NOTES
1. We will rendezvous with ZELIMA today and top off provisions. We also receive one officer and eight enlisted men by highline for transportation to the States. We may receive a Chaplain for further transfer to USS CHEMUNG tomorrow during fueling. ZELIMA's next port of call will be Subic Bay.
2. Well, typhoon Nancy is history as far as TOPEKA is concerned, and all hands can be proud of their performance during the typhoon. As a matter of interest some statistics as far as TOPEKA and NANCY are concerned:

(a) TOPEKA rolled to 40 both port and starboard at least twice and 38 once and 35 port and starboard several times.
(b) We never got closer than 250 miles to the storm center. We were between 250 and 350 miles from the center all day Friday.
(c) Maximum winds we encountered were 55 knots. Maximum winds at Nancy's center ran over 200 knots when she was further south. In our vicinity, maximum winds in the center were were over 100 knots-- up as high as 150 knots.
(d) We encountered several waves 50 feet high --- most were 30 feet or more. The one that stove in the door and bulkhead of the Captain's cabin dropped solid greenwater on the 04 level -- some 60 feet above the waterline.
(e) Many of the waves that broke over the forecastle were three times as high as the "beer can on forecastle when they broke.
(f) While we were in the storm itself, we steamed between 8 and 12 knots-most all the time. We made two-thirds of our engine speed through the water (12 knots on the engine, 8 knots through the water)
(g) Damage received was for the most part superficial. The smashing of the WT door to the Captain’s cabin and the stoving in of bulkhead is the most serious damage received.

3. Some more dope on "NANCY"

(a) USS CAVILIER passed through the eye of the storm. She reported she could not steam fast enough to maintain steerage way without obtaining damage, that the waves were mountainous, and that she was receiving damages.. She had to jettison at least one boat.

(b) This storm was an extremely large storm -- probably 1000 miles in diameter and the most violent typhoon in the last two years with winds over 200 knots

(c) As far I know, no ships, with the possible exception of a small one the rocks in the Formosa Straits were lost, The ship USS MC CAIN was sent to help get her engines running and make it out to sea under her own power with MC CAIN escorting her.

(d) The storm passed about 60 miles from Okinawa and did very little damage there.

(e) The storm curved to the East faster than predicted -- or expected. In this respect she was a normal typhoon -- that is, they hardly ever behave as predicated, or as "normal". When you encounter a typhoon -- always expect the unexpected.

(f) It as an interesting experience - one everyone should have ONCE.

As a final word on Nancy, I would like to comment on those small groups of people aboard who are often forgotten, although very important members of the ship's overall team. By making comments on these groups, I do not want to downgrade the importance of other groups who did an excellent job during the storm. The groups I’d like to comment on are:

a. The helmsman
b. The boiler checkmen
c. The throttlemen

a. During the last 36 hours the regular steaming helmsmen had the toughest workout they have ever had on board. Steaming in heavy sea at low speed can be extremely difficult one wave can throw you 15 degrees off course in a matter of seconds -- and to reduce the possibility of damage or very heavy rolling, you must return to the course almost as fast. During the storm, the rudder was constantly moving to hold the ship on course, and the little damage sustained is a tribute to this skill. It is interesting to note we had one steaming casualty during the storm that was handled in expert fashion.

b. The boiler checkmen had their work cut out for them during the storm. The heavy rolling makes it extremely difficult to accurately determine the water level in the boilers, and the water level must be held to within fairly close limits. The fact that we did not have a boiler casualty proves these men were on the ball - and did an excellent job.

c. The throttlemen got some rather unusual maneuvering bells. Friday -- some completely unexpected -- and of a relatively few seconds duration. In each case the ships speed was checked when necessary and speed put back on the ship rapidly when a particularly large wave had passed.

A Well Done to all hands, and to the above groups especially.

L. R. OLSON
Commander, U.S. Navy
Executive Officer

POD provided Raymond McHugh