I have spent this last week reading a very well written 1960 book about the Honda tragedy. In fact it's name is "TRAGEDY AT HONDA" by the very well known and respected Naval author, Charles A. Lockwood, Vice Admiral, USN-Ret. along with Hans Christian Adamson, Colonel, USAF-Ret.
C.W. Nimitz, Fleet Admiral, USN wrote the foreword to the book. I couldn't help but be impressed by the summary by Admiral Nimitz. I quote it as follows:
"The sea is a ruthless teacher and a hard taskmaster. Not even the fabulous advances in navigational aids will relieve the Captain of his need to combine a second sense of caution with his use of the radar and fathometer. That such skill and caution were wanting at Honda becomes painfully evident as the reader progresses in this story. Although judgment and skill were found wanting at Honda on that day of disaster, there was no lack of courage and bravery in the face of great danger on the part of our gallant destroyermen."
I point this out as I was most moved not by the tragedy itself, but by the courage, brotherhood and caring shown by the officers and men of the beached destroyers AND the assistance and caring shown by the railroad people along with the people from Lompoc that pitched in to help in a very bad situation.
I was most fortunate in finding this book in my local library system in that it is very detailed with the what lead up to the initial tragedy, the individuals involved, and the aftermath including a section on what eventually happened to the individuals that make up this story.
The Court of Inquiry in September, and the Court Martial (starting in early November) are very detailed by the authors, including testimony of dozens of naval personnel along with background of past and on-going pertinent situations in the USN, it's leadership and even traditions and proper navy
conduct. The authors gained extensive material from interviews of survivors. Overall, In my humble estimation, I found this book to be a complete account of what transpired that disastrous September night, the aftermath and most importantly, a detailed and heart warming account of the discipline and great courage displayed by all hands. The story of the rescue is wonderful, making reading of this book worthwhile in of itself.
As a 6 year Navy veteran, I was satisfied with the Court Martial indictments and the eventual Verdicts. The destroyer squadron commander, Captain Edward H. Watson and the skipper of the lead destroyer Delphy, Lieutenant Commander Donald T. Hunter were found "Guilty of culpable inefficiency and
negligence." Lieutenant (jg) Lawrence F. Blodgett, Executive Office and Navigator of the Delphy was found "not guilty of the same charge." Lieutenant Commander H.O. Roesch, skipper of the Nicholas was found "Guilty of negligence." This verdict was set aside by Admiral Robsion, Commander-in-Chief, Battle Fleet after the Court Martial. The other 7 officers charged were found "Not
Guilty of negligence." Each of the convicted Officers remained in the Navy but their careers were stalled and each retired early.
To me, a former sailor, the real "story" is summed up with the Citations awarded to over 70 men of the Destroyer Squadron some for extraordinary courage, some for their great bravery, display of courage, meritorious service and an overall great example of traditional navy seamanship and judgement.
I now feel satisfied about what really happened on the fateful September evening of September 8, 1923,
an evening that marked the worst naval disaster in peacetime history.
--- Review by Chuck Kemp
