Collision with the Bryce Canyon

[David Melges]

This occurred when we returned to Pearl from local operations prior to leaving for San Diego, San Francisco and Portland Rose Festival in 1972.  We were to moor starboard side to AD-36 at Bravo Piers, the wind was brisk, blowing us towards them so the approach was quick and as the Pilot ordered the tugs to stop our forward motion one of them dropped the load, and we brushed about 100 feet of building 36 driving the camel well below the surface.  Damage included bending most of the I-beam braces under the ASROC magazine, damaging the 01 level at the top of the ladder from the main deck and permanently closing the machine shop door on the BC.  The end result was we stayed in Pearl for an extra week for repairs, missed the exercise enroute to San Diego and just had a great time on liberty in the three ports.

[tag]

The same thing happened in Subic when the Staddert and 2 tug boats shoved her anchor through our windbreak
port side. I believe Summer 1976.

[ejc]

Dave,
Your memory is still as sharp as ever.  I was in charge of the sea detail on the fantail and we were in shock when we started grinding away at 36.  We sure ran to the port side to stay out of the way. By the way, I'm sure you remember we won the naval fastpitch softball tournament and then played the Handset Sheetmetal Queens of Portland the following day.  It was a great trip.