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!!!

MEANEST SHIPS AFLOAT

If you've read much on the battles that took place in the Pacific in WW II you would come to realize that there was alot of islands that the Japs held dear......and 'we' had to figure out a way to "overrun" those fortresses.

Well "thinking & doing" as you know are two very different things.  The U.S. Navy knew we could get the Marines to those islands....that was not the problem....getting them "on" the specific island was another matter entirely.

So...it all boiled down to concentration of fire power....and let me tell you young people it was the greatest mass of fire power the world had ever seen.....carriers, battleships, cruisers, and destroyers....all of this to pound them beaches so as the Marines could get there foot on dry land.

But.....yeah....there is always a "but" isn't there?  The Japs was dug in pretty good on these islands....fortfied those beaches pretty good....so the Marines knew it wasn't going to be a "walk in the park" in getting ashore.  The Marines "bellied up to the bar" and stated they needed more firepower to get there butts safetly on those beaches.........

The answer...........turned out to be what many consider the .....

MEANEST SHIPS AFLOAT

If you'd care to give this one a going over...just click on the above title.

Oh yes there is some tactical data in the story on the LSM(R)s...but for the most part...you'll get a feeling of just how 'awesome' these U.S. Ships were....firing 24 rockets a minute...240 high explosives raining down on a football size area....well folks that is four projectiles landing every second.....anyway you look at it ...it would tear the hell out of that football size area......

Hope you enjoy the article.

FIRST "IN" LAST "OUT"

Just Who Were the "first ones in"....and the...."last ones to leave?"

Well if you guess "YMS"...that 'guess' was an educational one.

I've said it many times before.....you can read many articles that revolve around the Wars...and in most times what you'll read about are the "big boys" with the heavy hitting guns...and crews that either number close to a 100 or several 100....  This article is about the 'little guys'.....and to be more specific a group of 'mine sweepers' they labeled 'YMS'.....  Only 136 ft.....but able to dance over them waves to work there butt off in doing what they was designed to do.

Actually....these little wooden-hulled corks was so important that no invasion could have taken place without them..........now let me tell you folks...."that is one heck of a statement.".....but you have to realize that sealanes needed to be made safe for navigation....and that ment clearing the mines....both coming in and going out.

This unit of men had a saying: "Wherever the Fleet Goes....We've Been"...  oh how true that was.  So much so that nothing really happens by way of naval action, movement or engagement....surface or submerged....until the seas have been cleared of all mines......and you can put all the "periods" you want after that statement!!!!!

So if you would like to be enlightened ...."just a tad" give this one a going over ........I'll bet when you get done with the 11 page article....you'll have some deep appreciation for these somewhat little 'puddle-jumpers'

Click on this for a link titled : YMS FIRST IN, LAST OUT

Hope you enjoy!!!


cshortridge73@gmail.com

PICKING UP OF JAPANESE "UNDERSEA CARRIERS"

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At the end of WW II there was any number of Japanese ships and submarines that needed to be "rounded up" more or less to make sure "they didn't do anything that they shouldn't be doing"..  Special crews were given 'special training' in regards to boarding these vessels....especially the submarines....

As many of you know...Japan had one of the lagest submarines known to be in the Pacific waters at the end of the war....it was the I-400 series....or better known as the "Undersea Carriers".  They were simply huge.  They carried two seaplanes....and enough parts to assemble a third.  The seaplanes had folded wings...was launched from the deck of the sub....and was retrieved via a boom mounted on the deck of the sub.... 

Now maybe you didn't realize what I'm about to tell you....but these subs had every intention of "taking out" the Panama Canal...or what is referred to as the "Big Ditch"...and as I understand it ...they came pretty darn close to setting their plans in motion....

Anyway...you can read all about the 'specifics of the sub' in the 'linked' article....  But what I think is interesting is 'picking these 'fat cigars' up' after the war....these huge puppies had to be found, boarded by those special trained 'boarding parties'...and eventually brought back to the states.  Sounds easy doesn't it....well there was some tense moments in doing all of this....including a Japanese officer being killed by one of his own....and the body pushed over the side in the dark hours of night....

This is one very interesting article....and actually it is two articles in 'one'...  As I stated above there is a  link imbedded in the article that will go into detail about these "Undersea Carriers"....

So...if your in for some extended reading....and you find reading about 'Subs" ever so interesting....this is the one for you...  You can get to both articles by clicking on this title: PICKING UP THE "UNDERSEA CARRIERS"

Then as you read the article you'll see a link to: AIRFIELD UNDER THE SEA.....now don't miss linking to this particular article......these two somewhat go hand in hand.

Well hope you enjoy....and find it interesting to read.

cshortridge73@gmail.com

USS NEWARK...."WOOD INSTEAD OF COAL"

"WE RUN OUT OF COAL...SO WE CHOPPED WOOD!!!"

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Well as you all know.....when you run out of one source of energy....you have to regroup....and seek out another source....but when your out in the middle of 'nowhere'....hmmmmmmmmmmmmm...that does present a problem of some sort.

Well then on top of all this....when your a big U.S. Navy 'Cruiser'....and your suppose to be on this "important good-will trip".....disappearing for three weeks some what "ruffles the feathers" of all those stuffed shirt Admirals.....

When they heard the news that ....this huge war ship just disappeared....no radio...no cable ...no "anyting" to fine out were one of there war machines was....they tended to puff on there stoggies just a tad more forcefull.

Now just try and get this picture in that grey matter of yours....  Here is the huge Navy battlewagon...having to pull up to some "god-for-saken-bay"...take boats into the nearest beach...close to a forest of some kind....and mind you saliors being issued axes to chop wood...."OH MY GOD!!!"

Oh yes....this is a true store....so if your a gamer to read...just click on this:

USS NEWARK...HAD TO CHOP WOOD

Hope you enjoy reading a tad of history.

cshortridge73@gmail.com

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A TAD OF COAST GUARD HISTORY

THE COAST GUARD "BEACH PATROL"

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If your looking for a "Blood and Guts" story....and imbedded in the story is a 'real hero'....well let me tell you this "Mr. Reader"....this is it!!!!

Not many has read all that much about the history of the Coast Guard....I know dog-gone well I haven't...that is until I happened upon this little ditty buried in the bowels of some journal I was reading at the library.  At the end...all I could think was a three letter word to describe what took place and what two "Coast Guardmen" and a horse acomplished using just plain "blood and guts" to get the job done...which was saving lives....it was "WOW!!!!!

You see in the Coast Guard....early on...there was what they then referred to as "The Beach Patrol"....and these guys that was in this service....which actually, in time.... fell under the umbrella of the U.S. Navy....were called "Surfmen.  These guys would actually partol the beaches on  horseback to spot ships in trouble....and then get the word to other surfman at 'stations' ....to help rescue seamen if the ship became in danger of grounding or breaking up.

Anyway...here is the story of these two "Surfman"...of the Beach Patrol...set along the Carolina coast in 1899.....  These two guys are attempting to help seaman from two ships the....the three mast schooner Aaron Reppard....and  the barkentime Priscilla that got caught in the great hurricane of 1899.

Well if you care to give it a go....just click on this: THE COAST GUARD BEACH PARTOL  and I do believe your in for a real "jaw dropper" ....

ENJOY!!!

cshortridge73@gmail.com

A "PC" SUBMARINE ATTACK!!!!!

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You know folks the "BIG BOYS" ....'referring to the big battlewagons & cruisers'....they were certainly worth there 'salt'...my goodness we couldn't have won a war without them....but what about the little "Piss Cutters"...'which is what we use to call the "Sub Chasers" that was protection to the convoys?  Did you ever hear alot about them??  Probably not.

Well let me tell you...if you were a merchant seaman....and on a freight hauler...liberty...or tanker of some sort....these little puddle jumpers of a 'PC' ...were you're best "Guard Dog" to have buzzing around your convoy....snapping at the German Sub's that were 'Always' lurking in the gray waters....waiting to send a "hot fish" into your ship.

So...this article titled: A "PC" ATTACK!!! 

is a short story of what "usually" takes place when a "Sub" is spotted.  It is somewhat of a lighthearted short story of how a group of Navy guys handle a 'sub situation' .....this story is not specific in a particular "PC"...but it does provide a little drama on how everything is carried out.

Hope you enjoy!!!

cshortridge73@gmail.com

BRITAIN: A NEED FOR OIL

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In the present situation as the world's nations manuvers to seek other energy resoures....for their needs....brings to light what Britain was going through for its need of survival in early 1940's.

Britain's need for oil was crucial....you have to realize that every gallon she needed had to come from over seas....and man oh man she was in the relm of fighting a war at the time....this my fellow readers was a huge problem. 

So...the role of "Tankers" and those of her friendly nations was absolutely vital to the Allied cause.  But....oh yes!!!! there was a "but" ....those German U-boats were waiting in the dark depths of the Atlantic.....

This article will give you some insight on just how tough of a job of getting oil across the pond was ....  Lets just take Convoy TM1....nine tankers departed from Trinidad for North Africa....on Dec. 28th 1943...with 25 million gallons of gas to help supply all the tanks, trucks and aircraft.... 

Well "Two" made it ....yes you read correct...."2"...  So if you wish to get a grasp on what some of these ships and there men went through...and what led up to this....that is if your up for this.....just click on this link:

BRITAIN'S NEED FOR OIL

I really do think you'll come away with a tad of what a tough job ships and men faced in attempting to "get the juice" to the boys at the front.

cshortridge@gmail.com