Almaack went to general quarters; a quick investigation of the damage revealed the engine and fire rooms, as well as hold number five and the shaft alley, flooded. Fortunately, the strength of the bulkheads contained the flooding and the ship remained afloat, although in a dangerous state. Four engineers on duty were lost : Gerald Keith Brown, F3c, of Atlantic, Iowa; Herbert Jess Kramer MM2cm, of Philadelphia; Frank Aloyousis Keefe Jr., F1c, of Philadelphia; and Dominick Virgilio, F2c, of Lansdale, Pennsylvania. ; and four more were badly burned in the explosion in the engine room.
