US Marine Corps - The Black Vault

Tough Toenails Paring 559
THE END OF THE WACKY MAC
For the Rendova landings of TOENAILS, the McCawley, Commander
Robert H. Rodgers (1923), commanding, carried 1,100 troops and 604
tons of equipment as well as the senior Army and Navy commanders in
the Amphibious Force and their staffs.
The McCawiey did not survive the day, and since the story of her demise
has been variously reported, the official reports of her Commanding Officer
and others are of interest, indicating, at least, that both information of our
own forces and intelligence of” enemy forces carry a premium value in
wartime:
After the completion of the unloading which was accomplished by the
McCawIey in record-breaking time, the task force got underway and pro-
ceeded for Guadalcanal.
While entering Blanche Channel Task Force 31.1 was attacked by about
WentY-three Mitsubishi ’01’ torpedo bombers. The Task Force had just
executed a ninety degree turn to the right and opened fire when a torpedo
was seen approaching McCawley’s port side on a collision course. The rudder
was put hard right. . . . This torpedo hit [at 1553] port side amidships in
the engine room spaces, track angle about one hundred ninety degrees [one
hundred and eighty would be from dead stern]. McCawley took a violent
port list, but righting immediately still swinging right with rudder jammed
hard over, all engines stopped, ship having lost all power. Two torpedoes
then passed down the starboard side very close aboard, track angle one
hundred eighty degrees.
The attack ended with all enemy planes shot down by AA fire of Task
Force 31.1, Mccdwley claiming four planes. Rear Admiral Turner ordered
the VSS Libra (AK-53) to take McCawley in tow and Ralph Talbot (DD-
390) and McCallu (DD-488 ) to stand by to assist. Admiral Turner and
staff then at (1625) shifted to the USS Furetzholt (DD-491 ) and proceeded
with remainder of Task Force, leaving Rear Admiral Wilkinson in McCawley
as OTC [Officer in Tactical Command] of salvage group.
At 164o, upon orders of Admiral Turner, Ralph Tulbot came alongside
and removed all personnel from McCawley except for a salvage crew. . . .
[at 1717] McCawley was heavily strafed by attacking planes.
At 1722 Libra swung clear and proceeded at five knots with McCawiey
in tow. The draft of the McCaw[ey was then 2I ‘O@ forward, 35’oo” aft. . . .
At 1850, the draft aft was reported as thirty eight feet. Admiral Wilkinson
then ordered McCaUa alongside and gave the order for “all hands” to
abandon ship. At 1920, McCa~/d came alongside and the entire salvage crew
had left the ship by 1930 when McCalla pulled clear. At 2023 McCawley