Wasp's falling aircraft and failed fire mains

The torpedo hits near Wasp's aviation-fuel storage and magazines caused explosions powerful enough to throw aircraft about and damage their landing gear. Spare aircraft suspended overhead fell onto machines on the hangar deck, producing sparks amid aviation-fuel vapour. Fires then ignited ready ammunition at the forward anti-aircraft guns, throwing fragments across the ship and blowing a 1.1-inch mount overboard. The forward water mains became unusable while fires continued setting off ammunition and bombs. Wasp developed a list of about 10 to 15 degrees to starboard, and escaping oil and gasoline burned on the surrounding water. Sternway and rudder were used to change the wind's effect and hold the fire forward. The central control station eventually became untenable, internal communication circuits failed, and another vapour explosion followed at about 1510.