| Moored outboard Tennessee,
West Virginia was exposed to a withering port-side torpedo attack,
suffering at least nine torpedo impacts; two of which may have detonated
deep inside her hull via holes created by earlier torpedo explosions. In
addition, she was stricken by two dud 800-kg bombs. One pierced turret
three, and the second passed through the foretop and landed on the
second deck. She was saved from capsizing only by prompt
counter-flooding by her crew. The most severely damaged battleship to be
raised and repaired, she rejoined the fleet in 1944.
|