USS Liscome Bay
USS Liscome Bay was named for a bay off Alaska’s southeast coast. She was a Casablanca-class escort carrier and was the only ship to carry the name. Liscome Bay was commissioned in 1943 in Vancouver Washington.
She set out on her first and final mission in November 1943, attached to the fleet that was invading the Gilbert Islands. This battle marked the beginning of the allied push into the central Pacific. Liscome Bay’s pilots were an important part of the 2278 sorties, which were flown over the islands by carrier-based planes. The aircraft took out enemy airbases, and stopped raids. They also helped to support landing and ground actions with bombing and strafing attacks. About 76 hours later on November 20, the islands were secured and the US forces began to retire.
At dawn on November 24, the Liscome Bay was about twenty miles from the battle zone when she was struck by a torpedo without warning. The crew had received no information that a submarine was anywhere in the area. The torpedo struck the engine room and penetrated the aircraft bomb supplies, which caused a violent explosion and consumed the entire ship in flames. Observers on nearby vessels described an immense ball of fire. The Liscome Bay sunk in about twenty minutes taking 591 enlisted men and 53 officers with her. Other ships in the battle group rescued only 272 crewmembers.
The Liscome Bay had an important function in the battle for the Gilbert Islands. She served well and received a battle star for her efforts. Even though she was short-lived, her service is remembered today. The crew that survived the horrific attack were undoubtedly thankful to be alive and did not give any thought that they had been exposed to a much more insidious danger that a submarine attack while they were at work on the Liscome. The vessel was built like many others with a great deal of asbestos used as insulation around her pipes and electrical wiring. The sailors did not know that exposure to asbestos would put them at risk of developing respiratory diseases such as a form of cancer called mesothelioma. We now understand that a thoracic specialist should examine anyone who may have worked closely around asbestos to determine if any lung damage has occurred. For those concerned about personal exposure, or the exposure of a loved one, please request our information packet for further information.
