Saving The
USS Belknap CG-26
USS Belknap CG-26
This page is dedicated to the men of the USS Claude V. Ricketts who, on Saturday, November 22, 1975 were destined to play a major role in the rescue of the USS Belknap CG-26. The Belknap had been involved in a collision with the USS John F. Kennedy CV-79 and was ablaze and drifting. The Ricketts, under the command of Captain Robert C. Powers, was designated the primary rescue ship and sailed into harms way in the performance of her and her crew's duty.
Just recently I received an email from (former) OS2 Preston M. Fitzwater who was on board the Belknap that night. He sent the email as a belated thank you to the crew that helped save the Belknap. I'm proud to post his email here for those who severed on board the Ricketts and were primarily responsible for saving the Belknap and her crew. You can contact OS2 Fitzwater here.
Just recently I received an email from (former) OS2 Preston M. Fitzwater who was on board the Belknap that night. He sent the email as a belated thank you to the crew that helped save the Belknap. I'm proud to post his email here for those who severed on board the Ricketts and were primarily responsible for saving the Belknap and her crew. You can contact OS2 Fitzwater here.
Mr. Neuman,
My name is Preston Fitzwater. I was an OS2 on board Belknap on Nov. 22nd 1975. I know if it hadn't been for the crew of the "Big Nickel", we may well have lost our ship that night and many more shipmates. Dale and Bordelon were there too, but I'll always remember Ricketts charging in.
I was on the fo'c'stle as Ricketts came along side. As I remember, the seas were 4 - 6 ft and we were dead-in-the water and had no fire main pressure. As your Captain would maneuver Ricketts, I could hear him shouting orders to the helm and lee helm, rudder and engine orders. There would be a few seconds that the ships' bows would be even and we could pass our wounded shipmates over to your shipmates. At the same time, your fire crews attacked the blaze amidships. I remember at one point, the ships came together so hard that a stanchion on Ricketts' port torpedo deck broke loose from the deck.
I had never, nor will ever see such fine ship handling. (The Belknap crew joked after we were safe in Agusta Bay that John Wayne must have been commanding Ricketts!) The turning point came after Ricketts managed to lash herself to Belknap and could sustain a constant barrage of water onto the fire.
We were all brothers that night. And I will consider us so always. Please pass on to your shipmates my eternal thanks for coming to our aid. I will never forget.
Best Regards,
Preston M. Fitzwater
Former OS2, USS Belknap
My name is Preston Fitzwater. I was an OS2 on board Belknap on Nov. 22nd 1975. I know if it hadn't been for the crew of the "Big Nickel", we may well have lost our ship that night and many more shipmates. Dale and Bordelon were there too, but I'll always remember Ricketts charging in.
I was on the fo'c'stle as Ricketts came along side. As I remember, the seas were 4 - 6 ft and we were dead-in-the water and had no fire main pressure. As your Captain would maneuver Ricketts, I could hear him shouting orders to the helm and lee helm, rudder and engine orders. There would be a few seconds that the ships' bows would be even and we could pass our wounded shipmates over to your shipmates. At the same time, your fire crews attacked the blaze amidships. I remember at one point, the ships came together so hard that a stanchion on Ricketts' port torpedo deck broke loose from the deck.
I had never, nor will ever see such fine ship handling. (The Belknap crew joked after we were safe in Agusta Bay that John Wayne must have been commanding Ricketts!) The turning point came after Ricketts managed to lash herself to Belknap and could sustain a constant barrage of water onto the fire.
We were all brothers that night. And I will consider us so always. Please pass on to your shipmates my eternal thanks for coming to our aid. I will never forget.
Best Regards,
Preston M. Fitzwater
Former OS2, USS Belknap
Coincidently to receiving Preston's email, I also received an email from Captain Powers about the release of his latest book:
Save the Belknap
Robert C. Powers
Robert C. Powers
The fast paced story of the collision at sea of a cruiser and an aircraft carrier by the Commanding Officer of the primary rescue ship, with pictures taken during rescue operations.
In November, 1975, the cruiser USS Belknap collided with the aircraft carrier USS John F. Kennedy resulting in a situation where fires on the Belknap threatened a magazine containing nuclear weapons. The guided missile destroyer USS Claude V. Ricketts was designated the primary rescue ship by Commander, Destroyer Squadron 22. Claude V. Ricketts went along the side of the burning and exploding cruiser in rough seas, fought the fires with Belknap's crew and rescued burned sailors. This is the first person account of that rescue by the former Commanding Officer, USS Claude V. Ricketts (DDG-5). It contains a complete analysis of the collision and its causes.
"A dramatic true story, told with flair. Captain Bob Powers had the experience to know that high standards and relentless training are necessary to prepare a brave crew for anything. An exciting read for all; a must read for those who go to sea."
Rear Admiral R.A.K. Taylor, USN (Retired) Former Commander, U.S. Naval Forces, Central Command
You can find out more by going to Captain Powers publishing website: Save the Belknap
