The Harrowing Tale of the USS West Virginia: A Story of Survival

🔥The USS West Virginia, part of the US Pacific Fleet, was one of the primary targets in the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor.

💪Senior Gunnery Officer Lieutenant Claude Ricketts played a crucial role in stabilizing the partially flooded ship and saving lives.

😨The ship's list to port made it extremely difficult for crew members to operate their guns and access critical equipment.

🛠️Ship Fitters, including Sylvester Pucho, had to improvise and break into locked compartments to access vital controls.

💡The decision to begin counter-flooding to correct the ship's list was a risky but necessary move to prevent capsizing.

How were the three young recruits involved in the attack on the USS West Virginia?

—Ronald, Clifford, and Louis were stationed aboard the USS West Virginia and faced the attack head-on, dealing with the challenges of a partially flooded ship, limited access to critical equipment, and the ever-present threat of sinking.

Why was stabilizing the ship's list so important?

—The ship's list to port made it incredibly difficult for crew members to operate their guns and access necessary controls. It also increased the risk of the ship capsizing, which would have been catastrophic.

What role did Senior Gunnery Officer Lieutenant Claude Ricketts play in the survival of the crew?

—Lieutenant Ricketts displayed bravery and quick thinking by counter-flooding the ship's compartments to correct its list and prevent capsizing. His actions saved the lives of many crew members.

How did Ship Fitters like Sylvester Pucho contribute to the crew's survival?

—Ship Fitters, like Sylvester Pucho, improvised and broke into locked compartments to access vital controls that were necessary to stabilize the ship and ensure the safety of the crew.

What were the key challenges faced by the crew of the USS West Virginia during the attack?

—The crew faced numerous challenges, including a partially flooded ship, limited access to critical equipment, a significant list to port, and the constant threat of further attacks. Their resilience and resourcefulness played a critical role in their survival.

00:23The USS West Virginia was stationed in Pearl Harbor as part of the US Pacific Fleet and was a primary target in the surprise attack by the Japanese.

08:33Senior Gunnery Officer Lieutenant Claude Ricketts played a crucial role in stabilizing the ship and saving lives by counter-flooding submerged compartments.

11:29The partially flooded ship's list to port made it extremely challenging for crew members to access equipment and operate their guns.

12:35Ship Fitters, like Sylvester Pucho, improvised to break into locked compartments and access vital controls to stabilize the ship.

13:41The decision to begin counter-flooding was necessary to correct the ship's list and prevent it from capsizing, despite the risks involved.