Cannon Shell Strike Pattern Supports Claim of Close-In MTB Attack After Torpedo Strike
By Ken Halliwell (March 17, 2005)
Cannon shell strikes in the mid-ship hull area, on the starboard side, range from about 14 to 18 feet above the water line and appear as angular shots fired from positions higher than the strike points. Thus, it appears that these shots could not have orignated from a close-by motor torpedo boat (MTB), firing directly at the hull. But recall that the MTB's attacked the ship with cannon and machine gun fire after the torpedo attack -- when the ship was listing to starboard about 10 degrees.
Thus, shots directed at the inclined hull would appear to come from above and not below and, indeed, they fit the pattern of at least one close-by MTB moving past the ship, firing its cannon.
Being very close to the ship means the MTB crew would have been able to see clearly the ship's name "Liberty" on the stern, and the large "GTR5" letters on both her stern and bow. They would have been close enough to see the faces of sailors on deck -- and continue their deadly attack, as the survivors claim.