BRITISH "X-CRAFT"

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This is truly a "David & Goliath" article.

The Germans had this 'huge' battleship.....I'm sure you've heard of the Tirpitz......she was a beast of a fighting vessel, and as far back as 1941 the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty considered the destruction of this massive vessel.  They knew that this was not going to be any easy task on this 42,000 tons of striking power.

The Tirpitz  had a lair that she laid in ....the Alten Fjord....[200 miles inside the Arctic Circle]....and in this lair she was well protected by sheer cliffs.....even considering to bomb her would be estremely difficult....but one thing the British knew for sure:.....
If this beast ever got out into the North Atlantic and got into the throws of using her 15-inch guns....and her sleek speed....it would be pure destruction for the convoys.

So....it was conceived that midget submarines would be considered.....or X-craft...as they were referred to to take on getting in the Tirpitz's lair....and blowing her up.....

So here is the accounting at just how this all took place......click to read:
THE TIRPITZ TALE

I don't think you'll be disappointed in reading

These guys had guts.....no two ways about it.





NAVAL LESSON OF THE KOREAN CONFLICT

"This Beach is All Yours Through the Courtesy of Mine Squadron Three"

-so read the sign on the beach at Wonsan-

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Well when the 250 ships armada.....which consised of the landing force....arrived off Wonsan harbor on October 19th...what was in the plan was getting all the men and equipment onto the beachhead....but it didn't turn out that way.

That whole landing force....all they could do is steam "back & forth" for six days....what they were waiting for was the harbor to be cleared of 'mines.' 

What started as an assault landing.....actually became an "adminstrative landing."

Oh yes the 'Sweepers' arrived early to clear the harbor of any mines...so as Admiral Struble's 250 ship force could settle in real quick....but they didn't realize that in this harbor over 2,000 mines of all types was implanted.....  So.....how did all this happen, who and how did this small force get all this accomplished?

Ah yes, we soon learned a lesson that hit us hard....and we soon realize that new concepts in mine sweeping must be in our future.......

If this sounds interesting to you....just click to read:

NAVAL LESSON OF THE KOREAN CONFLICT

Enjoy!!

THE JERSEY PRISON SHIPS

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I was at the Library the other day...roaming around in the bowels of genealogy dept....[which is the 2nd largest in the U.S.]....more or less just looking over various nautical documents and articles that happens to be "not" stored on the main floor shelves.

Anyway I came upon an article about the: JERSEY PRISON SHIP  so I transcribed the article....which as near as I can tell was written back in the late 1800's or early 1900's...

The reason I'm 'posting' it is.....I think there maybe some info included in this article which may be a benefit to researchers or individuals that maybe looking for general info on prison ships in this era....

Anyway if you'd care to give it a read....well just click on the above title and it will take you right to the article.

Hope it is a benefit to someone.

Enjoy!

INTO THE DRAGONS JAW

THE RESCUE IN WASILE BAY

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Well if you like "PT Boats"....and you like reading about them and there crews....you'll love this accounting of the daring rescue of a 'downed' 20 yr old  pilot.

I'm not going to go into this a great deal...reason is....I think I'd 'spill the beans' on this real 'blood and guts' rescue of this kid out there in the midst of a Japanese stronghold....floating around in a one man raft....and knowing if he didn't get rescued soon....a "beheading' was his fate!!!

So...if you'd care go give this "kick-ass" article a go....just click on the title below.

RESCUE IN WASILE BAY

Hope you enjoy the article.

TRAGEDY OFF 'EATON'S NECK'

It was to have been a routine overnight trek for the fastest steamboat in service ....but fate stepped in and only four out of 143 survived the fire that sank the steamboat LEXINGTON in what still is Long Island Sound's worst sea disaster.

Now some of you may know how Henry Wadsworth Longfellow had his name connected too this tragic event.....but if you don't I'll enlighten you just a tad.

You see Henry Longfellow was suppose to depart on the 4 p.m. sailing of the Lexington on her fateful last sailing...and low and behold he got detained.....he did arrive at the dock...just to see the Lexington pull away....he waved his arms and all that stuff...but "just" missed the boat!!!  Well the next morning he awakens to this glaring headline in the morning news: "134 DIE AS STEAMBOAT LEXINGTON CATCHES FIRE AND SINKS IN LONG ISLAND SOUND.....ONLY FOUR SURVIVE!"

Actually this is a pretty interesting story.....so if you'd care to give it a read.....just click on the below title

STEAMBOAT LEXINGTON

By all the data I've read....this must have been "one tragic 'hell' that no one ever wishes to think about".

Hope you enjoy!!!