WreckThe HMAS Perth & USS Houston - Intro | Historical Background Part 1 | Part 2

HSMA Perth and USS Houston
The fascinating historical background [Part 2]
At about 23.20, the allied cruisers were out of ammo and now could only hope to reach safer waters by high speed. Japanese torpedoes were flying all over the battleground, and scored one hit on Perth, later followed by another two. This resulted in heavy loss of life, especially in engineering. Captain Waller ordered to abandon ship, but the Perth received her fourth hit, which was too much for her. She sank and took half the crew with her. By this time, also the Houston had received several hits, including vital hits. A whole gun salvo hit the aft engine room where the high pressured steam killed almost everyone.

The central fire control system was down along with one of the forward 8 inch-turrets. At about 00.20, the last operational turret was hit and Captain Rooks ordered the flooding of the forward magazines. Without the heavy batteries, she now fought a useless battle. But she still had her 5-inch guns and her machineguns and continued the fight. At about 00.30 three torpedoes hit the Houston on her starboard side. The water entered the ship from all sides and Captain Rooks ordered “abandon ship”. Captain Rooks died when he was hit by a part of a machinegun foundation. He died in the arms of his officers. The guns were still firing at this time, but the ship was lying dead in the water and the Japanese destroyers sprayed the decks with their machineguns. The Houston sank and took two thirds of its crew with her.

Of the 1008 crew of the Houston only 370 survived to be taken prisoner. Another 104 died as prisoners of the Japanese forces. Only 266 men returned home. From the Perth, of her crew of 682, 353 were lost in the battle and 100 died as POW.s on the Burma Railway. Only 229 returned to Australia.