The Flag and The Albatross: The shipwreck of the USS Regulus (AF-57) in Typhoon Rose

The Flag and The Albatross is the story of the last eight months in the life of the USS Regulus (AF-57), a life ended by Typhoon Rose in Hong Kong. It begins with the ship getting a new, possibly unqualified captain, and two minor events which some superstitious in the crew think portend a dark future. In the following months, the Regulus provides exemplary services to the ships operating off the coast of Vietnam in support of the war. By pure chance it also just misses encounters with two typhoons; lucky, yes, but the captain becomes complacent. As the Regulus nears the end of its six-month deployment, it is scheduled for an R & R visit to Hong Kong. Unfortunately, Typhoon Rose also plans to make a visit there at the same time. The initial storm tracks show Rose missing the city, but as time passes, the track keeps changing and the threat increases. Finally, it is clear that Rose will hit Hong Kong, but the captain refuses all recommendations to evacuate and the ship remains at anchor. On the night of August 21, 1971 Typhoon Rose slams into Hong Kong – one of the strongest storms ever to hit the city. Her eye passes directly over the Regulus, and 160 mph winds and 40 foot seas wreck the ship on an uninhabited island. The Flag and The Albatross tells the story of the months leading up to the shipwreck, events during the storm’s encounter with the city and the ship, and what happens thereafter. The author was the Executive Officer (second in command) during this period.