| The northernmost battleship in
Battleship Row, Nevada was the only battleship able to get
underway during the attack, making a dramatic dash for the open seas.
After receiving a torpedo port-forward, Nevada was able to swing
clear of the burning Arizona--thanks to an extra boiler that had
been lighted, giving her a 90 minute head-start in getting underway--at
about 0840. Without the aid of tugs and the absence of her skipper, Nevada
raced past Battleship Row, attracting a flight of Vals from Kaga
that had been targeting Helena. Receiving 2 bombs amidships and 3
bombs forward, she was in danger of settling in the channel, bottling-up
the entire fleet as a result. Instead, she was ordered via signal flags
on the Naval District water tower to stay clear of the channel and
eventually she ran aground at Hospital Point. Although seriously
damaged, she was repaired and rejoined the fleet in 1943.
|
