USS
Houston (CL 81), in a hard turn with her underside exposed, felt the torpedo explosion across the ship. Commander William Behrens recalled “that all propulsive power and steering control was immediately lost. The ship took a list to starboard of 16 degrees. All main electrical power was immediately lost.” The tactical situation was still perilous, and with
Houston “rolling sluggishly in the trough of the sea… her main deck [dipping] under at frequent intervals,” Behrens ordered
Houstonabandoned, save key personnel and damage control parties. USS
Boston (CA 69) took
Houston under tow for the next 43 hours, until another Japanese torpedo hit
Houston again on the starboard side. Most of the preceding shoring and dewatering efforts were undone and
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