SCUTTLE-BUTT 2011 1ST EDITION

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Over a few weeks and months I gather up Naval and nautical news items....as well as what I consider interesting subject matter and attempt to compile these short items into somewhat of a 'catch-all' edition.  Some may interest you, and then again some may not, but I like to throw thise stories all in one file and see what the readers think about it.

So after reading it....that is if you wish to spare the time to do so...give me your thoughts on what is interesting, what is not.....comment if you so wish on one item....or if I should just "chuck it all" and not waste my time....

In any regard....good, bad or different....if you care to give it a go....just click on the link below

SCUTTLE-BUTT

Hope you enjoy!!!

THE FIERY END OF THE FRENCH LINERS

At the beginning of the 1930's, the famous French company Messegeries Maritimes of Marseilles introduced a trio of big motor ships on its service to French Indochina and Japan.  The most impressive of these was the 17,539 ton Georges Philippar.  Well this ship was carrying a 'bucket load' of passengers on her maiden voyage....when she caught fire and sank with loss of life.  Not long after this sinking the highly esteemed French liner L'Atlantique ....a three funneled liner of 40,950 ton caught fire...

All of the above was bad enough for the French motor ship industry....but then the Lafayette ....a 27,180 liner caught fire while in dry dock.....and this jinx of the French Liner ships just keeps right on going....one right after another.

Ok....well if you'd care to give this 9 or so pages a go....just click on the title below:

THE FIERY END OF THE FRENCH LINERS

Hope you enjoy the article.

MORRISON'S VALIANT LAST STAND [PART 1 AND 2]

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In every battle there comes a time when even prodigious amounts of guts and bravery cannot save the ship. Such was the saga of the destroyer whose star shone bright during her brief-but-spectacular wartime career.

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Fifty-two destroyers were lost in the Pacific during World War Two. Of the 52, 21 were sunk by Japanese aerial attacks. Few suffered a more devastating attack, in such a short period, as did the USS Morrison (DD-560).

Promptly opening fire on a group of 40 to 60 Japanese planes that attacked her radar picket station off Okinawa, the USS Morrison fought off her attackers and shot down seven to nine aircraft before they could

complete suicide dives.  Morrison maintained a steady barrage against the overwhelming force and gallantly

continued in action despite severe damage from four suicide planes and two bombs that struck her in rapid succession.

She sunk by the stern just after the last hit.  USS Morrison earned eight battle stars and two Navy Unit commendations in her short 1.5 - yr of service. Destroyer men everywhere may recognize parts of her history as typical of their own experiences. She was but one of many of the “small boys” that were the destroyers of the United States Navy in WW II. 

Ladies and gentlemen....this is “her” story

MORRISON'S LAST STAND

PART ONE

PART TWO

Enjoy the read

SEA OF LOST SHIPS

Gulf of Mexico's 'Sea of Lost Ships

Long known as the breeding ground of vicious hurricanes and deadly storms, the Gulf of Mexico harbors more than its share of the wrecks of its victims. While may of these lost ships have laid undetected for decades, and even centuries, the marvels of modern sea search technology and the unceasing explorations of the Gulfs bottom by the petroleum industry explorations of the Gulf’s bottom by the petroleum industry have combined to reveal the presence and exact location of many long-lost ships. Within the last few years alone, several new wreck sites have been discovered in what is regarded as the Gulf’s deeper waters (more than a

1,000-ft). Among these wrecks is a mysterious copper sheathed vessel at 2,650-ft and a WW II wreck deeper than 5,000 ft,

This is pretty darn interesting....a divers dream as I'm sure it is.  In the article is a map of the Gulf...showing all the sunken wrecks.....you will not believe your eyes on this....it is simply "Awesome!!!"
Just click on the title to read: SEA OF LOST SHIPS

Hope you enjoy the article.