for,
that same day, a shore battery dropped several salvoes
around Zeilin; but she escaped damage. She returned to
Noumea on 17 October and proceeded from there to Espiritu
Santo. From the latter port, Zeilin set a course back to
Guadalcanal on 9 November and arrived off Lunga Point two
days later.
This time, Japanese airmen found her more attractive. She
began unloading early that morning; and, while she did so,
five enemy dive bombers plunged down toward her. During the
brief encounter, the transport suffered three damaging near
misses, one of which made a glancing hit on her starboard
side but exploded some 20 to 25 feet below the surface. As
a result of these blows, Zeilin shipped a considerable
amount of water and suffered cracked plates and a broken
propeller shaft. Though damaged and listing, the ship
remained in the area performing her duties until later that
month. On 26 November 1942, the ship was re-designated an
attack transport APA-3. She carried casualties to Espiritu
Santo and then sailed via Tutuila, Samoa, back to the
United States. She arrived in San Pedro, Calif., on 22
December to begin repairs at the Terminal Island Navy Yard.
Zeilin completed repairs early in March 1943 and began
operations along the west coast. On 17 April, she departed
San Diego for Alaskan waters. After a six-day stop at San
Francisco, she continued on and arrived in Cold Bay, the
rendezvous point for the Attu invasion force, on 1 May. By
11 May, she was off the southern coast of Attu, ready to
put her troops ashore at Massacre Bay. After the initial
landings, slow progress ashore held up the transport's
unloading operations, and Zeilin was forced to remain off
Attu until the 16th. The next day, she put into Adak for a
five-day layover before heading back to San Diego, where
she arrived on 31 May.
Through the summer months of 1943, she operated along the
west coast-mostly between San Diego and San Francisco. In
August, she returned to Adak, arriving there on the 5th
and remaining until the 26th. She returned to San Diego on
2 September and prepared to head back to the southwestern
Pacific. Departing the west coast near mid-month, Zeilin
steamed to Pearl Harbor, where she stopped for five days
before continuing on-via Funafuti and Espiritu Santo-to
Wellington, New Zealand. The attack transport remained
there from 17 October to 1 November, at which time she
moved to Efate where the Tarawa attack force
concentrated and practiced for Operation "Galvanic."
On 13 November, Zeilin departed Efate in company with the
task force and set course for the Gilbert Islands. She
arrived off Betio-the islet of Tarawa Atoll that was the
first and primary objective of the assault -during the
night of 18 and 19 November. Early the following morning,
she began unloading her marines, members of the 2d
Battalion, 2d Marines, into landing craft for their assault
on Beach Red 2. At about 0615, while she was still
transferring troops to the boats, they received a
foretaste of the mauling in store for them when a shore
battery straddled Zeilin and her assault craft with
shells. Neither ship nor troops suffered any injury; but,
while Zeilin maintained that clean record during the
operation, her passengers were soon to be cut to ribbons as
they waded the 700 yards across ankle- to knee-deep foul
ground between the edge of the reef and the actual shore.
Zeilin returned to Pearl Harbor at the beginning of
December to reload for the Kwajalein phase of the Marshall
Islands assault. She got underway again on 22 January 1944
in company with the Southern Attack Force with elements of
the Army's 7th Division-old friends from Zeilin's Aleutians
service-embarked. On the night of 30 and 31 January,
Southern and Northern Attack Forces separated-the northern
unit headed for its objectives, Roi and Namur Islands up
north, while the southern force zeroed in on Kwajalein
Island and nearby islets.
Zeilin and her colleagues reached the transport area off
boomerang-shaped Kwajalein Island at about 0545 on the
morning of 31 January. The invasion force, however, passed
up the main objective on 31 January, preferring instead to
take and consolidate positions on the islets located to
the west in order to support the main effort scheduled for
1 February. While Zeilin and the other attack transports
sent some of their troops against Ennylabegan and Enubuj,
high-speed transports Manley (APD-1) and Overton (APD-23)
landed the 7th Division Reconnaissance Troop on the
islets, Gehh and Ninni. Encountering only light resistance,
the troops secured all their first-day objectives by early
afternoon and began preparations-in particular the landing
of divisional artillery on Enubuj-for the main assault the
next morning. During the afternoon and evening of 31
January, Zeilin and the other transports transferred
soldiers to LST's for the assault itself and, during the
night, moved to their assigned stations some 7,500 yards
west of Kwajalein Island.
At 0900, troop-laden landing craft charged the beaches on
the western end of the island. For a time, they delayed
about 200 yards from shore to allow naval gunfire to lay
down one last barrage and then resumed their advance,
reaching the beaches at 0930. Soon after the assault force
charged ashore, the unloading of their equipment and
supplies began. After initial success, the troops ashore
advanced slowly, but Zeilin unloaded rapidly and, by the
evening of 2 February, had just about completed the task.
During the succeeding 36 hours, the 7th Division pushed the
Japanese into shrinking pockets of resistance; and, though
the island had not been completely subdued, no doubt
existed as to the final outcome. Thus, Zeilin set a course
for Funafuti, where she arrived on 8 February.
For the next three months, the southwestern Pacific once
again became her theater of operations. She carried
troops and supplies for units operating in the Solomon
Islands and for MacArthur's forces, then leapfrogging up
the back of the New Guinea bird. During those months, she
visited Guadalcanal and Bougainville in the Solomons,
Espiritu Santo, Milne Bay and Cape Sudest on New Guinea,
and the newly conquered Admiralty Islands. On 10 May, she
returned to Guadalcanal to prepare for the invasion of
the Mariana Islands.
Zeilin departed the Solomons on 4 June as a unit of the
Southern Attack Force (TF 53) whose specific target was
to be Guam. The transport-with marines of the 1st
Provisional Brigade embarked-arrived near the Marianas at
mid-month and waited in an area 150 to 300 miles east of
Guam for its assault scheduled for the 18th, three days
following initial landings on Saipan. The operation,
however, suffered two postponements: the first caused by
the Battle of the Philippine Sea and the second by the
unexpectedly bitter opposition which the Americans
encountered on Saipan and Tinian. Part of the force was
dispatched to Eniwetok to await the arrival of the 77th
Division from Hawaii to bolster the Guam force. Zeilin and
her marines, however, remained in the Marianas area for
another five days as a floating reserve.
When it became apparent that the 1st Provisional Brigade
was not needed to bolster the Saipan force, those
transports too headed for Eniwetok, departing the Marianas
area on 30 June and entering the lagoon at Eniwetok on 3
July. Fifteen days later, Zeilin left the lagoon,
rendezvoused with the transports carrying the troops from
Hawaii, and shaped a course for the Marianas. Zeilin
arrived off Guam on ",2 July, the day after the initial
assault on that island. She remained in the area only four
days-unloading marines, equipment, and supplies-and then
departed the Marianas. After an overnight stop at Eniwetok
on 29 and 30 July, she continued on to Pearl Harbor where
she arrived on 7 August. The attack transport remained at
the Hawaiian base for three days, then headed for the
west coast. On the 18th, she arrived in San Francisco
where a three-month's overhaul restored her to top
fighting trim by the begining of the last week in
October.
On 21 October, the attack transport stood out of San
Francisco to return to the war in the western Pacific. She
entered the port of Finschhafen-located on the northeastern
coast of New Guinea almost directly across the Dampier
Strait from New Britain-on 6 November. She briefly plied
the waters off the New Guinea coast, visiting Langemak and
Hollandia before heading for Noumea, where she arrived on
the 22d. At Noumea, she began preparations for the invasion
of Luzon. There, she loaded elements of the Army's 25th
Infantry Division and headed for Guadalcanal where, during
December, soldiers and ships rehearsed the impending
landings. She and her sister ships completed those
exercises just before Christmas and, on Christmas Day,
headed for Manus in the Admiralty Islands. Zeilin and her
consorts remained there from 29 December 1944 until 2
January 1945, at which time they got underway for Luzon.
Zeilin's embarked troops formed a part of the first
reinforcement echelon for the San Fabian phase of the
invasion rather than of the initial assault force. She
arrived off the San Fabian beachhead on 11 January, two
days after the initial landings.
Her out-bound voyage proved more exciting. Zeilin completed
the disembarking of troops and the unloading of their
attendant supplies and equipment by the evening of the
12th. That night, she formed up with a fast transport convoy
and headed for Leyte. The next morning, just after the
beginning of the forenoon watch, a single Japanese plane
pounced on the convoy. Swooping down from a low cloud, the
kamikaze bore in on Zeilin's port quarter. He feigned a
bank at Mount Olympus (AGC-8) steaming astern of Zeilin,
but quickly resumed his original course. Surprise and the
feint at Mount Olympus rewarded the suicide pilot with
success. He made it through the fire of Zeilin's after 40-
millimeter mount, his 'right wing struck the port kingpost
and boom serving No. 6 hatch . . ." while the fuselage ". .
. swung inboard under the radio antenna and crashed the
starboard side of the housetop." At that point, his payload-
a cache of incendiary missiles constructed out of %-inch gas
pipe-showered the decks and started a number of scattered,
but small, fires. Damage topside was extensive at the
point of impact. The superstructure deck was blown away,
deck framing was bent and buckled, and several staterooms
were completely destroyed. The plane's engine pierced the
superstructure deck and the outboard bulkhead and ended up
in one of the landing boats. Worst of all, the attack cost
the ship seven men killed outright, three declared missing,
and 30 injured. The damage, however extensive, was not
fatal, and Zeilin continued on her way with the convoy.
After temporary repairs at Leyte, she got underway for
Ulithi on 16 February and entered the lagoon on the 18th.
She participated in the Iwo Jima campaign briefly in early
March, making a voyage to that island between 9 and 16 March
to bring in reinforcements to that island. Later that
month, she departed the western Pacific to return to the
United States for permanent repairs. After five days at
Hawaii, from 12 to 17 April, she continued on to San
Francisco where she arrived on the 23d.
Following a two-month repair period, Zeilin departed San
Francisco on 30 June. She spent the week of 1 to 8 July
at San Diego and then headed north to Seattle. On the 23d,
she departed the west coast to return to the western
Pacific. The attack transport stopped at Eniwetpk on 4
to 7 August then moved on to Ulithi. Hostilities in the
Far East ceased on 15 August; and Zeilin exited Ulithi
lagoon two days later, bound for Okinawa. At Okinawa from
the 21st, she got underway again on the 29th, bound for
Leyte, and spent most of the month of September
transporting passengers and cargo between points in the
Philippine Islands. In October, she carried the Army's
106th Regimental Combat Team to occupation duty at Jinsen,
Korea. From there, she headed back to the United States.
Following stops at Ulithi and Guam, she arrived in San
Francisco on 14 November. Shuttle voyages along the west
coast between the ports of San Diego, San Francisco, San
Pedro, Bremerton, and Seattle occupied her for the
remainder of 1945 and during January 1946. On 4 February
1946, she departed San Pedro and set her course for the
east coast. After transiting the Panama Canal on the 14th,
she resumed her voyage on the 15th and arrived in Hampton
Roads, Va., on the 21st. On 19 April 1946, Zeilin was
decommissioned at Portsmouth, Va. Her name was struck
from the Navy list on 5 June 1946. She was transferred to
the Maritime Commission on 3 July 1946 for disposal but was
not sold until 4 May 1948 when she was delivered to
American Shipbreakers, Inc., for scrapping.
Zeilin earned eight battle stars for her World War II
service.
Harris Class
APA-2 Harris
APA-3 Zeilin (AP-9)
APA-12 Leonard Wood
APA-13 Joseph T. Dickman
APA-14 Hunter Liggett
APA-16 J. Franklin Bell
APA-17 American Legion
Dimensions
Displacement: 21,300 (Full load)
Length: 535' (oa)
Beam: 72'
Draft: 30'6" (max)
Armament
4 3"/50 DP
1 40mm twins
1 40mm quad
10 20mm twins
Carrying capacity
Cargo DWT: 3,991
2-4 LCM (3)
33 LCVP (22 on #2)
1,650 - 1,900 troops
Propulsion
Speed: 17.5 knots (max)
13.5 knots (econ)
Horsepower: 12,0000 (shaft)
Drive: Geared turbine
2 screws;
Fuel: 4,449 tons oil (max)
Links to other web-sites with information on the
U.S.S. ZEILIN
Naval
Historical Center Has info. and photos of the
U.S.S. ZEILIN
NavSource Has
info. and photos of the U.S.S. ZEILIN
