The USS Nicholas (DD-449), a Fletcher-class destroyer, experienced a terrifying and potentially deadly incident on 13 May 1943 while conducting operations off the coast of Kilombangara in the Solomon Islands during World War II. The ship’s #3 5-inch gun mount suffered a hang-fire during a shelling mission, resulting in an explosion inside the gun chamber. This near-disastrous event, however, ended without casualties due to the swift actions of the crew.

The Incident: A Catastrophic Hang-Fire

On that fateful day, the USS Nicholas was part of a larger operation, engaging targets in the Solomon Islands as part of the ongoing Pacific Campaign. The ship’s 5-inch guns were vital in providing naval gunfire support for land operations and the bombardment of enemy positions. However, as the crew loaded and prepared the #3 5-inch gun for another salvo, disaster struck. A hang-fire occurred, a malfunction in which the propellant charge and shell failed to fire immediately after being primed, but then ignited unexpectedly.

The gun experienced an intense internal explosion, blowing apart the gun mount and scattering its remains around the weapon. Hang-fires were a known risk when dealing with large artillery, particularly under the chaotic and hazardous conditions of combat. However, the fact that the explosion occurred inside the chamber, where the shell and propellant were stored, could have resulted in severe damage and fatalities if not for one key factor—the quick thinking of the gun crew.

Swift Crew Response: Averted Tragedy

As the hang-fire took place, the crew members who manned the gun mount sensed that something was wrong. Realizing that the weapon was malfunctioning and that an explosion was imminent, they immediately evacuated the gun mount. This quick and decisive action was critical, as it allowed the crew to avoid the full brunt of the explosion.

When the explosion occurred, it did so with extreme force, leaving behind the shattered remains of the gun mount. The gun’s destruction was catastrophic, but the lack of casualties among the crew was a remarkable and fortunate outcome. The crew’s ability to remain calm and respond swiftly in the face of potential disaster was a testament to their training and professionalism.

Damage Assessment and Immediate Actions

In the aftermath of the explosion, the USS Nicholas made an immediate course correction and retreated to the nearest port for repairs. Nouméa, located in the New Caledonia Islands, was chosen as the destination for temporary repairs. There, the damage to the gun mount was assessed, and the decision was made to replace the destroyed #3 5-inch gun mount.

Interestingly, the replacement came from another Fletcher-class destroyer: the USS Hutchins (DD-476). The Hutchins had just completed escorting a convoy from Hawaii and was scheduled to return to Hawaii for a refit. The decision was made to remove one of Hutchins’ 5-inch gun mounts and fit it onto the USS Nicholas, as it was judged to be quicker than waiting for new parts to arrive or a full replacement to be shipped from the U.S.

This improvised solution worked, as the USS Hutchins, while still functional, would be returning to the United States anyway for its own maintenance. The gun mount swap allowed the USS Nicholas to resume operations without significant delay. The USS Hutchins would continue its journey and eventually return to Hawaii to receive its own replacement part for the gun mount, completing the cycle of repairs.

The Significance of the Incident

This episode aboard the USS Nicholas (DD-449) is a fascinating example of the resourcefulness, adaptability, and quick decision-making that were hallmarks of the United States Navy during World War II. The rapid response by the crew saved lives and ensured that the vessel was able to return to its important duties with minimal disruption. The collaboration between the USS Nicholas and USS Hutchins further highlights the cooperative nature of the U.S. Navy during the war, where units often supported each other in ways that went beyond the traditional scope of operations.

Moreover, this incident underscores the dangerous nature of naval combat during the Pacific War. While the USS Nicholas was a modern, heavily armed vessel, the risks associated with large artillery and complex machinery were ever-present. Hang-fires and misfires, though rare, could lead to catastrophic consequences, and it is only through the vigilance and expertise of the crew that the disaster was averted.

Aftermath and Legacy

The USS Nicholas continued to serve throughout World War II, participating in numerous operations in the Pacific theater. It would eventually earn multiple battle stars for its service, and its crew was commended for their bravery and professionalism, especially in the wake of the gun mount explosion incident.

The USS Nicholas was later decommissioned and was eventually sold for scrap in 1973. The legacy of the ship, and the remarkable incident involving the hang-fire, lives on as part of the history of the Fletcher-class destroyers, which were among the most successful and widely used warships of their time. The Fletcher-class destroyers played a crucial role in the naval engagements of World War II, with the USS Nicholas being one of the more storied examples of their service.

As for the USS Hutchins, its cooperative repair efforts with the Nicholas were a noteworthy example of the resourcefulness of the U.S. Navy during the war. Though the ship itself would eventually be decommissioned in 1971, the lesson of cooperation between ships and crews during times of need would persist as a model for future naval engagements.

Conclusion

The explosion aboard the USS Nicholas (DD-449), caused by the hang-fire of its #3 5-inch gun mount, was a pivotal moment that could have resulted in significant loss of life and the permanent disabling of the ship. However, thanks to the quick thinking and prompt evacuation by the crew, the incident ended without casualties. The replacement of the gun mount from the USS Hutchins further demonstrated the adaptability and resourcefulness of the U.S. Navy, ensuring that the USS Nicholas was able to return to action quickly.

The story of the USS Nicholas and the hang-fire incident serves as a powerful reminder of the dangers of naval warfare, the unpredictable nature of combat, and the critical importance of training, teamwork, and quick decision-making under pressure. This remarkable event will continue to be remembered as part of the legacy of the Fletcher-class destroyers and their service in the Pacific during World War II.