Military history, verified · sourced, not sanitized
Naval History
Typhoon Cobra on 18 December 1944 sank USS Hull, Spence, and Monaghan. Many other Third Fleet ships were damaged; 790 sailors died fleet-wide that day.
From the archive · last updated 2026-10-29
Briefing
How many ships did Halsey lose in Typhoon Cobra? If the question means hulls that sank on 18 December 1944, the answer is three U.S. destroyers: USS Hull, USS Spence, and USS Monaghan. The wider Third Fleet toll included 790 sailors dead, 146 aircraft destroyed or washed overboard, and 27 ships suffering damage, but those damage figures are not additional sinkings. The court of inquiry blamed Halsey while recommending no punishment; a second typhoon inquiry in June 1945 went further but still did not remove him. Context and both storms are on [William Halsey and the typhoons](/william-halsey-typhoons/).
| Category | Count | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Destroyers sunk | 3 (Hull, Spence, Monaghan) | Capsized in ~100–110 kt gusts |
| Sailors dead (fleet total) | 790 | NHHC typhoon history |
| Ships with damage | 27 | Includes carriers; not sunk |
| Aircraft lost/damaged | 146 destroyed or overboard | Fleet-wide storm bill |
Roughly 775 men were aboard the three lost destroyers; 91 were rescued. Light fuel and top-weight from extra wartime gear contributed to the capsizings.
Q. How many ships did Halsey lose in Typhoon Cobra?
A. Three destroyers sank: Hull, Spence, and Monaghan. Other Third Fleet ships were damaged but not lost that day.
Q. Is 790 the number of ships lost?
A. No. Seven hundred ninety is the sailor death toll fleet-wide during Typhoon Cobra, not a ship count.
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