USS Washington - The Hero of Savo Island

[@corneliuscrewe8165]

“Stand aside. I am coming through. This is Ching Lee.” What a stud.

[@JohnRodriguesPhotographer]

I agree that the loss of USS Washington and USS Enterprise to the scrappers is heartbreaking and almost criminal.

[@jackthedragon612]

Indeed. In my own fictional universe, both ships are preserved.

[@ralphe5842]

It’s very expensive to maintain even rather small ships

[@jackthedragon612]

@@ralphe5842 Well, it's more for the prestige of the ship itself rather than for the money and the fact that, like Wisconsin and Missouri, they can be called to action again.

[@boombot3029]

And the kitty hawk

[@turdferguson4124]

Almost criminal? That’s a little much.

[@markveerman3732]

While serving as a volunteer at the VA, I met USS Washington officier. Arriving in 1943, he did miss the Guadalcanal battle. He was Jr. Officer of the Deck when the Washington collided with the USS Indiana. Later during his time on the Washington, he was put in command of Turret 1. Admiral Lee was on board the Washington at this time, and was well liked by the crew of the USS Washington. I throughly enjoyed talking to this USS Washington officer. He is now 102 years old and still doing well.

[@garycb8592]

Father-in-law was aboard USS Indiana when the collision happened. Medical Dept.

[@johnmckee744]

God Love you old-timer 🙏🙏🙏 we all love you grampa

[@jmnichols57]

Is the office you talked to still alive (I'm not sure how long ago you visited him). I would love to talk to him, somehow. I'm writing a book on the Washington, and most of the guys are gone already. I went to 4 of the reunions years ago. What VA facility did you visit, what was his name? Thanks for any information.

[@Milo_1368]

My grandfather was a GM on turret 2. Probably knew him

[@PlayingWithFireOutdoors]

Respect! A survivor and a centurion. Hes got a 27 year vets salute, 19 infantry 8 Navy (Canadian)

[@fredericdewitt1208]

That was my dad's ship. Boarded her in Philidelphia and was still on her at the end of the war. Was a gunners mate on #2 turret. He never talked about it except that the captain (Lee) put the ship's radio on the intercom during the Great Marianas Turkey shoot. He said they were listening to all the pilots in the air and it was crazy as they could see what was going on as well. I toured the North Carolina with him. I agree, scrapping her was criminal. She brought my dad home.

[@TheValorVault]

Very cool, God bless him. Thank you for sharing

[@chadmcdaniel1374]

And in time that ship brought you home.

[@boatingexplainedwithcapndr8359]

It’s too bad that so many WWII vets kept their experiences so close to the vest when they returned (including my uncle who served in Europe). Their stories are history and many are lost forever.

[@glennwinter2197]

W.A.Lee was the Admiral on board August 1942 -Nov1944 except for 3.5 months Feb 1944-June due to Collision damage . .

[@robertf3479]

It should be noted that even though USS Washington was Admiral Lee's favorite Flagship she was not equipped with Flag Bridge facilities while South Dakota was. Lee kept his Flag Staff to an absolute minimum (usually with only 1 or 2 officers and with enlisted personnel drawn from Washington's crew as part of their regular duties. After hoisting his Flag in Washington he and Captain Davis drew on Lee's experience prior to promotion to Rear Admiral to sharpen Washington's marksmanship (Lee had a lifelong love of sport and competition shooting, winning numerous awards as part of the Navy Rifle and Pistol teams.) The Gunnery Department said "Challenge accepted" and brought USS Washington a reputation as a straight shooting ship with what seemed to be 16" Sniper Rifles. Those gun crews were also able to fire their guns as quickly as any other USN battleship. The Kirishima never stood a chance. For more on Admiral Lee's career I highly recommend the book "Battleship Commander."

[@73Trident]

Battleship Commander is a great read. I highly recommend it. Admiral Willis A. Lee my favorite USN Admiral. North Carolina class are my choice as the best looking BBs ever.

[@JohnRodriguesPhotographer]

Admiral Willis Augustus Lee was awarded 6 medals in the Olympics.. he also single handed eliminated 3 snipers at Vera Cruz.

[@brentwalters8921]

Battleship at War is also a good read

[@jonathanlong6987]

Kirishima was a battle cruiser.

[@bkjeong4302]

You’re forgetting one thing: Washington opened fire at point-blank range. Even if it hadn’t been Lee in command, it would have been impossible to miss.

[@raymondhill7636]

My uncle served as a Marine from the day Washington was commissioned. He stayed aboard her until he was mustered out at the end of the war

[@allanboyer2769]

I'm from Washington, seeing the North Carolina is on my bucket list. Wish it could be the Washington, the greatest of all U.S. battleships. My humble thanks to all who served aboard her. True American heroes.

[@dragineeztoo61]

I highly recommend a tour of the North Carolina, then the Wisconsin or New Jersey. The #1 turret is open to tour and still has the optical range finder installed. It is VERY cramped quarters. Then go to an Iowa class where the range finder has been removed and you'll find the difference in the amount of free space remarkable.

[@jamesmurray8558]

Where in Washington are you from? I was stationed in Sedro Woolley in the Park Service. Was at Mt. St. Helens.

[@allanboyer2769]

Vancouver. area, just north of Hazel Dell. I heard St. Helens when she cleared her throat, and watched one of the large ash eruptions from Ridgefield when I was bucking hay.@@jamesmurray8558

[@tarheelredbone43]

As a North Carolinian, I’m very proud of the two ships of that class. Collectively they have 28 battle starts and both performed exceptionally. It is a shame that the Washington wasn’t preserved. I have toured the North Carolina and I highly recommend it to anyone who can go

[@allanboyer2769]

@@jamesmurray8558 Just north of Vancouver in Clark County, in Salmon Creek area. I watched St. Helens erupt in 1980. Was bucking hay in Ridgefield and had a close up view from the south side.

[@JBrandeis1]

The two N. Carolina-class battleships were magnificent-looking fighting vessels.

[@coreyandnathanielchartier3749]

The Japanese were stunned by the loss of IJN Kirishima, especially that she was sank at night, where the Japanese usually ruled the battlefield. It was one of the greatest dramatic moments in US Navy history......USS Washington, almost unescorted, charging into the night, and delivering a hail of accurate salvos against a formidable and confident enemy, causing them to retreat, and sparing the jarheads and sailors another night of hellish shore-bombardment on Guadalcanal.

[@JeffreyWilliams-dr7qe]

IJN Fast Battlships were laid down before WW1. Although modified well she was out classed but still slugged it out with two new USN Battleships sending one home for repairs. Which crews performed better that night?

[@UkrainianPaulie]

And she wasn't hit.

[@eskrima1]

My father was on the light cruiser USS Atlanta which was sunk on the 13th. He was wounded but after being taken ashore was still given a .50cal in a Fox hole on the beach. He had a clear view of the next battle. Remember him saying he could see the larger shells and the smaller ones passing them up in the dark. A front row to history.

[@carolecarr5210]

Your father is one of my heroes, giving me my freedom. Bless. Him!

[@eskrima1]

@@carolecarr5210 thank you. He was surely a hero to me for so many reasons.

[@TheValorVault]

Wow simply amazing...to have to go through that brutal street brawl of a naval fight, get shot up by your own people, then become a foot soldier on one of the toughest battlefields in history. God bless him, without men like that we stood no chance. You can have all the weapons, vehicles and ships, but without men with the courage and bravery to get stuff done, you have nothing. Thank you for sharing

[@jonnyblayze5149]

@@TheValorVault yeah yeah yeah, blah blah blah, there are men of EVERY generation that would stand up if need be. To assume or say that this generation is "special" because of it is utterly false

[@TheValorVault]

@jonnyblayze5149 I'm sorry but I said absolutely nothing about any specific generation being "special" in my comment above and neither did anybody else. Your absolutely right and I know a few dudes who are current active duty who would certainly be badasaes if stuff went down.

[@mikejackson7425]

My Dad was on the Washington. I took him to many BB56 reunions in the 80s and 90s. The Washington after detailed reviewing of the logs as many ships had done after the war, she was awarded by congress 2 more battle stars giving her a highly decorated 15 battle stars. Find the out of circulation book “Battleship At War” by naval historian Ivan Musicant. Great book. May we never forget the sacrifice of the Greatest Generation.

[@jonnyblayze5149]

Greatest generation? BWAHHHHHH HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA! no, not even close.

[@dougerrohmer]

@@jonnyblayze5149 And who's your greatest generation?

[@jonnyblayze5149]

@@dougerrohmer it would have to be the one before. They went through the War to end all Wars, killing milions,the biggest in history (untill WWII) then immediately after went through the Spanish influenza pandemic killing milions, then had to endure the great depression killing millions, then to top it off had to watch their children go off halfway around the world to fight in the biggest conflict in human history, killing millions........and through all that they persevered.

[@dougerrohmer]

@@jonnyblayze5149 Well there's overlap with the Depression and all that, and actually serving in WW2 and Korea. But whatever.

[@jonnyblayze5149]

@@dougerrohmer no there isnt, save for a few months of the pandemic. do you not know history? WWI :1914-1918 20 million deaths Pandemic: 1918-1920 50 million deaths Great Depression:1929-1939 10 million deaths (US alone) WWII: 1941-1945 (US entry) 75 million deaths

[@yakhooves]

The fact they saved North Carolina and scrapped Washington hurts to this day. ~Washingtonian

[@ColKorn1965]

Yep

[@pvccannon1966]

As NorthCarolinian, saving BB55 , the most decoreated battleship of WW2. And keeping her in tip top shape with paint, a coffer dam, and a restored original plane on her rear deck is a honor.

[@jonathanlong6987]

The people of NC raised the $s. WA didn’t.

[@yakhooves]

As a Washingtonian that completely tracks...@@jonathanlong6987

[@gruntforever7437]

@@jonathanlong6987 Yep. North Carolina, Alabama, Massachusetts all were saved but not the Washington. Total horse crap

[@0giwan]

My understanding is that in the first salvo, Washington hit Kirishima's superstructure and basically wiped out her bridge. Washington thought they overshot, corrected down, and then put two salvos that hit Kirishima below the waterline. Basically, Kirishima was done 60 seconds into Washington opening fire, but the Japanese just didn't realize it yet.

[@fredrickmillstead2804]

Marksmanship.

[@harrymurphey2634]

... the Washington was the largest "sniper" weapon even made ...

[@fredrickmillstead2804]

I cannot imagine what it would have been like to be on the superstructure of Kirishima when 9 16" rounds impacted. That had to be pure hell on the water.

[@harrymurphey2634]

... the analysis of the wreck on the sea bed is upwards of (22) 16" hits ... above and below the waterline ... maybe more ...

[@metaknight115]

@@harrymurphey2634I think it ease only twenty 16-inch shells and seventeen 5-inch shells

[@christiansmith7544]

The USS WASHINGTON shouldn't have been scrapped with the history she had. An addition she was a battleship with 16in armament witch was the biggest the U.S had at the time under the treatys guidelines we had to follow. She should have been saved as a museum ship.

[@edwardstill8995]

My Grandfather was on Washington in the A turret. I still have tons of his pictures of the crew of the Washington and his previous ship the Arizona.

[@c.j.cleveland7475]

The Arizona? Damn! Your grandfather had one hell of a career! Serving on 2 of the most famous ships in the Navy and surviving the war. Much respect to your grandfather.

[@timothyhill8392]

Any chance you would be willing to send some pics to me? My grandfather was on the Washington as well but I only have a few souvenirs, no pics.

[@mikecimerian6913]

Admiral Lee was a marksman with many championship medals at both rifle and pistol. The Washington gunnery crew were sniper accurate thanks to Adm Lee updating gunnery tables and having his crew train to be top gun.

[@redtobertshateshandles]

Hitting not shooting.

[@fighterace316]

What a beast!!! I love reading Washington’s night battle off Savo Island.

[@michaelgallagher2663]

A Sad Ending To Such A Beautiful And Historic Ship.

[@graff324]

The USS Washington and Adm Lee brought the awesome 16" Panche to the two Japanese battleship. "Stand aside, I'm coming through !!!!

[@shumyinghon]

great, narrated with a tone of stirring conviction and purpose, that's how such stories should be told to the ears

[@hazchemel]

Thanks for that, and her modest lifespan included that remarkable drama at Guadalcanal; that action with South Dakota and Kirishima is the artist's version of a battleship in action.

[@92naz32]

Absolutely ludicrous that Washington was not at least preserved as a museum ship based on the battle of Savo Island alone, never mind the rest of her extensive combat actions throughout the war and her ties to Adm. Willis "Ching" Lee. A sad ending for one of the most legendary battle ships in US Naval history.

[@petestorz172]

The 5"/38 was a mixed bag as an anti-ship gun. The lower muzzle velocity meant lesser range and armor penetration. OTOH, the gun's very high rate of fire meant that superstructure could be smothered, with high personnel casualties and destruction to fire control and communications. For AA, the combination of gun, turret train and elevation, fire control and the VT fuse were a class of its own.

[@hazchemel]

Yes a great weapon and response to the evolving situation. Action reports give us accounts of the gun, and I think it was probably close to ideal for ranges under 20 000 yards, especially the HE.

[@gruntforever7437]

@@hazchemel IT truly was the best DP gun in its class

[@bluemarlin8138]

In theory, it was limited as an anti-ship gun. In practice, it was just fine against destroyers, and it was unrealistic that a battleship would need to engage cruisers or battleships with its secondary battery anyway. Guadalcanal was really the only time a battleship/battlecruiser’s secondary battery damaged a battleship or cruiser, and it was just superficial damage to SoDak.

[@jagtone]

That's why they call it the secondary battery! Less important when you've got that 9x16" broadside.

[@petestorz172]

@@jagtone , the 5"/38 was the main gun for destroyer classes after the Wickes and Clemson classes, and on Atlanta class light cruisers. On a battleship, different guns for different purposes. Those 14" or 16" guns were unsuited against aircraft (ask the Japanese about that), and poorly suited against craft such as PT boats or destroyers - against such threats 5"/38s were primary and pretty much sole. The big change in battleship secondaries was from a mixed battery of 5"/51 anti-ship and 5"/25 AA guns to a homogeneous battery of 5"/38s. 1930s-built fast battleships never had the mixed battery, but the rebuilt pre-Treaty battleships did have the change of battery in their rebuilds.

[@russellmoore1046]

They didn't save Washington but did save the North Carolina. It's been about 30 years since i went and visited her but i have on occasion driven by her berth. She is awe inspiring even from a distance. I can only imagine what the sailors must have thought when these two and all of the South Dakotas started showing up in the Pacific. At last we got battlewagons to fight with! All the standards were to slow for fleet work with the carriers.

[@rodneywilliams3532]

I worked with the living history crew on the USS North Carolina in the early 2000s was told many of the older living history crew members that the surviving members of the USS Washington would have reunions on the USS North Carolina because they are basically the same layout and Design. Also met many members and former crew members of the USS North Carolina during that time. Was truly an honor to do that at that time in my life.

[@glennwinter2197]

@@rodneywilliams3532 the Washington did have a reunion there on the N.Carolina later 1990's .

[@lloydknighten5071]

It is sad that ships like U.S.S. WASHINGTON and H.M.S. VANGUARD were not preserved as memorials

[@jamesricker3997]

I would have preferred to have Saved the King George IV rather than the Vanguard

[@BigAmp]

It would have been very challenging to preserve that one 😀 @@jamesricker3997

[@bkjeong4302]

Vanguard did absolutely nothing and should never even have been built.

[@Slaktrax]

If any ship deserved saving, it was Warspite.

[@jonnyblayze5149]

@@Slaktrax there is no royal navy battleship that should have been saved.

[@davidfreiboth1360]

As a native Washingtonian (born in Bremerton) I can tell you the likely reason we squandered the opportunity to preserve this important ship. At the time of her disposal the USS Missouri was a part of the Pacific Reserve Fleet at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Bremerton. Our state was blessed with two powerful Senators that saw to it that the “Mighty Mo” was accessible to the public and became a top tourist attraction (of which I visited as a boy). Since the short-sighted navy boosters had the “sight of the signing of Japanese surrender” safely mothballed nearby there was no reason to pursue financing a project to turn Washington into a museum ship. Then the Iowas were reactivated but by then it was way too late to save our namesake. There was an attempt to out compete Hawaii as Missouri’s retirement home, but by then we didn’t have the Congressional pull to make it happen. And so now we are left with the USS Turner Joy and Washington is but a memory.

[@6mm250]

This is a great informational video without any extraneous music , noise ,or drama

[@TheValorVault]

Thank you!

[@johnmckee744]

Beautiful Ship excellent record should of been recommended a national Treasure

[@codyhilton1750]

An excellent video on this beautiful ship. It is a shame that this war hero was not preserved when the State had amble shore lines on the Pacific.

[@TheValorVault]

Thank you and it is very much a shame.

[@allanboyer2769]

Almost criminal.

[@raywhitehead730]

It was Radar! As promoted by Admiral Lee, who was well trained himself in radar, at a time when many weren't , that was the deciding factor in the Kirishima battle. It happened at night, about midnight at short range (6,000 yards) and neither side had a visual when it started.

[@St.PatricksTrades2]

fellow fat electrician viewer?

[@johnhallett5846]

Captain Glenn Davis also should be recognized for running a taut and competent ship.

[@73Trident]

Great video and presentation. North Carolina class are my favorites. 28 Battle Stars between the two. I'm really enjoying your channel.

[@TheValorVault]

Awesome, thank you!

[@graham2631]

Great choice in pictures and interesting choice of details. Thumbs on this one.

[@oceanhome2023]

The 5inch gun was the smallest size that new proximity fuse could fit on

[@dawor1761]

Thank you very much for this documentary. I saw the New Jersey some years ago. Great ships and I'm thankful for the ones they preserved.

[@kcott4177]

I was privileged enough to be able to walk the decks of Enterprise in 1957 or 58 (its been a LONG time (laughing) when I was in the Cub Scouts. She was a BIG ship to a 7 or 8 yr old. She was scrapped not long after.

[@stanstenson8168]

Way cool.

[@meanstavrakas1044]

The picture at 18:30 of both USS Washington and USS North Carolina was taken from the USS Alaska or USS Guam which were just in front of both Battleships.

[@jamesvandemark2086]

The Washington had Admiral Lee on board, That is one hell of an edge!

[@69Applekrate]

Nicely done, informative and interesting. One of my favorite BBs. thank you

[@TheValorVault]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for watching

[@TheValorVault]

@ejt3708 I review Washington's actions during the 2nd naval battle of Guadalcanal, which occurred to the west of Savo Island and is also referred to as the 4th Battle of Savo Island. I don't get how you can claim that's clickbait when I discuss what was arguably Washington's finest hour which occurred in the waters off Savo.

[@Trojan0304]

Kudos to best review of USS Washington on KZbin, subscribed to channel 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@TheValorVault]

Thank you

[@seanbryan4833]

Last Friday I visited the North Carolina, Washington's sister ship. It was fascinating!

[@martyyoung598]

The North Carolina was “retired” to the boneyard at roughly the same time (1947?) and then put up on the auction block for scrap in the early 60’s like Washington. What was cool was a valiant effort by citizens and state legislators of North Carolina’s namesake saved her.

[@cavalierliberty6838]

​@@martyyoung598it was mostly school kids that helped save the showboat, as well. That's the impressive part.

[@jmrodas9]

The ship was a good one, and proved its worth destroying the IJN Kirishima, in the only Battleship versus Battleship in the Pacific in World War II. However she had a couple of design problems, one that her radar had a large blind spot to the rear, and the other that she vibrated too much, when moving at high speed. But part of the credit must go to Admiral Lee and her crew, which made her perform so well.

[@TheValorVault]

She was, and I covered everything you mentioned in the video

[@dutchman7216]

The navy should have saved USS Washington and USS Enterprise. The history they couldn't provide for generations to come would have been invaluable.

[@raywhitehead730]

The Bofor 40 mounts with radar direction and proximity fuses were the absolute Cadillac of anti air.

[@S0ulinth3machin3]

I would not want to be in a crew of a warship opposing one captained by Willis Lee. You're gonna get blown up.

[@glencrandall7051]

It's a shame that the reason gallant ships like the USS Washington fail to be saved purely because of financial reasons. I have been extremely fortunate to have been able to tour the USS North Carolina, The USS Alabama and the USS Iowa. I also made a brief visit to the USS Missouri when it was moored in Bremerton, WA. Although that sounds like a lot of museum ships there certainly should be more. The battleships were grand old ladies the likes of which will probably never be seen again. I am afraid the carriers will suffer the same fate. Many other classes already have.🙂🙂

[@jonnyblayze5149]

Probably? No, definitely. There will NEVER be battleships built/used again. Period

[@jagtone]

You say "purely because of financial reasons" as if that is some sort of triviality. Which it is, I guess, if you aren't the one who is paying.

[@artsummers2095]

I had an uncle Paul Summers a Franklin Kentucky, who served on the Washington throughout the war! He went to Scapa flow and stayed on her till the war ended. He had two brothers that used to tease him about never being in a fight and having a bed and hot chow. They never had a clue or bother to find out what he did. No one knew until I joined the Navy, and started to learn about the Washington. Now it was two sailors against two soldiers in our discussions.

[@TheValorVault]

Wow, awesome stuff! I thank you and your uncle for your service to this nation!

[@johnrogers1661]

She prevented the Japanese from turning the tide in that battle, the ship, her crew, and her captain took her to the limits and came out on top. Cheers!

[@jameshuner9119]

She should be sitting in Bremerton….. unleashing her 16’s every 4th of July

[@orcstr8d]

Poor Bremerton deserves some sort of replacement after the Missouri was hijacked from them and placed in Pearl.

[@PlayingWithFireOutdoors]

You should do a view of Adm. Lees accomplishments, and how they were things of his desires for shooting skills. The USS Washington's skill at gunnery, is a direct result. He rewrote the ballistic charts on the 16's, and helped improve the VT fuses.

[@montenewman6500]

Excellent! Keep up the good work.

[@TheValorVault]

Thank you!

[@oceanhome2023]

This gives a whole new meaning for the term SCREWED !!!

[@valianttmt8044]

At least her sister ship, North Carolina, is still with us 🇺🇸❤️

[@timandellenmoran1213]

Just a great ship all the way around!!

[@dewikle2]

Pretty cool the way South Dakota tricked the Japanese into first fixating on it, and then to turn on their search lights! Thus ending Lee & Washington’s “friend or foe” concerns! How devious!

[@marksavage8871]

The Washington was not the last battleship to sink another battleship. That distinction goes to Oldendorf’s Pearl Harbor survivors during the battle of Surigao Straight.

[@Ozai75]

And they smashed the hell out of that force too.

[@milferdjones2573]

Note of the 8 BB at Pearl 6 were put back into action for that fight to get some revenge. This one was pure Karma.

[@manilajohn0182]

That's actually not the case at all. All of the claims of main battery hits on Yamashiro were unconfirmed because Surigao Strait was a night action. U.S. after- action reports made claims for hits based on "pronounced Flare- ups" at the approximate time of arrival of fired salvos. While there may have been some hits, it's equally likely that Yamashiro was simply firing back and that the vast majority of U.S. shells were straddles. This is supported by the fact that the old U.S. battleships involved in the action all had shell dispersion rates as significant as those of the North Carolina's, South Dakotas, and Iowas- and most of them were actually greater. Lastly, the wrecks of both Fuso and Yamashiro have been discovered. Exploration of the wrecks has revealed that both vessels are essentially intact and that they were fatally damaged by torpedo attacks made by U.S. destroyers.

[@marksavage8871]

My dad was there - USS Claxton (DD-571) screening Oldendorf’s BB’s. He was topside and saw much of the battle.

[@terryfowler6090]

Washington was the only one to sink battleship one on one.

[@bryanfields5563]

"Lost an Admiral" - WOW!

[@raywhitehead730]

Radar! And Admiral Lee.

[@paulbegley1464]

How in the hell can they scrape a ship like her ?

[@73Trident]

Well they didn't come up with enough money is what I understand. Damn shame, only US BB to sink another capital ship outright.

[@DK-gy7ll]

The state of Washington should've found a way to do so. There were plenty of places around Puget Sound to moor her. Instead she was scrapped and all the state has for a museum ship now is the destroyer USS Turner Joy. While not a bad museum ship she pales in comparison to BB-56.

[@poowg2657]

The same way they couldn't save the Enterprise.

[@kylemartin2594]

Hey..they scrapped the Enterprise. Money

[@jacksonlee3771]

They needed the steel. China is desecrating old WW 2 ships to get the steel in 2023.

[@bahoonies]

I remember reading an article in my Dad's newspaper about Washington being sold. I was a few months short of my 9th birthday and already fascinated by battleships. I wondered if I saved my pocket money, could I buy her and sail her to my home in Ireland. Sadly, one little Irish boy couldn't save this great ship.

[@m33p0]

Washington didn't escape completely unharmed in that battle. one of her radar set got pierced possibly by kirishima. i think it was the very one the bureau of ordinance insisted to be installed where it was. poetic justice, i say.

[@Zephyrmec]

My Dad served aboard Washington, the damage was a 5” hole in the CXAM reflector screen, it still worked.

[@stanstenson8168]

Ordnance.

[@Zephyrmec]

@@stanstenson8168 correct, predictive spelling got me! Apologies to the grammar monitor

[@stanstenson8168]

@@Zephyrmec Wasn't talking to you.

[@jonnyblayze5149]

@@Zephyrmec corrective spelling doesnt spell the word incorrect just man up and say you misspelled it.

[@mrman4003]

Interesting about the vibration problem, I wonder if any other class of fast battleships suffered this , the Iowas were almost double the power of the north Carolinas

[@markthomas6436]

Excellent, clear enunciation by the narrator. Glad to hear an American, instead of the ubiquitous British accent. 😊

[@carlmontney7916]

The lack of foresight in not saving this great warship is absolutely tragic. If ever there was a naval ship that deserved to be preserved for future generations to visit the Washington is it.

[@raya.pawley3563]

Thank you

[@PostalWorker14]

My uncle was on destroyer in WW2 the big ships get all the attention but the destroyers do the dirty work

[@paulprovenzano3755]

Destroyers saved my dad’s life in the battle off Samar. He was regular army …… Sixth Infantry ….. and he had no patience for the “glory boys“ on battleships and aircraft carriers. Conversely, he had nothing but respect for the ‘tin-can sailors’ of what he called ‘the REAL navy.

[@williamfowle]

Outstanding!🫡

[@tedrussell902]

I had a friend that was on her .....Ronnie Young.

[@JohnRodriguesPhotographer]

God bless him!

[@JerrySeriatos]

Damned the Washington and London Naval Treaties!!

[@adamstrange7884]

Admiral Ching Lee was to Naval gunnery what Spok was to Star Trek!

[@robinrobinson4457]

Awesome video brother stay strong and God bless ❤❤❤❤😅

[@Bill23799]

What a gallant ship she was. Thank you. Liked.....Subbed......Rang of the Bell

[@WadeOakes]

My dad was on thè washington. Iv heard lots of stories about her. He was on her from 39 to 45

[@timandellenmoran1213]

Just the best ship in ww2 that the USA had, Uss Washington BB-56!!!

[@davidkimmel4216]

Thank. So So Sad 😢

[@WilliamSmith-zk4tj]

Did you mention that the SG radar with positioned in the center of the ship against the wishes of of the captain and they were forced to go into combat with a blind spot due to it this blind spot almost cost to South Dakota I've always wondered what happened to the people on that Shipyard that did that

[@TheValorVault]

@WilliamSmith-zk4tj yes. The book Battleship at War by Ivan Musicant goes into great detail about why the SG radar was placed where it created the blind spot aft. He interviewed Harvey Walsh, who was Washington's gun boss during that time, along with several other members of the gunnery department. It's a fascinating book that I highly recommend.

[@BigUnitBeef]

One wonders. When those yard birds cut into her, did she not bleed? 😢

[@Pledgeman]

Have you conducted a history of the USS Sterrit?

[@wesleyjarboe9571]

Halsey blundered badly by taking TF34 with him on his northward wild-goose-chase.

[@philliptukia8307]

That would have been a grand fight had Lee and his battleships been allowed to remain at San Bernardino Strait.

[@stevenm3823]

Really wish that a WWII Navy "band of brothers" type mini series could be made by HBO...the story of the USS Washington and it's duel with the Japanese battleship Kirishima would make an awesome episode.

[@TheValorVault]

great idea!

[@Saxxonknight]

In all honesty without supporting ships Washington vs Kirishima is a one sided fight. Washington had bigger guns, more of them and better fire control coupled with better armor (Kirishima was really a battle cruiser not a battleship). Aside from problems like South Dakota had losing power, the direct matching up of either US BB vs Kirishima is lopsided.

[@GeorgiaBoy1961]

@stevenm3823 - That's a great idea! Well-done! Many people do not know it, but the U.S. Navy, of all of the branches of service of the U.S. in the Solomon Islands campaigns, suffered the highest number of casualties. The Marines and their sacrifices are well-remembered, for obvious reasons, and the army, too, thanks to the terrible hardships those men suffered fighting in the jungles and highlands of Guadalcanal and other islands... but the navy men sustained the worst casualties. A superb history of those battles is "Neptune's Inferno" by the late James Hornfischer. An absolutely stellar and superb work, in my view.... read like an adventure novel, but it was fact.

[@williamfreeman9356]

Any navy film would be great any ship even a supply ship so much can happen on a ship from drowning to sharks to fire 🔥 on ship and floating to bombs and bullets.

[@paulkronenberg-me7sl]

Informational and intruiging!

[@danielwielki3490]

thx for resumen👍

[@williampaz2092]

Th British had learned during the early days of WW2 that aircraft carriers were horribly vulnerable when operating without battleships as escorts. Once the carrier’s air wing has been launched there is nothing to protect the carrier from a surface action group. A carrier has a very long punch, but a fragile “glass jaw.” One hole in the flight deck and there is nowhere for its aircraft to land. Only a battleship can take the pounding of a heavy action and keep fighting. Therefore they learned to deploy a Carrier - Battleship Task Force.

[@GeorgiaBoy1961]

Expensive lesson to learn with the loss of the HMS Glorious, sunk by Scharnhorst and Gneisenau, 8 June 1940.

[@happyhighway106]

#281 I enjoyed the history of this Battleship! She and her Crew helped to shorten World War II. The Kirishima rest on the bottom in 3,000 feet, up-side-down. Found By Dr. Comander Robert Ballard. Ther USS Gerald R. Ford class of Warships are the modern weapons of war. Machining a 16 inch gun takes about two years. And is very expensive! Lets give a big Toast to the Officers and Ratings of USS Washington.

[@jerrykruth2142]

Well done. A little more detail might have been used in Washington's duel with Kirishima.

[@bluemarlin8138]

Drachinifel and the Unauthorized History of the Pacific War channel both have very good and detailed videos on it.

[@charhkfister]

the north carolina put up an up a crazy amount of AA in one naval battle another ship thought the north Carolina was on fire. it was just her AA batteries

[@kamaeq]

The North Carolina and Washington wouldn't be reactivated because of their teething issues, but their armor plate help develop weaponry for decades later.

[@coreydarr8464]

Imagine! The navy did not listen to senior NCO'S, thus The navy Put other navy ships in danger as well as the original ship!

[@Aelxi]

Ching Lee's sniper rifle

[@kristelvidhi5038]

They shouldn't have made the Iowas. They should've modified the North Carolinas and make them more advanced and more powerful. USS Washington deserved all the glory and become a flouting museum, not Missouri.

[@billboth4814]

Battle of Savo Island might have gone differently if Washington HAD been there.

[@michaela4ru44hmofxbgnjhjmo2]

Sorry I missed her😢😢.

[@mysticdragonwolf89]

Task Force 38.3 I’m floored that there was a task force with a decimal

[@seventhson27]

Washington vs Tripitz would have been an interesting fight, but Tripitz refused to come out and play.

[@AdamosDad]

"Fair Winds and Following Seas" Brothers 🇺🇸⚓ 🐉Tonkin Gulf Yacht Club Member 1968-69🐉🇺🇸⚓

[@Chris-um3se]

Admiral Lee is hero.

[@mcleod300]

The title of this video is misleading. There's little info about the conflict during the Guadalcanal campaign .

[@seventhson27]

"This is Ching Lee. Stand aside, I'm coming through."

[@stephenhicks9530]

What a sad ending for a heroic ship.

[@jonathanlong6987]

Kirishima was a battle cruiser. Not a battleship. Less than 10 inches armor on her main belt & WWl style not slanted.

[@givenfirstnamefamilyfirstn3935]

Only the Brit battlecruisers blew up easily.

[@jonathanlong6987]

@@Future-Preps35 I have only read of 12.1” of armor sloped to repel 14” shells. Interesting.

[@jonathanlong6987]

@@givenfirstnamefamilyfirstn3935 At Jutland they filled their turrets with powder and shells for more rapid fire. Plus accurate German gunfire made for massive explosions. Turrets first. Magazines second.

[@givenfirstnamefamilyfirstn3935]

@@jonathanlong6987 And at the Denmark Strait 25 years later?

[@manilajohn0182]

@@givenfirstnamefamilyfirstn3935 Captain Leach and Commander Lawson of Prince of Wales, and Ted Briggs of Hood are on record as stating that the boat deck fire sunk Hood through penetration of the ship's ventilation system of flash which reached a magazine.