Cripped U.S. Aircraft carrier completes sage of the sea. On March 19, 1945, the U.S.S.

Cripped U.S. Aircraft carrier completes sage of the sea. On March 19, 1945, the U.S.S. Franklin, an Essex-elass aircraft carrier, was hit by enemy bombs while participatin in air strikes against the Japanese fleet in the enemy's Inland sea. Operating less than 60 miles (96 lms.) from the Japanese coast, with many of her planes fully armed and fuelled the carrier was attacked by a Japanese dive-bomber which scored two hits with quarter-ton armor-piercing bombs. The ship was soon an inferno of flames with her bombs, rockets and ammunition exploding throughout the vessel. It appeared certain that the ship was lost, and the Japanese boasted that they had sunk her. When the veil of flame and smoke lifted, however, the Franklin was still afloat, saved by her heroic crew despite more than 1000 casualties and gaping holes in her hull. Listing badly, the carrier returned under her own power the more than 12.000 miles (19.200 kms.) to New York City, completing an outstanding saga of the sea. NI 6557