Log of the USS BLESSMAN 7 June 1944

While the Army was struggling for a foothold, the Navy so completely dominated the English Channel, that the BLESSMAN's task was comparatively easy. Only the vast German-laid mine fields presented any real hazard, and considerable, it was too, for the BLESSMAN's sister ship USS RICH was mined and sunk. The BLESSMAN herself on 7 June 1944 came alongside the USS SUSAN B. ANTHONY, mined and on fire. Although the ANTHONY was sinking rapidly, The BLESSMAN stayed along side and removed six Officers and thirty eight enlisted men. As the sinking transport became engulfed in flames, the ANTHONY's commanding officer ordered the BLESSMAN away, the last ship to leave as the stricken ANTHONY sank below the surface.

Coments:

The SUSAN B ANTHONY had her cargo nets over the side so the wounded who could still use their arms and legs could climb down into our waiting boats. Many had to be lowered on streachers. The evacuation had to be done quickly because she was sinking fast.

In less than sixty minutes the BLESSMAN was on another errand of mercy. This time she cam alongside another transport, the USS FRANCIS C. HARRINGTON, which had also struck a mine. The crippled ship, which was in danger of sinking, had twenty six seriously wounded men in desperate need of medical attention. The BLESSMAN quickly effected their transfer and delivered them to a hospital LST for treatment. this ended her active participation in the invasion. Several days and several enemy air attach and E-boat attacks later, the BLESSMAN was detached and returned to Plymouth on 12 June 1944.

Comments:

The streacher bound wounded from the USS FRANCES C. HARRINGTON were lined up on the deck of the BLESSMAN and lowered into our life boats and transfered to the hospital LST for treatment.