Title: Richard Shipman Photo Collection
Description: Collection of 23 deteriorated color transparencies (no color remains – b/w prints were made) taken by USS Intrepid (CV-11) photographer Richard Shipman during an airstrike on Japanese warships in the battle of Sibuyan Sea, October 24, 1944. Included with the collection is a copy of the original photographer’s notes on subjects seen, including his correspondence regarding the materials. Notations by the photographer dated October 24, 1944 state “kodacolor roll of the Jap Fleet in Tablas Straights, Philippine Islands under attack by air groups of the USS Intrepid”. Below is a listing of the subject matter by shot frame.
Accession#: S-475
Donor: Richard Shipman
Copyright Owner: Naval History & Heritage Command
Circa: 1944
Format: Color transparency, black & white photograph, black & white negative
Collection Guide:
Frames #1-6: USS Intrepid (CV-11) Air Group SB2C “Helldiver” aircraft in flight, en-route to attack the Japanese fleet. Frames 2-6 show “flak” bursts from Japanese A.A. guns.
Frames #7-13: Japanese warships in formation and under attack. A battleship (either Yamato or Musashi) is seen in frames 9, 11-13. Some views show “flak”.
Frames #14-23: Views taken during the return flight, after the attack. They include several shots of SB2C aircraft in flight, some with Philippine coastline visible; a Cleveland class light cruiser (distant aerial view); US Task Force steaming in formation, with SB2C “Helldiver” overhead; and USS Intrepid (CV-11) seen from the air.
For information about the rest of the collection: nhhcphotoarchive@navy.mil