On December 17, Task Force 38 encountered a severe tropical storm that would later be identified as Typhoon Cobra. Despite receiving initial weather reports indicating the presence of a large storm, the force continued its operations, underestimating the impending danger. 🌀 The impact of Typhoon Cobra on Task Force 38 was catastrophic. Three destroyers, USS Hull, USS Spence, and USS Monaghan, were lost to the storm, capsizing under the overwhelming power of the typhoon. ⚓️🇺🇲 #WW2inPH #WWII #W

Typhoon Cobra 🌀 In the end, a number of ships ultimately wound up in the most dangerous quadrant, with some passing right through the eye on 18 December 1944. Halsey’s biggest mistake was waiting too long to give individual ships the okay to break out of formation to ride out the storm independently, giving the order only at 1149 (although some commanding officers were already doing so on their own initiative). Others who tried too long to stay in formation caused their ships to take an even wo

Halsey's Typhoons by The History Channel 🌀 This of course includes the infamous Typhoon Cobra, which struck the US Third Fleet off the eastern portion of the Philippines while they were conducting underway replenishment. This clash with this force of nature resulted in the hundreds of deaths of US Navy sailors and the loss of 3 of their ships. 💀🚢🚢🚢 #WW2inPH #WWII #WW2 #Halsey #USNavy #ThirdFleet #Storm #Typhoon | World War II in the Philippines

USS Santa Fe (CL-60) during Typhoon Cobra, December 1944 🌀 USS Santa Fe (CL-60) rolling about 35 degrees to starboard as she rides out a typhoon encountered probably on 18-19 December 1944. Note that her forward 6" gun turret is trained to one side to avoid shipping water through its gun ports. #WW2inPH #WWII #WW2 #Typhoon #TyphoonCobra | World War II in the Philippines