USS Ward Photo Gallery - World War II

The USS Ward burns after three planes attacked her, the last crashing directly into her in a kamikaze attack. The twin-engined bomber hit the troop compartment but the resulting blast knocked out power and the communications. The speed of the plane was so great that one engine went completely through the ship and out the other side. The USS Ward was sunk by the USS O'Brien about an hour and a half after the hit. - Photo courtesy NHC

Smoke pours from the wounded destroyer. The heat inside the troop space was so intense that the paint on the outside has been burnt off in the vicinity of the stringers that ran inside the hull to reinforce it. The crew had been split in half by the damage done; the fire was impassible and had knocked out all communications between fore and aft. - Photo courtesy Ed Tuffield

One of Ward's landing craft tries to help the ship as the O'Brien moved nearby. A canvas sun-shield that had been strung between the bridge and gallery structure caught on fire and made fighting the fire even more hazardous.- Photo courtesy Ed Tuffield

The gaping hole in Ward's hull is almost completely visible here. For a close-up of the damage please click here.
- Photo by Bernie Jungkind, provided courtesy Guy Thompson.

USS Saunter moved in from astern with her fire hoses spraying as sailors from the O'Brien play their hoses on the fire. - Photo courtesy Ed Tuffield

Sailors from the Saunter spray down the deck aft of the gallery as the ship continues to move forward towards the fire. These sailors saw lots of smoke, but no visible fire from the small hole on the starboard side of the ship. - Photo courtesy Ed Tuffield

USS O'Brien moves close to try and fight the fires ravaging Ward's troop spaces. USS Saunter AM-295 is pressed against the starboard side trying to get water into the small hole that dark smoke is billowing from.

The fire is too stubborn, and the decision is made that Ward must be sunk. The would-be saviors reluctantly begin to move away, leaving the O'Brian and Captain Outerbridge to deliver the death blow to his former command. - Photo courtesy Ed Tuffield

Saunter and Obrien sail away, leaving only burning oil and smoke. The Ward was gone, but like every other action she'd fought in not one of her crew was killed. - Photo courtesy Ed Tuffield

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	The USS Ward burns after three planes attacked her, the last crashing directly into her in a kamikaze attack. The twin-engined bomber hit the troop compartment but the resulting blast knocked out power and the communications. The speed of the plane was so great that one engine went completely through the ship and out the other side. The USS Ward was sunk by the USS O'Brien about an hour and a half after the hit. - Photo courtesy NHC
	Smoke pours from the wounded destroyer. The heat inside the troop space was so intense that the paint on the outside has been burnt off in the vicinity of the stringers that ran inside the hull to reinforce it. The crew had been split in half by the damage done; the fire was impassible and had knocked out all communications between fore and aft. - Photo courtesy Ed Tuffield
	One of Ward's landing craft tries to help the ship as the O'Brien moved nearby. A canvas sun-shield that had been strung between the bridge and gallery structure caught on fire and made fighting the fire even more hazardous.- Photo courtesy Ed Tuffield
	The gaping hole in Ward's hull is almost completely visible here. For a close-up of the damage please click here. - Photo by Bernie Jungkind, provided courtesy Guy Thompson.
	USS Saunter moved in from astern with her fire hoses spraying as sailors from the O'Brien play their hoses on the fire. - Photo courtesy Ed Tuffield
	Sailors from the Saunter spray down the deck aft of the gallery as the ship continues to move forward towards the fire. These sailors saw lots of smoke, but no visible fire from the small hole on the starboard side of the ship. - Photo courtesy Ed Tuffield
	USS O'Brien moves close to try and fight the fires ravaging Ward's troop spaces. USS Saunter AM-295 is pressed against the starboard side trying to get water into the small hole that dark smoke is billowing from.
	The fire is too stubborn, and the decision is made that Ward must be sunk. The would-be saviors reluctantly begin to move away, leaving the O'Brian and Captain Outerbridge to deliver the death blow to his former command. - Photo courtesy Ed Tuffield
	Saunter and Obrien sail away, leaving only burning oil and smoke. The Ward was gone, but like every other action she'd fought in not one of her crew was killed. - Photo courtesy Ed Tuffield


Back to the USS Ward Photo Gallery index.