File talk:U123754.jpg

Currently, part of the image's description states: "Note heel of ship in high speed (21 knot) turn. Smoke and fire damage can be seen from fires burning as result of napalm and rocket attacks."

No doubt, the wake behind Liberty appears like she was turning to port, and it's clear that light smoke can be seen. Additionally, sunlight shadows show the ship was heading northward. But beyond these visual clues in the image, I don't see anything that tells me the ship was traveling at 21 knots or that the smoke and fire damage was due to napalm and rockets.

According to findings in the U.S. Navy's Court of Inquiry (COI), the estimated speed of Liberty during the sea attack was between 15 to 17 knots, not 21 knots.

Additionally, COI testimony and findings state that fires on the port side were due to burning gas from ruptured gas storage drums, not napalm or rockets. Of course, the ruptured drums may have resulted from a napalm bomb or rocket hit, but this is not specifically stated in the COI record.