Please enjoy the first mini documentary from the new series “Deep Dive into the History”. Looking foreword to hearing everyone’s stories about this incredible dive site, leave them below! Also if you have any recommendations for future dive sites you would like to see let me know!
My father was the last Captain of the Oriskany. I have so many wonderful memories of it. My brother, sister and I watched as they took it away to be decommissioned. My father died July 23 2023. Capt Robert Gail Conaughton. Thank you for this. CC
Oriskany had been part of my childhood,we toured the USS oriskany then,that was December 1976.I was then in elementary, 3rd grader.my deep sympathy to family mam/sir.
I'm sorry but it was not a loose bomb on the flight deck that cause the Oriskany fire, but a sailor who accidentally ignited a parachute flare while downloading from a photo op mission. It was a magazine near the forward aircraft elevator. When the flare's lanyard fouled on one of the magazine's door dogs, he panicked and tossed the burning flare back into the magazine instead of throwing it over the side of the ship... (former aviation ordnanceman 2nd class)
Thanks for sharing! I did put quite a bit of research into the information in this video. But as we all know sometimes the information is incorrect. I found multiple sources stating (some even naval websites) it was a loose munitions, some that stated a bomb ignited flares, etc... I will be sure to add a note in the description stating that the cause of the fire has conflicting information and may likely be different from what is in the video. I don't mean to spread incorrect information. Simply hoping to document and promote the history and legacy of one of my favorite dive sites. Thanks for reaching out.
There were two fires actually. My uncle was on her when the fire you are talking about happened as well. He can't remember the exact number but he said it was between 30-40 people who lost their lives with the illumination flair fire. The flight deck fire what after that.
There was a line of sailors passing the flairs hand to hand. One of the flares drogue tray became un taped and fell off. This drogue tray separates from the magnesium flare when launched out if its tube. There is a lanyard connected from the tray to the flair. When pulled the lanyard ignites the flare when the drogue tray gets caught by the sudden rush of air and pulls on the lanyard. The tape holding the tray to the flare is removed just before loading the tube which holds them together until launch. The magazine door, 4 inches thick blew off its hinges from the heat of scores of flairs 8gniting from the first.
If I remember correctly about the tragic accident of the USS Forrestal, many nearby ships were called in to help extinguish the flames, evac the wounded and even rescue the sailors who jumped off fearing their lives some were actually blown overboard from the explosions. One of the ships to help out is the USS Oriskany.
Thank you for this. My Dad was on that ship during Vietnam. He always told me "Some idiots were playing catch with flares" (and started the fires that killed almost 50).
That's wild! I did the best research I could on the events aboard but I'm sure stuff like that never gets officially documented. Sorting through military records isn't always fool proof I assume they classify and delete things that shine a bad light on the military. That if the real story ever gets documented in the first place.
@@AdventureLifeFiles Oh, I'm not questioning your research, you are likely correct by all means! I was just sharing that my Dad just summed up something terrible that happened near him thirty years previous, with an attempt to get a chuckle I suppose. I appreciate you, and the time you put in this nice video.
I was staitioned on Oriskany in 5th div weapons and the truth is a rookie sailor outside the hatch of the parachute locker hooked on one of the trip wires and set off the flare and panicked and tossed it into the locker and dogged the hatch and locked it with the guys inside and took off like a scared rabbit served 74-76
@@davidmcleod7757 Same story my grandpa tells me. He was there and the aftermath messed with him heavy. Wondering if you know of him from your time there?
1953 my parents gave me a view-master with photos of the Oriskany. 1962 I reported aboard her in Japan. Made the last trip across the Pacific before she was removed from service.
The loose bomb in the video was 11/12/1952. I was in crash crew(hot suit) helped Donovan get the pilot out, he survived. I'm 90 now & remember it like yesterday.live in hot springs village, Ark
My Dad Fred Keene served on the Big O during the Korean War. I have 8MM film he took while serving. He said there was a Panther that loaded on the deck after a sortie, but only one of the 2 hooks released leaving an ordinance hanging. When it landed, the other hook release and the bomb went bouncing across the deck. Dad was on the deck but did not get hurt.
Served with VAH-4 DET GOLF on the Oriskany in the early 60’s, two Westpac cruises,well managed ship, very clean and great chow, I was sad that she wasn’t made a museum instead of a artificial reef!
The f4u came back with a hung bomb during the Korean war. It released when landing, blew up and killed two men. I was in the "hotsuit" and with Dick Donovan got the pilot out. He survived. Gogle March 6 1953 for the film. The big fire was Vietnam Era. I think 1967. Killed was photographer in catwalk and mechanic on the hanger deck
Kennedy came aboard on 6 June 1963, not 1962. i was aboard at that time assigned to the photo lab. A loose bomb from an aircraft did not start the fire in the flare locker in hanger bay 1, Poor handling was the cause..
When I was in elementary,3rd grader, I was one among the pupils to tour at subic Bay naval base. We got aboard at USS oriskany,that was December 1976. We toured there,each one of us had an American sailor guide, until now I could not forget that experience ❤I am a Filipino,residing at dinalupihan, Bataan a stone's throw from subic naval base ❤
A truly unforgettable experience diving this wreck! You could make hundreds of dives on this wreck and not see it all. Tech training a must to get the most out the "Mighty O"
Agreed! My dive on the Mighty O was one of my first dives after completing my divemaster cert. I bounced the flight deck, hung my computer over the side (just for bragging right between my fellow divers since we agreed flight deck was our max depth) then circled the superstructure on my way up. Such an awe inspiring sight to behold. It’s hard to imagine the scale of it until you see it in person! Haven’t been back since deco and multi gas certs yet, but I’m keeping an eye out for the opportunity!
Please enjoy the first mini documentary from the new series “Deep Dive into the History”. Looking foreword to hearing everyone’s stories about this incredible dive site, leave them below! Also if you have any recommendations for future dive sites you would like to see let me know!
My father was the last Captain of the Oriskany. I have so many wonderful memories of it.
My brother, sister and I watched as they took it away to be decommissioned.
My father died July 23 2023.
Capt Robert Gail Conaughton.
Thank you for this.
CC
A salute to your father. Super Fortis. I served aboard the USS Oriskany from 1971-1974 with VA155.
Oriskany had been part of my childhood,we toured the USS oriskany then,that was December 1976.I was then in elementary, 3rd grader.my deep sympathy to family mam/sir.
I'm sorry but it was not a loose bomb on the flight deck that cause the Oriskany fire, but a sailor who accidentally ignited a parachute flare while downloading from a photo op mission. It was a magazine near the forward aircraft elevator. When the flare's lanyard fouled on one of the magazine's door dogs, he panicked and tossed the burning flare back into the magazine instead of throwing it over the side of the ship... (former aviation ordnanceman 2nd class)
Thanks for sharing! I did put quite a bit of research into the information in this video. But as we all know sometimes the information is incorrect. I found multiple sources stating (some even naval websites) it was a loose munitions, some that stated a bomb ignited flares, etc... I will be sure to add a note in the description stating that the cause of the fire has conflicting information and may likely be different from what is in the video. I don't mean to spread incorrect information. Simply hoping to document and promote the history and legacy of one of my favorite dive sites. Thanks for reaching out.
There were two fires actually. My uncle was on her when the fire you are talking about happened as well. He can't remember the exact number but he said it was between 30-40 people who lost their lives with the illumination flair fire. The flight deck fire what after that.
There was a line of sailors passing the flairs hand to hand. One of the flares drogue tray became un taped and fell off. This drogue tray separates from the magnesium flare when launched out if its tube. There is a lanyard connected from the tray to the flair. When pulled the lanyard ignites the flare when the drogue tray gets caught by the sudden rush of air and pulls on the lanyard. The tape holding the tray to the flare is removed just before loading the tube which holds them together until launch. The magazine door, 4 inches thick blew off its hinges from the heat of scores of flairs 8gniting from the first.
My dad served on this beauty in Korea as the "old man's" clerk. Seeing her go under the waves brought a tear to my old eyes
If I remember correctly about the tragic accident of the USS Forrestal, many nearby ships were called in to help extinguish the flames, evac the wounded and even rescue the sailors who jumped off fearing their lives some were actually blown overboard from the explosions. One of the ships to help out is the USS Oriskany.
Hey, it's Oriskany, I served on her in 74-75.... good old boat, now a reef, but still with us...
Thank you👍
My dad was a BT during the Fire
Thank you for this. My Dad was on that ship during Vietnam. He always told me "Some idiots were playing catch with flares" (and started the fires that killed almost 50).
That's wild! I did the best research I could on the events aboard but I'm sure stuff like that never gets officially documented. Sorting through military records isn't always fool proof I assume they classify and delete things that shine a bad light on the military. That if the real story ever gets documented in the first place.
@@AdventureLifeFiles Oh, I'm not questioning your research, you are likely correct by all means! I was just sharing that my Dad just summed up something terrible that happened near him thirty years previous, with an attempt to get a chuckle I suppose. I appreciate you, and the time you put in this nice video.
I was staitioned on Oriskany in 5th div weapons and the truth is a rookie sailor outside the hatch of the parachute locker hooked on one of the trip wires and set off the flare and panicked and tossed it into the locker and dogged the hatch and locked it with the guys inside and took off like a scared rabbit served 74-76
@@davidmcleod7757 Same story my grandpa tells me. He was there and the aftermath messed with him heavy. Wondering if you know of him from your time there?
My dad was Catapult operator 64-67. He said a flare was thrown in the flare locker. 44 men were lost.
1953 my parents gave me a view-master with photos of the Oriskany. 1962 I reported aboard her in Japan. Made the last trip across the Pacific before she was removed from service.
Thank You for Your Service, Sir.
The loose bomb in the video was 11/12/1952. I was in crash crew(hot suit) helped Donovan get the pilot out, he survived. I'm 90 now & remember it like yesterday.live in hot springs village, Ark
My Dad Fred Keene served on the Big O during the Korean War. I have 8MM film he took while serving. He said there was a Panther that loaded on the deck after a sortie, but only one of the 2 hooks released leaving an ordinance hanging. When it landed, the other hook release and the bomb went bouncing across the deck. Dad was on the deck but did not get hurt.
Served with VAH-4 DET GOLF on the Oriskany in the early 60’s, two Westpac cruises,well managed ship, very clean and great chow, I was sad that she wasn’t made a museum instead of a artificial reef!
My papa was on the oriskany around the same time you were do you know him his name is David Stacy
Great video
Thank you! I really enjoyed making it!
My papa survived on the oriskany during Vietnam era he on there around the time John McCain was flying planes off of it
What an appropriate end for this ship. She is immortal now.
The f4u came back with a hung bomb during the Korean war. It released when landing, blew up and killed two men. I was in the "hotsuit" and with Dick Donovan got the pilot out. He survived. Gogle March 6 1953 for the film. The big fire was Vietnam Era. I think 1967. Killed was photographer in catwalk and mechanic on the hanger deck
Now the largest piece of Ocean Litter off the coast of Florida.
V-3 div,hangar deck.1966-1969,fortune survivor of that tragedy.
Served 72 to 74 on the USS Oriskany
I served with attack squadron 153 on the Oriskany during the Viet Nam war.
Tnx for your service Sir ❤
Kennedy came aboard on 6 June 1963, not 1962. i was aboard at that time assigned to the photo lab. A loose bomb from an aircraft did not start the fire in the flare locker in hanger bay 1, Poor handling was the cause..
served 74-76 mighty O forever
When I was in elementary,3rd grader, I was one among the pupils to tour at subic Bay naval base. We got aboard at USS oriskany,that was December 1976. We toured there,each one of us had an American sailor guide, until now I could not forget that experience ❤I am a Filipino,residing at dinalupihan, Bataan a stone's throw from subic naval base ❤
@@Hernani-c6f did you people take the ships forward elavator ride because iwas the big sailor near the elavator they put in the cruise book
Served aboard the big O during Vietnam.
A truly unforgettable experience diving this wreck! You could make hundreds of dives on this wreck and not see it all. Tech training a must to get the most out the "Mighty O"
Agreed! My dive on the Mighty O was one of my first dives after completing my divemaster cert. I bounced the flight deck, hung my computer over the side (just for bragging right between my fellow divers since we agreed flight deck was our max depth) then circled the superstructure on my way up. Such an awe inspiring sight to behold. It’s hard to imagine the scale of it until you see it in person! Haven’t been back since deco and multi gas certs yet, but I’m keeping an eye out for the opportunity!
they should have made her into a museum and sink a different ship instead