File:British ore carrier SS August Moon aground on Pratas Island reef on 16 September 1966.jpg
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Summary
| Description |
English: While en route to Hong Kong on 16 September 1966, the U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Oriskany (CVA-34) answered a distress call of the British-registered 10,240-ton ore carrier SS August Moon, which was aground on the Pratas Island reef, 170 nautical miles (310 km) southeast of Hong Kong. The carrier launched a Grumman C-1A Trader at 0524 and a Grumman E-1B Tracker at 0933 to render assistance, but high seas in the wake of Typhoon Elsie continually struck the August Moon, prevented rescue by lifeboats from the nearby British frigate HMS Loch Fada (F390) and the Japanese oil tanker Tokyo Maru, and eventually necessitated removal of the entire 44-man crew by helo to the Pratas Island Air Station or the Oriskany. All three Kaman UH-2A/B Seasprite helicopters of Helicopter Combat Support Squadron 1 (HC-1) Det. G "Pacific Fleet Angels" were launched to rescue the merchantman's crew. UH-2B BuNo 150183 (modex UP-47) and UH-2A 149774 (UP-25, appears to be the helo in the photo) at 1031, and UH-2B 152196 (UP-51) at 1122. At 1215 the latter helicopter was hovering above August Moon and preparing to winch the crew aboard when a plume of spray hit the side of the ship, bounced straight up, and instantly put the helo's engine. The aircraft crashed into the ocean. Fortunately, all personnel aboard were rescued, uninjured, by their squadron mates. |
| Date | 16 September 1966 |
| Source | U.S. Navy photo [1] from the USS Oriskany (CVA-34) 1966 cruise book available at Navysite.de |
| Author | U.S. Navy |
Licensing
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This file is a work of a sailor or employee of the U.S. Navy, taken or made as part of that person's official duties. As a work of the U.S. federal government, it is in the public domain in the United States.
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| This file has been identified as being free of known restrictions under copyright law, including all related and neighboring rights. | ||
File history
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| Date/Time | Thumbnail | Dimensions | User | Comment | |
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| current | 22:14, 9 March 2024 | | 1,200 × 860 (170 KB) | Cobatfor | == {{int:filedesc}} == {{Information |Description={{en|1=While en route to Hong Kong on 16 September 1966, the U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS ''Oriskany'' (CVA-34) answered a distress call of the British-registered 10,240-ton ore carrier SS ''August Moon'', which was aground on the Pratas Island reef, 170 nautical miles (310 km) southeast of Hong Kong. The carrier launched a Grumman C-1A ''Trader'' at 0524 and a Grumman E-1B ''Tracker'' at 0933 to render assistance, but high seas in the wake... |
