SINKING OF THE LIBERTY: SS JOHN A. JOHNSON

For several, several years I've researched and published on my web site about sinkings of Merchant shipping during the WW II  era.....included in this "grouping" of Merchant vessels were "Liberty Ships"...and really they were "Merchant Freighters"...only thing different they were more or less owned by the government...and managed by private companies.

Yes war ...is war..ships are sunk...seamen get killed....but most generally I've read many a report where the ship was torpedoed...the men abandon ship....and pretty much once in the life boats...the enemy offer food, and a direction to go to reach the nearest land.

But I have a history that just turns the tables on what was generally the norm on the sinking of a ship....  And actually there was no reason for this type of action....if you'd care to give this a read...it will simply blow your mind....how can people be so cruel

THE SINKING OF THE SS JOHN A. JOHNSON

Hope you find it ....interesting.

LOSS OF THE BARK "PAMIR"

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Young men and women ...regardless of the dangers of  the sea....they like the adventures...or some like myself call it a wanderlust.  These youngsters many of which sign on to the Navy's of their country...or into a Merchant service as their career.  Sail training is the beginning of learning seamanship and gaining confidence.....so it is clearly understood why these sailing training ships was still a part of the sea....even in the 1950's.

To the world and her stout-hearted crew of young sea cadets, the Pamir appeared indestructible for she's weathered many a storm in her illustrious career as a training ship.  But then fate intervened - proving once again that nothing is sacrosanct at sea.

A sadness to the loss of any life at sea...but to lose 80 seamen is considered more than sadness...it is simply "tragic."

If you'd care to give this story a go....just click on the below link:

TRAGIC LOSS OF THE BARK PAMIR

Hope you find the article interesting

cshortridge73@gmail.com

"DYNAMITE" JOHNNY O'BRIEN

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Now folks here is a guy .....I swear...he saw things that most people wouldn't believe...my gosh you would have thought he was on the hooch all the time.  Ok you say, "Well Bud every family has one of these types of individuals....hmmmmmmm....well maybe so...but let me throw some examples at you.

He says, he witnessed the burning of the Merrimac off Craney Point....now without taking a breath he also said  he saw ships swallowed whole in Hel's Gate.  Dynamite Johnny even watched the 'Main' rise from its watery grave only to be ceremoniously sunk again.....now you tell me what this guy was on??

Ole Dynamite Johnny...was born in 1837..in the dry-dock section of New York.  Oh yes a tough part of town....no doubt about it....so he had plenty of 'brine' running through his veins.  He even 'cut his nautical teeth piloting the ferry across Hell's Gate.....oh yes he did in deed!!!!

Tell you what....I can set here and pound out all kinds of things about this guy....and excuse my 'French' but this is one hell of an article...but I've banged this story out once...so I'll let you go get that chilled glass, fill it with a tad of "cheap wine"...(my goodness cheap or expensive after awhile you still get a 'buzz' so who care's...whatever trips your trigger)....and indulge in the article.

Just click on this link:

DYNAMITE JOHNNY O'BRIEN

cshortridge73@gmail.com

A STEAMBOAT WITH SPURS?

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You know I'm not a big "Cowboys & Indians" fan....but it is very hard for me to believe that many individuals are aware to the heroic role played by the Army river steamer "Far West".....in the Battle of the Little Big Horn.

Actually the most famous cavalry battle in the west....and I've also learned that this battle...had an episode that saw the use of an Army steamboat to supply troops and to evacuate the wounded.  

So...if you want to read about how the steamboat became an integral part of a cavalry expedition....it is a chapter in American military history that may be of interest to you.

Just click on this link....and it will unfold before you:

FAR WEST: CUSTER'S STEAMBOAT WITH SPURS

Hope you enjoy!!

cshortridge73@gmail.com

A SHIP THAT LOST HER BOW

Yes Sir...this ole gal was "one" of many that suffered extensive damage in WW II.  Her story is told by a crew member....Mr. Bill Foster a Boiler Technician 1c....  He enlisted in the Navy in 1937...and became an "old salt" on board the USS Selfridge (DD-357).

Well ....Mr. Foster has a very clear memory on just how his ship lost her "complete bow"...all the way back to the bridge....killing 13, wounding 11.....and 36 missing and presumed dead.

There is some pretty devastating pictures of this damage in the article....and you wonder how the crew even kept there ship afloat....well it was either swim or see if the unheard of could be accomplished.

If you'd care to give this one a 'go'....just click on the below link:

THE SHIP THAT LOST HER BOW

Hope you enjoy

cshortridge73@gmail.com

SEAMANSHIP AT IT'S BEST

Oh yes!!....we've probably all have heard of Lt. William Bligh and the "Mutiny on the HMS Bounty".....but really don't sell this guy short.....  I want you to all know ...this guy was an excellent 'seaman' and he had somewhat of a 'street-smart' skill in navigation.

Now you say, "Well there has been many that you can say that about......"  Tell you what....give this a read...it is short...pay attention to the miles at sea that was traveled...the year.....and all this in an 'opened' boat....

Here is the link hope you enjoy.

BLIGH'S RETURN

THE ESCORT CARRIERS

The were called a lot of names, “Jeep Carriers,” and some referred to them as “Baby Flat Tops.” Early on the U.S. Navy designated the ships as (AVC’s), but later on that was changed to a designation of (CVE’s), which resulted in the “old salts” saying this designation stood for “Combustible, Vulnerable and Expendable.

This is not a long drawn out article...no..no...I don't get into those types of subjects.  So if your into reading...a thumbnail of four pages on the basic history on these puppies.  So if you wish to give this a gander....well just click on the title:

THE ESCORT CARRIERS

Hope you enjoy

cshortridge73@gmail.com

USS SOUTH DAKOTA (ACR-9)/HURON (CA-9)

AMERICA'S FIRST ALL-STEEL WARSHIPS WERE A STARK TRANSITION FROM THE WOOD-AND-IRON MIXED CONSTRUCTION INTRODUCED IN THE CIVIL WAR ERA.

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Oh yes....she had her problems....but regardless of that she was a great lady of the seas.  

This is a short thumbnail history of the ole girl........excellent pictures....and if your into 'ship histories' this is one you well need to keep for your record books

Just click on the link below to read:

USS SOUTH DAKOTA (ACR-9)

Hope you enjoy the article

cshortridge73@gmail.com

CANOPUS' LAST STAND

IN THE DARK DAYS BEFORE THE FALL OF THE PHILIPPINES, A LONE AMERICAN SUBMARINE TENDER FOUGHT A VALIANT ONE-SHIP WAR AGAINST THE JAPANESE.

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After the forced retirement of the American warships from the Philippines in late December 1941 the defense of Bataan and Corregidor had to be shouldered in its entirely by the ground troops, aided by a few patched-up planes which managed to survive the repeated Japanese assault from the skies. The gallant American and Philippine defenders - more than 60,000 of them -finally had to lay down their arms in surrender, after a bitter and stubborn resistance against hunger, disease, and an over powering enemy, but in doing so they added new glory and new luster to the U.S. Army.

This is a "Two Part Article"  just click the link below to give this a go!!

Part I: CANOPUS' LAST STAND!

Part II: CANOPUS' LAST STAND!


Hope you enjoy the article.

cshortridge73@gmail.com

SS CLARENCE DARROW

This Liberty was named after Lawyer and social reformer Clarence Seward Darrow whom was the most famous and controversial defense attorney of the early twentieth century. He won unprecedented fame in momentous courtroom battles in which he championed the causes of labor, liberal social thought, and the use of scientific Criminology. His aggressive legal tactics, as well as his outspoken denunciations of industrial capitalism, political corruption, and popular religion, aroused animosities throughout his life. But in the end, his compassion for oppressed persons, as well as his winsome personality, compelled friends and foes alike to honor his unparalleled legal career as attorney for the damned.

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The SS Clarence Darrow a Liberty ship freighter was built at California Shipbuilding Corp.  Here Keel was laid on April 30th 1943.  Lauched on May 23rd 1943 and Delivered on June 6th, 1943 to her operator: Matson Navigation Co.  Following postwar service she entered the James River Reserve Fleet on June 1, 1946 and then was withdrawn on March 1, 1947.

1947 (Apr.) the Clarence Darrow was sold to Det Forenede D/S A/S and was going to display the Denmark flag and the name was changed to Oregon.

1948 (Nov.) she was damaged by mine (near Emden).

1959 she was sold to White Cross Maritime, Ltd and would be displaying the Liberia flag and her name changed to White Cross.

1960 she was sold to United White Shipping Co., Ltd and would continue to display the Liberian flag and she would retain the name of White Cross.

1964 she was sold again to Century Shipping Lines, Inc. and displaying the Philippines flag and renamed Don Ramon.

1964 (Sept. 25th) she was heavily damaged by typhoon "Wilda" (Osaka), refloated October 4th, repaired, resumed service.

1965 she was to remain flying the Philippines but her name wast changed to Safe Philippine Anchorage.

Safe Philippine Anchorage

1968 (Nov. 26) she was purchased by the Shipbreakers, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.

Author: Bud Shortridge

BEEF BOAT EXTRORDINAIRE

The ship you see is the USS Culgoa, about 1902 or there abouts...she was recommissioned. She was being 'update'....machinery and refrigeration units being overhauled....and fitted out as a repair ship to service the Atlantic, Caribbean, and European Squadrons.

She got involved with some other major issues that you may find extremely interesting if you have a general interest in nautical history and the wars that engulf the early years of sea power.

Just click on this link: BEEF BOAT EXTRAORDINAIRE  if you care to give this one a gander.

Hope you find the article interesting

cshortridge73@gmail.com

SS COLLAMER [MARCH 5TH 1942 SINKING]

March 5th 1942............her encounter with German Sub U-404 (von Bulow)....seven crewman in engine room never had a chance.

SS COLLAMER

cshortridge73@gmail.com

SS COAST TRADER

Now here is a "Merchant Ship" that was sunk by a Japanese Submarine I-26.....and yes it was a tragic event, all sinking's were...huge numbers of lives lost in connection to these unfortunate events of war....but there is more to the sinking of this vessel than you can imagine.

This is not a long story...3 pages at most....but you'll be somewhat taken back by the position the U.S. Navy took in the connection of this sinking ....just 35 miles off the State of Washington's coast line.

You can link to the article two ways....they are listed below:

SS COAST TRADER INCIDENT

or

BUD'S LIBERTY & MERCHANT SHIP HISTORIES

Hope you find the document interesting.

cshortridge73@gmail.com

THE ATTACK ON THE USS LIBERTY (AGTR-5)

The ship is the USS Liberty (AGTR-5)...she was a war-built Victory ship with her spacious holds converted to house delicate instrumentation for the highly secrete "TRSS-COMM" signal relay system.  She carried a crew of 300...many of which were highly skilled electronic technicians.

I'm sure you all know of the bombing of the destroyer USS Cole....of which demonstrates the U.S. Navy's recurring lack of foresight when operating in troubled international waters.....but do you know of a similar tragedy of which occurred over 35 yrs ago...with devastating Israeli attack on the above American ship during the famed 'Six Day War'?

This ungodly event happened in June of 1967.....and folks you will not believe what you read about this event.....it will simply blow your mind....the U.S. Navy and our government simply turned there backs on the lives of 300 men....with no defense when being attack....34 died or missing....186 wounded ...two dozen critically....wait till you read how our government rewarded these men....

Just click on this if you care to give it a read:

ATTACK ON THE USS LIBERTY

Bud Shortridge
cshortridge73@gmail.com

SS FURNIFIELD M. SIMMONS

The SS Furnifield M. Simmons was named after...Furnifield McLendel Simmons (January 20, 1854 – April 30, 1940) was a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives from 1887 to 1889 and U.S. senator from the state of North Carolina between 1901 and 1931. He served as chairman of the powerful Committee on Finance from 1913 - 1919. In 1920 he was an unsuccessful contender for the Democratic Party nomination for president.  As a leader of the state Democratic Party, Simmons led the 1898-1900 White Supremacy campaigns that effectively disfranchised black voters for a half-century. From his Senate seat, he then ran a powerful political machine, using A. D. Watts "to keep the machine oiled back home," in the words of one journalist.

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The SS Furnifield M. Simmons was a Liberty ship freighter that was built at North Carolina Shipbuilding Co. and assigned emergency hull no. 888.  Her Keel was laid on January 13, 1943, and her hull touched the water on her Launching of February 10, 1943.  She was Delivered to her Operator R. A. Nicol & Co. on February 18, 1943.

1947 [February] she was sold to A/S D/S Svendborg an displayed the Denmark flag, as well as having her  name changed to SS Ellen Maersk.

SS ELLEN MAERSK

1948 she was sold again to A/S J. Ludwig Mowinckels Rederi and displayed the Norway flag with a name change to SS Hada County.

SS HADA COUNTY

1952 she was sold again to Monarca Cia. Nav., S.A. and displayed the Liberia flag with a name change to SS Comet.

1968 [February] she arrived at Shipbreakers, Sakaide, Japan for scrapping.

Author: Bud Shortridge