Yorktown restores power and flight operations after bomb damage

Yorktown's damage-control effort depended on preparation, working machinery, and officers who coordinated repairs under attack. Before the bombs arrived, the crew pushed an 800-US-gallon auxiliary fuel tank over the stern, drained fuel lines, and secured compartments. Sprinklers helped contain hangar fires near a fuelled and armed Dauntless, while carbon dioxide protected the gasoline system from a persistent fire beside the forward fuel storage and magazines. A bomb exploding low in the funnel damaged boiler uptakes and filled machinery spaces with smoke and gases, eventually stopping the carrier. The crew of number one boiler kept auxiliary steam available, which helped clear the other boiler rooms and restart their boilers. After roughly an hour without movement, Yorktown regained enough power for about 20 knots. Repairs to the flight deck then allowed air operations to resume.