| USS Langley (CVL-27) rolling heavily to starboard during Typhoon Cobra. Taken from USS Essex (CV-9). The escort carrier USS Langley (CVL-27) rolled as much as 70 degrees with USS Kwajalein (CVE-98) reaching 39 degrees. United States Navy Independence class light aircraft carrier USS Monterey (CVL-26) experienced even more foundering during Typhoon Cobra in December 1944. Gerald R. Ford (July 14, 1913 – December 26, 2006) served aboard the Monterey from June 17, 1943, to the end of December 1944. He served as director of physical training, a gunnery officer, and an assistant navigator. Monterey was nearly taken down in flames by its own airplanes as they crashed into bulkheads and exploded during violent rolls. 1 of those fighting the fires aboard Monterey was Lieutenant Gerald Ford, later President of the United States. Ford later recalled nearly going overboard when 20° and greater rolling caused aircraft below decks to careen into each other, igniting a fire. Ford, serving as General Quarters Officer of the Deck, was ordered to go below to assess the raging fire. He did so safely and reported his findings back to the ship’s commanding officer, Captain Stuart Ingersoll. The ship’s crew was able to contain the fire, and the ship got underway again. Planes went adrift, collided, and burst into flames. Monterey caught fire at 0911 Hours December 18 and lost steerageway a few minutes later. The fire was brought under control at 0945 Hours and the C.O., Captain Stuart H. Ingersoll (June 3, 1898 – January 29, 1983), decided to let his ship lie dead in the water until temporary repairs could be effected. She lost 18 aircraft burned in the hangar deck or blown overboard and 16 seriously damaged, together with 23 millimeter (.87-inch) guns, and suffered extensive rupturing of her ventilation system. As with most tragedies, the event was studied and lessons were garnered. A court of inquiry later found Halsey responsible but defended the admiral’s actions. In their findings they reported his actions were “errors in judgement committed under the stress of war operations and stemming from a commendable desire to meet military requirements.” For the vessels lost, the court found that the 3 skippers waited too long in acting to prevent the foundering of their ships. The court recommended procedures to reducing topside flooding and better stability measures on the small destroyers. Improvements to Navy meteorological services were also recommend, including the stationing of weather ships in various areas, increased reporting stations ashore, and establishment of a new central weather facility located at Guam. Most of these measures were implement over the next few months. | |
| Image Filename | wwii2228.jpg |
| Image Size | 1.17 MB |
| Image Dimensions | 5647 x 4634 |
| Photographer | |
| Photographer Title | United States Navy |
| Caption Author | Written or Adapted by Jason McDonald |
| Date Photographed | December 18, 1944 |
| Location | |
| City | |
| State or Province | |
| Country | Pacific Ocean |
| Archive | Naval History and Heritage Command |
| Record Number | 80-G-305484 |
| Status | Caption ©2026 MFA Productions LLC Please Do Not Duplicate or Distribute Without Permission; Image in the Public Domain |
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