Re: Halsey's Typhoon
- From: "Scott M. Kozel" <kozelsm@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Mon, 26 Sep 2005 02:56:54 +0000 (UTC)
GNightingale@xxxxxxxxx (George) wrote:
>
> Based on current ratings for hurricanes, how intense was the typhoon of
> Dec 1944 that TF 38 was involved in? Three destroyers were lost. Was
> it a 3, 4, or 5? What was the top wind velocity reported?
There were two typhoons that Task Force 38 encountered. The maximum
sustained wind velocities reported in the following two U.S. Navy
webpages, would put each hurricane in the Category 1 as defined by the
U.S. National Hurricane Center, at least that was the intensity when the
task forces encountered the storms.
Category One Hurricane: Winds 74-95 mph (64-82 kt or 119-153 km/hr).
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/aboutsshs.shtml
I have experienced two hurricanes on land with 90+ mph maximum sustained
winds, and it is an awe-inpsiring experience, to say the least. Brevard
County, Florida, I lived 1/3 mile from the ocean, we had Hurricane Donna
in 1960 and Hurricane Cleo in 1964, and both brought hours of 90+ mph
winds to the area, and we stayed with friends in Melbourne during the
storm.
The sound, visual effects and fury of a hurricane are an unforgettable
experience, hours and hours of horizontal torrential rain, and continual
wind-scream that is close to triple digit decibels. Category 3 and
above must be a truly terrifying experience.
Getting back to the TF 38 typhoons, even a Category 1 for ships at sea
is very dangerous, with mountainous, steep and confused seas; a wholly
different situation from experiencing the storm while you are on land.
Pacific Typhoon, 17-18 December 1944: Extracts Relating to the Typhoon
from Commander in Chief, Pacific Fleet Report
http://www.history.navy.mil/faqs/faq102-4f.htm
"The average strength of wind reported by various units ranged from 50
to at least 75 knots, with gusts as high as 115 to 120 knots.
Mountainous and confused seas built up, and barometric pressures as low
as 26.8 inches were recorded".
.....
Typhoons and Hurricanes: Pacific Typhoon June 1945
http://www.history.navy.mil/faqs/faq102-5.htm
"On 5 June, the small and tight typhoon overtook TG 38.1, which passed
through the eye of the storm at 0700 that morning. Hurricane force
winds of 70 knots (80.5 miles per hour), with gusts up to 100 knots (115
miles per hour), damaged almost every ship in TG 38.1 and TG 30.8".
--
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--
.
- References:
- Halsey's Typhoon
- From: George
- Halsey's Typhoon
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