USS Porter - Sunk by Friendly Fire? Or Enemy Action? 

The Avenger carried it's torpedo in an internal bomb-bay, doors closed. It had to drop, releasing safeties, for it's motor to activate and warhead to arm. Rather an unlikkely series of events for that torpedo to have come from a ditching Avenger, don't you think?

You forgot to mention the biggest piece of bad luck of all. Had it been an american torpedo that hit the porter the fact that it wasnt a dud!

Great looking ship. Equally great video.

3 points to consider. 1) SOP for USN aircraft is to jettison stores before ditching, unless there is any indication of mechanical failure that will prevent closing a bomb bay. A jettisoned torpedo should not activate or arm on its own. Yes, there were issues with USN torpedoes at that time, but those issues were specific and known. You cannot just say "well, US torpedoes were faulty so that would cause it". Yeah, and the 73 Ford Pinto was known for catching fire if hit from the rear; that doesn't mean if a windshield wiper blade wore out it was just because it was mounted on a 73 Pinto. 2) If the torpedo was not jettisoned, the idea that it would break loose from its shackles during the impact of ditching yet still remain fully functional, manage to sink out of a bomb bay that would have been closed unless the torpedo had been previously jettisoned, then accidentally activate its motor, accidentally set its depth setting to engage a destroyer, accidentally arm its warhead, and by pure chance set off on a vector that precisely intercepted the course of the Porter at exactly the right time, is absolutely ludicrous. It takes an entire roll of tin foil to make a hat that would fit someone who believes that. 3) The ship was engaged in rescuing air crews that had ditched. At least one Japanese submarine was in the area, tossing out torpedoes for shits and giggles. And Japanese records that survived the war are known to be patchy at best. Why is it so hard to believe that the Porter's crew saw an Avenger ditching in the area, possibly facing towards the ship, which was hit by a torpedo from an undetected submarine shortly thereafter, and drew the wrong conclusion? That is by far the most logical and probable explanation. Occam's Razor, people; it's real, not just a Hollywood fictional phrase.

I've always loved the look of the Porters.....

Thank you for these videos. I find them all well-researched and fascinating!

Your videos are always well done. Thank you.

USS Selfridge, a Porter class destroyer, was involved in the last IJN victory of the war. She was crippled by a torpedo hit from IJN Samidare which blew off her bow.

I didn't know about the TT reloads. Very interesting.

Thank you for doing the Porter DL's....always had a soft spot for the interwar destroyers..

I have really enjoyed studying the Battle of Santa Cruz, but I never knew about this incident. Much of the focus on the battle is primarily on the carriers.

I-21 survived that patrol and her logs don't record her firing torpedoes at that point. She most likely wouldn't have tried for USS Porter and would have tried for USS Enterprise or Hornet, anyway. They do record her firing six at a "Colorado-class battleship" the next day and claims one hit. USS Washington had a torpedo explode in her wake that day and her escorts depth charged a submarine. A circling torpedo near the ditching site was also noted before Porter got hit as well.

I like this video a lot thank you I found this video rather interesting

what a tragic irony,,and waste of life and resources..war is hell..

I believe her sinking should be credited to the Japanese light carrier Zuiho, as her aircraft shot down the plane which friendly fired Porter.

I liked the Porter from PayBack. Thanks, Skynea. Take care.

Well I guess someday someone's going to have to get down there and have a look at the wreck of the USS Porter and determine was it friendly fire or enemy action that sanket..

Very interesting! I am somewhat skeptical that a torpedo from a ditching Avenger could survive the impact, fall out through torpedo bay doors that were closed unless the ditching jarred them open, the torpedo activate, happen to hit the Porter, and then the notorious detonator actually work.

Would love to have a video on the SS Red Oak Victory someday. She's named for my hometown (Red Oak, Iowa)!

You should do a few shows with drachinefell

There must be something wrong with USN destroyers named Porter, be it DD-356 or Willie Dee.

Probably the only people that'll take note of the name & class of ship nowadays are gamers.. As three of the ships in various fits appear in one title (DD-356 as built, DD-362 in 1941 refit, DD-360 in 1944 refit). But I've chatted to a few older people that'll talk about these ships but for the most part the wording at 0:36 is correct. Honestly the submarine possibility seems more likely then accidental blue on blue especially with the allied aircraft being a TBF as mentioned in other comments here. Say speaking of blue on blue will you ever cover the lose of the British Halycon class Minesweepers off Normandy August 1944 with two ships sunk under RAF attack & one ridden off to heavy damage which saw only one ship survive? (RIP if you have an I'm forgetting).

Can't really see flying all the way to attack japanese fleet with a torpedo and not drop it. Unless something mechanical or battle damage hung the doors open and the torpedo failed to release. Then I could see it launching itself upon impact when ditching. Not as far fetched as some believe.

Hopefully her wreck will be discovered some day, I’d imagine she will be in the same condition as USS Hornet.

I don't buy the avenger thing either. Crap torpedoes inside a bomb bay. Nah

Why the heck are there double guns on the mounts. Those should be singles.

The Washington Naval Treaty NEVER Happened - Would WWII Ever have happened - Discuss?