“OFFICIAL U.S. NAVY PHOTOGRAPH” - original silver gelatin print shows a damaged aircraft carrier at sea.
Caption on back reads, “14 Oct. 44 - Fire Damage Aboard The USS Princeton (CLV-23) After Aerial Attack By Japanese Plane During Battle Of Leyte Gulf, P.I. As Seen From USS Birmingham”.
USS Princeton (CVL-23) was a United States Navy Independence-class light aircraft carrier active in the Pacific Ocean during World War II. She was launched in 1942 and lost at the Battle of Leyte Gulf in 1944.
On 20 October, landings were made at Dulag and San Pedro Bay, Leyte. Princeton, cruised off Luzon and sent her planes against airfields there to prevent Japanese land based aircraft attacks on Allied ships massed in Leyte Gulf.
On the 24th, however, the task group was found by enemy planes from Clark and Nichols fields. Shortly before 10:00 am Princeton was attacked by a lone Yokosuka D4Y 'Judy'. The dive bomber dropped a single bomb, which struck the carrier between the elevators, punching through the flight deck and hangar before exploding. Although structural damage was minor, a fire broke out as a result of the hit; it quickly spread due to burning gasoline and caused further explosions.
Efforts were made to save the carrier, but at 16:00 the fires were out of control. The remaining personnel were evacuated and at shortly after 17:06 Irwin commenced firing torpedoes at the burning hulk. However, Irwin abandoned this effort due to torpedo malfunctions (likely her torpedo tubes were damaged in the collision with Princeton) which caused her torpedoes to circle back and almost hit her. USS Reno (CL-96) at 17:46 took over the task of scuttling Princeton.[2] Three minutes later an even larger explosion occurred on Princeton, destroying the entire forward section and sending flames and debris up to 1000–2000 feet into the air. Princeton sank at approximately 17:50.
Photograph measures 8 x 10 inches and is in excellent condition with no bends, tears, or creases and is very sharp and has strong tones with good contrast and clarity.
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