SS HOKE SMITH

Michael Hoke Smith....(1855-1931) of which this particular Liberty ship was named after became an excellent lawyer without a 'formal' education....[he passed the bar examination at the age of seventeen in 1873].  Established a legal practiced by becoming a prominent injury attorney in the Southeast, by representing workers and passengers against the railroads.....in doing so he became financially and professionally established.  In 1887 purchase the Atlanta Journal, of which became very profitable in just a few years.  He used his wealth, and the successful Atlanta Journal to enter Democratic politics.  He went on from this point to become the United States Secretary of the Interior (1873-1896), the 58th Governor of Georgia (1907-1909, 1911), and a United States Senator (1911-1920) from Georgia.  He was most influential as the leader of Georgia's Progressive movement during his years as governor and as a U.S. Senator.

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SS HOKE SMITH

The SS Hoke Smith was built as a Liberty ship freighter at Southeastern Shipbuilding Corporation and was assigned Emergency Hull No. 1061.  Her Keel was laid on July 21, 1943, and she was Launched September 16, 1943.  She was delivered to her 'operator' which was: American Export Lines, Inc. on September 27, 1943.  Following postwar service she entered the James River Reserve Fleet on July 13, 1946 and a few months later.....February 15, 1947 was withdrawn.

1947 March sold to Rederiet "Ocean" A/S, displayed the Denmark flag and her named changed to Thora Dan.

SS THORA DAN

1948 sold to Cia de Nav. Aeolus, S.A. and displayed the Panama flag and her name changed to Spalmatori.

1960 sold to Cia de Vapores Realma, S.A. and displayed the Greece flag and her name again changed to Mastro-Stelios ll.

1961 sold to Ulysses Shipping Enterprises, S.A. continued to display the Greece flag and continued to carry the same name of Mastro-Stelios ll.

SS MASTRO-STELIOS ll

1965 sold to First Freighters, Ltd and displayed the South Africa flag with a name change to Wendy H.

1967 September 23 she arrived for scrapping at Shipbreakers, Valencia, Spain.

Author: Bud Shortridge

SS ROBERT G. HARPER

The Liberty ship SS Robert G. Harper was named after Robert G. Harper (1765-1825) whom was born in Fredericksburg, Virginia.  At the age of fifteen he joined a volunteer corps of Cavalry and served in the American Revolutionary Army.  Sometime after that he went to and graduated from the College of New Jersey [which now is Princeton University]. After graduation he studied law in Charleston, South Carolina, as well as teaching school at the same time.  He started a practice in the Ninety-Sixth District of South Carolina, moving back to Charleston, S.C. in 1789.
Harper was a member of South Carolina House of Representatives in 1790 until 1795....then elected to the Third Congress, due to filling a vacancy.   It appears he was well liked because he was re-elected the Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Congresses, was not voted in for the seventh....but did serve as a U. S. Representative from February 1795 to March of 1801.  Harper was involved in the impeachment proceedings against William Blount.  He moved to Baltimore, Maryland and became engaged in organizing the Baltimore Exchange Co. in 1815.

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The SS Robert G. Harper, a Liberty ship freighter,  was Built at Oregon Ship Building Corporation and was assigned the Emergency Hull No. 234.  Her Keel was Laid on: January 22, 1942.  Her Launching was: March 22, 1942, and she was delivered to her operator: Pacific-Atlantic Steamship Co. on April 27, 1942.  Following postwar service she entered the James River Reserve Fleet on June 8, 1946 and was withdrawn on September 1, 1947.

1947 March the Robert G. Harper was sold to Def Ostasiatiske Kompagni and she displayed the Denmark flag and her name changed to St. Croix.

SS St. Croix ex SS Robert G. Harper

1951 she was sold to Puerto Cabello Cia. Nav., S.A. Corp and displayed the Panama flag and her name changed to Marna.

1954 she was sold to Fairwind Shipping Co, S.A. and displayed the Panama flag and her name changed to Astron.

1962 she was sold to Uranos Cia. Nav., S.A. and displayed the Greece flag with a name change to Uranos.

1966 sold to Great Fortune Nav. Co., S.A. and displayed the Liberia flag with a name change to Great Peace.

1968 she was 'Reflagged' and displayed the National China flag but carried the same name...Great Peace.

1970 March she arrived at Shipbreakers, Keelung, Taiwan for scrapping.

Author: Bud Shortridge

THE "TURNER" A LOSS WITHOUT WARNING

USS TURNER (DD-648)

On January 3rd, 1944, the USS Turner (DD-648) suffered explosions originating near her bow that continued along her 348 foot length until the new destroyer literally was annihilated.  She eventually sank and 138 of her crew were killed in the two-hour ordeal.  It was not a loss through combat as she was anchored in protected waters off the Ambrose Light near New York Harbor.  This was human error involving one of wartime's more unstable antisubmarine weapons....the Mousetrap.

At the left: February 28, 1943, launching day for the brand-new Bristol-class destroyer, USS Turner (DD-648).  Her cost of $8.8 million is small compared to the 1990's Arleigh Burke-class destroyer that cost approximately $1 billion.

If you;d care to read about this unusual loss....just click 

HERE


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"ZIGGY" A PILOTS PILOT

"Ziggy" was a pioneer Naval Airman, he had vast experience....and when he was associated with "Taffy Three" at the battle off Samar.....his experience saved the day!

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Yes....a guy named "Ziggy"....kind of plump guy....probably not the type that others would look at that had a head on his shoulders for Naval Warfare....the type of kid that other kids just 'Zeroed' in on....to make fun of....and this continued all the way to the U.S. Naval Academy.

Actually....no one would have dreamed this moon-faced kid would become one of America's most acclaimed fighting admirals of WW II.  Oh yes, "Ziggy" was the one you didn't hear about....was in the back ground....but when you heard his name you said, "Who is that?".  Well the big boys could not imagine that this admiral who would place hi out gunned and outnumbered ships between an overwhelming Japanese strike force and exposed U.S. troops on an invasion beach head would be the same Clifton "Ziggy" Sprague, that was this "moon faced kid."

But the truth be known....."The Navy was his life, and 'it' came first."

You will read that Ziggy Sprague was actually rescued from 'Gun Duty" and sent to Pensacola Florida, in 1921....to learn how to fly Navy style.  He learned quick...in fact super quick....reason is he taught himself.  Within months he was flying the Curtiss N-9.....and in a few months he was chosen as the commanding officer of Aircraft Squadron Three......and get this folks...."Ziggy Sprague" was the one who would instruct the future Admiral "Bull" Halsey how to fly during Naval aviation tempestuous infancy.

This folks is one darn good bio on an extremely interesting Naval Admiral....I'm sure you'll enjoy.

Just click: HERE  to link to the article.

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PRIVATEERS AND THE LOUISIANA

In the very early 1800's the U.S. was having a great deal of trouble in and around there 'New Territory' the port of New Orleans.  Of course this was the entrance to the Mississippi River....and no matter where the ships came from they entered into this huge river to around the city of Balize or Pilot Town.

Well if your familiar with this area you'll soon see that of the many islands ....and these islands were mostly uninhabited.  These islands were a perfect spot for smugglers as well at privateers and pirates to hide.....and then pounce on the ships coming or leaving port.

This was not a good thing because the collection of custom duties was getting short changed by this type of activity.....so the U.S. Government decided they needed to put some sort of armed vessel in the area.  Well one thing lead to another and in late 1804 the cutter Louisiana was built and ready.  She was captained by Joseph Newcomb whom had a reputation of being brash....and many times a real contentious sort.

So this is the story of just what took place with the Louisiana....her captain and the events of this area of the "New Territory"

Just click on the title and it will take you immediately to the article

FIGHTING PRIVATEERS OFF LOUISIANA

Hope you enjoy the article.