Sunday, March 19, 2017

War At Sea

(Source)
I'm reading that book above right now, after having just finished Mr. Hornfischer's most excellent Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailorsand this one is proving to be just as well-written and researched as Last Stand.

Now I have to admit that I've become something of a naval fanatic in my declining years, what with the progeny having served in the United States Navy and my son-in-law still on active duty. Of course, a lot of the work I've been doing since I retired from the Air Force has been for the Navy as well. (As the Navy put all three kids through college, well let's just say, I love the Navy.) But I have long had an interest in fighting ships and the men (and now women) who crew them.

As my political post from yesterday made me feel a bit dirty, I hate talking about politics, I decided to cleanse myself with a post about fighting ships, but just a short one. (That book ain't gonna read itself dontcha know...) A few more pics from the U.S. Navy Museum (battleships of course) to start and one from Battleship Cove in Fall River.

USS Missouri
USS Houston (CA-30) a Northampton Class Cruiser*
Pennsylvania Class Battleship
USS South Carolina
View from the bridge of the USS Massachusetts, a battleship, of course.
And I have a video for you, some of the narrative in the video isn't all that accurate (no, really?) but there is a lot of awesome footage of those mighty grey ladies, the battleships.



See you Tuesday (Juvat already has something ready to go for Monday as he staggers back from Scotland).


* Oops, I should have looked more closely at the hull, not brawny enough to be a battleship. Thanks Scott.

22 comments:

  1. Saturday Night Live absolutely skewers the Liberal Snowflakes

    http://commoncts.blogspot.com/2017/03/saturday-night-live-absolutely-skewers.html

    ps. would you consider CC to your blogroll?

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    1. Funny, but I'm not sure the audience (or the actors) got it.

      But I like that dog. (You've been added.)

      Delete
  2. That is NOT the PENNSYLVANIA. Those are triple 8" turrets, not 3 gun 14" turrets. It's a treaty coffin of some sort, they looked very much alike from ahead. My guess would be CA 29 CHICAGO, or CA 30 HOUSTON, but surely a NORTHAMPTON.

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    1. D'oh! I should have looked at the hull. Definitely not a battlewagon but indeed a Northampton Class cruiser. Fixed it.

      Delete
    2. "That don't look right," I thought to myself. Good to have expert Badgers on retainer, eh whot?

      Delete
    3. I need to go back to ship recognition class.

      Delete
    4. Betting it's USS Houston.

      Sooner or later I'll get the comment right.

      Delete
    5. From the article, and recognizing the ship model, see the green behind the model in the article, that's the torpedo in my photo.

      That is USS Houston, for sure. Photo updated in the post.

      Thanks bear!

      Delete
  3. Here is a prewar PENNSYLVANIA: http://www.worldwarphotos.info/wp-content/gallery/usa/us-navy/pennsylvania/Battleship_USS_Pennsylvania_BB-38_aerial_view.jpg

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    Replies
    1. I keyed on the tripod masts to the exclusion of all else. I do know what a Pennsylvania Class battleship looks like.

      (Worthy of note is that the Navy Style Guide from December says not to capitalize ship names anymore, surprised me. But I never liked that style anyway.)

      Delete
    2. No, I do that to make the ship names stand out in the text.

      Delete
  4. Missed that one, got a late start on rogue one, guess that's what ytube is for today.

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    1. There is good stuff on the Tube O' You, not always, but some of it is good.

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  5. There's just something about BB's and CA's.

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    1. They have a certain presence. Hard to ignore.

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    2. Capital ships have always been impressive, but I wouldn't want to serve in one... too much pomp and ceremony.

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  6. long time reader, first time caller. I too just finished reading Tin Can Sailors, boy you're not kidding riding into the face of death. Duty vowed Duty Done !! Picked up his new hard back "The Fleet at Flood Tide" again it's a great read. Spent this last year reading up on the 2 nitwits in this world rattling their sabres..For my birthday i received The Romanovs 1613-1918 by Montefiore read just like news today, outstanding read. I see everything here from my career in the civilian aviation..23 years of Airline driving, 4 years before for that doing my best to not end it prematurely. Again always a pleasure reading and keep up those book reviews Thanks!!!

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    1. Welcome aboard Mark!

      You're the second person who's mentioned The Fleet at Flood Tide, I'm definitely going to pick that up.

      The book on the Romanovs also sounds interesting. A fascinating family.

      Delete
  7. Did you get photos of the twin 40, that was behind you, when you photographed the enormous MISSOURI? That thing must be 1:35 scale!

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    1. I don't know, I need to check the phone. The picture makes it look bigger than it really is, nowhere near 1/35.

      Delete

Just be polite... that's all I ask. (For Buck)
Can't be nice, go somewhere else...

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