DOCSLIB.ORG

The USS Houston

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The USS Houston Not, ember 1927 HOUSTONPORT AND CITY 43 TheU. S. S. Houston,~ort Houston’sLatest Asset By WII,LIAM A. BERNRIEDER Secretary Committee for a U. S. S. Houston. N Wednesday, September 7th, 1927, the Honorable Curtis D. they are the eyes of my fleet." He could see his wish fulfilled O Wilbur, Secretary of Navy, visited Houston and announced today by every ranking naval power the world over. that one of the new cruisers about to be constructed by the A type of vessel considered so indispensable that the two lead- United States would be named in honor of Houston. ing maritime powers clashed at the conference table over their This statement came as the result of nine months of unin- number, size, design and utility! What effort was required to induce the Secretary of the Navy terrupted campaigning by a committee headed by Coionel Thomas H. Ball, and was a very gratifying announcement to the reception to name the Cruiser Houston is an account of earnest persistence committee which greeted the Secretary. and intelligent application of force. The sincere manifestation of the popular demand--best expressed by the thousands of our school Many are curious to know something of the new Houston, children, represents the brighest and most beautiful recollection and her value to the splendid Navy of which she will soon become of the entire campaign. a unit. The Cruiser Houston will cost $17,000,000., with 130,000 It was the writer’s privilege to learn that when the last school horsepower--more than four times the horsepower of the whole term closed, over 5,000 such personal letters of appeal had been United States Navy in 1898. received by the New Chief. Is that not a splendid testimonial of With a length of approximately 600 feet, and beam of 65 feet, youthful pride and interest in our first line of defense? No won- this cruising sea fighter will represent a tonnage of about 13,000 der the Secretary of the Navy could no longer remain unbending tons, and will be the ultimate in the cruiser class of war vessel. to the appeal of thousands of boys and girls who wanted this As is commonly known, the modern sea cruiser is designed for cruiser named in honor of their hero, Sam Houston. high speed, superb communication radius, and accurate reporting It will be of further interest to learn that over 188 separate of enemy movements. The late war attests the high value naval organizations, representing the civic, labor, commercial, govern- strategists place upon the cruiser. That supremely important mis- mental, fraternal and professional life of our City, passed strong sion known by the simple term of "movement" represents the suc- resolutions of endorsement, and sent certified copies thereof to cess or failure of the art and science of naval warfare. the Navy Department. The cruiser is the class of ship that comes between the high- The Western Union, by actual check, filed over 500 tele- speed, wasplike destroyer and the capital ship, better known as the grams urging favorable action on the part of Secretary Wilbur. battle ship. It is not primarily offensive. Its ordnance consists Numerous personal calls by Col. Ike Ashburn, Mayor Holcombe, of ten 8-inch guns, the maximumcalibre allowed under the arms Major Allin, A. D. Simpson and our own inimitable representative treaty, supplemented by four 5-inch anti-aircraft guns. She is to at Washington, Judge Edwin B. Parker, and others hastened the mount six torpedo tubes, and be equipped with two seaplanes, which success of the local campaign. The Houston wlll feel the first tap of the trip-hammer when can be easily and quickly catapulted in any weather, at any speed her keel is laid in the shipyards of the Newport News Ship-Build- of the ship. ing and Dry Dock Company, at Newport News, Virginia, the Moreover, the new Houston will have a complement of 35 State which claims the birthplace of the illustrious General Hous- officers and 600 men, taken from the cream of the naval service. ton, after whom the cruiser is so fittingly named .... a de- Oil burning boilers and hissing steam turbines will drive this lightful co-incidence, indeed. According to present plans, the greyhound of the sea thru angry waters at a speed of over forty Houston is to be the first of six new vessels, one of which is to miles per hour. Driven by four screws, and with fuel tanks filled be built at Fore River, Mass., one at Camden, New Jersey, two at to capacity, the Houston will have a tremendous cruising radius, Newport News, Virginia, one at Mare Island Navy Yard, Califor- and under full steam can easily develop over 130,000 horsepower. nia, and another at Puget Sound, Washington. All plans are A factor so vital in armed conflict at sea is the ability of the cruis- complete, contracts let, and actual construction is scheduled to be- er to report enemy movements, and transmit valuable information gin within the near future. Two years will be required in build- to the commander-in-chief of fleet operations in the rear. An ad- ing the vessel. ditional function of the cruiser is to go far ahead of the scouting After launching and commissioning of our new cruiser, she and battle fleets, and ward off enemy attacks until such time as will proceed direct to Port Houston to receive the handsome sil- the slower-moving capital ships can be brought into a strategic ver service to be presented with appropriate ceremonies. She will position and occupy the enemy in major engagements. then begin her long journey, better known in naval vernacular as Lord Nelson, in a desperate moment, vividly appraised the value a %hakedown"cruise, on which she will visit many of the major of the modern cruiser’s antecedents, when he cried: "More irigates, ports of the world. The~,4merican Association of Port Authorities HE seventeenth annual convention of the American Associa- have been created in the last few years at H~uston have resulted in tion of Port Authorities will be held in Houston in October the desire of these port experts for a closehand inspection of them. T The last convention was held October 4th to 7th, inclusive, at or November, 1928. St. Louis, at which time there were present approximately one hun- This meeting will bring together representatives from practi- dred representatives from various ports, including one from New cally every well known American and Canadian port, as well as a Zealand, one from Hawaii, and three from Russia. number from foreign countries. The purpose of this association is Any people interested in port matters can obtain data and pub- the developing of knowledge regarding port construction, operation lications from the Association by communicating with its secre- and management, and the large number of modern facilities which tary, Mr. T. S. McChesney, care the Dock Board, New Orleans, La. 44 HOUSTON PORT AND CITY November 1927 Cable Address: "Schutteeo-Houston" Telephone Preston 5588 ScllLIll£ Sl~ippin~ Co. GENERAL STEAMSHIP AGENTS 311 Cotton Exchange Building HOUSTON, TEXAS, U. S. A. Regular Service Houston and Galveston to Japan STEEL BUNKERDELIVERIES AT DURABLE--FIRE PROOF SHIPSIDE WITHOUT DETENTIONOR LOSS o~ AND ECONOMICAL OFTIME Our Pipe lines are installed on pub- For forty years we have been furnishing this lic wharves and we bunker while the ship is discharg- product to the construction industry in this ing or taking on cargo territory. Send your inquiries for structural steel-- We shall appreciate your inquiries for spot or contract business reinforcing steel tanks plate work bridges, etc. PHONE PRESTON 3977 Two modern plants for your convenience, i osher Steel &Machinery Co. ~H HoustonOil TerminalCompany DALLAS Houston Structural Steel Co i i HOUSTON, TEXAS November 1927 HOUSTONPORT AND CITY 45 Houston Chambero/ Com lZlgF(g Many persons and firms located far from Houston desire ser- FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC TRADE vice and information with reference to their various interests for T. L. Evans, Manager which the Houston Chamber of Commerce is always glad to be Local conditions of trade with special reference to wholesalers called upon: and jobbers--Classified list of Houston concerns---Present and fu- ture possibilities of specific trade propositions--Foreign trade prob- The following is the Executive Committee: lems-Information on Houston’s trade possibilities with special President J. W. Evans ................................. reference to Mexico and the West Indies--Interpretation and writ- J. W. Neal ................... Vice-President ten translations of foreign languages--Headquarters of Houston C. Milby Dow..................................... Secretary Trade League, which sponsors annual Buy-In-Houston Week. L. S. Adams ........................ Treasurer F. M.Law ............................................... Member at Large AGRICULTURAL DEPARTMENT R. M. Farrar ........................ Ex Officio G. C. Ellisor, Manager Agricultural conditions in Harris County and adjoining coun- The service rendered by the Chamber of Commerce is divid- ties-Specific information to individuals on farming problems-- ed into several departments of which the following is an outline Boy’s and Girls rural club work--Information from specialists em- and they at all times welcome inquiries from those desiring their ployed in the department of livestock and dairying, home demon- assistance. stration and field crop subjects--County Agent work--Informa- EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT tion available through direct contact with the Extension Service of Col. Ike Ashburn ........... Vice-Pres. & Gen. Mgr. the State Agricultural and Mechanical College. R. J. Seaman ...... Assistant Gem Mgr. PUBLICITY G. C. Roussel................... Assistant to the V. P. & G. M. Burr Rule, Manager W.Lawrence Moore ........................ Membership Activities National and local distribution of civic advertising including TRANSPORTATION news publicity on Houston development--Pictures and cuts of C.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • GENERAL PHOTOGRAPHS File Subject Index
    GENERAL PHOTOGRAPHS File Subject Index A (General) Abeokuta: the Alake of Abram, Morris B.: see A (General) Abruzzi: Duke of Absher, Franklin Roosevelt: see A (General) Adams, C.E.: see A (General) Adams, Charles, Dr. D.F., C.E., Laura Franklin Delano, Gladys, Dorothy Adams, Fred: see A (General) Adams, Frederick B. and Mrs. (Eilen W. Delano) Adams, Frederick B., Jr. Adams, William Adult Education Program Advertisements, Sears: see A (General) Advertising: Exhibits re: bill (1944) against false advertising Advertising: Seagram Distilleries Corporation Agresta, Fred Jr.: see A (General) Agriculture Agriculture: Cotton Production: Mexican Cotton Pickers Agriculture: Department of (photos by) Agriculture: Department of: Weather Bureau Agriculture: Dutchess County Agriculture: Farm Training Program Agriculture: Guayule Cultivation Agriculture: Holmes Foundry Company- Farm Plan, 1933 Agriculture: Land Sale Agriculture: Pig Slaughter Agriculture: Soil Conservation Agriculture: Surplus Commodities (Consumers' Guide) Aircraft (2) Aircraft, 1907- 1914 (2) Aircraft: Presidential Aircraft: World War II: see World War II: Aircraft Airmail Akihito, Crown Prince of Japan: Visit to Hyde Park, NY Akin, David Akiyama, Kunia: see A (General) Alabama Alaska Alaska, Matanuska Valley Albemarle Island Albert, Medora: see A (General) Albright, Catherine Isabelle: see A (General) Albright, Edward (Minister to Finland) Albright, Ethel Marie: see A (General) Albright, Joe Emma: see A (General) Alcantara, Heitormelo: see A (General) Alderson, Wrae: see A (General) Aldine, Charles: see A (General) Aldrich, Richard and Mrs. Margaret Chanler Alexander (son of Charles and Belva Alexander): see A (General) Alexander, John H. Alexitch, Vladimir Joseph Alford, Bradford: see A (General) Allen, Mrs. Idella: see A (General) 2 Allen, Mrs. Mary E.: see A (General) Allen, R.C.
    [Show full text]
  • Thursday 19Th February 1942 by Dennis J Weatherall JP TM AFAITT(L) LSM – Volunteer Researcher
    OCCASIONAL PAPER 74 Call the Hands Issue No. 39 March 2020 World War 2 Arrived on the Australian Mainland: Thursday 19th February 1942 By Dennis J Weatherall JP TM AFAITT(L) LSM – Volunteer Researcher Dennis Weatherall attended the recent 78th Anniversary of the Bombing of Darwin, also known as the “Battle of Darwin”, by Japanese Imperial Forces on Thursday 19th February 1942. The air raid siren sounded at exactly 09:58 - war had arrived in Australia. He asks why more Australians don’t know about the continuous attacks that started on that day and continued until 12th November 1943 - some 21 months. In this paper Dennis provides and overview of the attacks and naval losses in more detail. Darwin, has changed much since my last visit some 38 years ago and it is dramatically different to the Darwin of 1942 which bore the brunt of the first ever attack by a foreign power on Australian soil. Why didn’t we know they were coming? Was our intelligence so bad or were we too complacent in 1942? The Government of the day had anticipated the Japanese would push south but “when” was the big question. Evacuations of civilians had already started by February 1942. On the morning of the fateful day there were many ships, both Naval and Merchant men, in the Port of Darwin along with a QANTAS flying boat “Camilla” and three Consolidated PBY Catalina flying boats of the USN, when 188 Japanese aircraft of various types, 36 Zero fighters, 71 dive bombers and 81 medium attack bombers commenced their first raid.
    [Show full text]
  • Additional Historic Information the Doolittle Raid (Hornet CV-8) Compiled and Written by Museum Historian Bob Fish
    USS Hornet Sea, Air & Space Museum Additional Historic Information The Doolittle Raid (Hornet CV-8) Compiled and Written by Museum Historian Bob Fish AMERICA STRIKES BACK The Doolittle Raid of April 18, 1942 was the first U.S. air raid to strike the Japanese home islands during WWII. The mission is notable in that it was the only operation in which U.S. Army Air Forces bombers were launched from an aircraft carrier into combat. The raid demonstrated how vulnerable the Japanese home islands were to air attack just four months after their surprise attack on Pearl Harbor. While the damage inflicted was slight, the raid significantly boosted American morale while setting in motion a chain of Japanese military events that were disastrous for their long-term war effort. Planning & Preparation Immediately after the Pearl Harbor attack, President Roosevelt tasked senior U.S. military commanders with finding a suitable response to assuage the public outrage. Unfortunately, it turned out to be a difficult assignment. The Army Air Forces had no bases in Asia close enough to allow their bombers to attack Japan. At the same time, the Navy had no airplanes with the range and munitions capacity to do meaningful damage without risking the few ships left in the Pacific Fleet. In early January of 1942, Captain Francis Low1, a submariner on CNO Admiral Ernest King’s staff, visited Norfolk, VA to review the Navy’s newest aircraft carrier, USS Hornet CV-8. During this visit, he realized that Army medium-range bombers might be successfully launched from an aircraft carrier.
    [Show full text]
  • 1 of 7 Three Ships Named USS Marblehead Since the Latter Part Of
    Three Ships named USS Marblehead The 1st Marblehead Since the latter part of the 19th century, cruisers in the United States Navy have carried the names of U.S. cities. Three ships have been named after Marblehead, MA, the birthplace of the U.S. Navy, and all three had distinguished careers. The 1st Marblehead. The first Marblehead was not a cruiser, however. She Source: Wikipedia.com was an Unadilla-class gunboat designed not for ship-to-ship warfare but for bombardment of coastal targets and blockade runners. Launched in 1861, she served the Union during the American Civil War. First assigned to the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron, she took part in operations along the York and Pamunkey Rivers in Virginia. On 1 MAY 1862, she shelled Confederate positions at Yorktown in support of General George McClellan's drive up the peninsula toward Richmond. In an unusual engagement, this Marblehead was docked in Pamunkey River when Confederate cavalry commander Jeb Stuart ordered an attack on the docked ship. Discovered by Union sailors and marines, who opened fire, the Confederate horse artillery under Major John Pelham unlimbered his guns and fired on Marblehead. The bluecoats were called back aboard and as the ship got under way Pelham's guns raced the ship, firing at it as long as the horse can keep up with it. The Marblehead escaped. Reassigned to the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron, she commenced patrols off the southern east coast in search of Confederate vessels. With the single turreted, coastal monitor Passaic, in early-FEB 1863, she reconnoitered Georgia’s Wilmington River in an unsuccessful attempt to locate the ironclad ram CSS Atlanta.
    [Show full text]
  • Reposturing the Force V
    NAVAL WAR COLLEGE NEWPORT PAPERS 26 N A Reposturing the Force V AL U.S. Overseas Presence in the Twenty-first Century W AR COLLEGE NE WPOR T P AP ERS N ES AV T A A L T W S A D R E C T I O N L L U E E G H E T R I VI IBU OR A S CT MARI VI 26 Carnes Lord, Editor Color profile: Generic CMYK printer profile Composite Default screen Cover Preparations for evening flight operations on board the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) in March 2005. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate Airman Ryan O’Connor. T:\Academic\Newport Papers\Newport Paper Lord\Ventura\NPLord.vp Tuesday, February 07, 2006 10:14:03 AM Color profile: Generic CMYK printer profile Composite Default screen Reposturing the Force U.S. Overseas Presence in the Twenty-first Century Carnes Lord, Editor NAVAL WAR COLLEGE PRESS Newport, Rhode Island T:\Academic\Newport Papers\Newport Paper Lord\Ventura\NPLord.vp Tuesday, February 07, 2006 10:14:13 AM Color profile: Generic CMYK printer profile Composite Default screen Naval War College The Newport Papers are extended research projects that the Newport, Rhode Island Editor, the Dean of Naval Warfare Studies, and the Center for Naval Warfare Studies President of the Naval War College consider of particular Newport Paper Twenty-six interest to policy makers, scholars, and analysts. February 2006 The views expressed in the Newport Papers are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the President, Naval War College Naval War College or the Department of the Navy.
    [Show full text]
  • Albert Kamenicky ______
    Transcription: Albert Kamenicky ________________________________________________________________ Hi, this is Tom Cengle. Albert Kamenicky: Yeah, how are you doin’? Good, good. Are we ready to go this morning? Albert Kamenicky: This morning? Yes. Albert Kamenicky: Let’s see, today is uh - Monday. Albert Kamenicky: Monday. I done screwed up, didn’t I? OK. Albert Kamenicky: But uh, yeah, I’m ready. You can do it? Albert Kamenicky: Yeah. OK. You somewhere comfortable? Albert Kamenicky: Oh yeah. In your easy chair? Albert Kamenicky: I got my chair and done been to the, to the little room. OK, all right, good. And we talked about how we’re gonna do this and what have you, and I’ll just kind of help you through because I got a whole bunch of questions, which we’ll deviate from and what have you as, because what we really want to do is capture your feelings and history of what occurred to you at that time. So we’ll just go through. There’s a couple of things that I begin with to explain to you what it’s about, and then we’ll start the process. Albert Kamenicky: OK sir. We all set now? Albert Kamenicky: Yeah, I was kind of just lolly-gagging around here, and I wasn’t paying much attention to the time. I had it down a little bit different, but that’s all right. OK, you’re sure it’s OK now? 1 Albert Kamenicky: Oh yeah. We’re ready. OK? Albert Kamenicky: OK. OK. And here’s gonna be the start.
    [Show full text]
  • University of Oklahoma Libraries Western History Collections USS
    University of Oklahoma Libraries Western History Collections USS (United States Ship) Postal Covers Collection USS Postal Covers Collection. Printed material, 1927–1995. 1.33 feet. Subject collection. Postal covers (1927–1995) from United States ships, including cruisers and destroyer escorts. Many of these covers have been cacheted to commemorate historic figures and events, and are postmarked on board the ships. ________________ Box 1 Folder: 1. USS Albany, CA 123 heavy cruiser, 1946-1953. 2. USS Arkansas, CA 34 heavy cruiser, 1937. 3. USS Astoria, CA 34 heavy cruiser, 1934-1941. 4. USS Augusta, CA 31 heavy cruiser, 1932-1995. 5. USS Baltimore, CA 68 heavy cruiser, 1944-1955. 6. USS Boston, CA 69 heavy cruiser, 1943-1955. 7. USS Bremerton, CA 130 heavy cruiser, 1945-1954. 8. USS California, 1939. 9. USS Canberra, CA 70 heavy cruiser, 1943-1946. 10. USS Chester, CA 27 heavy cruiser, 1930-1943. 11. USS Chicago, CA 29 heavy cruiser, 1932-1946. 12. USS Colorado, CA 7 heavy cruiser, 1937. 13. USS Columbus, CA 74 heavy cruiser, 1945-1958. 14. USS Des Moines, C 15 cruiser, 1915-1953. 15. USS Fall River, CA 131 heavy cruiser, 194?. 16. USS Helena, CA 75 heavy cruiser, 1945-1948. 17. USS Houston, 1938. 18. USS Indianapolis, CA 35 heavy cruiser, 1934-1944. 19. USS Los Angeles, CA 135 heavy cruiser, 1945-1962. 20. USS Louisville, CA 28 heavy cruiser, 1934-1945. 21. USS Macon, CA 132 heavy cruiser, 1947-1959. 22. USS Minneapolis, C 13 cruiser, 1918-1945. 23. USS New Orleans, CA 32 heavy cruiser, 1933-1945.
    [Show full text]
  • August 2012 “Galloping Ghost of the Java Coast”
    Volume 70, Issue 3 • August 2012 “Galloping Ghost of the Java Coast” Newsletter of the U.S.S. Houston CA-30 Survivors Association and Next Generations Three Generations Visit the Newest Now Hear This! HMAS Perth Association Address: c/o John Schwarz, Exec. Dir. 2500 Clarendon Blvd., Apt. 121 Arlington, VA 22201 Association Phone Number: 703‐867‐0142 Address for Tax Deductible Contributions: USS Houston Survivors Assoc. c/o Pam Foster, Treasurer 370 Lilac Lane, Lincoln, CA 95648 (please specify which fund – General or Scholarship) Association Email Contact: [email protected] Association Founded 1946: by Otto and Trudy Schwarz Jessica Daigre, Pam Foster, Dana Charles, Kathleen Charles, Judy Fung, and Eddie In This Issue… Fung aboard HMAS Perth III . Reunion 2013 / 1, 17 In This Issue…cont. For more details on this special visit to . Perth Visit / 1, 2 . New Book‐Wright / 13 the HMAS Perth III, see page 2 Scholarship 2013 / 1, 8 . Perth Notes / 14 New Websites / 2 . New Book‐Hornfischer / 14 Desk of Executive Director / 3 ALERT! . Banana Money / 15 . Houston Maritime Museum / 4 . Registration Form / 17 USS Houston CA‐30 ‐ 2013 Reunion . In Memoriam / 5 . Board of Managers / 18 March 14‐16, 2013 Hyatt Regency Downtown Hotel . Scholarship Winner Update / 6, 7 . Welcome Aboard / 18 Houston, TX . Chaplain Rentz Story / 7, 16 . Membership / 18 See page 17 for the . Funeral Flag Presentation / 8 . Association Websites / 18 registration form. Scholarship Update / 8 Website Updates / 18 . In House Scholarship Winners / 8 . Mail Bag / 19 . Crew Spotlight / 9, 10 . Sick Bay / 19 2013 Scholarship $3,000 Note to Survivors / 10 .
    [Show full text]
  • Admiral Thomas C. Hart and the Demise of the Asiatic Fleet 1941 – 1942
    East Tennessee State University Digital Commons @ East Tennessee State University Electronic Theses and Dissertations Student Works 5-2014 Admiral Thomas C. Hart And The eD mise Of The Asiatic Fleet 1941 – 1942 David DuBois East Tennessee State University Follow this and additional works at: https://dc.etsu.edu/etd Part of the Asian History Commons, Military History Commons, and the United States History Commons Recommended Citation DuBois, David, "Admiral Thomas C. Hart And The eD mise Of The Asiatic Fleet 1941 – 1942" (2014). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 2331. https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/2331 This Thesis - Open Access is brought to you for free and open access by the Student Works at Digital Commons @ East Tennessee State University. It has been accepted for inclusion in Electronic Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ East Tennessee State University. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Admiral Thomas C. Hart And The Demise Of The Asiatic Fleet 1941 – 1942 A thesis presented to the faculty of the Department of History East Tennessee State University In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Master of Arts in History by David DuBois May 2014 Dr. Emmett M. Essin III, Chair Dr. Stephen G. Fritz Dr. John M. Rankin Keywords: Admiral Thomas C. Hart, U.S. Navy WWII, Asiatic Fleet, ABDA, USS Houston, Battle of the Java Sea ABSTRACT Admiral Thomas C. Hart And The Demise Of The Asiatic Fleet 1941 – 1942 by David DuBois Admiral Thomas C. Hart And The Demise Of The Asiatic Fleet 1941 – 1942 is a chronicle of the opening days of World War II in the Pacific and the demise of the U.S.
    [Show full text]
  • The Lost Battalion and the Galloping Ghost of the Java Coast
    The Lost Battalion and The Galloping Ghost of the Java Coast By Roy Mark VFW Post 12074 Chiang Mai, Thailand In November 1940, the 2nd Battalion, 131st Field Artillery Regiment, 36th Division of the Texas National Guard, was activated. After training for one year, the battalion shipped out to the West Coast, and on 22 November 1941, with the United States observing an uneasy peace, the battalion under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Blutcher S. Tharp of Amarillo, Texas boarded the troop transport USS Republic (AP-33) in San Francisco. The soldiers knew their destination only by the code name, “Plum.” The 28,000-ton USS Republic was built in 1907 in Belfast, Ireland, for a German Steamship Company. The U.S. confiscated the ship USS Republic (AP-33) arriving in Brisbane, Australia in during World War-I and December 1941 commissioned her USS President Grant (SP-3014) in 1917. In 1920 the President Grant was transferred to the U.S. Army and renamed USAT Republic, then in July of 1941, the Republic was transferred to the Navy and commissioned USS Republic (AP–33). Her armament consisted of one 5 inch and four 3 inch mounts. The 2nd Battalion, 131st Field Artillery onboard the USS Republic, reached Pearl Harbor on 29 November 1941. In Pearl, the Republic joined with three other transport and cargo ships and the cruiser USS Pensacola (CA-24) to form a convoy for the remainder of the trip to Plum. The convoy sailed west on 30 November, leaving behind a peaceful Pearl Harbor. Once at sea, destination Plum was revealed to be Manila Bay in the Philippine Islands.
    [Show full text]
  • The Death Railway at Chong Kai Tha1lane
    if* < > i • x 4 i' > 4 f x L * » - .;'*f •>-“■- ■ *■ ■ K' - THE DEATH RAILWAY AT CHONG KAI THA1LANE LOST BATTALI01 ASSOCIATION ROSTER 2ND BATTALION 131ST HELD ARTILLERY & USS HOUSTON (CA-JO) SURVIVORS An amazing fact about our Roster is now after some 38 years it is just about completed. At the end of World War II when we were liberated and separated as groups we scattered to the four winds. Almost im­ mediately the effort was begun to locate the men of the 2nd Battalion 131st field Artillery and USS Houston (OA-30) survivors who by no circumstances of their own were first brought together in prison camps of the Japanese. The close bonds of friendship and brotherly love has continued over the.years and still continues to grow as time marches on. Our Roster has been an important factor in our “keeping together." Even as late as 1973 there were still some 288 members who had not been lo­ cated. Today, that number has been narrowed to nine men. Three of the nine have been located through the Navy finance Department in Cleveland, but regulations do not permit them to forward their addresses to us, there­ fore they continue in this catagory. One man is presumed dead, and no word on the others, A separate page has been prepared for these men. Please keep up the quest for these men. We need to know their status. Each person prefers to be identified with his own unit. The legend is as follows: H - Headquarters Battery D - "D" Battery E - "E" Battery F - "F" Battery S - Service Battery M - Medical Detachment N - Navy Personnel MO - Marine Corps Personnel AO - Army Officers NO - Navy Officers MOO - Marine Corps Officers The Roster is arranged alphabetically, and the first column shows the unit of assignment of each man.
    [Show full text]
  • Commemorating Those Who Lie in Sea Graves
    Athens Journal of Tourism - Volume 1, Issue 1 – Pages 65-74 The ‘Road’ Less Travelled: Commemorating those who lie in Sea Graves By Patrick O’Leary Caroline Winter† Battlefield tourism is an increasing global phenomenon, often associated with a ‘memory boom’ and a desire for families to trace their own place in national history. It has also been argued, that travel to sites of conflict is one of the ways in which social memory can be created and perpetuated. In Australia for example, travel to the Gallipoli battlefield of the First World War has become a ‘rite of passage’ for younger generations. In this paper, we explore the notion that social memory of Australians at war is associated with a limited number of sites, particularly Gallipoli, Villers-Bretonneux and the Kokoda Track. Part of the reason for this may be that physical access to these sites is relatively easy, given the vast improvements in international travel options, as well as a plethora of media coverage. There are many other sites that equally deserve to hold special significance for Australians but which do not attract the same attention, particularly because they are far harder to visit and even harder to find. Naval ‘grave’ sites are a case in point. This paper traces a family visit to the site of the 1942 sinking of the HMAS Perth and the USS Houston off north-west Java to commemorate the 70th anniversary of ‘The Battle of the Sunda Strait’. Naval war graves present special demands on those few intrepid pilgrims who choose ‘the road less travelled’, none more than the alien environment, the difficulties in identifying the site itself and the effects of the lack of social memory about such sites.
    [Show full text]