On a stormy night in November 1975, routine naval operations in the Ionian Sea spiraled into total catastrophe. At 2200 hours, a maneuver between the guided-missile cruiser USS Belknap (CG-26) and the aircraft carrier USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67) went horribly wrong.
The carrier’s massive flight deck sheared directly into the superstructure of the cruiser, initiating a terrifying sequence of explosions and fire. In his vivid military memoir, Save the Belknap, Captain Robert C. Powers, U.S. Navy, (Retired) delivers an unvarnished, firsthand account of this harrowing disaster and the incredible human effort that kept a crippled warship from sinking.
A Night of Sheer Devastation
The impact of the collision was immediate and destructive. Jet fuel poured into the damaged decks of the Belknap, igniting an intense inferno that rapidly melted the ship’s aluminum superstructure. Within moments, the warship was engulfed in thick smoke, dead in the water, engulfed in flame, power systems failed and communication lines dead.
What made the situation even more precarious was the presence of live ordnance and nuclear-capable weaponry directly in the path of the advancing flames. For the sailors on Belknap, there was no room for error. Oon the nearby destroyer USS Claude V. Rickett (DDG-5), Captain Powers, the Commanding Officer (Captain) took immediate action and headed for Belknap at flank spewed (25 knots) to provide assistance. The crews of both ships faced a desperate battle for survival against heat, smoke and impending explosion.
Why Save the Belknap Belongs on Your Bookshelf
Memoirs often recount high-level strategies, but Captain Powers offers something far more visceral: a direct view from the heart of the crisis. As Captain of Ricketts during the tragedy, Powers captures the sheer intensity of damage control operations under extreme pressure He was on the bridge of Ricketts in the thick of the action, conning (driving) the ship close alongside Belknap to allow fire hoses to bear and then mooring alongside Belknap to take wounded men aboard. A Belknap sailor later exclaimed “Never seen ship handling like that before.”
Here is why this military memoir stands out:
- An Authentic Eyewitness Perspective: Powers details the physical and emotional reality of fighting a white-hot fire on the open sea, taking readers beyond standard historical summaries.
- Tribute to Extraordinary Valor: The narrative highlights the young sailors who fought 120+ psi water lines, dragged wounded comrades to safety and risked everything to contain volatile explosives.
- A Masterclass in Crisis Leadership: Beyond the action, the book provides a clear analysis of the communication failures, navigational errors and human factors that caused the collision and the discipline required to regain control.
- Honoring Fallen Heroes: The book preserves the memory of the seven sailors and one Marine who lost their lives, ensuring their sacrifice is remembered.
A Legacy of Bravery and Resilience
Save the Belknap is more than just a historical record of a naval disaster; it is a testament to what well-trained individuals can achieve when faced with impossible odds. It demonstrates how clear decision-making, rigorous training and absolute trust among a crew can turn a potential disaster into a story of ultimate survival.
Whether you are active duty, a veteran, a military history enthusiast or simply someone who appreciates true stories of courage under fire, this book offers a compelling and deeply moving read.
Ricketts was credited by the Task Group Admiral with saving Belknap from sinking.
Ricketts received the Navy Unit Commendation for her actions that night.
A night to forget that will always be remembered.
Get Your Copy Today
Step aboard the burning decks of the USS Belknap and experience one of the most gripping chapters in Cold War naval history. Discover the courage, leadership and resilience that saved a warship from the brink of total loss.
Order your copy of Save the Belknap by Captain Robert C. Powers today on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0HJN1JCDP
