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Typhoon Cobra, Dec 1944, Pacific Operations

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.
  1. Planes on the hangar deck were not safe from the storm's destruction
  2. Sailors work to reclaim typhoon damaged planes.
  3. Some of the 90 survivors of the disaster fished from the heavy seas. The USS Taberer, itself badly damaged by the typhoon, stayed on station for 51...
  4. USS Spence attempting to refuel from the battleship USS New Jersey on Dec 17. The next day she would break in half and sink in Typhoon Cobra with 317...
  5. Planes on the hangar decks did not fare well either
  6. Crew members work desperately to save plane on flight deck during Typhoon Cobra
  7. carrier listing in heavy seas
  8. Unidentified destroyer almost disappearing behind a wave -- sailors reported whole destroyers (masts and all) disappearing from view behind 90 foot...
  9. Another carrier taking a precarious roll in heavy seas of Typhoon Cobra
  10. Another of the 150 carrier based aircraft damaged or destroyed by Typhoon Cobra
  11. Avenger (?) damaged during Typhoon Cobra
  12. Heavy seas break over flight deck of U.S.S. Yorktown in Typhoon Cobra
  13. Oiler tanker desperately trying to refuel ship in heavy seas as typhoon strikes
  14. One of 150 carrier based aircraft damaged or destroyed by Typhoon Cobra
  15. Image of Typhoon Cobra on U.S.S. Yorktown's radar screen
  16. A light carrier experiencing a 70 degree roll in typoon cobra
  17. My father talked of seeing a carrier with its flight deck looking like an open tuna fish can from the force of the waves -- perhaps this is the one
  18. Unidentified ship taking a serious roll in heavy seas of typhoon cobra
  19. Light carrier U.S.S. Langley experiencing a 70 degree roll in typhoon
  20. Unidentified destroyer in heavy seas as typhoon rolls in
  21. Oil tanker attempting to fuel another ship as the typhoon moves in.
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