Shanghai Diary (Part 6)

In the fall of 1937, the young American sailor Earl Jackson Clanton was in Shanghai on board the USS Augusta, which was keeping a vigil in the port while Chinese and Japanese troops were engulfed in vicious fighting over the fate of the city. Clanton completed a fascinating journal, providing a day-by-day account of the dramatic events, brought to you here courtesy of Clanton’s grandson, Adam Clanton. In this installment, he describes Chinese attempts at attacking the Japanese cruiser Izumo (pictured above).

Nov 8, 1937:

Japanese have a large steel net floating in a semi-circle around the Izumo to prevent the Chinese launching torpedoes or suicide boats or mines against her and thus sinking or otherwise causing damage – one or several having previously been attempted. Two Chinese attempted to blow up the Izumo with a suicide boat presumably loaded with nitroglycerine and at another time by floating a large mine down to the Izumo and trying to cut the net to get it into contact with the Izumo before setting it off. Both these attempts were thwarted, however, and the Chinese gave their lives in the attempt. Other attempts were made by torpedoes launched from the shore but none were successful.

Nov 9, 1937:

It is fairly quiet around Shanghai now with the Chinese soldiers all pushed back as far as Nanking. The Japanese are transporting men & provisions up river to concentrate on that point.

Nov 10, 1937:

Japanese decide to take over Chinese Customs and Maritime in International Settlement. Several shots are fired and the Japanese take the boats away (they were less than 100 yds from the USS Augusta).

Nov 11, 1937:

One large Chinese sea-going junk floats down river having been dislodged from the blockade and almost strikes ship. All boats are called away on the double and the booms are hauled in to prevent as much injury to the ship as possible. Our motor launches and motor boats hook onto it to try and haul it from striking the ship’s side. They are successful after the third boat hooks on and it narrowly misses the Augusta.

(To be continued)

Categories: War, Witnesses

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