In December of 1944 Admiral "Bull" Halsey sailed the fast carrier task force into one of the most fierce typhoons in recorded naval history -- over 100 mph (160 kph) winds and 90 foot waves. Three ships capsized drowning nearly 800 men, 30 ships were badly damaged, and 120 carrier based planes lost. My father's ship rode out this typhoon relatively safely -- he said the large booms and cranes on his ship were "bent like pretzels" from the force of the storm.