War Fish Blog

In Memoriam

noreply@blogger.com (PaulC) — Fri, 06 Mar 2015 02:51:00 +0000

It is with great sadness that I report the death of USS Wahoo crewman James Allen. I first met Jim as a volunteer during the Wahoo Memorial on Oahu during 2007. While escorting him and his lovely wife, Jim regaled us with stories of his time in Wahoo, Sperry and Silversides. He was one of those rare individuals of whom it can be said they never met a stranger. Always upbeat and sharp as a tack, he wore the honor of having served in Wahoo with pride and dignity. My condolences and prayers go out to the family.

Vets will pay tribute to lost World War II sub Saturday

noreply@blogger.com (PaulC) — Sun, 13 Oct 2013 23:55:00 +0000

Oct 10, 2013
By James Mayse, Owensburg Messenger-Inquirer

IN LATE DECEMBER 1942 -- as the tide of the World War II began to turn against the Axis powers of Germany and Japan -- an Owensboro native, Lt. Commander Dudley "Mush" Morton, took command of the USS Wahoo, a Gato class attack submarine stationed at Pearl Harbor.

Although the Wahoo had sailed under a different commander between August and December of that year, the submarine's crew had sunk only one Japanese tanker and damaged one freighter.

Morton quickly changed the Wahoo's fortunes. On Morton's first war patrol between January and February of 1943, the Wahoo's crew sank three Japanese ships and damaged several others, according to the Naval Historical Center. Morton sunk nine ships on his second patrol in the East China Sea and Yellow Sea.

In its career, the Wahoo's crew is believed to have sunk more than 20 Japanese ships, making it one of the most successful American submarines of the war.

But the war for the Wahoo and Morton ended on Oct. 11, 1943. While on patrol in a strait between the Japanese island of Hokkaido and Sakhalin Island, the Wahoo was attacked and sunk. All 80 crew members went down with the submarine.

In 1995, the American Legion's James L. Yates Post placed a memorial -- a World War II era Mark 14 torpedo -- on the Legion grounds in honor of Morton and the Wahoo's crew. Although there is an organization of submarine veterans that conducts remembrance services at submarine monuments across the United States, the group was not aware of the existence of the memorial at the Owensoro Legion post.

Until now.

On Saturday, submarine veterans from Owensboro and other parts of the region will congregate at the post, at 118 Veterans Blvd., for a "bell tolling" ceremony at the Wahoo monument. The event will begin at 11 a.m.

Terry Diehl, past Kentucky commander of United States Submarine Veterans Inc., said the service was initially planned as a small affair, with just a few submarine veterans in attendance. The event, however, has grown through word-of-mouth.

"The word is getting out every day," Diehl said Wednesday. "I'm at the point where I'm wondering if I should print some more programs."

Part of the training of Navy submarine personnel is learning the history of the 52 U.S. submarines that were lost during World War II, Diehl said. The Wahoo is a famous submarine in Navy history, he said.

"(Morton) only made five patrols out of the six or seven the boat made, and he was gone long before the end of the war -- but he was the second top-rated skipper on sinkings" during the war, Diehl said.

The Naval Historical Center says, although the Wahoo was active during a time when torpedo malfunctions were common, the Wahoo had the seventh-best record in terms of sinking Japanese ships in the U.S. submarine service.

"He's a hero," Diehl said of Morton. "He did a job (without equal) as far as I'm concerned." The wreckage of the Wahoo was discovered by Russian divers in 2006.

Diehl said he "stumbed" across the Wahoo monument in Owensboro. About a dozen submarine veterans from different time periods are expected to attend the event.

There aren't many World War II submarine veterans left. The national organization for World War II submarine veterans disbanded last year, Diehl said.

"They're dwindling fast," Diehl said. "... Now, we only have three left in Kentucky that we are aware of. They're all in their late 80s or beyond --we know it's going to be the next morning when we're going to get the next phone call" saying another submarine veteran from that era has died.

"We lost four Kentuckians on that boat" when the Wahoo was sunk, Diehl said. "Our intention is to keep this centered on the Wahoo itself and the 80 men who were lost there."

In addition to the bell tolling, the ceremony will include reading the names of the crew members. An honor guard to perform taps and conduct a 21-gun salute is in the works, Diehl said.

The history of the Wahoo "is a neat story," Diehl said. "Without Mr. Dudley W. Morton, it wouldn't have happened."

SubVet Service Scheduled

noreply@blogger.com (PaulC) — Fri, 11 Oct 2013 00:20:00 +0000

Posted: Wednesday, October 9, 2013 3:14 pm

By Lisa Brichacek

WAHOO – It was 70 years ago that the U.S.S. Wahoo and her crew went to a watery grave in the Sea of Japan.The famed World War II submarine was sunk by the Japanese on Oct. 11, 1943.

For the 51st consecutive year, the U.S.S. Wahoo and all other World War II era submarines will be honored during a submarine veterans’ service on the lawn of the Saunders County Courthouse.

The annual memorial service will start at 1 p.m. next to the Mark 14 Torpedo monument. The service is again hosted by the U.S. Submarine Veterans of World War II and U.S. Submarine Veterans Inc.
Pat Hancock of Wahoo, retired Navy and a member of the Nebraska Base of U.S. Submarine Veterans, said the number of World War II veterans able to attend the memorial service gets fewer and fewer every year. He is hopeful that at least a couple will be able to again help out with this year’s program.
The first memorial service was held in Wahoo in September 1962. It was later moved to October to coincide with the sinking of the U.S.S. Wahoo.

This year’s guest speaker will be Rear Adm. Dave Kriete. Kreite is deputy director of Plan and Policy, U.S. Strategic Command Offutt Air Force Bass. He reported in September 2012 and is responsible for the development of the nation’s strategic war plans, strategic support plans for theater combatant commanders and contingency planning for the global strike mission.

Kreite is a 1984 graduate of the United States Naval Academy, where he majored in general engineering. At sea, he served onboard the U.S.S. Finback, U.S.S. Flying Fish and U.S.S. Kentucky. He was the commanding officer of the U.S.S. Rhode Island and was commander of Submarine Squadron Six.
Other assignments include deputy director force employment at United States Fleet Forces Command, assistant force special operations officer on the staff of Commander and Submarine Force U.S. Atlantic Fleet, Nuclear Propulsion Examing Board Member on staff of commander in Chief. He also served as chief of staff to commander, Submarine Force Atlantic and Commander Task Force 144 and deputy commander, Allied Submarine Command.

His decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit (five awards), Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (six awards), Mancy and Marien Corps Achievement Medal, Navy Unit Commendation (two awards), Joint Meritorious Unit Commendation (two awards) and Battle Efficiency “E” (five awards.
Sunday’s ceremony will also include the “reading of the boats” that were sunk or damaged in World War II as well as the tolling of the bell.

The Wahoo American Legion Post 82 and Wahoo VFW Post 4502 will provide honor guard and firing squad duties. Rev. Dr. Burton Knudsen will again give the invocation and benediction.

Lost Sub USS R-12 Discovered

noreply@blogger.com (PaulC) — Mon, 30 May 2011 14:38:00 +0000

Received word from Charles Hinman about his recent activities regarding another lost WWII sub that has been found:

The last few days I've been working on the R-12 discovery, gathering the research team to attempt to find the relatives of the men who were lost with the vessel. The boat was found in 600 feet of water off Key West, Florida, by Tim Taylor and R/V Tiburon. I've confirmed with Dr. Neyland at the Naval History & Heritage Command that they are working with the discovery team. If you haven't seen the photos of the wreck (presently there are just a couple), go to www.researchvesseltiburon.com.

Tim and his staff have been very enthusiastic about sharing our research and ensuring that the R-12 families hear about the discovery. So far, we are in touch with the families of only seven of the lost men, but as soon as our research team gets in gear, we expect to find many more.

R-12 was the oldest of the 52 U.S. submarines lost in World War II. She was on the surface conducting a training exercise when she suddenly foundered. Forty of her crew went down with the vessel, along with two Brazilian Naval Officers, who were aboard as observers. Five men survived the sinking, as well as 17 of her crew who were not aboard at the time of her loss.

Charles R. Hinman
Director of Education & Outreach
USS Bowfin Submarine Museum & Park

Pampanito Anchoring Project

noreply@blogger.com (PaulC) — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 15:49:00 +0000

Berthed at Pier 45 in San Francisco Bay near the Golden Gate bridge, the Pompanito is one of the must-see fleetboats on display in the US. Apparently, it can experience heavy swells due to its location and has sustained damage in the past. Recently, the museum upgraded her anchoring system thanks to the generous donations of interested companies. Take a look at this fascinating project here: http://maritime.org/moorings2010/index.htm.

On Eternal Patrol

noreply@blogger.com (PaulC) — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 01:42:00 +0000

The following men lost their lives 67 years ago in USS Wahoo.

1. Anders, F. MM3
2. Andrews, J. S. EM1
3. Bailey, R. E. SC3
4. Bair, A. I. TM3
5. Berg, J. C. MM3
6. Browning, C. E. MOMM2
7. Brown, D. R. LTJG
8. Bruce, C. L. MOMM1
9. Buckley, J. P. RM1
10. Burgan, W. W. LT
11. Campbell, J. S. ENS
12. Carr, W. J. CGMA
13. Carter, J. E. RM2
14. Davison, W. E. MOMM1
15. Deaton, L. N. TM1
16. Erdey, J. S. EM3
17. Fielder, E. F. LTJG
18. Finkelstein, O. TM3
19. Galli, W. O. TM3
20. Garmon, C. E. MOMM2
21. Garrett, G. C., Jr. MOMM2
22. Gerlacher, W. L. S2
23. Goss, R. P. MOMM1
24. Greene, H. M. LT
25. Hand, W. R. EM2
26. Hartman, L. M. MM3
27. Hayes, D. M. EM2
28. Henderson, R. N. LT
29. Holmes, W. H. EM1
30. House, V. A. S1
31. Howe, H. J. EM2
32. Jacobs, O. MOMM1
33. Jasa, R. L. MM3
34. Jayson, J. O. CK3
35. Johnson, K. B. TM1
36. Keeter, D. C. CMOMMA
37. Kemp, W. W. GM1
38. Kessock, P. F1
39. Krebs, P. H. S1
40. Kirk, E. T. S1
41. Lape, A. D. F1
42. Lindemann, C. A. S1
43. Logue, R. B. FC1
44. Lynch, W. L. F1
45. MacAlman, S. E. PHM1
46. MacGowen, T. J. MOMM1
47. Magyar, A. J. MM3
48. Manalisay, J. C. ST3
49. Mandjiak, P. A. MM3
50. Massa, E. E. S1
51. Maulding, E. C. SM3
52. Maulding, G. E. TM3
53. McGill, T. J. CMOMMA
54. McGilton, H. E. TM3
55. McSpadden, D. J. TM1
56. Mills, M. L. RT1
57. Misch, G. A. LTJG
58. Morton, D. W. CDR
59. Neel, P. TM2
60. O'Brien, F. L. EM1
61. O'Neal, R. L. EM3
62. Ostrander, E. E. MM3
63. Phillips, P. D. SC1
64. Rennels, J. L. SC2
65. Renno, H. S1
66. Seal, E. H. Jr. TM2
67. Simonetti, A. R. SM2
68. Skjonsby, V. L. LCDR
69. Smith, D. O. BM1
70. Stevens, G. V. MOMM2
71. Terrell, W. C. QM3
72. Thomas, W. S1
73. Tyler, R. O. TM3
74. Vidick, J. EM2
75. Wach, L. J. COX
76. Waldron, W. E. RM3
77. Ware, N. C. CEM
78. White, W. T. Y2
79. Whipp, K. L. MM2
80. Witting, R. L. MM3

Lost Boats Ceremony at Mare Island on Sunday

noreply@blogger.com (PaulC) — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 14:00:00 +0000

Times-Herald staff report
Posted: 10/07/2010 timesheraldonline.com

This year's Lost Boats Memorial ceremony will coincide with the Navy-friendly Fleet Week weekend.

The free event, designed to honor 575 Mare Island submarine crewmen who disappeared during World War II, will run from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday.The Lost Boats Memorial organizer and co-founder Myrna Hayes said the event's length was shortened this year in respect for some attendees' health.

Sunday will mark the fourth such event on Mare Island, and also roughly coincides with the 67th anniversary of the USS Wahoo's loss at sea, Hayes said.The afternoon memorial will kick off with a flag raising at Morton Field, at Walnut Avenue and D Street on Mare Island.

Those gathered will then move to the historic submarine repair dock Berth 6 from 2 to 3 p.m. for a music and history program, Hayes said. The event's final hour will include a reception at Quarters C, 832 Walnut Ave.

Visit www.mareislandpreserve.org or call Hayes at (707) 557-9816 or (707) 249-9633 for more information.

Wahoo Memorial Torpedo Returns Home

noreply@blogger.com (PaulC) — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 14:31:00 +0000

From Omahanewsstand.com: Wednesday, August 18, 2010

By Lisa Brichacek

There are still a few scars from its battle with a falling tree, but the torpedo that memorializes the USS Wahoo is back home.

The torpedo monument on the Saunders County Courthouse lawn in Wahoo was underneath the top of a nearby tree after a windstorm howled through Wahoo earlier this year.

The torpedo was removed for repairs, but was returned last Friday morning.

Nebraska Base of United States Submarine Veterans Inc. Member Pat Hancock and a group of volunteers helped to guide the torpedo back onto its base.

Hancock said they have been working with the county’s insurance carrier to get the necessary repairs taken care of. The main thing, he said, was to seal up any cracks in the torpedo’s surface so further damage from weather didn’t occur.

The Wahoo Chapter of World War II Submarine Veterans was responsible for starting the memorial and maintained it for many years. Members of the Nebraska Base of United States Submarine Veterans Inc. started helping with maintenance in recent years due to the age of the World War II veterans.

According to Hancock, the World War II chapter will fold into the Nebraska Base chapter after this year. Any money left in the treasury of the World War II chapter will be put into a repair fund for the torpedo monument.

Remembering Those On Eternal Patrol

noreply@blogger.com (PaulC) — Mon, 31 May 2010 15:39:00 +0000

A total of 52 United States submarines were lost during WWII.

The United States submarine service sustained the highest mortality rate of all branches of the U.S. Military during WWII.

1 out of every 5 U.S. Navy submariners was killed in WWII.

3,505 American submariners made the ultimate sacrifice in the defense of their country in World War II.

For information on individual U.S. submariners lost in the service of their country, visit OnEternalPatrol.com.

Statistics courtesy valoratsea.com.

Wahoo and Tang exhibit planned for National WWII Museum

noreply@blogger.com (PaulC) — Sun, 09 May 2010 16:37:00 +0000

Legends of the Deep was recently contacted by The National World War II Museum in New Orleans regarding a new exhibit to feature USS Wahoo and USS Tang.

Seth Paridon, Manager of Research Services at the museum, solicited assistance in locating digital copies of images featured on Legends. These will gladly be provided. The future exhibits will tell the story of submarines in the Pacific war and detail the contributions of Wahoo and Tang, along with their respective COs. In addition, they plan to construct a full size submarine walk through which will be modeled after the USS Tang.

Details will follow as they are made available. It should be an impressive exhibit!

Baseball Field Receives New Lights

noreply@blogger.com (PaulC) — Fri, 07 May 2010 12:57:00 +0000

A baseball field named after a Wahoo crewman lost on her seventh patrol received new light and held its first night game recently.

"For the first time since Logue Field was built in the early 1970s, night games will be played under the lights at the field on the city's west side.

On Thursday, a lighting dedication ceremony was held at the field, which is on county Housing Authority property near the Linn Street development in Newberry.

Logue Field, which is used by the Williamsport Area High School baseball team, adult men leagues and West End Babe Ruth League, was built by local businessman George Logue Sr. in honor of his brother Robert Logue, who was killed while serving on the submarine USS Wahoo during World War II."

Article written by David Thomson of sungazette.com

Vintage Submarine Themed Valentine Card

noreply@blogger.com (PaulC) — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 14:25:00 +0000

Saw this vintage card on eBay a while back and thought it appropriate for the month. Don't forget your sweetie!

USS Flier (SS-250) Found

noreply@blogger.com (PaulC) — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 15:17:00 +0000

Navy confirms sunken sub in Balabac Strait is USS Flier

From Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet Public Affairs

(PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii) – Commander, Submarine Forces Pacific Fleet (COMSUBPAC), Rear Adm. Douglas McAneny announced today that a sunken vessel located in the Balabac Strait area of the Philippines is in fact the World War II submarine USS Flier (SS 250).

“I am honored to announce that, with video evidence and information provided by a team from YAP Films and assistance from the Naval History and Heritage Command, USS Flier has been located,” said McAneny. “We hope this announcement will provide some closure to the families of the 78 crewmen lost when Flier struck a mine in 1944.”

USS Flier, a 1525-ton Gato class submarine built at Groton, Connecticut, was commissioned in mid-October 1943. She departed from Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, for her first war patrol in January 1944. While entering the harbor at Midway Island during a storm, she went aground and was seriously damaged.

The damaged submarine was towed back to Pearl Harbor and finally reached the Mare Island Navy Yard, California, where she was repaired. Flier made another start on her first war patrol in May 1944, heading from Pearl Harbor to the waters off Luzon. While en route on 4 June she attacked and sank the transport Hakusan Maru. On June 13, she attacked a Japanese convoy off Subic Bay, receiving a depth charging in return, and on June 22-23, hit another convoy off Mindoro, apparently damaging one or more ships.

In early August 1944 Flier left Fremantle, Australia, for her second war patrol. On 13 August, while transiting shallow water to enter the South China Sea, she struck a mine and quickly sank. Fourteen of 86 crewmen escaped, but only eight survived the subsequent long swim to reach shore. After making their way by raft to Palawan and being protected by local people and a group of guerrillas, at the end of the month they were evacuated by the submarine USS Redfin (SS-272).

The last surviving crew member of Flier, Ens. Al Jacobson, never gave up the search for his lost shipmates. Sadly, Jacobson passed away in 2008, but his family was determined to continue the search. The family provided notes and research to the production company YAP Films, which investigates nautical mysteries, and Jacobson’s son Steve and grandson Nelson participated in the search.

“After my father retired in 1990, he became very active in the quest to understand more of what happened,” said Steve Jacobson. “He put together as much information as he could from naval records of the investigation and put together charts of where he believed Flier was. We provided YAP Films with everything my father had collected.”

In the spring of 2009, with the aid of the Jacobson family, the team from YAP Films located wreckage of a submarine in the area that USS Flier was lost. Father and son divers Mike and Warren Fletcher of the television show “Dive Detectives” captured the first views of the sunken submarine in more than 64 years. YAP Films provided the Naval History and Heritage Command with footage taken in the Balabac Strait to aid in the identification.

"The Flier discovery presented the Dive Detectives with one of our most challenging dives,” said Warren Fletcher. “At a depth of 330 feet there is little margin for error. As my father and I descended into the dark blue water, the unmistakable shape of a Gato-class submarine came into view. That moment made all of the hard work and danger pale in comparison with the feeling of pride it gave me to know that the Flier and her crew will not be forgotten."

With the information provided by YAP Films, COMSUBPAC and the Naval History and Heritage Command examined the evidence and historical records and determined that the submarine found at the reported position could only be USS Flier. No Japanese or U.S. submarine other than Flier was ever reported lost in the area, and the gun mount and radar antenna clearly identifiable in the video matched historical photographs of USS Flier. Additional identifiable characteristics of the hull indicated that the wreck is indeed a Gato-class submarine. These factors taken together led COMSUBPAC and the Naval History and Heritage Center to conclude that the wreck found by YAP Films could only be that of USS Flier.

"The Flier was found because all the right people came together for all the right reasons,” said Mike Fletcher. “But mostly the Flier was found because of the love a family has for their dad."

“It was a pretty emotional experience,” said Jacobson. “Although I was really confident of the position, you still don’t know. Literally, it was exactly at the coordinates he said it would be. It is tremendous closure and I wish that my dad could have experienced this.”

Former Commander-in-Chief of the U.S. Pacific Fleet Admiral Chester Nimitz once said, “When I assumed command of the Pacific Fleet on 31 December 1941 our submarines were already operating against the enemy, the only units of the Fleet that could come to grips with the Japanese for months to come. It was to the Submarine Force that I looked to carry the load until our great industrial activity could produce the weapons we so sorely needed to carry the war to the enemy. It is to the everlasting honor and glory of our submarine personnel that they never failed us in our days of great peril.”

By the end of World War II, submarines had made more than 1,600 war patrols. Pacific Fleet submarines like Flier accounted for more than half of all enemy shipping sunk during the war. The cost of this success was heavy: 52 U.S. Pacific Fleet submarines were lost, and more than 3,500 submariners remain on “eternal patrol.”

3-D Wahoo

noreply@blogger.com (PaulC) — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 15:44:00 +0000

Recently received an email from Bob Johnson, USN Retired, who served as an Instructor at the Naval Submarine School Advanced Operations Department. During that time he worked in his off hours at the Submarine Museum and Library that at the time was located in Morton Hall. He delved into the loss of USS Wahoo (SS-238) and decided when I had the time I'd research her loss. Now that the time has come, he's started working on a CAD/CAE profile rendering of USS Wahoo (SS-238) for donation to the Submarine Museum and Library in Groton, CT and the Bowfin Memorial in Hawaii.

During the process, Bob came upon a research problem. "I've been researching all of the available on-line photos of the Wahoo to make the drawing as accurate as possible. I've developed a preliminary rendering of her in her Patrol 7 configuration. Some of the drawings I've come across in my research shows an illustration of a 20MM deck gun mounted aft of the sail (probably above the after battery compartment) but I'm not convinced that she was ever fitted like this. Any help you can provide will be greatly appreciated."

Fortunately, I had the information he needed and pointed him to the third page of wreck images in the Wahoo scrap book on Legends (http://www.warfish.com/scrap-EP-3.html). There it shows the 20mm mount on the after deck behind the fairwater during Wahoo's return from her fourth war patrol and as she is now at the bottom of La Perouse Strait.

The image below is an in-progress image of Bob's work. He's making great progress.

Jim Allen Remembers Captain Kennedy, Pappy Rau

noreply@blogger.com (PaulC) — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 20:41:00 +0000

A while back I had the opportunity to talk at length with former Wahoo crewman James Allen. Jim joined the boat in Pearl Harbor for her second war patrol. We began by discussing his commanding officer at the time, Captain Marvin Kennedy. Given some of the negative things written about him, I asked Jim about his impression of Kennedy.

“Kennedy was an elitist. Every morning he took a freshwater shower in the forward torpedo room while forbidding showers for the rest of the boat. It was very disconcerting for morale. He was very aloof. I only had two interactions with him the entire time I was aboard.”

Jim went on to describe the first encounter which occurred when he was heading forward to check the battery levels. This was done using a hydrometer to measure the specific gravity of each cell. The task required him to crawl across the top of the cells. As a result, he frequently came in contact with battery acid which ate holes in his dungarees. Jim trimmed the legs and arms of his dungarees to eliminate the holes. It was standard procedure at the time but decidedly non-regulation.

As he passed through the control room, Kennedy entered from forward. “At this point,” Jim said, “I made my first mistake. I said, ‘Good morning, Captain.’ Kennedy looked at me like I was a piece of meat on a hook. He turned to the Chief of the Boat, Pappy Rau, and said, ‘Rau, have this man change into proper clothes.’ After Kennedy continued on, Rau looked at me disgusted and said, ‘You heard the man.’”

Jim stood watch with CTM Russell “Pappy” Rau and Ken Whipp in the control room at the electrical panel – the dry side of control. Jim recalled, “Pappy Rau was easy to talk to and knew his stuff which gave confidence to the rest of enlisted men.”

Jim was standing nearby in control when an incident occurred between Rau and the boat’s Yeoman, Forest Sterling. Dick O’Kane had removed Sterling from the regular watch list so he could concentrate on typing the patrol report mimeograph stencils. While typing, Joe Vidick called him to go on his usual sonar watch. Sterling refused impolitely.

Thinking better of it, Sterling went to control to advise Rau he had been reassigned. Before he could get his second word out Rau slugged him hard, driving him into the air manifold. Sterling regrouped and glared at Rau who was ready to go another round. “I’m gonna report you,” Sterling said. Rau replied, “I’m counting on it.” Sterling retreated and the misunderstanding was soon sorted out.

Jim recalled, "When Rau gave an order he expected stuff done -- right then."

Mare Island Memorial Conducted

noreply@blogger.com (PaulC) — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 20:17:00 +0000

Bell tolls for 579 men, 7 subs lost

By Lanz Christian Banes/Times-Herald staff writer

A wreath is cast into the Mare Island Strait from berth 6 on Mare Island, part of SundayÕs memorial ceremony for submarines constructed at the shipyard that were lost in World War II. With his ancient, tremulous voice, John Berger blessed the seven wreaths that represented Mare Island's lost ships.

"The symbols will speak for us, for we cannot," intoned Berger, the chaplain for the USS Hornet in Alameda, on Sunday.

The wreaths were made by volunteers from plants and flowers found on Mare Island the day before, said Myrna Hayes, who organized the memorial.

This is the third year Mare Island's lost World War II-era submarines - the USS Pompano, Swordfish, Gudgeon, Trigger, Tullibee and Tang - were honored in a day-long series of ceremonies.

"What I found from the last two years is a tremendous longing by the people who come here today to honor the 579 (lost) men," Hayes said.

The Mare Island Naval Shipyard produced 22 submarines that fought in World War II. Seven did not come home.

In total, 52 U.S. submarines were lost during World War II, with a combined crew of about 3,500 men now on "eternal patrol."

Larry Maggini, who wrote a book about the USS Wahoo, gave a presentation at St. Peter's Chapel about each of the lost seven, weaving their stories with the early history of the American submarine.

Though submariners accounted for only 1.6 percent of Navy personnel during World War II, the submarine fleet had a 22 percent loss rate, Maggini said. Still, the Pacific submarine fleet was responsible for 55 percent of Japanese ship losses, he added.

The 30 or so people who attended the ceremonies, which began by raising a flag to half-staff at Morton Field, were offered a chance to tell their own stories at St. Peter's Chapel.

"The wives of the men of the submarine service went through hell, too. We ought to think of that also," said Don Dickson, 93, who served on the USS Skate.

After a reception at Quarters C on Walnut Avenue, the group went to Berth 6, where submarines were repaired during the war.

"This is a place they last moored and from whence they cast off from our log of memories onto their eternal patrol," Berger said. And with a bell tolling for each of the lost ships, the wreaths were cast into the Mare Island Strait.

Lost Boat Memorial Service at Mare Island

noreply@blogger.com (PaulC) — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 13:16:00 +0000

Mare Island to honor subs lost in WWII
By Sarah Rohrs of Vallejo Times-Herald

An annual service to honor the crewmen of Mare Island submarines lost at sea in World War II takes place Sunday afternoon.

The event, "Lost Boats of Mare Island Memorial," is the third annual tribute to the seven Mare Island-built submarines that never made it home, their crew members on "eternal patrol."

The event is to help keep alive the memory of Mare Island Naval Shipyard's history and prominence, Lost Boats Memorial co-founder and organizer Myrna Hayes said.

"Mare Island is the oldest Navy installation on the Pacific. We need to keep that memory alive. What better group to honor than those men who left on those seven boats and never returned?" she said.

Seven of the 23 Mare Island submarines that fought in World War II were among the 42 submarines lost at sea, Hayes said.

They are the USS Pompano (SS-181), USS Swordfish (SS-193), USS Gudgeon (SS-211), USS Trigger (SS-237), USS Tullibee (SS-284), USS Tang (SS-306), and the USS Wahoo (SS-238).

Events start 1 p.m. with a flag raising at Morton Field at G Street and Walnut Avenue. A memorial service from 2 to 3:30 p.m. will follow at St. Peter's Chapel, 10th Street and Walnut Avenue.

A former Mare Island submarine combat systems engineer, Larry Maggini, will give a slide show and present research from his book "On Eternal Patrol," which will be available for sale in print and DVD versions.

At the service, participants can share memories and recollections and recognize all members of the military's submarine force.

At 5:30 p.m. a wreath will be laid at Berth 6 -- at A Street and Nimitz Avenue.

Vallejo California Chapter of U.S. Submarine Veterans of World War II members will call out the names of all submarines lost at sea as they ring a bell for each boat.

The memorial program coincides with the anniversary of the loss of the USS Wahoo, built on Mare Island.

Launched Feb. 14, 1942, the USS Wahoo was lost at sea on Oct. 11, 1943, with a crew of 80 men, Hayes said. In 2006 remains found in the Soya Strait were confirmed as those of crewmen from the Wahoo.

For more details on Sunday's events go to www.MareIslandLostBoats.org.

"Wahoo" Image Actually Trigger

noreply@blogger.com (PaulC) — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 01:29:00 +0000

Was browsing NavSource.org for updated images and discovered something regarding an image in "Wahoo" by O'Kane.

In the first set of photos in the book, the first image is a port quarter shot of an as-built fleetboat. The description reads "USS Wahoo (SS-238) departing Mare Island". For some reason the look of that photo never felt quite right to me. The general arrangement is correct for the most part. But I could never find the shot in any of the archival sets of Wahoo images.

Then today I noticed an image had been added to the USS Trigger (SS-237) page on NavSource. As I scrolled down, I found the identical uncropped shot (see below). It is clearly marked as Trigger. Whether it was intentional or not, the image denoted as Wahoo is in fact Trigger.

Upon closer inspection I can see a detail that always looked wrong: the aft deck gun. Trigger had a taller mount as seen in the image. All other photos of Wahoo at the same point showed the shorter 3" mount. The proper attribution of the subject helps settle the issue -- Wahoo didn't carry the taller mount.

The Trigger as Wahoo identification is not the only misrepresentation in O'Kane's book. Several of the interior shots in the first grouping are actually the USS Pompanito on display in San Francisco. This makes sense given the boat was near O'Kane's home and could provide views of all her main compartments.

For all those interested in fleetboat photos, I encourage you to browse navsource.org. It is a wonderful source of naval images.

Helmer Off Tang Project

noreply@blogger.com (PaulC) — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 03:24:00 +0000

According to io9.com, director Duncan Jones has selected the sci-fi thriller "Mute" as his next project instead of the "Escape From the Deep" film previously announced.

However, imdb.com lists Escape with a 2010 release date and Mute with 2011. Such is the film industry.

There are no updates at present from Brilliant Films which is producing the sub film. I'll pass along anything new I find.

Legends Teams With On Eternal Patrol

noreply@blogger.com (PaulC) — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 05:59:00 +0000

Legends was recently contacted by Charles Hinman of the USS Bowfin Museum and sitemaster of OnEternalPatrol.com to provide new USS Tang (SS-306) content in light of the new "Escape From The Deep" film project.

Charles and I will be depositing additional research and files in the Tang section of Legends to provide the most complete record of her career online. Stay tuned -- the stuff from Charles is really great!

USS Stewart Reopens

noreply@blogger.com (PaulC) — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 15:53:00 +0000

This past weekend the USS Stewart exhibit at Seawolf park reopened to the public for the first time since being heavily damaged by Hurricane Ike in September 2008. Mold remediation is complete and the followup inspection gave her a clean bill of health. The office and berthing space is in the process of being painted. USS Cavalla is open as well.

Congratulations to Chief John McMichael and all his dedicated volunteers for bringing the park and its exhibits back to like for all to enjoy.

Tang Film in Pipeline

noreply@blogger.com (PaulC) — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 02:24:00 +0000

Charles Hinman forwarded this article to me today. It seems "Escape From the Deep" will be made into a feature film.

Duncan Jones to take on 'The Deep'
Brilliant Films to produce his second directing effort
By Stuart Kemp
June 1, 2009, 10:14 AM ET
LONDON -- Duncan Jones has surfaced with his sophomore feature.The helmer, who made his feature directorial debut with the Sam Rockwell starrer "Moon," will direct "Escape From the Deep" from an Alex Kershaw script based on the nonfiction tome of the same name."Escape" tells the story of a legendary World War II U.S. navy submarine that sank after a torpedo malfunction, leaving the crew stranded on the bottom of the Pacific Ocean. Faced with drowning, nine men made it out alive after swimming the 180 feet to the surface without getting the bends.The movie will be produced by U.S. production banner Brilliant Films, which also is developing the project via the company's in-house development cash pool.Brilliant Films president Joe Abrams said that Jones' "Moon" marked his arrival as a director to watch.Jones, whose father is rock legend David Bowie and who worked with Tony Scott in his early career, described Kershaw's book as a "powerful story that will come alive on the big screen."He said he hopes to create a "tense action movie" from the story.Sony Pictures Classics snapped up North American rights to "Moon" after it unspooled during the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year. It will debut at the Edinburgh International Film Festival later this month.Brilliant's Joe Abrams and Rory Gilmartin will produce "Escape."

Circular Run Question

noreply@blogger.com (PaulC) — Thu, 28 May 2009 14:21:00 +0000

Got the following recently from Dr. John Christensen regarding the wreck and how it validates or disproves the circular run torpedo theory postulated by Richard O'Kane in his book "Wahoo".

If you've read the book you are familiar with O'Kane's assertion that Wahoo was transiting La Perouse on the surface and was first attacked by shore batteries before submerging and falling victim to a coordinated air and sea attack. In order to create a scenario that would require Morton to remain on the surface in daylight, O'Kane concluded some sort of damage must have prevented him from diving. He settled upon a casualty caused by a circular run torpedo.

Before I share my response to Dr. Christensen I'd like to hear from you. What do you interpret from the wreck photos? How credible do you think O'Kane's theory is (or was)?

________________________________________

In looking at the amazing photos and drawings of USS WAHOO provided by the Russian divers, it seems to me the damage could indeed be from a circular torpedo run, not necessarily an aerial bomb.

In Commander O'Kane's account of the circular torpedo run that sank USS TANG in "Clear the Bridge", he felt it would have hit TANG amidships (at the conning tower) had he not been able to accelerate. I believe the pictures of the USS WAHOO are also consistent with an amidships hit from a torpedo on a circular run.

This would be an important interpretation of these photos regarding the cause of WAHOO's sinking, especially since there is no corresponding record of an aerial hit from the Japanese, and in view of the experience and skill of USS WAHOO's skipper and crew in avoiding such a strike.

http://www.warfish.com/scrap-EP.html. See second page, divers drawings.

Thank you.
Dr John Christensen

Happy 2009 and a Seawolf Park Update

noreply@blogger.com (PaulC) — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 18:29:00 +0000

Happy New Year to all Wahoo aficionados!

Hurricane Ike remains the weather event of 2008 that keeps on giving. I caught a glimpse of this story on our local news the other night and finally had a chance to get the particulars.

Boat under USS Stewart complicates recovery

By Leigh Jones The Daily News

Published December 29, 2008

GALVESTON — Members of the Cavalla Historical Foundation expected to find silt and some storm debris under the USS Stewart when crews working to right the ship started pumping water out from under it.

But as the water line receded, they discovered the World War II-era destroyer escort was sitting on another boat, an unwelcome surprise that has complicated efforts to put the popular tourist attraction back in its berth.

Hurricane Ike lifted the ship out of its resting place at Seawolf Park when it made landfall Sept. 13.

During what must have been a pretty wild ride, the storm’s 12-foot surge wedged the smaller boat under the Stewart, trapping it below the ship when the floodwaters subsided, Curator John McMichael said.

They hoped to discover the boat belonged to someone with pockets deep enough to help pay to get it back, McMichael joked, but no such luck. Crews were able to uncover the boat enough to see that it has a green hull and still has bumpers hanging over its side, but they were not able to find a name or any other identifying markings on it, he said. Based on its 11-foot-wide stern, McMichael thinks the boat is about 25 feet long. It likely came from somewhere on the Bolivar Peninsula, he said.

Although it would be interesting to know for sure where the boat came from, and they still hope to find a name somewhere near the bow when they finally get it out from under the Stewart, it won’t really make a difference to the salvage effort, McMichael said. The biggest problem is figuring out how to get it out, he said. Several companies have submitted proposals for the work, and on Tuesday, Galveston’s Park Board of Trustees, which manages Seawolf Park and partners with the foundation to keep the Stewart open to the public, will hire one of them.

Because the ship still floats, lifting it up again enough to remove the smaller boat shouldn’t be too difficult, said Ernie Connor, a member of both the park board and the historical foundation. The work should be complete by spring break, McMichael said.

Although Ike also lifted the USS Cavalla out of its berth, the submarine is stable enough that the foundation does not intend to try to move it, Connor said. The silt and sand trapped under the submarine lifted it about 6 feet higher than it was and moved it about 9 feet back, Connor said. The extra elevation helped expose all four torpedo tubes, something visitors couldn’t see before, Connor said. Once crews finish righting the Stewart, the foundation will build a new gangplank to the Cavalla and open the hatch again for tours, he said.

Thousands of visitors come to Seawolf Park every year to visit both the Cavalla and the Stewart, which was added to the National Register of Historic Places earlier this year.

Like much of the Ike recovery work, officials hope the Federal Emergency Management Agency will help pay to right the Stewart and make repairs to the rest of the display around the ship and the submarine. If the government doesn’t come through, the foundation will be looking for donations, McMichael said.

During World War II, the United States Navy had 750 destroyer escorts built. The USS Stewart is one of only three left. Two of them are serving as museum ships in the United States, but the third one is still in service in the Mexican Navy.

Donations to the Cavalla Historical Foundation can be sent to 2504 Church St., Galveston, TX 77550.

Seawolf Park Update

noreply@blogger.com (PaulC) — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 14:11:00 +0000

Here is an update on the situation at Seawolf Park regarding Hurricane Ike damage. It was written by Dick Hoffman, a USS Stewart volunteer and submitted to Jeff Porteous who received it via a USS Cod email blast:

To Our USS Stewart Friends and Volunteers –

I’ve been waiting till we had our quarterly meeting of the Cavalla Historical Foundation Board of Directors (last Saturday) to give you a more complete idea of where we are at Seawolf Park. As some of you know, I am a member of the Cavalla Board which has responsibility for restoration, maintenance and display of USS Cavalla and USS Stewart. The meeting was one of the best I’ve attended. Board Members were upbeat, optimistic and determined. I think you will find some of the highlights interesting and informative.

Please understand that these remarks are preliminary. They are not to be construed as "official" statements by either the Cavalla Board or the Parks Board of Galveston.

1. Status of Seawolf Park – At the risk of repeating myself, the Park’s facilities were pretty much wiped out. Except for being floated out of position, our ships were relatively unharmed, but the rest of the Park’s infrastructure was mostly damaged beyond repair or washed away. USS Cavalla is pretty much where she was, but is elevated some 4 to 5 feet. The bow of USS Stewart is close to where it was, but the stern is moved to port perhaps 20 feet. This leaves much of her up out of the ground, and she has about a 17 degree list to starboard.

2. Report from Galveston Parks Board – Because of our partnership with the Galveston Parks Board, one of its Board Members is also on our Board. From his remarks, I believe Seawolf Park has a pretty high priority for restoration. The Park is one of Galveston’s most popular. The message I heard is to get our Naval Display back in order ASAP. I hesitate to speculate on completion dates, but pressure is there for a speedy restoration of both the Park and our Naval Display.

3. Prospects for Cavalla and Stewart – Consensus now is that, with reasonable effort, our submarine problem is quite manageable. Probes have indicated that while settling back down, Cavalla “sucked” sand and dirt back under herself, and is resting on a safe base. The entry/exit steps will have to be rebuilt to accommodate the extra height. There is some water in the after torpedo room which is being removed currently. At least three firms have come forward with plans to reposition Stewart. Talks with these groups make us confident of success. One of the three has not yet stated its plan, but is expected to bring it forward this week. I will not talk about cost because bids are still being negotiated. Our Foundation will need significant sums from donors and volunteers to underwrite a program. Outreach is well underway, and our Board is confident a way will be found to go forward promptly.

An appeal by mail was made right after the storm featuring an “IKE RESTORATION” T-shirt. It has already stimulated donations in excess of $10,000. If you would like to make a contribution, please address it as follows:

IKE Restoration Campaign

c/o Cavalla Historical Foundation

2504 Church St.

Galveston, TX 77550

Without going into detail, I am convinced that “fixing” Stewart is entirely possible. A panel of three Board Members (I am one) has been established to evaluate and negotiate a solution and funding. The panel was urged to move quickly.

4. Other positive Board actions –

· A new Website to include news of all of our activities is under construction

· Motion was passed to give “enthusiastic support” to the newly created Edsall Class DE Association and Reunions.

· A program has been instituted to enhance (greatly) our communication with the “outside world” (think PR). This is a matter that is near and dear to me, and I will be working to make it successful.

Again, let me thank all of you for your past interest and support for our project. Let me hear from you with ideas, suggestions or questions. I will continue to keep you informed of progress.

Sincerely,

Dick Hoffman, USS Stewart Volunteer

Board Member, Cavalla Historical Foundation