The first series below was taken during USS Blakeley's passage from Fort de France, Martinique to Castries, St. Lucia on May 27, 1942

Blakeley's crew made this improvised anchor after bow was lost in torpedo attack

 


USS Blakeley undergoes temporary repairs in San Juan, Puerto Rico dry dock during June, 1942

USS Blakely in San Juan, Puerto Rico dry dock June 11, 1942

A wooden dam is constructed making the damaged bow water tight

USS Blakely refloated before addition of tempoary bow

 


USS Blakeley is repaired at the Philadelphia Navy Yard during July 1942

USS Blakeley arrives at Philadelphia Navy Yard July 15, 1942

USS Taylor's bow is removed on July 25, 1942

USS Taylor's bow is positioned

USS Blakeley afloat with her new bow - late July 1942

LCDR Mitchell D. Matthews CO of USS Blakeley, was awarded a Legion of Merit medal for bringing the ship to Philadelphia from the Carribbean with a temporary bow after she was torpedoed by U-156