UNREP was at the beginning of a super storm off the Azores in April 1977 during the transit to the MED with the USS INDEPENDENCE Battle Group. Super storm was later identified as ?Arlene ? which started as a subtropical depression and grew into an Atlantic tropical storm around 19 April 1977. Waves rose with at least several 50' ones crashing over the bridge. INDEPENDENCE bow catwalks were curled back 20', and HAWKINS had a large weeping crack in the hull. Spent a month in a Naples dry dock undergoing repairs.
