1969, May 23 - Fire on the King

[Chuck White]

The following e-mail was recieved by Pete Vuchetich:


HELLO,  USS KING DLG-10
        MY NAME IS SILVIO J. MODENA JR.  I WORKED AS A BOILERMAKER AT THE SAN FRANCISCO
  BAY NAVAL SHIPYARD.(HUNTERS POINT) FROM 1967 - 1973 I ALSO WAS IN THE NAVY FROM
 1963 TO 1967. I WAS A BT-2 ABOARD THE USS JOSEPH STRAUSS DDG-16 .  WE OPERATED AT
  TIMES WITH THE USS KING IN VIETNAM AND REMEMBERED IT WELL.
   THEN WHILE WORKING AT THE SHIPYARD I HEARD ABOUT THE KING COMING IN FOR REPAIRS
   AFTER ITS EXPLOSION IN THE BOILER ROOM. IT DOCKED AND I WAS ONE OF THE MANY
  BOILERMAKERS IN SHOP 41 THAT WAS ASSIGNED TO REPAIR THE BOILERS. IT WAS A VERY
  PROUD TIME FOR ME TO BE PART OF THE HISTORY OF THE SHIP AND THE SACRFICE OF THOSE
  BOILERMAN WHO GAVE THEIR LIFE SERVING OUR COUNTRY.
                    SMOOTH SAILING  ...
                                                      SILVIO "MOE" MODENA  BT-2
                                                      USS JOSEPH STRAUSS DDG-16    (63-67)

Used with permission

I think that emails like this, that tie in a point in the King's history, needs, no, screams to be published in an appropriate place.   How far reaching was the effect of the fire or any other incident in our ship's history.  I liked what he had to say and how he said it.  We are a connected human family.  Having worked on the very boiler that blew, I understand the process and the risks involved and appreciate those that worked on her, whether in a shipyard or crew member.

Chuck White BT-3 '63-'67
webmaster

[richraff]

MM3 Richard Raff
I was on board the day of the fire . I was assigned to the forward engine room. I lost 4 good friend that day. I help limp the King into port for repairs. It was a black day for us all. duty years 1968-1972

[Kimmel4]

As one of the many support crew (Supply) on that cruise, I salute not only those who lost their lives but those who brought the problem under control, got the ship to sailable condition and were able to get her back to port.  Those of us sitting on the main deck in the dark knew we were in good hands.

Thank you,

Harve Kimmel
SH2
1968-69

[Mark D]

A recent entry in our guestbook from Tim (Oly) Olson, a BT aboard the USS Buck (DD-761) shows that she rendered assistance the the King that fateful day:

"May, 1969. My prayers go to the BTs in the aft fireroom. It was hard for us on the Buck, learning that a 1200lb tin can (newer than us) could have major problems. We went flank speed to the King's side. It was not a good day when we had to escort the King to Subic. All BTs on the Buck could relate, in there own way, to the horrors that took place in the AFR. It was not a good day.
GOD bless everyone."

Tim (Oly) Olson BT3
USS Buck DD761

[Chuck White]

Late in the evening of 23 May, a flexible oil line in the after fireroom ruptured, causing an extensive Class B fire in that space. Damage control parties brought the fire under control smothering the blaze with foam. Timely aid was provided by USS SAMPLE (DE-1048) in the form of fire fighting equipment and communication support. KING sustained four fatal casualties, all Boiler Technicians on watch in the after fireroom when the fire broke out.

Milton (Marty) Brown BT3
Joseph (Joe) Fischer BT3
Kenneth (Kenny) Grubb BT2
Eugene (Gene) Ware BT2

The next day found KING returning to Subic. Arriving on 27 May KING commenced a repair period at the Ship Repair Facility, Subic Bay Naval Base. During this in port period extensive work was performed to renew the after fireroom and repair all other fire damage.

Story and Poem
http://uss-king.com/fire.shtml

Photos
http://uss-king.com/1969%20Fire.shtml