Curtiss SO3C-1 Seamew/Seagull - USS Denver (CL-58)

[Leendert]

The Curtiss SO3C-1 Seagull (or Seamew with the RN) has attracted little to no attention on this forum.
Yet, a little question. On 30 Dec 1942 SO3C-1 BuNo 4857 capsized on landing alongside the USS Denver, anchored in Chesapeake Bay. Crew were pilot Ens. Donald Allison and passenger Ens. A.B. Haseltine, both safe.
Was this the "wrecked plane" that was removed from the cruiser by a Mary Ann type floating crane on 5 Jan 1943?
The 'usual' loss websites give 6 Jan 1943 for #4857, but this perhaps date of write-off in the books.

Thanks for info,
Leendert

[twocee]

The accident to BuNo 4857 occurred on 30 December 1942 when she lost a wing float on landing. The decision to "strike" her appears to have been made on 8 January and her official strike date was 31 January. It is therefore highly likely that she was the aircraft offloaded on January 5.

[RSwank]

I also have to think it was the same plane that crashed on Dec 30. 1942 and was offloaded on Jan 5, 1943. The War Diary pages of the USS Denver are on fold3.
For those with fold3 access:


Crash is Described: Dec 30, 1942 https://www.fold3.com/image/268392852
The ship was underway (not anchored) and was to recover all 4 of its planes. After the first plane, 4857, crashed they only recovered one additional plane that day.

Hoisted crashed plane aboard: Dec 30, 1942: https://www.fold3.com/image/268392853


A "wrecked" plane removed by a floating crane Jan 5, 1943:
https://www.fold3.com/image/268226619

[Leendert]

Thanks for additional info.

Rolland: for those without a Fold3 subscription, the National Archives website offers (the) USN ship's war diaries online, freely accessible.

Regards,
Leendert