Water pouring in

Edgar Manley

Musician, second class

Manley was standing in formation at parade rest, prepared to play morning colors on the quarterdeck.

“With others, I observed a plane diving from low-hanging clouds over Ford Island,” which prompted one band member to remark that dive-bombing practice on Sunday morning — rather than relaxation — could mean that pilots had vexed their supervisor.

When another plane followed very shortly, then a third, the bass drummer shouted, “‘Let’s haul —-. … See the rising sun on the fuselage,’” Manley said. “My tuba was unceremoniously dumped onto the quarterdeck, and all hands rushed to battle stations.”

He continued, “The ship took three torpedoes, which breached the hull of the compartments immediately fore and aft of the compartment occupied by the repair crew,” which included Manley.

“Water was pouring in from both forward and aft as the compartment hatches were slightly sprung. Next was the terrific explosion caused by a bomb that came down the midship hatch. This did not penetrate the third deck, but killed many personnel and did tremendous damage in the areas immediately above us.”

“Subsequently, word was passed to abandon ship as she began to list to the port. But when I finally made it topside, I was directed to report to the forward outlook position on the forward mast to watch for planes and submarines.

“Fortunately, the harbor was shallow enough to permit the ship to rest on the harbor bottom instead of capsizing like the USS Oklahoma, which was immediately aft of the California.”

Regarding the outlook position, Manley said, “I remained there for three days before getting to Ford Island for a shower, some chow and some sleep on a most hard, narrow but comfortable folding Army cot.”