Chapter 29, "The Typhoon" Summary

The Third Fleet, the most formidable naval force ever assembled, is in Ulithi Lagoon for the assault on Luzon. Willie is thrilled at the array he sees from the forecastle of the runty, rusty Caine and is unaware of a nearby typhoon. Maryk is in the charthouse, plotting typhoon warnings from dispatches with latitudes and longitudes of storm centers. The next morning the big ships steam out to sea. The Caine tags along, for Fleet gunfire practice, and returns to Ulithi. Willie keeps up with Halsey's force through the dispatches. The Caine is to help tankers rendezvous with the Third Fleet for refueling at sea. The ocean is calm and the sky clear when ships leave Ulithi. The night of December 16th, the Caine begins to roll, and green white capped seas fill the view through Willie's...