The Honda Point disaster, which occurred on September 8, 1923, is considered one of the largest peacetime losses for the U.S. Navy, where seven destroyers ran aground off California’s coast due to navigational errors in dense fog.

The tragic event led to the loss of 23 sailors and inflicted considerable damage to the Navy’s fleet, particularly the Clemson-class destroyers.

In its aftermath, the disaster prompted significant reforms in naval navigation protocols, training, and communication systems to prevent similar future occurrences.

Background

In the early 1920s, the Pacific Fleet of the United States Navy stood as a symbol of American maritime might and prowess.

Following the end of World War I, the United States, along with other major naval powers, had invested significantly in expanding and modernizing its fleet.

This period saw the introduction of the Clemson-class destroyers, a class of warships that were designed to be faster, more agile, and equipped with cutting-edge technologies compared to their predecessors.

The Clemson-class destroyers were particularly significant because they embodied the changing nature of naval warfare in the 20th century.

As submarine warfare became a prominent threat, especially during World War I, the need for ships that could counteract this new danger became apparent.

The Clemson-class destroyers were primarily built for anti-submarine warfare. With a speed of up to 35 knots and an armament that included torpedoes and depth charges, these destroyers were poised to be the vanguard against underwater threats.

Destroyer Squadron 11, which was involved in the Honda Point disaster, was a part of this new fleet of Clemson-class destroyers.

Comprising fourteen ships, this squadron was stationed on the west coast and had been engaged in routine exercises and patrols along the Pacific Coast.

The destroyer USS Delphy before the disaster.

Their presence was not just a testament to America’s naval capabilities but also a strategic move to showcase U.S. commitment to maintaining a strong naval presence in the Pacific, especially in the wake of the expanding Japanese naval capabilities.

The Pacific Coast itself presented a unique set of challenges for naval operations.

Its rugged coastline, unpredictable weather conditions, and the presence of numerous islands and rocky outcrops made navigation especially challenging.

Experienced naval officers were well-aware of these challenges, and they relied on a combination of navigational tools, charts, and experience to maneuver safely.

As the fleet moved from San Francisco to San Diego on September 8, 1923, the confidence in their ships and training was high.

However, the very strength and agility of the Clemson-class destroyers, combined with unexpected conditions and a navigational error, would soon lead to one of the most tragic events in U.S. naval history at Honda Point.

The Fateful Evening

The evening of September 8, 1923, dawned with a sense of routine for Destroyer Squadron 11.

Sailing southward from San Francisco to San Diego, the fourteen destroyers, predominantly of the Clemson-class, were no strangers to the vast expanse of the Pacific Coast.

However, as dusk approached, a series of unfortunate circumstances conspired against them, culminating in the disastrous events at Honda Point.

One of the primary challenges that evening was the thick, disorienting fog that blanketed the Pacific waters.

Coastal fogs are common along California’s coastline due to the cold California Current coming from the north and the warm air from the land.

This fog severely limited visibility, making both visual recognition of landmarks and communication between ships challenging. Even the most experienced sailors would find such conditions daunting.

Under these conditions, navigational accuracy was paramount. Captain Edward H.

Watson, who commanded the squadron from the USS Delphy, relied on a method known as “dead reckoning” to determine their position.

Dead reckoning involves estimating one’s current position based on a previously known position, the course traveled, time elapsed, and speed.

Captain E. H. Watson pictured in 1915.

It’s a technique as ancient as seafaring itself and can be reasonably accurate over short distances or when regularly checked against other navigational methods.

However, without such checks, its accuracy diminishes, and errors can accumulate.

Believing they were well clear of the coast and approaching the Santa Barbara Channel, Watson ordered a course change to the east.

The assumption was that this would take the fleet through the channel and onwards to San Diego.

Tragically, due to the accumulated errors in dead reckoning and the absence of visual landmarks because of the fog, they were much closer to the coast than realized.

By the time the perilous proximity of the rugged coastline of Honda Point became evident, it was too late for many ships in the fleet to take corrective action.

The flagship USS Delphy was the first to run aground, and in the chaos that ensued, six other destroyers followed suit.

These destroyers, designed for speed and agility in open waters, were ill-equipped to navigate the treacherous, rock-studded coastline of what was also ominously known as Devil’s Jaw.

Seven destroyers now wrecked on Honda Point, including USS Delphy, USS woodbury and USS Chauncey.

Amidst the cacophony of metal tearing against rocks, desperate shouts from sailors, and the roaring waves, two destroyers, the USS Chauncey and the USS Woodbury, suffered devastating damage.

The rapid sequence of events left little time for crew members to react, leading to the tragic loss of 23 sailors who were either trapped within the shipwrecks or succumbed to the cold, unforgiving waters of the Pacific.

Aftermath Of The Honda Point Disaster

When dawn broke on September 9, 1923, the magnitude of the previous night’s events became painfully clear.

The picturesque coastline near Santa Barbara, usually a haven for its serene beauty, now bore the scars of the Honda Point disaster, presenting a grim tableau of destruction and loss.

Rescue operations were initiated with urgency. Nearby naval stations, coast guard units, and civilian vessels rallied to aid in the aftermath.

The sight that greeted the rescuers was heart-wrenching: destroyers perched precariously on rocks, some severed in half, while others lay overturned, their hulls exposed to the skies.

The wreckage of several destroyers at Honda Point. USS Delphy is in the foreground.

Amidst the wreckage, pockets of survivors clung to whatever support they could find, while others attempted to swim or row towards safety.

The chilling cries for help mixed with the deafening sound of waves crashing against metal, creating an atmosphere of desperate chaos.

The immediate priority was to save as many lives as possible. Rescuers braved the turbulent waters, pulling survivors aboard lifeboats and transporting the injured to medical facilities.

Meanwhile, attempts were made to salvage whatever equipment and sensitive materials could be retrieved from the damaged vessels to prevent them from falling into the wrong hands or being lost to the sea.

News of the disaster spread quickly, capturing national attention.

Newspapers across the country bore headlines recounting the tragedy, with journalists attempting to piece together the events that had led to such a catastrophic loss.

The public, shocked by the scale of the disaster, sought answers.

How could a fleet of modern destroyers, with experienced crews aboard, have met with such a fate on a familiar coastline?

The wreckage of USS Woodbury.

The U.S. Navy, recognizing the gravity of the situation and its implications for public confidence in naval operations, launched an immediate investigation.

Preliminary findings indicated that the combination of dense fog, potential mechanical issues in some destroyers, and most crucially, the reliance on dead reckoning without adequate verification had collectively contributed to the disaster.

However, as with many tragedies, the Honda Point disaster was not just about identifying operational failures; it was also a time for mourning.

The loss of 23 sailors was felt deeply within the naval community and across the nation.

Memorial services were held in honor of the fallen, and their sacrifices served as a somber reminder of the unpredictable dangers of the sea.

In the weeks that followed, the challenge shifted from rescue and immediate response to a more prolonged process of introspection and analysis.

The Navy faced the task of understanding the systemic issues that had allowed for such an error and ensuring that measures were put in place to prevent any recurrence in the future.

Lessons Learned From The Honda Point Disaster

In the aftermath of any significant catastrophe, the imperative to comprehend the causal factors and the subsequent implementation of corrective measures becomes paramount.

The Honda Point disaster was no exception, and its aftershocks reverberated throughout the naval establishment, prompting both introspection and institutional change.

The direct fallout of the disaster was the initiation of legal proceedings against those deemed responsible.

Captain Edward H. Watson, the officer in command of Destroyer Squadron 11, and his navigator faced the brunt of this scrutiny.

Both were subjected to court-martial, a military court convened to address breaches of naval discipline and conduct.

Watson was found guilty of negligence, a verdict that underscored the Navy’s commitment to accountability, irrespective of rank.

However, in a nod to his extensive service and the understanding that the disaster was a culmination of multiple factors, Watson’s sentence was remitted.

The disaster spotlighted the pitfalls of over-reliance on a single method of navigation.

Dead reckoning, while valuable, was revealed to have inherent risks when not cross-verified with other methods, especially in challenging conditions.

In response, the U.S. Navy undertook a comprehensive review of its navigational training and protocols.

The wreckage of USS Chauncey.

There was a renewed emphasis on ensuring that navigators employed a diversified set of tools and techniques, from celestial navigation to the emerging field of electronic navigation.

By integrating multiple methods, the chances of error would be reduced, ensuring safer voyages.

Another area identified for improvement was inter-ship communication.

The events of that fateful night demonstrated the potential for catastrophe when vessels in close proximity lacked efficient communication tools and protocols.

In the years following the disaster, investments were made in improving ship-to-ship communication technologies, allowing for real-time sharing of vital information and thereby enhancing fleet coordination.

Beyond the tangible changes in technology and protocol, there was a recognition that a shift in the naval ethos was required.

Leadership training programs within the Navy were revamped to emphasize not just technical proficiency but also critical thinking, decision-making under pressure, and the importance of continuously updating one’s knowledge base.

The disaster served as a case study for generations of naval cadets, embodying the principles of vigilance, adaptability, and the grave responsibilities of command.

The disaster also prompted a reevaluation of fleet exercises and drills.

New safety protocols were implemented, ensuring that mock exercises and drills closely mimicked potential real-world scenarios, preparing crews better for unforeseen challenges.

Moreover, periodic reviews and feedback sessions after these exercises became the norm, fostering a culture of continuous learning and improvement.

The Honda Point disaster, while a dark chapter in U.S. naval history, catalyzed significant reforms and improvements within the naval establishment.

While the loss of life and assets was tragic, the lessons derived from the incident ensured that future generations of sailors would be better equipped, both in terms of skills and tools, to navigate the challenges of the sea.