"0820 - Hit No. 3 - This shell hit the forward engine room on the port side. This was not a direct hit into the engine room itself as no fragments entered the engine room. It was an impact explosion which opened a gap in the skin of the ship approximately four (4) feet square between frames 96 and 98. The center of this hole was about twelve (12) feet below the water line of the ship. Very rapid flooding occurred in the engine room and fire room and in about five minutes the water was up to the fire box in the boilers necessitating the securing of both boilers and No. 1 main engine at 0825."
USS GAMBIER BAY (CVE 73) Action Report
