Few repair operations have been as swift and dramatic as the bow replacement of the USS Wisconsin (BB-64) following a collision at sea in the annals of naval history. This event, now more than a half-century past, remains a testament to the innovative spirit and resourcefulness of the U.S. Navy.
On the foggy afternoon of May 6, 1956, the USS Wisconsin, an Iowa-class battleship also known as “Wisky,” was involved in a collision with the USS Eaton (DDE-510), an escort destroyer. The ships were operating off the Virginia Capes, part of a group exercise when a fog-induced misjudgment led to a significant maritime accident. The impact left the USS Eaton without a bow and inflicted a 30-foot gash in the Wisconsin’s own bow. Amidst the chaos, two sailors on the USS Eaton suffered injuries, with George Wickham sustaining head and face injuries that required extensive care and a skin graft.
A remarkable recovery operation ensued, famously coined “Operation Bow Transfer.” Norfolk Naval Shipyard workers labored around the clock to attach a 140-ton, sixty-eight-foot bow section from the unfinished USS Kentucky to the Wisconsin. Notably, the original bull nose of the Wisconsin was salvaged from the damaged portion of the bow and affixed atop the new bow from the Kentucky.
The timeline for this formidable task was astonishing—just 16 days elapsed before the Wisconsin was ready for service again. This rapid turnaround is a tribute to the shipyard workers’ dedication and efficiency, as archived by the Norfolk Naval Shipyard’s “Shipyard Bulletin.” Their skill ensured that the Wisconsin, repaired and revitalized, set sail for Spain on July 9, mere weeks after the accident.
This incident and the subsequent recovery would grant the battleship a unique call sign, “WiSKY,” derived from the combination of Wisconsin and Kentucky. The synergy between the two ships not only symbolizes the resourceful spirit of the Navy but also affirms the prowess of mid-20th-century American shipbuilding and repair techniques.
The USS Eaton’s story following the collision was less remarkable but no less significant. BB-64 Volunteer, Bob McCarthy, reflected on the incident 64 years later, noting the commendable damage control efforts of the Eaton’s crew and the ship’s own lengthy repair process in drydock. It was an era when the Navy faced budgetary constraints and personnel challenges, yet the crew’s bravery and quick thinking averted a greater disaster.
Remarkably, the Eaton’s keel was damaged to the point that its bow swung wildly; yet, through quick ingenuity, the crew used cables and anchor chains to stabilize the bow for the tow back to Norfolk. This anecdote captures the peril of the situation and the valor of the sailors who faced it. The Wisconsin, after its rapid repair, continued to serve with distinction, including during Operation Desert Storm, and now rests as a museum ship in Norfolk, Virginia.
Relevant articles:
– Uss Wisconsin BB-64, USS Wisconsin Association
– BB-64 volunteer recalls collision that occurred 64 year ago, DVIDS, Jul 5, 2020
– Battleship USS Wisconsin Needed a ‘Bow Transfer’ After Hitting a Navy Destroyer, The National Interest, Dec 3, 2023
– The Commodore’s Fateful Command, U.S. Naval Institute