Pacific
1. O'Brien (DD-415) was torpedoed by a submarine during the afternoon of September 15, 1942, while engaged in maneuvers as aunit of the anti-submarine screen for the aircraft carrier Hornet (CV-8). The torpedo struck well forward and, although a portion of the extreme bow was demolished, the resulting local structural damage was not serious and, of itself, would not have placed the vessel in jeopardy. The shock of the detonation, however, resulted in severe flexural vibration of the ship girder. This caused failure of some strength members of the hull. The damaged members were not adequately replaced or reinforced. As a result, the longitudinal strength was so seriously impaired that the vessel was subsequently lost.
2. Between September 15 and October 19, 1942, O'Brien received temporary emergency repairs by Curtiss (AV-4) and the Seventh Construction Battalion at Espiritu Santo Island and by Argonne (AG-31) at Noumea, New Caledonia. Upon completion of work at noumea, decision was made to send O'Brien to Navy Yard Mare Island, via Suva. En route to Suva, one light reinforcing plate, installed by Argonne, broke and,in addition, the rate of leakage which previously had been very low in the forward engine room, increased. These occurrences were not particularly impressive, but they did cause a thorough inspection to be made of the damaged structure and additional minor repairs at Suva. The inspection revealed no further apparent cause for alarm. Two days after leaving Suva, O'Brien broke in two and sank. The final failure of the structure occurred within a period of less than five hours.
3. During the interval between torpedoing and sinking, approximately 2800 miles were steamed. During the several voyages, no rough weather was encountered and speed of O'Brien never exceeded 12-1/2 knots.
4. The lack of drydock facilities at Espiritu Santo and Noumea, advanced bases, was a major factor in the loss of O'Brien. Since that time, more officers experienced in construction and repairs have been sent to fleet operating areas. Drydock facilities have now been provided at both Espiritu Santo and Noumea.
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