The USS Ranger's Sticky Collision
The USS Jason's mission realized
STRAITS OF MALACCA, APRIL, 1979 — It was around 4:50 am when the collision alarm ripped through the USS Ranger, jolting everyone awake. Thankfully, the chaos didn't translate to injuries. Aside from the ship's navigator, who gashed his head on a doorway in his haste to reach the bridge, everyone was unharmed.
The real challenge became apparent when the crew realized the extent of the situation. The Ranger was wedged almost halfway through a Liberian tanker, the FORTUNE MONROVIA, manned by a Chinese crew. Fear of igniting the crude oil spewing from the tanker kept the Ranger stuck, engines off, for nearly two agonizing hours.
Communication with the FORTUNE MONROVIA was another hurdle – it took 20 minutes just to find the right frequency for their bridge, and then another half hour to locate someone on board who spoke English.
Meanwhile, the oil spill worsened, and the Ranger was inadvertently sucking it in through its firemain intake. Thankfully, there was no fire and the hoses were not turned on, preventing a deadly disaster.
The Chief Engineer bellowed through the JA circuit, a special communication line connected to Damage Control, demanding they disconnect from the tanker immediately.
Ed Weeden recounted the story:
I was the JA talker on all Special Sea/Anchor details for the COs during my time aboard (I knew what I was doing). The JA circuit for Special Sea/Anchor detail connects to Damage Control Central, not CIC. To this day I can still remember the Chief Engineer YELLING on the phones to get the Captain to GET US OUT OF THIS LAKE OF OIL IMMEDIATELY!
Of course, the JA talker is required to REPEAT EXACTLY what is said on the circuit. I can tell you that THIS conversation was one of the most INTENSE I ever had on the phones between CO and Chief Engineer or CIC Officer. I actually got to YELL at the CO, and of course the Chief Engineer! It was GREAT! But scary too, because I heard everything that could have happened that both the bridge and Damage Control Central tried so hard to prevent.
Finally, after meticulous checks, the Ranger confirmed it could separate without further damage. The FORTUNE MONROVIA, however, wasn't so lucky. It remained dead in the water, requiring a tow to Singapore.
The Ranger limped back to Subic Bay, where the USS Jason (Peter R., our next featured veteran, still aboard) met her to create a temporary patch so she could continue her mission in the Far East. The ship would wait until a permanent bow replacement arrived in Yokosuka before returning to full operation.
Below is a recording of Captain Thomas G. Moore after the collision, made by Rick Cox.
The USS Midway, which replaced the USS Ranger on her mission, sent the ship this message:
Around the sixth of April the word came down,
Cancel all leave, prepare to leave town
The Ranger, it seems, had pulled an old trick,
When the going got tough, the Ranger got sick.Midway and crew with never a stall,
Hastened to meet the poor Ranger’s call
Leaving behind people we know,
The Midway set sail on another I.O.Sailed into Subic for one half a day,
Topped-off on ammo, food and some pay,
Ranger was there all beaten and bent,
A rip in her bow, a helluva dent.Too busy for fun, no liberty in port,
Load the Midway with bombs, make her into a fort.
Set sail in a hurry amidst mournful cries,
No liberty in P.I. causes many wet eyes.Through the Malacca Straits with never a fear,
Not one Liberian tanker got near.
Some crews fail in their solemn vow,
And lay the blame on a broken bow.Thirty-one days of deep blue sea,
Without a taste of liberty
Feet on ground, things weren’t bad,
Then the rumor spread, “We’d been had.”Forget dear Perth, we found that hard,
But the Russians were playing in our backyard.
From Kenya back north the Midway did move,
With vengeance we went with something to prove.Hear us, oh Ranger, we give you no blame,
Failing a test’s no reason for shame.
But while you sit in some low Subic dive,
Our ears will be ringing with “Launch the alert five.”It’s probably for the best though, we’d like you to know
For we’re sailing in waters where the bad boys may show
With bears in the air and where submarines lay,
Go with the best, keep the children away.
Photos of the USS Ranger are available on Navsource.
Photos of the collision damage are available from Ken Yaeger and Ed Weeden.