Flying Boat for the Win

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Late last month, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force’s 31st Air Group, 71st Air Squadron, at Iwakuni Air Base conducted an emergency airlift of an injured individual from a Chinese oceanographic research vessel off the east coast of Ogasawara, that involved a waterborne landing of a huge ShinMaywa Industries US-2 seaplane.

With a 108-foot wingspan and 109-foot length, the US-2 has a maximum take-off weight of 52 tons. They can take off and land in about 1,100 feet of relatively calm (under 11-foot seas) water. With an operational range of 2,500nm, these birds could be invaluable in the Pacific littoral in future years.

There is a dramatic, if short, video of the big blue bird while waterborne.

Too bad the U.S. Navy decommissioned its last flying boat squadron in 1967 and the USGC put the shorter-legged Grumman HU-16 “Goat” out to pasture in 1983.

Worse, the JMSDF only has eight US-2s. 

Taking a page from AUKUS, there should be a program to spin up a squadron or two of commercial off-the-shelf US-2s in NAVAIR service, with future American aircrews training alongside the Japanese while the airframes are crafted. Heck, maybe the funding could even be offset via F-35 spending. Just saying.

It’s certainly more realistic than the daffy amphibious MC-130 fever dream that SOCCOM has been suffering from. 

Pour one out for Royal Oak today

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British ‘R’ class WW1 battleships at sea, 1930 HMSs Revenge, Ramillies, Royal Sovereign, and Resolution, taken from sister HMS Royal Oak

British battleships of the 1st Battle Squadron at sea on the morning of the German surrender, 21 November 1918. Inscribed by the artist, lower right, ‘Morning of German surrender’. This study of R-class battleships of the 1st Battle Squadron of the Grand Fleet is apparently taken from its flagship, HMS ‘Revenge’, on which Wyllie was a guest of Admiral Sir Charles Madden for a month at the time of the surrender and internment of the German High Seas Fleet. That being so, the ships shown are ‘Resolution’ immediately following, ‘Royal Sovereign’ and ‘Royal Oak’. http://collections.rmg.co.uk/collections/objects/125878 RMG PW1743

Some 85 years ago today, at 0104 hours on 14 October 1939, the Royal Sovereign/Revenge-class 15inch gunned dreadnought HMS Royal Oak (08)–– the last and largest battleship ever to be built at Devonport– was struck by the first of three German type G7e/2874 electric torpedoes fired by the early Type VIIB U-boat U-47 (Oblt. Günther Prien).

Anchored in the Northeast corner of Scapa Flow, some 1,500 yards south of the old seaplane carrier Pegasus (ex-Ark Royal), the Jutland veteran soon suffered an explosion that reached masthead height. By 0129– less than a half-hour after the first torpedo hit, she turned turtle and began to sink in 30 meters of cold water.

For what it’s worth, U-47, including KrvKpt. Prien and her 44 hands, went missing less than five months later on 7 March 1941 in the North Atlantic south of Iceland, while on her 10th war patrol.

Royal Oak was the only member of her class ever sunk and has been under fuel oil mitigation since 2003 while leaving the hull undisturbed.

Royal Navy divers visit the battleship every October to leave a new Ensign.

Scapa Flow buoy This marks the wreck of HMS Royal Oak and the grave of her crew. “Respect their resting place.” Unauthorized diving is prohibited.

In all, some 914 crew members, including RADM Henry Evelyn Charles Blagrove, 71 Royal Marines, and tragically no less than 134 boy seaman (most between the ages of 16-18) are among Royal Oak’s honored war dead.

The list:

ABBOTT, Stanley E, Engine Room Artificer 5c, P/MX 58507, MPK
ACKERMAN, Arthur G, Able Seaman, P/J 103230, MPK
ADAMS, William P, Leading Seaman, P/J 86379, MPK
AGNEW, Clement C W, Boy 1c, P/JX 159143, MPK
ALBERRY, Jack, Stoker 1c, P/KX 83975, MPK
ALLEN, Arthur F, Stoker 2c, P/KX 95680, MPK
ALLEN, Percy L, Leading Seaman, P/JX 131242, MPK
AMOS, Ernest J, Able Seaman, P/SSX 24800, MPK
ANDERSON, Edward, Ordinary Seaman, P/JX 27561, MPK
ANDERSON, Henry L, Stoker 1c, P/KX 87601, MPK
ANDERSON, Robert F, Ordinary Seaman, P/JX 158192, MPK
ANDERSON, William B, Ordinary Seaman, P/SSX 27237, MPK
ANDERSON, William T, Marine, PO/X 2917, MPK
ANDREWS, Edward H, Act/Stoker Petty Officer, P/K 64055, MPK
ANDREWS, Gerald C, Boy Telegraphist, P/JX 156292, MPK
ANDREWS, Wilfred E, Boy 1c, P/JX 158327, MPK
ANNELL, Francis W, Boy 1c, P/JX 152396, MPK
ARMFIELD, Leslie, Marine, PO/X 2959, MPK
ARMITAGE, Frederick C, Mechanician, P/KX 78955, MPK
ARMSTRONG, George H S, Act/Petty Officer, P/J 111634, MPK
ARNO, Roland, Boy 1c, P/JX 157777, MPK
ASHBY, Kenneth, Boy 1c, P/JX 155914, MPK
ASHWIN, Albert W, Petty Officer Cook, P/M 38901, MPK
ATHERTON, James, Stoker 1c, P/KX 86791, MPK
ATHERTON, Norman, Stoker 1c, P/KX 87710, MPK
ATKINSON, John, Marine, PO/X 20804, MPK
ATKINSON, Thomas E, Ordinary Seaman, P/SSX 27413, MPK
ATTARD, Francis, Petty Officer Cook (O), E/LX 20770, MPK
ATTARD, Lorenzo, Leading Steward, E/LX 21775, MPK
ATTFIELD, Henry G, Petty Officer, P/J 103119, MPK
AZZOPARDI, Anthony, Assistant Steward, E/LX 22321, MPK
BAIGENT, George H, Ordinary Seaman, P/SSX 261000, MPK
BAILEY, Charles W, Able Seaman, P/J 36444 Pens, MPK
BAILEY, Edward R, Boy 1c, P/JX 157908, MPK
BAIN, Robert, Ordinary Seaman, P/SSX 27567, MPK
BAKER, Alfred E, Act/Stoker Petty Officer, P/KX 84729, MPK
BAKER, Arthur W, Leading Stoker, P/KX 82052, MPK
BAKER, William G M, Boy 1c, P/JX 157600, MPK
BALDWIN, Albert S, Signalman, P/J 99638, MPK
BALL, Raymond J N, Engine Room Artificer 5c, P/MX 51734, MPK
BALLARD, Eric F, Boy 1c, P/JX 159382, MPK
BALLS, Harold E, Captain, RM, MPK
BARBER, Albert S, Ordinary Seaman, P/SSX 30174, MPK
BARBER, Frank, Stoker 1c, P/KX 87605, MPK
BARGERY, Arthur E, Supply Assistant, P/MX 58562, MPK
BARKER, Edward H, Ordinary Seaman, P/SSX 27304, MPK
BARNES-MOSS, Henry W, Boy 1c, P/JX 156915, MPK
BARNFATHER, Raymond A, Boy 1c, P/JX 15873, MPK
BARTLETT, Arthur, Marine, PO/ 22661, MPK
BARTOLO, John, Steward, E/LX 22088, MPK
BEALING, Frederick C, Petty Officer, P/JX 152580, MPK
BEANGE, James, Able Seaman, P/SSX 19722, MPK
BEDDALL, Harry, Able Seaman, RFR, P/SS 7973, MPK
BEDWELL, Hector W J, Plumber, P/MX 39026, MPK
BEECHEY, Arthur C, Marine, PO/X 2388, MPK
BEER, Alexander E, Ordinary Seaman, P/SSX 27208, MPK
BELL, ROBERT W., Able Seaman, P/J 78102. MPK (also known as Robert W. Tuck)
BENDALL, Richard S J, Canteen Manager, NAAFI, MPK
BENNETT, William A B, Supply Chief Petty Officer, P/M 38223, MPK
BENNEY, Charles E, Electrical Artificer 1c, P/M 39104, killed
BESWICK, Henry W J, Able Seaman, P/SSX 21101, MPK
BETTS, Henry J, Stoker 2c, P/KX 95921, MPK
BETTS, William T, Able Seaman, RFR, P/J 86549, MPK
BILLYARD, Norman, Boy Signalman, P/JX 156019, MPK
BINNINGTON, Arthur, Boy 1c, P/JX 157612, MPK
BINNS, Frederick B, Able Seaman, P/J 99527, MPK
BINSLEY, George F, Able Seaman, RFR, P/J 101853, MPK
BIRTCHNELL, Cyril E, Able Seaman, P/JX 144815, MPK
BLACK, John, Boy 1c, P/JX 157437, MPK
BLACKBOROUGH, John W, Stoker 1c, P/KX 97396, MPK
BLAGROVE, Henry E C, Rear Admiral, MPK
BLENKIRON, Neil, Act/Engine Room Artificer 4c, P/MX 57565, MPK
BLOOD, Samuel, Boy 1c, P/JX 160587, MPK
BLYTH, Henry B, Able Seaman, P/SSX 20210, MPK
BOENING, John, Stoker 2c, P/KX 95950, MPK
BOLD, Percy W, Able Seaman, P/SSX 20080, MPK
BONELLO, Salvatore, Leading Steward, E/L 11922, MPK
BONNER, Walter C, Band Corporal, RMB 180, MPK
BORLAND, Alexander D, Engine Room Artificer 5c, P/MX 60113, MPK
BOTTOMLEY, Robert J, Sergeant, PO/X 22159, MPK
BOWDEN, Reginald C B, Able Seaman, P/JX 134358, MPK
BOWEN, Jack, Ordinary Seaman, P/JX 149667, MPK
BOWHAY, William J R, Paymaster Midshipman, MPK
BOYD, Thomas A, Supply Assistant, P/MX 58559, MPK
BOYES, Louis S, Sailmaker’s Mate, P/J 113932, MPK
BOYLE, William, Leading Stoker, P/K 66789, MPK
BRADDICK, Arthur H, Leading Stoker, P/K 60237, killed
BRADING, Charles E, Boy 1c, P/JX 157767, MPK
BRAMLEY, Raymond J, Boy 1c, P/JX 158937, MPK
BRANCH, Hal, Supply Petty Officer, P/MX 46378, MPK
BRIDGES, James G C, Boy 1c, P/JX 157596, MPK
BRIGHT, Herbert, Marine, PO/ 216315, MPK
BRIGHTMAN, George R, Stoker Petty Officer, P/K 61794, MPK
BRISCOE, Edmund J, Able Seaman, P/J 97597, MPK
BRITTON, Thomas F, Able Seaman, P/J 115551, MPK
BROOKIN, James F, Marine, PO/X 2950, MPK
BROUGHTON, Alick E, Marine, PO/X 3041, MPK
BROWN, Alfred G, Leading Seaman, P/J 100430, MPK
BROWN, Dennis A J, Stoker 2c, P/KX 97906, MPK
BROWN, Harold, Able Seaman, P/SSX 21997, MPK
BROWN, Henry W, Petty Officer, P/J 93823, MPK
BROWN, John, Able Seaman, P/SSX 19671, MPK
BRYMER, Ernest A, Boy 1c, P/JX 158209, MPK
BUCKETT, Stanley V, Ordnance Artificer 2c, P/MX 5599, killed
BUCKNALL, Arthur G, Able Seaman, P/J 103007, MPK
BUDGE, John, Boy 1c, P/JX 158257, MPK
BULL, Alan N, Shipwright 5c, P/MX 59124, MPK
BURDEN, Arthur E, Act/Petty Officer, P/J 111687, MPK
BURNHAM, Peter, Ordinary Seaman, P/SSX 26573, MPK
BURNS, Arthur, Able Seaman, P/SSX 20759, MPK
BURNS, John E, Corporal, PO/X 550, MPK
BURROWS, Robert W, Stoker 1c, P/KX 87984, MPK
BURT, Ernest H A, Leading Signalman, P/JX 126157, MPK
BURTENSHAW, Clifford H, Able Seaman, P/J 43323, MPK
BURTON, John W, Act/Leading Stoker, P/KX 84054, MPK
BUTLER, Albert A, Stoker 2c, P/KX 95683, MPK
BUTLER, Albert E, Marine, PO/X 1365, MPK
BUTLER, Albert E, Stoker 1c, P/K 62461, MPK
BYDAWELL, Leonard R J, Electrical Artificer 4c, P/MX 54996, MPK
CACHIA, Joseph, Leading Steward, E/LX 20812, MPK
CAIRNS, John, Ordinary Seaman, P/JX 27560, MPK
CAMPBELL, Charles N, Ordinary Seaman, P/SSX 27233, MPK
CAMPBELL, Donald, Ordinary Seaman, P/SSX 27150, MPK
CAMPSIE, Charles, Able Seaman, P/JX 142702, MPK
CANNON, Robert J, Able Seaman, P/SSX 19985, MPK
CAPEL, Charles W, Stoker 2c, P/KX 95166, MPK
CARD, Albert R W, Boy 1c, P/JX 159112, MPK
CARNEGIE, Alexander K, Act/Leading Seaman, P/SSX 16142, MPK
CARPENTER, Edwin G, Shipwright 4c, P/MX 54106, MPK
CARR, Frank C, Steward, C/LX 21729, MPK
CARTER, Gordon W, Able Seaman, P/SSX 19717, MPK
CARTER, John, Leading Stoker, P/K 60886, MPK
CARTER, Rowland W H, Able Seaman, P/JX 134480, MPK
CARTER, William F, Seaman, RNR, P/X 20597 A, MPK
CARTWRIGHT, Wilfred, Engine Room Artificer 1c, P/M 34467, MPK
CASS, Leonard, Act/Leading Seaman, P/JX 132259, MPK
CAST, Reuben J, Ordinary Signalman, P/SSX 27808, MPK
CASTLEMAN, Harry, Able Seaman, P/J 102650, MPK
CHADWICK, John C, Chief Engine Room Artificer 2c, P/M 22651, MPK
CHADWICK, Thomas, Able Seaman, RFR, P/J 46739, MPK
CHALK, Ronald G, Ordinary Signalman, P/JX 154932, MPK
CHALLENGER, Albert L, Able Seaman, P/SSX 16728, MPK
CHAPPELL, William G, Petty Officer, P/J 99140, MPK
CHEESLEY, Wilfred H G, Act/Warrant Engineer, MPK
CHESMAN, William E, Leading Stoker, P/KX 82405, MPK
CHICK, Alan, Engine Room Artificer 5c, P/MX 51742, MPK
CHURCH, Ovidio, Assistant Steward, E/LX 23166, MPK
CLACHER, William H, Boy 1c, P/JX 159105, MPK
CLACKSON, Ronald G, Ordinary Seaman, P/SSX 26095, MPK
CLARK, Alan J, Ordinary Seaman, P/JX 153775, MPK
CLARK, Albert H, Sick Berth Attendant, P/MX 57804, MPK
CLARK, Frederick H, Boy 1c, P/JX 15896, MPK
CLARK, John, Able Seaman, P/JX 145699, MPK
CLARK, Ralph L W, Lieutenant (E), killed
CLARKE, Francis H, Stoker 1c, P/KX 90017, MPK
CLARKE, Robert E, Stoker Petty Officer, P/K 59906, MPK
CLEMENTS, Ernest F J, Marine, PO/X 1927, MPK
CLEMENTSON, John, Able Seaman, P/SSX 20373, MPK
CLOUTE, Edward C, Master At Arms, P/M 39838, MPK
COCK, Clarence H, Lieutenant (E), MPK
COFFIN, Leonard J, Able Seaman, RFR, P/J 14757, MPK
COLBOURNE, Frank E, Leading Stoker, P/K 59274, MPK
COLBOURNE, James W F, Ordinary Seaman, P/SSX 27563, MPK
COLBRAN, Percy, Able Seaman, RFR, P/J 48784, MPK
COLEMAN, Edward W, Able Seaman, P/J 53167, MPK
COLEMAN, Jack A, Boy Telegraphist, P/JX 156277, MPK
COLEMAN, Maurice G N, Boy Telegraphist, P/JX 156747, MPK
COLLINS, George A, Boy 1c, P/JX 157880, MPK
COLLINS, Robert, Leading Sick Berth Attendant, P/MX 50880, MPK
COMBER, Albert E B, Petty Officer, P/J 110072, MPK
CONNOR, Fred, Act/Stoker Petty Officer, P/KX 96550, MPK
CONNOR, Reginald J, Able Seaman, P/JX 140996, MPK
CONROY, Frank, Leading Stoker, P/KX 83434, MPK
COOK, George J, Able Seaman, P/SSX 24798, MPK
COOKE, Frederick A, Engine Room Artificer 5c, P/MX 59082, MPK
COOPER, Leslie L, Able Seaman, P/SSX 19680, MPK
COOPER, Norman, Able Seaman, P/SSX 20068, MPK
COPE, John R, Act/Leading Seaman, P/JX 152707, MPK
CORNELIOUS, Kenneth T, Boy 1c, P/JX 159083, MPK
CORNELIUS, Herbert J, Py/Surgeon Lieutenant, RNVR, MPK
CORNISH, Charles F, Able Seaman, P/J 49960, MPK
COUSINS, Hubert J, Supply Assistant, P/MX 58596, MPK
COX, Edwin, Boy 1c, P/JX 156605, MPK
CRAGG, Walter, Boy 1c, P/JX 158587, MPK
CRAVEN, Arthur, Ordinary Telegraphist, P/SSX 25730, MPK
CREE, James B D, Chaplain, MPK
CROCKETT, John S, Leading Stoker, P/K 60176, MPK
CROFTS, Edward A, Engine Room Artificer 4c, P/MX 49178, MPK
CROSS, Eric V A, Engine Room Artificer 5c, P/MX 58964, MPK
CROSSWELL, Walter H, Yeoman of Signals, P/J 93096, MPK
CUMBES, Ronald W, Stoker 1c, P/KX 88437, MPK
CUMMING, Leslie T J, Marine, PO/X 588, MPK
CUMMINGS, Harry, Ordnance Artificer 1c, P/M 30403, MPK
CUNNINGHAM, Edward W, Corporal, PO/X 483, MPK
CURTIN, Cornelius, Stoker 1c, P/KX 88327, MPK
CURTIS, Herbert H W, Petty Officer Cook, P/MX 45150, MPK
CUTLER, Joseph A, Blacksmith 5c, P/MX 58970, MPK
DANIELS, George, Stoker 2c, P/KX 95934, MPK
DARNELL, George T, Boy 1c, P/JX 158214, MPK
DAUGHTREY, Albert, Able Seaman, P/J 111527, MPK
DAVEY, Cecil B, Supply Chief Petty Officer, P/M 30765, MPK
DAVIE, Richard C, Leading Supply Assistant, P/MX 51123, MPK
DAVIES, Herbert R, Marine, PO/X 1408, MPK
DAVIES, Mervyn C, Ordinary Seaman, P/SSX 26707, MPK
DAVIS, Joseph F, Able Seaman, P/SSX 15387, MPK
DAVIS, Robert E, Able Seaman, P/SSX 21139, MPK
DAYSH, Alan, Canteen Assistant, NAAFI, MPK
DEACON, William J, Stoker 1c, P/KX 90485, MPK
DEAR, Alfred J, Sergeant, PO/ 22637, MPK
DEIGHTON, Ernest C, Stoker 1c, P/KX 85503, MPK
DERBYSHIRE, Ronald, Act/Leading Seaman, P/JX 125355, MPK
DERRY, John O H, Boy 1c, P/JX 157256, MPK
DIAPER, Stanley T, Leading Cook, P/MX 48944, MPK
DICKIE, William A, Surgeon Lieutenant (D), MPK
DOE, Sidney P, Stoker 2c, P/KX 95684, MPK
DOGGETT, Ivor E, Able Seaman, P/JX 149799, MPK
DOWDING, Percy W G, Ordinary Seaman, P/SSX 26092, MPK
DOWNES, Arthur F, Stoker 2c, P/KX 95851, MPK
DRAPER, Basil H, Leading Seaman, P/JX 129857, MPK
DRUCE, Albert E, Stoker 2c, P/KX 96940, MPK
DUNCALF, Thomas, Able Seaman, P/SSX 137746, MPK
DUNK, Charles A, Chief Mechanician, P/K 55420, MPK
DUNK, William W, Boy 1c, P/JX 157915, MPK
DYER, Henry, Able Seaman, P/JX 115887, MPK
EADE, James H, Shipwright 4c, P/MX 54409, MPK
EASTON, Francis, Boy 1c, P/JX 158579, MPK
EDE, Frank, Leading Stoker, P/KX 81595, MPK
EDWARDS, Arthur, Stoker 1c, P/KX 89502, MPK
EDWARDS, James F, Ordinary Seaman, P/SSX 25897, MPK
EDWARDS, Rhobert G, Ordinary Seaman, P/SSX 27416, MPK
EDWARDS, Walter R A T, Able Seaman, P/JX 131451, MPK
EFEMEY, Ronald B, Signalman, P/JX 141588, MPK
ELLIOTT, Robert, Stoker 1c, P/KX 86265, MPK
ELTRINGHAM, Norman, Painter, P/MX 51661, MPK
EMERY, Alfred, Cook, P/MX 54622, MPK
EMERY, Frank C, Chief Petty Officer, P/J 81318, MPK
EVANS, Bernard, Marine, PO/X 2951, MPK
EVANS, Joseph E, Able Seaman, P/J 90199, MPK
EYERS, Charles E, Boy Signalman, P/JX 155943, MPK
FAIRBROTHER, James W, Boy 1c, P/JX 159190, MPK
FARR, Ernest W, Chief Petty Officer Stoker, P/K 56117, MPK
FARRELL, Robert, Ordinary Seaman, RNVR, P/UD/X 1510, MPK
FENN, Theodore R P, Act/Leading Seaman, P/JX 140460, MPK
FINLAY, Matthew B, Able Seaman, P/SSX 19669, MPK
FISHER, Billie L, Able Seaman, P/JX 137936, MPK
FISHER, James B, Leading Stoker, P/KX 79148, MPK
FITCH, Charles E, Signalman, P/J 82366, MPK
FLOGDELL, Albert E, Marine, PO/X 2572, MPK
FLOUNDERS, Alexander, Ordinary Seaman, P/SSX 27295, MPK
FORD, William J, Able Seaman, P/JX 144165, MPK
FORSEY, Horace S, Ordinary Seaman, P/JX 148901, MPK
FOSTER, Donald C D, Leading Seaman, P/JX 129769, MPK
FOSTER, George W, Ordinary Seaman, P/SSX 25972, MPK
FOULGER, Arthur, Able Seaman, P/SSX 19964, MPK
FOWLER, John W, Marine, PO/X 1578, MPK
FOYLE, Archie A, Ordinary Seaman, P/SSX 27282, MPK
FRANCIS, Hubert A, Able Seaman, P/JX 142485, MPK
FRANCKEISS, Edward L, Act/Petty Officer, P/J 113184, killed
FRENCH, Charles, Able Seaman, P/JX 137374, MPK
FULLER, Charles W, Able Seaman, P/JX 127659, MPK
FURBEAR, Thomas G, Sergeant, PO/X 841, MPK
FURBY, Edwin A, Boy 1c, P/JX 158407, MPK
FURLONG, John, Ordinary Telegraphist, P/SSX 25720, MPK
FURNELL, Leslie T, Able Seaman, P/SSX 19711, MPK
GALLAGHER, John W, Act/Leading Stoker, P/KX 84271, MPK
GIBBONS, John A, Able Seaman, P/J 81797, MPK
GIBSON, Gordon, Boy 1c, P/JX 157592, MPK
GIBSON, Sidney J, Marine, PO/X 2952, MPK
GILES, William H, Stoker 1c, P/KX 86757, MPK
GILL, George E, Stoker 1c, P/KX 88429, MPK
GILL, Harold W, Leading Stoker, P/KX 76025, MPK
GILLIS, George W, Ordinary Seaman, P/SSX 27410, MPK
GIUSTI, Ignazio, Leading Steward, E/LX 15022, MPK
GLASSPOOL, Harry, Leading Stoker, P/K 57401, MPK
GODLEY, Sidney G, Stoker 1c, P/K 57546, MPK
GODWIN, Thomas G, Act/Leading Telegraphist, D/JX 133888, MPK
GODWIN, William, Able Seaman, P/J 80870, MPK
GOLDING, Arthur J, Bandmaster, RMB 2745, killed
GOODYER, Joseph C, Officers’ Chief Cook, P/L 2529, MPK
GORSUCH, Ernest D, Stoker 2c, P/KX 95926, MPK
GOUGH, Edwin J, Stoker 1c, P/KX 86102, MPK
GOUGH, Thomas E, Boy 1c, P/JX 158441, MPK
GOURLAY, James R G M, Able Seaman, P/JX 143524, MPK
GOWAN, Jack D, Boy 1c, P/JX 158481, MPK
GRACE, Victor M, Writer, P/MX 55769, MPK
GRAHAM, George M, Boy 1c, P/JX 157590, MPK
GRAHAM, Philip W C, Midshipman, MPK
GRAHAM, Samuel, Seaman, RNR, P/X 7150 C, MPK
GRAHAM-BROWN, John L T, Sub Lieutenant, MPK
GRAY, Alexander S, Boy 1c, P/JX 158263, MPK
GRAY, Edward, Able Seaman, P/JX 130468, MPK
GRAY, Harry W, Ordinary Seaman, P/SSX 27545, MPK
GRECH, Joseph, Assistant Steward, E/LX 22806, MPK
GREEN, Albert F, Ordinary Seaman, P/SSX 26104, MPK
GREEN, Frank, Able Seaman, P/SSX 19729, MPK
GREEN, Roy, Musician, RMB/X 749, MPK
GREENWOOD, Leonard, Able Seaman, P/SSX 20436, MPK
GRIFFIN, Harry, Boy 1c, P/JX 159273, MPK
GRIFFITHS, Edward J, Able Seaman, P/SSX 19672, MPK
GRIFFITHS, James R, Ordinary Seaman, P/JX 158039, MPK
GRINDLEY, Arnold E, Marine, PO/X 3064, MPK
GROGAN, John, Marine, PO/X 2556, MPK
GUTTERIDGE, Ronald G N, Boy 1c, P/JX 155329, MPK
GUY, Robert, Ordinary Seaman, P/JX 158072, MPK
HALES, Joseph, Officers’ Cook 2c, E/L 12226, MPK
HALL, Harry J, Plumber 4c, P/MX 51631, MPK
HALL, Joseph, Petty Officer, P/JX 125239, MPK
HALL, Kenneth E, Marine, PO/X 2676, MPK
HALL, William R, Boy 1c, P/JX 158939, MPK
HAMBLIN, George A, Marine, PO/ 22591, MPK
HAMBLIN, Herbert J, Able Seaman, P/J 50281, MPK
HAMMOND, John S, Leading Cook, P/MX 49962, MPK
HAMMOND, Wilfred L, Petty Officer Steward, P/L 15087, MPK
HANCE, Travis R, Ordinary Seaman, P/SSX 26045, MPK
HARKIN, Phillip R, Leading Seaman, P/J 129706, MPK
HARLE, George, Marine, PO/X 2760, MPK
HARLEY, John A H, Act/Leading Signalman, D/J 69269, MPK
HARPER, Richard R J, Ordinary Seaman, P/SSX 27296, MPK
HARRIS, George J, Ordinary Seaman, P/SSX 27423, MPK
HARRIS, Kenneth J, Writer, D/MX 59821, MPK
HARRIS, Norman H, Ordinary Seaman, P/SSX 26053, MPK
HARRIS, Percy W, Act/Leading Seaman, P/J 10161, MPK
HAWKINS, Kenneth R J, Boy 1c, P/JX 159111, MPK
HAWKINS, Walter J, Stoker 1c, P/KX 86612, MPK
HAYES, Thomas, Stoker 2c, P/KX 95662, MPK
HAYWARD, Jasper G, Boy 1c, P/JX 157760, MPK
HEATHER, Charles W, Able Seaman, P/JX 140720, MPK
HELMORE, William L, Petty Officer, P/J 99995, MPK
HEMESTRETCH, Charles W, Boy 1c, P/JX 158405, MPK
HEMSLEY, Charles F, Marine, PO/X 2798, MPK
HEMSTRIDGE, Cecil, Stoker 2c, P/KX 95865, MPK
HESLOP, Cuthbert, Ordinary Seaman, P/SSX 27279, MPK
HICKS, Albert E, Able Seaman, P/J 84408, MPK
HIGGINS, John I, Able Seaman, P/SSX 19372, MPK
HIGGS, Harold H, Leading Stoker, P/KX 77576, MPK
HIGHFIELD, Joseph E, Act/Engine Room Artificer 4c, P/MX 56195, MPK
HILL, Albert, Able Seaman, P/SSX 20207, MPK
HILL, Donald, Shipwright 4c, P/MX 55747, MPK
HILL, Douglas, Stoker 1c, P/KX 89512, MPK
HILL, Ernest F, Stoker 1c, P/KX 88294, MPK
HILL, Samuel, Ordnance Artificer 4c, P/MX 54584, MPK
HILLIER, Charles W, Ordnance Artificer 2c, P/M 37686, MPK
HINGSTON, Eric, Act/Leading Seaman, P/J 130609, MPK
HISCOCK, Frederick J, Ordinary Seaman, P/SSX 27550, MPK
HIXSON, Herbert H, Boy 1c, P/JX 158383, MPK
HOCKING, John R, Stoker 2c, P/KX 95687, MPK
HODGSON, Alan R, Signalman, D/JX 144607, MPK
HODGSON, James S, Boy 1c, P/JX 157463, MPK
HOLLAND, Cecil, Ordnance Artificer 4c, P/MX 53671, MPK
HOLYOAK, Edward, Boy 1c, P/JX 157154, MPK
HOTTON, Lewis W J, Stoker 2c, P/KX 95653, MPK
HUDSON, Frederick H J, Engine Room Artificer 5c, P/MX 56982, MPK
HUDSON, John S, Signalman, P/SSX 16093, MPK
HUGGINS, Henry S, Leading Stoker, P/KX 75387, MPK
HUGHES, Frederick E, Boy 1c, P/JX 157826, MPK
HUGHES, Thomas, Able Seaman, P/J 91758, MPK
HUGHES-ROWLANDS, Richard, Commissioned Telegraphist, killed
HULL, Ernest C, Stoker 2c, P/KX 95290, MPK
HULL, Raymond G, Leading Telegraphist, P/JX 137282, MPK
HUMBER, John F, Boy 1c, P/JX 157890, MPK
HUNT, Albert V, Stoker 1c, P/KX 87193, MPK
HUNT, Edward G, Petty Officer, P/JX 132394, MPK
HUNTER, Frank, Leading Seaman, P/J 92755, MPK
HUNTER, James, Marine, PO/X 3142, MPK
HURST, Frank, Electrical Artificer 4c, P/MX 54704, MPK
HUSCROFT, Robert W, Cook, P/MX 57241, MPK
HUSSEY-YEO, Arthur L, Able Seaman, P/JX 127000, MPK
HUTCHCOCKS, Tom, Able Seaman, P/JX 141424, MPK
HYDE, Alexander J, Leading Supply Assistant, P/MX 54623, MPK
HYDE, George W, Act/Leading Stoker, P/KX 83528, MPK
ING, Ronald C, Ordinary Telegraphist, P/SSX 25722, MPK
JACK, James D M, Stoker 1c, P/KX 86761, MPK
JACKMAN, John J, Able Seaman, P/JX 134910, MPK
JACKSON, Lawrence T D, Able Seaman, P/SSX 20647, MPK
JACKSON, Thomas W B, Ordinary Telegraphist, P/SSX 25724, killed
JACOBS, Walter A C, Stoker 2c, P/KX 95859, MPK
JAGO, Leslie, Ordinary Telegraphist, P/JX 156975, MPK
JAMES, Leslie J, Boy 1c, P/JX 158601, MPK
JAMES, Roland, Ordinary Seaman, P/SSX 25886, MPK
JAMES, Verdun L, Marine, PO/X 1421, MPK
JAY, Vernon G U, Cadet, MPK
JELLEY, Lesley J, Boy 1c, P/JX 157876, MPK
JENKINS, Eric J A, Engine Room Artificer 3c, P/MX 48229, MPK
JENKINS, Thomas S, Stoker 1c, P/KX 79383, MPK
JENNINGS, Russel E, Boy 1c, P/JX 157923, MPK
JEWELL, Arthur, Able Seaman, P/J 92301, MPK
JEWER, Sydney A, Corporal, PO/X 2009, MPK
JOBSON, James B, Leading Seaman, P/J 114586, MPK
JOHNS, Percival H M, Chief Electrical Artificer 2c, P/M 38580, MPK
JOHNSON, Frederick H W P, Stoker 2c, P/KX 95594, MPK
JOHNSON, Thomas M, Ordinary Seaman, P/SSX 25867, MPK
JOHNSTON, Alexander J, Able Seaman, P/J 82381, MPK
JONES, Charles E, Steward, D/LX 21744, MPK
JONES, Harry, Boy 1c, P/JX 157056, MPK
JONES, Henry G, Able Seaman, P/JX 141049, MPK
JONES, Sidney W, Ordinary Seaman, P/SSX 27952, MPK
JONES, Thomas J, Boy 1c, P/JX 158938, MPK
JORDAN, Frederick, Petty Officer Telegraphist, P/J 90355, MPK
JORDAN, Henry D, Corporal, PO/X 930, MPK
JUDGE, Peter R, Able Seaman, P/J 111868, MPK
KANE, Raymond C, Marine, PO/X 3015, MPK
KEARY, Arthur, Leading Supply Assistant, P/MX 51127, MPK
KEEL, Jack, Marine, PO/X 1736, MPK
KEEL, William, Act/Engine Room Artificer 4c, P/MX 59117, MPK
KEMP, Lewis H, Act/Ordnance Artificer 4c, P/MX 55921, MPK
KEMPSTER, Arthur, Ordinary Seaman, P/SSX 27412, MPK
KENNEDY, Richard H, Ordinary Seaman, P/SSX 27280, MPK
KENNEDY, William T, Petty Officer, P/J 132255, MPK
KENNETT, Ernest H, Chief Petty Officer Stoker, P/K 61050, MPK
KENT, Herbert A J, Marine, PO/ 20891, MPK
KENWORTHY, James, Able Seaman, P/SSX 18204, MPK
KERSEY, Henry A, Petty Officer, P/J 97949, MPK
KIDBY, William F, Supply Petty Officer, P/MX 45898, MPK
KING, Cyril E M, Able Seaman, P/SSX 15872, MPK
KING, Frederick W, Stoker 2c, P/KX 95920, MPK
KING, William L, Marine, PO/X 2889, MPK
KIRKBY, Desmond E, Boy 1c, P/JX 155948, MPK
KNIGHT, Geoffrey E W, Boy 1c, P/JX 157202, MPK
LABAN, Kenneth G, Boy 1c, P/JX 158866, MPK
LARDNER, Frederick M, Ordinary Seaman, P/SSX 24802, MPK
LAWRENCE, James E, Marine, PO/X 3128, MPK
LEACH, Eric C, Stoker 2c, P/KX 95656, MPK
LENZ, Bernard H, Canteen Assistant, NAAFI, MPK
LESTER, Robert, Boy 1c, P/JX 158468, MPK
LEWIS, Clifford E, Marine, PO/X 2864, MPK
LEWIS, Donald J, Boy 1c, P/JX 159120, MPK
LIDDELL, Robert, Act/Leading Stoker, P/KX 84334, MPK
LILLEY, Harold G, Stoker 2c, P/KX 95861, MPK
LIPTROT, Frederick, Leading Cook, P/MX 49455, MPK
LISTER, Harvey G, Boy 1c, P/JX 158887, MPK
LITTLEJOHN, James B M, Ordinary Telegraphist, P/SSX 25727, MPK
LLOYD, Ronald G, Stoker 1c, P/KX 85406, MPK
LLOYDS, Sidney R N, Stoker 2c, P/KX 95856, MPK
LOATS, Thomas R, Electrical Artificer 3c, P/MX 47370, MPK
LOCK, Leslie F, Engine Room Artificer 4c, P/MX 54369, MPK
LOCKWOOD, William, Stoker 1c, P/K 588886, MPK
LOGAN, Frank, Able Seaman, P/J 111301, MPK
LONG, Arthur, Marine, PO/X 2878, MPK
LOWERY, David, Act/Leading Stoker, P/KX 80824, MPK
LYNCH, Hugh C, Ordinary Seaman, P/JX 157285, MPK
LYONS, John, Able Seaman, RFR, P/J 101188, MPK
MACANGUS, Donald, Seaman, RNR, P/X 19367 A, MPK
MACDERMOTT, Antony D, Cadet, killed
MACKINNON, Donald, Boy 1c, P/JX 159078, MPK
MACREADY, James A, Boy 1c, P/JX 157296, MPK
MAHER, Christopher, Ordinary Seaman, P/SSX 27543, MPK
MALYON, Sydney H, Leading Stoker, P/K 66951, killed
MAMO, Francis, Officers’ Cook 2c, E/L 6426, MPK
MANGION, John P, Petty Officer Steward, E/LX 20458, MPK
MANNING, James, Stoker 1c, P/KX 85396, MPK
MANSFIELD, William H, Stoker 1c, P/KX 87490, MPK
MANWARING, Douglas, Ordinary Seaman, P/SSX 25253, MPK
MANWARING, William R, Stoker 1c, P/KX 81251, MPK
MARSH, James W, Marine, PO/ 21181, MPK
MARSH, Owen F, Corporal, PO/ 22158, MPK
MARSHALL, Frederick, Boy 1c, P/JX 158482, MPK
MARTIN, Edward J, Midshipman, MPK
MARTIN, Horace J, Ordinary Seaman, P/JX 154873, MPK
MARTIN, Leonard G, Boy 1c, P/JX 159173, MPK
MATFIELD, Albert H, Marine, PO/X 3136, MPK
MATHER, George, Act/Cook, P/MX 56974, MPK
MATHEWS-SHEEN, Thomas, Leading Seaman, P/JX 150561, MPK
MATTHEWS, Francis H, Ordinary Seaman, P/JX 158095, MPK
MCARTHUR, Archibald, Engine Room Artificer 5c, P/MX 60114, MPK
MCBAIN, Donald, Cook, P/MX 56184, MPK
MCBROWN, Ralph S, Stoker 2c, P/KX 95854, MPK
MCDONALD, Albert, Boy 1c, P/JX 158570, MPK
MCGIBBON, Thomas H, Ordinary Seaman, RNVR, P/UD/X 1391, MPK
MCGREGOR, George D, Stoker 1c, P/KX 88050, MPK
MCGREGOR, Robert, Ordinary Seaman, P/SSX 26301, MPK
MCLAREN, William, Boy 1c, P/JX 158506, MPK
MCLENNAN, Alexander J, Stoker 1c, P/KX 84974, MPK
MCMILLAN, George A, Boy 1c, P/JX 159096, MPK
MCPHERSON, Charles J, Marine, PO/X 2218, MPK
MCTAGGART, Duncan, Ordinary Telegraphist, P/SSX 24564, MPK
MEADEN, Frederick E B, Chief Petty Officer Stoker, P/K 60273, MPK
MEDLEY, Bertie, Act/Leading Seaman, P/JX 135922, MPK
MELLOR, Sidney, Stoker 1c, P/KX 88438, MPK
MERIFIELD, William J, Able Seaman, P/SSX 19204, MPK
MIDDLETON, Andrew F C, Boy 1c, P/JX 157019, MPK
MILBORN, Philip, Boy 1c, P/JX 160588, MPK
MILES, Alfred W S, Boy 1c, P/JX 157754, MPK
MILES, Arthur, Ordinary Seaman, P/SSX 26941, MPK
MILES, Ewart H, Marine, PO/ 21396, MPK
MILES, Patrick, Boy 1c, P/JX 158631, MPK
MILFORD, Albert E, Able Seaman, RFR, P/J 108786, MPK
MILLER, Albert E, Boy 1c, P/JX 158589, MPK
MILLER, Joseph H, Able Seaman, P/SSX 18397, MPK
MILLIGAN, John J McI, Ordinary Seaman, P/SSX 26419, MPK
MILLIS, Ronald, Marine, PO/X 2873, MPK
MILLMORE, Francis, Petty Officer, P/J 102821, MPK
MILNES, Ronald W, Boy 1c, P/JX 158116, killed
MINNS, Frederick A, Boy 1c, P/JX 157931, MPK
MIRFIN, George D, Marine, PO/X 3091, MPK
MITCHELL, John H, Shipwright 2c, P/M 38662, MPK
MITCHELL, John S, Boy 1c, P/JX 154752, MPK
MOAR, James W, Stoker 2c, P/KX 95674, MPK
MOFFAT, James B, Marine, PO/X 3038, MPK
MOONEY, Paul, Cook, P/MX 56481, MPK
MOORE, Irving, Able Seaman, P/SSX 15878, MPK
MOORE, John E, Lieutenant, killed
MOORE, Leonard G, Marine, PO/ 20158, MPK
MOORE, William J, Chief Petty Officer, P/J 96299, MPK
MOREY, Francis J M, Leading Seaman, P/JX 132152, MPK
MORRIS, Charles H, Able Seaman, P/J 06035, MPK
MORRISON, James, Boy 1c, P/JX 157031, MPK
MORRISON, Joseph, Sergeant, PO/X 672, MPK
MORSE, David L G, Boy 1c, P/JX 154996, MPK
MOSES, Leonard D, Marine, PO/X 2758, MPK
MOSLEY, James H, Ordinary Seaman, P/JX 154557, MPK
MOULD, Reginald W, Able Seaman, P/J 96164, MPK
MOUNTAIN, Francis, Able Seaman, P/JX 140052, MPK
MOUNTFORD, Harry C L, Bugler, PO/X 2262, MPK
MOYLAN, Thomas, Able Seaman, P/J 94942, MPK
MULLEN, Thomas G, Ordnance Artificer 3c, P/MX 51028, MPK
MULLIN, Christopher T, Ordinary Seaman, P/SSX 27407, MPK
MUNRO, John, Ordinary Seaman, P/JX 157163, MPK
MURPHY, Peter, Signalman Boy, P/JX 155203, MPK
MURPHY, Thomas, Stoker 1c, P/KX 91411, MPK
MURRAY, William R, Stoker 2c, P/KX 95899, MPK
MUTLOW, Leslie C, Stoker 1c, P/KX 85555, MPK
MYERS, George E, Marine, PO/X 151, MPK
NAISBY, Thomas F, Leading Seaman, P/JX 131082, MPK
NEEDHAM, Eric, Ordinary Signalman, P/SSX 25069, MPK
NEWMAN, Walter H, Marine, PO/ 214643, MPK
NEWNHAM, Ernest E, Act/Leading Seaman, P/JX 126947, MPK
NEWNHAM, Keith G, Signalman, P/JX 144850, MPK
NEWSHAM, Harold, Boy 1c, P/JX 15933, MPK
NEWSOME, George, Marine, PO/X 2552, MPK
NIBLETT, Charles H, Marine, PO/X 1712, MPK
NICHOL, Gerald, Able Seaman, P/SSX 19330, MPK
NICHOLS, Arthur H, Shipwright 1c, P/M 35192, MPK
NICHOLSON, William D, Act/Petty Officer, P/JX 125169, MPK
NIXON, Harry, Stoker 2c, P/KX 95262, MPK
NUTTALL, Francis R M, Stoker 1c, P/KX 83842, MPK
O’BRIEN, Arthur E, Leading Seaman, P/J 89832, MPK
OFFER, Charles H, Able Seaman, P/JX 142039, MPK
OGDEN, Gordon R, Boy 1c, P/JX 159104, MPK
OSBORNE, Thomas G, Stoker 2c, P/KX 95901, MPK
O’SHEA, Michael, Canteen Assistant, NAAFI, MPK
OVERTON, John J, Ordinary Seaman, P/SSX 27548, MPK
OXLEY, George R, Act/Petty Officer, P/JX 128126, MPK
OXLEY, Harry, Able Seaman, P/SSX 21053, MPK
PAICE, Harold F, Colour Sergeant, PO/ 216276, MPK
PALFREYMAN, Joseph, Stoker 2c, P/KX 95850, MPK
PALMER, Charles J, Able Seaman, P/J 101960, MPK
PALMER, George J, Stoker 2c, P/KX 95678, MPK
PAPE, Eric W A S, Leading Supply Assistant, P/MX 55400, MPK
PARK, Albert A, Stoker 1c, P/K 59438, MPK
PARKER, Albert G, Able Seaman, P/JX 138168, MPK
PARKER, James, Marine, PO/X 294, MPK
PARKER, Ronald T, Marine, PO/X 1450, MPK
PARKINSON, George H, Chief Ordnance Artificer 1c, P/M 35427, MPK
PARR, William A, Stoker 2c, P/KX 95937, MPK
PARRISH, William H, Engine Room Artificer 4c, P/MX 51193, MPK
PARRY, George J, Able Seaman, P/SSX 19098, MPK
PARSONS, George E, Stoker 2c, P/KX 95858, MPK
PARTLETT, Edwin G, Marine, PO/X 847, MPK
PATCH, Denis G, Boy 1c, P/J 159119, MPK
PATERSON, Walter D, Able Seaman, P/SSX 20750, MPK
PATTERSON, Norman M, Midshipman, MPK
PAUL, Leslie W C, Stoker 2c, P/KX 95907, MPK
PEARSON, Alfred R, Ordinary Seaman, P/JX 151198, MPK
PENNEL, John A, Marine, PO/X 3117, MPK
PENNYCORD, John A, Leading Stoker, P/K 66257, MPK
PERCY, Kenneth B, Boy 1c, P/JX 157749, MPK
PERKINS, Ernest E G, Stoker 2c, P/KX 95857, MPK
PERKINS, Reginald J, Boy Telegraphist, P/JX 154704, MPK
PERRY, Dennis W, Boy 1c, P/JX 157775, MPK
PESCI, Emmanuel, Cook (O), E/LX 22099, MPK
PETERS, Edward R, Stoker Petty Officer, P/K 66790, MPK
PETERS, George, Boy 1c, P/JX 157762, MPK
PHELPS, Cyril E, Leading Telegraphist, D/J 114261, MPK
PHIPPS, Charles P, Ordinary Seaman, P/JX 155858, MPK
PICKARD, Sydney E, Steward, D/LX 21755, MPK
PIDDINGTON, Peter G, Midshipman, MPK
PIERSON, Albert J, Act/Leading Seaman, P/JX 139301, MPK
PIKE, Albert C, Marine, PO/X 1148, MPK
PILKINGTON, Harold, Act/Stoker Petty Officer, P/KX 76666, MPK
PINE, Bertie, Chief Petty Officer Writer, D/M 38954, MPK
PITKIN, Frederick, Leading Seaman, RNVR, P/LD/X 371, MPK
POLLARD, Geoffrey R, Ordinary Seaman, P/JX 154997, MPK
POLLARD, George C, Stoker 2c, P/KX 95936, MPK
POPE, George A, Petty Officer, P/JX 128921, MPK
PORTER, Ebenezer R, Ordinary Seaman, P/SSX 27298, MPK
PORTER, Henry W, Able Seaman, P/SSX 19615, MPK
PORTER, Jack S, Shipwright 4c, P/MX 54444, MPK
POTTER, Arthur, Boy 1c, P/JX 159658, MPK
POTTER, Stanley, Ordinary Seaman, P/SSX 27414, MPK
POTTLE, Robin V T, Boy Telegraphist, P/JX 153772, MPK
POULTER, Richard, Ordinary Signalman, P/JX 155715, MPK
POWELL, Arthur, Commissioned Gunner (T), MPK
POWELL, William D, Boy 1c, P/JX 158593, MPK
POWLES, William, Ordinary Seaman, P/SSX 26940, MPK
PRAGNELL, Stanley L, Marine, PO/X 3016, MPK
PRATT, Cyril, Ordinary Telegraphist, P/SSX 24525, MPK
PRESTON, Frederick H, Sergeant, PO/ 21824, MPK
PRIEST, William C, Act/Leading Seaman, P/J 96617, MPK
PRIESTLEY, Aubrey J, Bugler, PO/X 3072, MPK
PRINCE, Gerald A, Able Seaman, P/SSX 21148, MPK
PRYOR, Ronald A, Ordinary Seaman, P/SSX 30156, MPK
PUDDY, Robert G, Petty Officer, P/J 101385, MPK
PYE, Philip K, Stoker 2c, P/KX 96929, MPK
QUANTRELL, Oswald P, Stoker 1c, P/KX 89997, MPK
QUIGLEY, Archibald, Able Seaman, P/JX 132173, MPK
QUINN, Harold, Able Seaman, P/SSX 19042, MPK
QUINNEY, George, Marine, PO/X 153, MPK
RADFORD, Roy, Stoker 2c, P/KX 95270, MPK
RAINE, George H, Seaman, RNR, P/X 10792 B, MPK
RAMSAY, William D, Able Seaman, P/SSX 17948, MPK
RANN, Frank, Chief Petty Officer, P/J 100664, MPK
RAZEY, Arthur E, Able Seaman, P/JX 127189, MPK
READ, Reginald V, Stoker Petty Officer, P/K 60121, MPK
REED, William G F, Seaman, RNR, P/X 20506 A, MPK
REID, David, Marine, PO/ 21663, MPK
RESTELL, Albert E, Chief Ordnance Artificer 2c, P/M 36685, MPK
REYNOLDS, Donald A, Ordnance Artificer, P/SSX 26182, MPK
RICHARDS, William M, Stoker 2c, P/KX 95672, MPK
RIDSDALE, George H, Leading Stoker, P/KX 84011, MPK
RILEY, Joseph, Boy 1c, P/JX 158451, MPK
RITCHIE, Robert C, Seaman, RNR, P/X 20398, MPK
ROBBINS, Cecil F, Able Seaman, P/JX 157894, MPK
ROBERTS, Arthur, Chief Petty Officer Stoker, P/K 60785, MPK
ROBERTS, Frederick W, Able Seaman, P/SSX 20191, MPK
ROBERTS, Thomas O, Able Seaman, P/SSX 19617, MPK
ROBERTSON, Morris G, Boy 1c, P/JX 158089, MPK
ROBERTSON, Robert U, Able Seaman, P/SSX 17975, MPK
ROLLO, David, Able Seaman, P/SSX 16686, MPK
ROPER, Snelling D, Lieutenant Commander, MPK
ROSS, Gordon I McL, Able Seaman, P/J 37612, MPK
ROSS, Theodore W, Marine, PO/X 1687, MPK
ROUPELL, Michael P, Lieutenant (E), MPK
ROUSE, Peter, Boy 1c, P/JX 158024, MPK
ROWELL, Arthur W, Able Seaman, P/J 115538, killed
ROXBOROUGH, Thomas, Stoker Petty Officer, P/K 66591, MPK
ROYAL, William D, Engine Room Artificer 2c, P/M 39389, MPK
RUCK, Winston S, Cook, P/MX 51331, MPK
RUSSELL, William F E, Joiner 3c, P/MX 51551, MPK
RUSTELL, Stanley, Marine, PO/X 2727, MPK
RUTHERFORD, John J, Stoker 1c, P/KX 89430, MPK
RUTTER, William, Able Seaman, P/JX 139992, MPK
RYALL, Maurice G, Boy Signalman, P/JX 156282, MPK
RYAN, Michael J, Ordinary Seaman, P/SSX 30164, MPK
RYAN, William D, Stoker 1c, P/KX 85189, MPK
SALIBA, Lawrence, Steward, E/LX 20769, MPK
SANDFORD, Frederick W C, Marine, PO/ 22370, MPK
SANDHAM, Gordon M, Engine Room Artificer 4c, P/MX 54378, MPK
SAVAGE, Clarence H, Able Seaman, P/SSX 19352, MPK
SAVAGE, William J B, Boy 1c, P/JX 159095, MPK
SCARLET, Arthur, Ordinary Seaman, P/SSX 27277, MPK
SCHIAVONE, Emmanuel, Assistant Cook, E/LX 22979, MPK
SCHOFIELD, Ronald, Marine, PO/X 1560, MPK
SCOTT, William, Leading Stoker, P/KX 80944, MPK
SEARLE, John G, Able Seaman, P/JX 131202, MPK
SEATON, Ernest F, Boy 1c, P/JX 158880, MPK
SEELEY, Ernest J, Able Seaman, P/SSX 19529, killed
SENIOR, Frederick, Marine, PO/X 2827, MPK
SHARP, Ronald, Boy 1c, P/JX 158031, MPK
SHAW, Stephen, Act/Leading Seaman, P/JX 141569, MPK
SHEPHERD, George, Seaman, RNR, P/X 20406 A, MPK
SHEPPARD, Ernest W, Able Seaman, P/J 34385, MPK
SHERIFF, John G, Act/Petty Officer Telegraphist, P/JX 128543, MPK
SHORROCK, Kenneth W, Leading Seaman, P/JX 129839, MPK
SHORT, William, Officers’ Cook, E/L 5468, MPK
SIBLEY, Arthur, Stoker 2c, P/KX 95661, MPK
SIBLEY, Cyril, Stoker 1c, P/KX 86227, MPK
SIMMONS, John S, Boy 1c, P/JX 159502, MPK
SIMMONS, Oliver A J, Joiner 4c, P/MX 56735, MPK
SIMPSON, George R, Able Seaman, P/JX 140390, MPK
SIMPSON, John R, Act/Leading Seaman, P/JX 141579, MPK
SIMPSON, Richard H, Stoker 2c, P/KX 95852, MPK
SIMPSON, Stanley, Act/Leading Seaman, P/JX 133851, MPK
SINCLAIR, George W, Stoker 1c, P/KX 88487, MPK
SINCLAIR, William, Blacksmith 1c, P/MX 45546, MPK
SLADE, Stephen J, Petty Officer, P/JX 127212, MPK
SLAWSON, Walter, Ordinary Seaman, P/SSX 26105, MPK
SMALL, William, Chief Petty Officer Cook, P/M 38157, MPK
SMITH, Charles J, Able Seaman, P/J 50165, MPK
SMITH, David E, Ordinary Seaman, P/SSX 26920, MPK
SMITH, Donald H, Boy 1c, P/JX 156673, MPK
SMITH, George, Ordinary Seaman, P/JX 154847, MPK
SMITH, George W, Ordinary Seaman, P/SSX 29666, MPK
SMITH, Harold, Able Seaman, RFR, P/J 29524, MPK
SMITH, Harold, Electrical Artificer 1c, P/MX 56803, MPK
SMITH, James A, Boy 1c, P/JX 158761, MPK
SMITH, Robert, Able Seaman, P/SSX 15285, MPK
SNELLOCK, Ralph A, Boy 1c, P/JX 158388, MPK
SORLEY, James N, Stoker 2c, P/KX 95913, MPK
SPALDING, Robert F J, Boy 1c, P/JX 157875, MPK
SPARROW, Leslie P, Electrical Artificer 4c, P/MX 54961, MPK
SPELMAN, Dennis B T, Ordinary Seaman, P/SSX 27553, MPK
SPENCE, William G, Leading Signalman, P/JX 130049, MPK
SPENCER, Arthur K, Ordinary Seaman, P/SSX 25971, MPK
SPENCER, Cecil J, Boy 1c, P/JX 157889, MPK
SPENCER, Harry, Boy 1c, P/JX 158255, MPK
SPENCER, William H, Boy 1c, P/JX 157230, MPK
SPICER, Hugh H, Marine, PO/X 2976, MPK
SQUIRES, Leslie G, Leading Seaman, P/J 104906, MPK
STABLES, George, Able Seaman, P/SSX 20322, MPK
STANBRIDGE, Harry W, Sick Berth Attendant, P/MX 57010, MPK
STANDEN, George H, Boy 1c, P/JX 159110, MPK
STANLEY, Augustus G, Stoker 1c, P/KX 85657, MPK
STANLEY, Cyril J, Boy 1c, P/JX 158947, MPK
STANNARD, William E, Petty Officer, P/J 110914, MPK
STEELE, Cecil A, Marine, PO/X 2216, MPK
STEELE, Ronald F, Ordinary Seaman, P/JX 146409, MPK
STEMP, Norman H, Stoker 2c, P/KX 95855, MPK
STEPHENS, Henry, Ordinary Seaman, P/SSX 30167, MPK
STEPHENS, Mark W, Act/Cook, P/MX 56897, MPK
STEPHENSON, John G, Able Seaman, P/SSX 18433, MPK
STEVENS, Harold J, Chief Petty Officer, P/J 94527, MPK
STEVENSON, Edward J, Boy 1c, P/JX 158949, MPK
STEVENSON, John, Marine, PO/X 1654, MPK
STEWART, Donald C C, Writer, P/MX 58102, MPK
STEWART, Hugh, Instructor Lieutenant, MPK
STOKES, Henry J, Able Seaman, P/J 112767, MPK
STOKES, Joseph L, Stoker 1c, P/KX 89470, MPK
STONE, William F, Stoker Petty Officer, P/K 64962, killed
STRICKLEY, Harry F, Stoker 1c, P/KX 86345, MPK
SUMMERSBY, Frank, Stoker 1c, P/KX 87711, MPK
SUMNER, Percy, Chief Engine Room Artificer 2c, P/MX 59525, MPK
SUTHERLAND, Herbert J, Stoker 1c, P/KX 81907, MPK
TALBOT, Frederick G, Stoker 2c, P/KX 95688, MPK
TANNER, Benjamin C, Sergeant, PO/X 238, MPK
TARGETT, Thomas H, Ordinary Seaman, P/JX 157496, MPK
TAYLOR, Donald, Telegraphist, P/JX 145839, MPK
TAYLOR, Edmund G, Act/Stoker Petty Officer, P/KX 84538, MPK
TAYLOR, Reginald J, Act/Stoker Petty Officer, P/KX 84944, MPK
TAYLOR, Sidney, Able Seaman, P/SSX 21131, MPK
TAYLOR, William MacI, Ordinary Seaman, P/SSX 25616, MPK
TEE, James G, Petty Officer, P/JX 131118, MPK
TESTER, Charles A, Seaman, RNR, P/X 20598 A, MPK
THIRKELL, Ronald, Able Seaman, P/SSX 21283, MPK
THOMAS, Robert A, Marine, PO/X 1709, MPK
THOMPSON, Joseph, Able Seaman, P/SSX 24082, MPK
THOMPSON, Robert, Boy 1c, P/JX 158648, MPK
THOMPSON, Roland, Ordinary Seaman, P/SSX 27236, MPK
THOMSON, James, Boy 1c, P/JX 158996, MPK
THORNE, Leonard F, Boy 1c, P/JX 15791, MPK
THWAITES, Raymond W, Telegraphist, P/SSX 17545, MPK
TIDEY, Albert E, Seaman, RNR, P/X 21415 A, MPK
TIPLADY, Thomas, Stoker 1c, P/KX 90011, MPK
TODD, Gilbert, Ordinary Telegraphist, P/SSX 25723, MPK
TOUSE, John W, Able Seaman, P/J 104829, MPK
TOWNSEND, Terence H, Marine, PO/X 3049, MPK
TRAYFOOT, Albert G, Chief Electrical Artificer 2c, P/M 33204, MPK
TRELEAVEN, Cyril N E, Musician, RMB/X 687, MPK
TRENHOLM, Thomas W, Ordinary Seaman, P/SSX 25965, MPK
TREVETT, Edward M, Able Seaman, P/JX 152469, MPK
TRUSSLER, Leonard G, Stoker 2c, P/KX 95904, MPK
TUCK, Robert W, Able Seaman, P/J 78102, (aka Robert W Bell), MPK
TUCKWOOD, William S, Marine, PO/X 2247, MPK
TURNER, Sidney V, Stoker 2c, P/KX 96741, MPK
TUTTON, Roy E, Able Seaman, P/SSX 19630, MPK
USMAR, Harry W B, Petty Officer, P/J 74184, MPK
VASS, Bertie, Seaman, RNR, P/X 20051 A, MPK
VASS, David, Seaman, RNR, P/X 20058 A, MPK
VASS, Hugh, Seaman, RNR, P/X 6771 C, MPK
VASS, Hugh, Seaman, RNR, P/X 7361 C, MPK
VINE, James, Stoker 1c, P/KX 87119, MPK
WADSWORTH, Alfred H, Boy 1c, P/JX 158595, MPK
WAKEFIELD, Harry, Marine, PO/X 3201, MPK
WALKER, Cecil E, Boy 1c, P/JX 157882, MPK
WALKER, Donald, Ordinary Signalman, P/JX 154029, MPK
WALKER, Eric, Boy 1c, P/JX 158499, MPK
WALKER, Frederick, Leading Stoker, P/KX 75252, MPK
WALLACE, Andrew J, Act/Leading Seaman, P/JX 142260, MPK
WALTON, John H, Marine, PO/X 2023, MPK
WARD, George, Boy 1c, P/JX 158964, MPK
WARD, George, Petty Officer, P/JX 130440, MPK
WARD, Roy D, Act/Warrant Ordnance Officer, MPK
WARNER, Leonard J, Act/Shipwright 4c, P/MX 59316, MPK
WARRINER, Edward B, Leading Seaman, P/JX 129645, MPK
WATERFIELD, William A, Ordinary Seaman, P/SSX 29667, MPK
WATERMAN, Victor P, Marine, PO/X 3043, MPK
WATKINS, Stanley M, Ordinary Seaman, P/SSX 25962, MPK
WATSON, George, Ordinary Seaman, P/SSX 24091, MPK
WATSON, James, Stoker 1c, P/KX 89501, MPK
WATSON, Reginald H, Able Seaman, P/SSX 19981, MPK
WATSON, William, Leading Stoker, P/KX 82326, MPK
WATTS, Herbert C, Able Seaman, P/J 55400, MPK
WEATHERBURN, Stanley, Stoker 1c, P/KX 84088, MPK
WEBB, Dudley H, Boy 1c, P/JX 158895, MPK
WEBB, Richard S, Musician, RMB/X 842, MPK
WEBB, Stanley R, Musician, RMB/X 842, MPK
WELLER, Henry A, Stoker 1c, P/KX 94918, MPK
WEST, David, Seaman, RNR, P/X 9734 B, MPK
WESTBROOK, Patrick E, Marine, PO/X 2487, MPK
WESTELL, Sidney A, Stoker 1c, P/KX 86251, MPK
WESTERN, Raymond J, Boy 1c, P/JX 157755, MPK
WESTNUTT, Ernest, Able Seaman, P/SSX 21440, MPK
WHEELER, Edward, Able Seaman, P/J 60235, MPK
WHITE, Ernest, Boy 1c, P/JX 156470, MPK
WHITE, George, Leading Seaman, P/JX 152159, MPK
WHITE, Harold J W, Canteen Assistant, NAAFI, MPK
WHITE, James B, Ordinary Seaman, P/SSX 26031, MPK
WHITE, Joseph, Act/Leading Stoker, P/KX 79403, MPK
WHITE, William R, Ordinary Seaman, P/SSX 25964, MPK
WHITMORE, Eric, Able Seaman, P/JX 152710, MPK
WHITTAKER, Walter J, Marine, PO/X 367, MPK
WIGGINS, Leslie W, Act/Ordnance Artificer 4c, P/MX 55597, MPK
WILCOCK, Ellis A, Ordinary Telegraphist, P/JX 156336, MPK
WILKINS, Joseph P, Able Seaman, P/J 103298, MPK
WILKINSON, Joseph, Boy 1c, P/JX 158624, MPK
WILLARD, Leonard F, Boy 1c, P/JX 158998, MPK
WILLETER, John C, Marine, PO/X 3132, MPK
WILLIAMS, Cyril E, Boy 1c, P/JX 160593, MPK
WILLIAMS, Francis M, Act/Regulating Petty Officer, P/M 40137, MPK
WILLIAMS, George A, Able Seaman, P/SSX 16334, MPK
WILLIAMS, Jonah, Chief Petty Officer Stoker, P/K 56624, killed
WILLIAMS, Joseph, Boy 1c, P/JX 157723, MPK
WILMINGTON, Frederick H, Stoker 1c, P/KX 84259, MPK
WILMOT, David G, Ordinary Seaman, P/SSX 30166, MPK
WILSHAW, John T, Able Seaman, P/SSX 20377, MPK
WILSON, Arthur, Marine, PO/X 3282, MPK
WILSON, Arthur R, Boy 1c, P/JX 158594, MPK
WILSON, George R, Leading Seaman, P/J 105080, MPK
WILSON, Robert, Ordinary Seaman, P/SSX 26184, MPK
WILSON, Ronald V, Stoker 2c, P/KX 95922, MPK
WILSON, Stephen R M, Midshipman, MPK
WILTSHIRE, Edward G, Act/Leading Seaman, P/KX 84332, MPK
WOOD, Jack, Ordinary Seaman, P/JX 157026, MPK
WOOD, Reuben P, Stoker 1c, P/KX 89507, MPK
WOOD, Stanley, Boy 1c, P/JX 158960, MPK
WOOD, William J, Corporal, PO/X 1766, MPK
WOODCOCK, Albert G, Ordinary Seaman, P/SSX 25894, MPK
WOODFORD, George, Leading Stoker, P/K 65607, MPK
WOOLGAR, Denis R, Marine, PO/X 3047, MPK
WORMALD, James L, Able Seaman, P/J 73986, MPK
WREN, Victor G, Stoker 1c, P/K 50154, killed
WRIGHT, Frank E, Act/Leading Seaman, P/JX 145920, MPK
WRIGHT, William G, Ordinary Seaman, P/SSX 27430, MPK
XUEREB, John, Cook (O), E/LX 22100, MPK
YATES, John A, Boy 1c, P/JX 158149, MPK
ZAHRA, John, Steward, E/LX 20554, MPK

Life on one of the ‘Small Boys’

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Following up on our Warship Wednesday this week, which covered the Great War-era Admiralty Strath-class “battle trawler” HMT William Barnett (3632) and its later life as the French Navy’s auxiliary minesweeper Roche Noire during WWII, how about a great series of related period maritime art?

British portrait painter, landscape artist, and printmaker Francis Edgar Dodd, RA, turned 40 as the “lamps are going out all over Europe.”

Volunteering to serve as an Official War Artist during World War I, he spent some time at sea with the hired trawler HMT Mackenzie (Adty No 336) during the conflict.

One of more than 1,400 British trawlers taken up from trade— some dating back to 1880– Mackenzie was built in 1911 (Hull-reg H.349) and retained her original name while in naval service. A craft of some 335 tons, she was hired in August 1914 and would remain in RN service, armed with a single 6-pounder Hotchkiss gun, likely taken from an old torpedo boat or battleship fighting top.

Primarily serving as a minesweeper, Mackenzie was returned to her owner in 1919.

She was one of the lucky ones. Of the 1,456 hired trawlers used by the British during the war, 266 were lost during the conflict including no less than 142 to enemy action. They fought a war very much as real as those with the Grand Fleet at Jutland. 

Dodd captured the life on Mackenzie in great detail. You can almost smell the pipes’ smoke and coal dust. 

All of these pieces are from the Imperial War Museum Collection, which has some 80 of Dodd’s wartime pieces digitized and viewable online.

The After Cabin, HM Trawler Mackenzie (Art. IWM ART 904) image: four sailors sit around a large table, upon which are plates and cutlery, while behind are cabin windows; one sailor is seen full length, the others half body. Copyright: © IWM. Original Source: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/7556

A Cook in the Galley, HM Trawler Mackenzie (Art. IWM ART 896) image: three-quarter portrait of a man in overalls and cap, holding a mug in his left hand. He is sitting in a galley, with a large range, a pot, and a kettle on the left Copyright: © IWM. Original Source: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/7548

Cleaning the Gun, HM Trawler Mackenzie (Art. IWM ART 898) image: standing on the left a sailor, wearing a life jacket, is thrusting a pole into the breech of a deck gun, most of the mechanism of which is to the right. Rigging and a white ensign are visible behind the gun, and other ships are visible on the horizon. Copyright: © IWM. Original Source: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/7550

Cards in the Fo’c’s’le, HM Trawler Mackenzie (Art. IWM ART 931) image: below decks in a confined space, five sailors stand and sit around a table playing cards, while two others look on. Copyright: © IWM. Original Source: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/7584

The Engine Room, HM Trawler Mackenzie (Art. IWM ART 897) image: two men stand in an enclosed space surrounded by the heavy machinery of a ship’s engine room. The man to the right, wearing a cap, has his left hand on the engine-room telegraph apparatus, while the man to the left, with a pipe in his mouth, has his right leg up on a step. Copyright: © IWM. Original Source: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/7549

Forward from the Wheelhouse, HM Trawler Mackenzie: the figures are just about to slip the ‘kite’ used to sink the wire hawser to the required depths for sweeping (Art. IWM ART 905) image: a view of the bow, mast, and starboard forward deck of a ship at sea. Two figures are bending over equipment on the deck, while a third stands on a ladder resting over the side of the ship. Copyright: © IWM. Original Source: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/7557

The Stokehold, HM Trawler Mackenzie (Art. IWM ART 903) image: in a cramped enclosed space of metal plating and machinery, a stoker is bent over shoveling coal from a bunker into a boiler. Copyright: © IWM. Original Source: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/7555

Sweeps to Starboard: HMT Mackenzie (Art. IWM ART 909) image: in the foreground is a view over the side of a ship with minesweeping equipment deployed. Behind, a broad seascape with several other trawlers in the distance. Copyright: © IWM. Original Source: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/7562

The Wheelhouse, HM Trawler Mackenzie (Art. IWM ART 933) image: a view inside the wheelhouse of a ship, with two officers to the left and a sailor controlling the wheel, all in left profile. A binnacle is in the left foreground and another trawler is visible through the wheelhouse windows. Copyright: © IWM. Original Source: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/7586

FN Finally Making the ‘Baby SCAR’ in .300 Blackout

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The SCAR-SC. I mean, will you just look at it? How is this thing not in 150 different movies? (Photo: Chris Eger/Guns.com)

The FN 15P debuted at last year’s SHOT Show as an NFA-compliant ode to the SCAR SC, which is on the no-no list due to the Hughes Amendment (which for the record should be repealed, thanks, Ronnie). The semi-auto 5.56 chambered large format pistol is the smallest SCAR in production, going even shorter, at under 20 inches long, than the 21-to-25-inch SCAR SC.

Now, the pistol-length FN 15P is available in .300 BLK, a caliber that is much more ballistically suited to a platform with a 7.5-inch barrel.

Being fully aware that Blackout shines in suppressed platforms, FN has updated the 15P in .300 to include gas regulator settings for subsonic and supersonic ammunition, a .30-caliber flash hider, and a dedicated 30-round magazine optimized for the stubby cartridge’s geometry. Plus, replacement barrel assemblies are on the menu for those who have the 5.56 variant and want to swap out to the BLK. 

The FN SCAR 15P in .300 will be offered in both a tactical peanut butter (FDE) with black accents as well as good old-fashioned black on black.

More in my column at Guns.com.

First LPD 17 Flight II Hits the Water

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The future USS Harrisburg (LPD 30) was launched at Ingalls in Pascagoula on 4 October. This is important as, besides being the 14th of her class, she is the first San Antonio (LPD-17) Flight II class amphibious transport dock ship to float.

She will be the Navy’s second warship named after the Pennsylvania capital city, with the first, the former passenger liner SS City of Paris, serving as a 10,500-ton auxiliary cruiser during the SpanAm War that captured at least one Spanish merchantman and later served as a troop transport in the Great War.

There are a ton of improvements on the Flight II San Antonios, so much that they probably should be considered a new class. Keep in mind that LPD-17 entered the fleet 18 years ago, and some 200 significant evolutionary changes from that baseline are incorporated in LPD-30, including an advanced continuous 360-degree AN/SPY-6(V)2 Enterprise Air Surveillance Radar with 9 RMAs, essentially giving her the same sensor capability of a Ford-class CVN and outclassing the fits on Ticos and Flight I Burkes especially when it comes to anti-ship threats and air traffic control.

Ingalls currently has two Flight II LPDs under construction including Harrisburg (LPD 30) and Pittsburgh (LPD 31). Pre-construction activities are currently underway for the construction of Philadelphia (LPD 32), the 16th ship in the San Antonio class. Can you tell Pennsylvania is a battleground state?

Further, in case you missed it, the Pentagon te last month green-lit a massive $9.4 billion two-hit series of awards to Ingalls for three additional LPD-17 FIIs as well as an America class Flight I ship that will essentially be the replacement for the 2020 lost Bon Homme Richard.

For the record, emphasis mine.

Huntington Ingalls Inc., Pascagoula, Mississippi, is awarded a $5,798,767,376 fixed-price incentive (firm-target) contract for detail, design, and construction (DD&C) of three amphibious transport dock ships (LPD) Flight II (LPD 33, LPD 34, and LPD 35). Work will be performed in Pascagoula, Mississippi (79%); Crozet, Virginia (4%); Beloit, Wisconsin (2%); Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin (1%); Gulfport, Mississippi (1%); Peoria, Illinois (1%); Ayer, Massachusetts (1%)7; and other locations less than 1% (11%), and is expected to be completed by September 2035. Fiscal 2024 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funds in the amount of $449,000,000 (99%); and fiscal 2021 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funds in the amount of $1,000,000 (1%), will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured in accordance with 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1) and 10 U.S. Code 3204(a)(1) (only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements). Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity (N00024-24-C-2473).

Huntington Ingalls Inc., Pascagoula, Mississippi, is awarded a $3,673,365,244 fixed-price incentive (firm-target) modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-24-C-2467) to definitize the advance procurement of long lead time material procurement and procure the detail design and construction and special studies in support of one amphibious assault ship (general purpose) replacement America class Flight 1 ship. This contract modification includes options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $3,894,958,311. Work will be performed in Pascagoula, Mississippi (80%), Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin (3%), Brunswick, Georgia (2%); Beloit, Wisconsin (2%); Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (1%); King of Prussia, Pennsylvania (1%); Cincinnati, Ohio (1%); and other locations less than 1% (10%), and is expected to be completed by September 2033. If all options are exercised, work will continue through March 2035. Fiscal 2023 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funds in the amount of $115,000,000 (99%); and fiscal 2022 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funds in the amount of $203,039 (1%), will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity.

Meet Kimber’s New CDS9

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Alabama-based Kimber has doubled the capacity of its well-liked Micro 1911 platform with a new CDS9 line – and I got a sneak peek.

The 9mm Micro 1911 began to appear in 2016, taking a page from the company’s earlier Micro Covert in .380 ACP. Well-liked, hammer-fired, slim, and with a profile that made easy friends with those looking to EDC without printing, these Micro 9s have been well-reviewed.

However, as single-stacks, they were limited in capacity to six or seven rounds.

That’s where the new CDS9 series enters the game, and changes it.

Rebuilt from the frame up with a more modern design that retains what people liked about the old Micro 9s – slim and compact profile, all-metal, hammer-fired – but with more capacity and better ergonomics, the CDS9 looks very familiar.

Stacking a legacy single-stack Micro 9 against a new CDS9. Still slim and trim but with a seriously upgraded capacity. (All photos: Chris Ege)

Kimber’s new CDS9 will initially be offered in two optics-ready models with fully ambidextrous controls, differing from each other by way of a TFS package – an extended threaded barrel. Both have an aluminum alloy frame, stainless-steel slide with a direct-mount RMSc optic footprint, an accessory rail for lights or lasers, and options for double-stack magazines with 10, 13, or 15-round capacities.

Now that’s a handful

More in my column at Guns.com.

HM Submarine Trooper, Found

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HMS Trooper, circa 1943

The RN T-class submarine HMS Trooper (N91), under the command of Lt. John Somerton Wraith, DSO, DSC, RN, disappeared in the Aegean Sea with all 64 hands aboard around 6-9 October 1943 while on her 8th War Patrol.

While theories and claims of what may have happened to her included a run-in with a German Q-ship, last week it was announced that a Greek search team, led by Kostas Thoctarides, had located the wreck of the smashed submarine in 253 meters of water to the north of Donoussa Island.

The submarine was found to be broken in three sections in the position of one of the five known minefields (287 magnetic mines in total), which was laid on 26 September 1943 in this area by the German auxiliary minelayer Drache.

It appears Trooper was running on the surface when the mine detonated because the forward hydroplanes were found in their stowed position and several hatches were open.

And so we remember.

In Waters Deep– Eileen Mahoney

In ocean wastes no poppies blow,
No crosses stand in ordered row,
There young hearts sleep… beneath the wave…
The spirited, the good, the brave,
But stars a constant vigil keep,
For them who lie beneath the deep.
‘Tis true you cannot kneel in prayer
On certain spot and think. “He’s there.”
But you can to the ocean go…
See whitecaps marching row on row;
Know one for him will always ride…
In and out… with every tide.
And when your span of life is passed,
He’ll meet you at the “Captain’s Mast.”
And they who mourn on distant shore
For sailors who’ll come home no more,
Can dry their tears and pray for these
Who rest beneath the heaving seas…
For stars that shine and winds that blow
And whitecaps marching row on row.
And they can never lonely be
For when they lived… they chose the sea.

Giving birth to a Sikorsky

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80 years ago today. 10 October 1944. Somewhere in India. Helicopter Arrives.

“The fuselage of a helicopter is unloaded from a transport plane by men of the First Air Commando Group in India. The little ship was loaded aboard the big transport in the U.S. only a few days before.”

USAAF photo from the Allison collection, MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History.

While pioneered by the British and the U.S. Coast Guard in late 1943, the Tenth Air Force’s Air Jungle Rescue Detachment, using “the lightest pilots available” started flying early Sikorsky YR-4 helicopters in early 1944, with the first documented CSAR “skyhook” mission occurring n April when 2LT Carter Harman picked up the pilot of a downed L-1 liaison aircraft and three wounded British soldiers– over two days and four flights.

By the end of the war, the 1st ACG, constituted on 25 March 1944, had become perhaps the most experienced “chopper” unit of WWII. They operated four YR-4s “in-country” with two other aircraft destroyed en route.

Today, the USAF SOW commandos look to them as their historical predecessors. 

Warship Wednesday Oct. 9, 2024: A Cat with Several Lives

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Here at LSOZI, we take off every Wednesday for a look at the old steam/diesel navies of the 1833-1954 period and will profile a different ship each week. These ships have a life, a tale all their own, which sometimes takes them to the strangest places.- Christopher Eger

If you enjoy my always ad-free Warship Wednesday content, you can support it by buying me a cup of joe at https://buymeacoffee.com/lsozi

Warship Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024: A Cat with Several Lives

Photo by Eugène Robert Philippe Petiot/ECPAD/Défense

Above we see, some 85 years ago this week in October 1939, a bachi-clad fisherman-turned-sailor and his hard-bitten cat mascot, aboard the merchant marine trawler Roche Noire (Black Rock), requisitioned and armed by the French Navy in the early days of WWII to serve as an auxiliary minesweeper (dragueur de mines auxiliaire). Sadly both the fisherman and his cat are lost to history.

As for Roche Noire, it wasn’t even her first war.

The RN’s Battle Trawlers

When the early days of the Great War showed that the British, while rich in battleships and cruisers, were lacking in small coastal escorts and mine warfare craft, the Admiralty soon turned to trawlers.

Dozens were taken up from trade in Hull and other fishing ports, others were requestioned on the builder’s ways, and still others were purchased from overseas. e.g. the large fishing fleets maintained in Spain and Portugal. 

Trawlers on patrol at Halifax, CWM

By 1916, with the Royal Navy hungry for an ever larger number of such hardy coastwise vessels, and many fishing boat yards near idle, the Admiralty soon placed orders for what would be an amazing 609 armed trawlers by the end of the war– many of which wound up being canceled.

As detailed by “British Warships 1914-1919” by F J Dittmar & J J Colledge, the RN ordered “military class” trawlers to three “standard” (and yes, that needs to be quoted) designs, this would include the 156-strong Mersey class (665 tons full load,148 feet oal), some 280 of the Castle/TR class (550 tons, 134 foot oal) and 173 members of the Strath class (429 tons full, 123 feet oal).

Lord Talbot was one of the new Admiralty Mersey class of trawlers. All were capable of using an auxiliary sail rig as shown.

Using a simple coal-powered boiler with a single vertical triple expansion reciprocating engine generating between 480 and 600 ihp depending on class, these vessels had a top speed of around 10 knots.

A stoker tending fires in an armed trawler. IWM (Q 18996)

Crewed by 15 to 20 men/boys, they had allowances in their plans for hydrophones and wireless sets, although precious few carried either– with the extra berths used for such specialists needed to operate the gear.

Most had the very basic armament of a single deck gun, typically a 3″/40 QF 12-pounder 12 cwt salvaged from retired destroyers and torpedo boats, placed well forward, along with whatever small arms could be scrounged.

The crew of a British armed trawler, including a boy sailor, receiving gun instruction. Great War. IWM (Q 18974)

Sailors on board British Steam trawler HMT Strathearn firing her 12-pounder gun, Great War. IWM (Q 18965)

A few carried larger 4-inchers, while some had to make do with smaller 6-pounders. Occasionally they would carry a bomb thrower (early depth charge projector), and some had basic mechanical sweeping gear installed.

Small arms were as motley as the trawlers themselves. 

Naval Reservists at Rifle Drill on a quayside; fixing bayonets. The crew of a British armed trawler drilling on shore. Great War. Note that the rifles appear to be a curious mix of Canadian Ross rifles, German Mausers, and old Lee-Metfords! IWM (Q 18972)

Same as above. You have to love the Martini-Henry cartridge cases. IWM (Q 18973)

The Straths were the smallest of the three designs. Compact little steam trawlers.

Ordered from a mix of 13 yards starting in February 1917, the most prolific of these builders would be the Scottish firm of Hall, Russell & Co Ltd, in Aberdeen, who had 66 under contract.

With so many different yards going all at once, the design inevitably changed from yard to yard and sometimes even from hull to hull, while the Admiralty itself contributed to the chaos by ordering minor “non-standard” changes of their own.

Delivery of the first standard Strath, HMT George Borthwick, occurred in August 1917.

With so many warships in need of names, these armed trawlers (His Majesty’s Trawler, or HMT) were bestowed the names drawn from the official crew rosters of ships at Trafalgar in 1805, with the Straths, in particular, coming from members of the crew of HMS Royal Sovereign and of Nelson’s HMS Victory.

Meet HMT William Barnett

Roche Noire entered the world in December 1917, constructed over four months at Hall, Russell (as Yard No. 622)  as a more or less standardized Strath-class armed trawler with a T3cyl (12, 20, 34 x 23in) engine constructed by the Dominion Bridge Co of Montreal.

Our subject as built was christened with the name of Petty Officer (Gunner’s Mate/Gunsmith) William Barnett, 31, of Scotland, who appeared on HMS Victory’s list of the 820 men who were awarded prize money and a Government Grant for enemy ships destroyed or captured during Trafalgar.

Digging deeper into Barnett’s service, he was born in Glasgow and volunteered for service in 1803 on the 64-gun HMS Utrecht as a Landsman before his transfer to Nelson’s flagship– where he would serve through Trafalgar. He would go on to serve on HMS Gelykheid, Zealand, Ocean, Salvador Del Mundo, Milford, and Prince Frederick, advancing to the rate of Armourer’s Mate, leaving the service in 1814.

Any gunner who sailed for more than a decade against Bonaparte deserves a ship named in his honor!

HMT William Barnett’s Admiralty Number was 3632.

Great War

Sadly, I could find no details of HMT William Barnett’s Great War service. Suffice it to say she almost assuredly spent 11 months across 1918 in a mix of dodging U-boats, escorting coastal traffic, searching for those lost at sea, guarding anti-torpedo/submarine nets at anchorages, and training young ratings.

Of her class, one member, HMT Thomas Collard (3686), was sunk in March 1918 by the German submarine SM U-19 while escorting the armed merchant cruiser HMS Calgarian North of Rathlin Island. Her crew survived.

Some deployed as far as the Adriatic and Aden.

Another classmate, HMT James Fennell (3753) would be wrecked at Blacknor Point, Portland.

Royal Navy armed trawlers in Dover harbor. IWM (Q 18226)

Eight early Straths (HMT Charles Blight, Peter Barrington, Joshua Budget, Richard Bowden, John Britton, Thomas Billincole, James Bashford, and Michael Brion) were loaned to the U.S. Navy during the war for patrol/mine work, specifically in laying and later taking up the Great North Sea Mine Barrage. The Americans would dispose of them in 1919.

British armed trawlers minesweeping in the North Sea. IWM (Q 18987)

Post-war, 23 Straths that were still under construction were canceled in 1919 while another 45 others that were sufficiently complete were finished to mercantile standards (unarmed) and sold as trawlers.

The 94 surviving members of the class in RN service were, following the dismantling of the North Sea Barrage, paid off slowly between 1919 and 1926– including Barnett— and, disarmed, were disposed of on the commercial market.

River Kelvin. Built 1919 for Scott & Sons Bowling Glasgow as Strath Class Trawler HMT George Lane. 05/1923 Acquired by Consolidated Steam Fishing & Ice Co Grimsby renamed River Kelvin. 09/1927 Registered to Consolidated Fisheries Ltd. 12/1938 Transferred to Lowestoft renamed Loddon registered LT 309. 1958 Sold to Craigwood Ltd Aberdeen. Photo via Deepseatrawlers.co.uk

Peacetime: Gone Fishing

Sold to Val Trawlers of London in 1919, Barnett became what she was designed to be from the outset– a commercial fishing boat. Named Valerie IV (sometimes seen as Valerie W), she would continue on this service out of Hull and Milford until October 1924.

Moving across the Channel, her registry soon changed to Soc. Nouvelle des Pecheries a Vapeur (New Steam Fisheries Co), in Arcachon along the Bay of Biscay just southwest of Bordeaux. With the name of Valerie IV no doubt needing a more Gallic upgrade, she became Roche Noire (ARC 3918).

In 1934, SNPV went belly up and its assets were liquidated by Credit de l’Quest. This left Roche Noire to be scooped up for a bargain price by Saint-Nazaire Penhoët Shipyards and Workshops, and operated by Nouvelle société de gestion maritime (New Maritime Management Company) out of Bordeaux (radio call sign TKED).

War! (Again)

With so many retired Straths floating around (pun intended) in 1939, it was a foregone conclusion several wound return to martial service.

Three ex-HMTs– William Hallett, James Lenham, and Isaac Harris— which had been sold on the commercial market in 1921, were taken back up by the RN in 1939– with Harris lost in December.

Three Straths in Australian waters, ex-HMTs William Fall, Samuel Benbow, and William Ivey; were taken up by the RAN as coastal minesweepers.

HMAS Samuel Benbow was in Sydney Harbour during the Japanese midget submarine attack in 1942. RAN image

Ex-HMTs William Bentley and Thomas Currell became Kiwi mine vessels in the RNZN.

Strath class HMT Thomas Currell as RNZN minesweeper during World War II

Meanwhile, in France, our William Barnett/Valarie IV/Roche Noire was requestioned by the French Navy in August 1939– even before the beginning of the war– and given hull number AD 355. Armed with a single elderly 75mm Schneider modèle 1897, she was to serve as an auxiliary minesweeper.

In October, during the doldrums of the “Phony War,” she was visited at Brest by photographer Eugène Robert Philippe Petiot who captured an amazing series of images of the (re)armed Admiralty trawler and her laid-back crew, now in the ECPAD archives.

Chalutier dragueur de mines auxiliaire Roche Noire, Oct. 1939, Brest, by Eugène Robert Philippe Petiot/ECPAD

Chalutier dragueur de mines auxiliaire Roche Noire, Oct. 1939, Brest, by Eugène Robert Philippe Petiot/ECPAD

Chalutier dragueur de mines auxiliaire Roche Noire, Oct. 1939, Brest, by Eugène Robert Philippe Petiot/ECPAD

Chalutier dragueur de mines auxiliaire Roche Noire, Oct. 1939, Brest, by Eugène Robert Philippe Petiot/ECPAD

Note her recently installed 75mm Schneider modèle 1897. Chalutier dragueur de mines auxiliaire Roche Noire, Oct. 1939, Brest, by Eugène Robert Philippe Petiot/ECPAD

Note the mix of uniforms and civilian attire, augmented with bachi caps. Chalutier dragueur de mines auxiliaire Roche Noire, Oct. 1939, Brest, by Eugène Robert Philippe Petiot/ECPAD

Dressing salted cod. Again, the only “uniform” item on many is the bachi. Chalutier dragueur de mines auxiliaire Roche Noire, Oct. 1939, Brest, by Eugène Robert Philippe Petiot/ECPAD

Raidoman is at work. Among the “war installations” for the trawler was a radio set and searchlight. Other than that, she was all 1918. Chalutier dragueur de mines auxiliaire Roche Noire, Oct. 1939, Brest, by Eugène Robert Philippe Petiot/ECPAD

Note her searchlight. Chalutier dragueur de mines auxiliaire Roche Noire, Oct. 1939, Brest, by Eugène Robert Philippe Petiot/ECPAD

Commanded by a Petty Officer. Chalutier dragueur de mines auxiliaire Roche Noire, Oct. 1939, Brest, by Eugène Robert Philippe Petiot/ECPAD

Who may have come from the retired list. Chalutier dragueur de mines auxiliaire Roche Noire, Oct. 1939, Brest, by Eugène Robert Philippe Petiot/ECPAD

Sadly, our humble Roche Noire was caught up in the fall of France in June 1940 and got the short end of the stick.

Two weeks after the “Miracle of Dunkirk” and just three days before the Armistice that brought about the Vichy regime, all ships fit to go to sea in Brest were ordered to either make for England or French colonies in Africa, ultimately carrying some 80,000 Commonwealth, Free Polish, and French troops with them.

The last ships to leave on the night of 18/19 June included the incomplete battleship Richelieu (bound for Dakar with just 250 shells and 48 powder charges for her main battery) and a flotilla under RADM Jean-Emmanuel Cadart composed of the five liners and cargo ships transporting 16,201 boxes and bags of gold– carried from Fort de Portzic by garbage trucks– escorted by the destroyers Milan and Épervier as well as the auxiliary cruiser Victor Schœlcher, bound for Casablanca.

Unable to sail, the torpedo boat Cyclone, patrol boat Étourdi the non-functional submarines Agosta, Achille, Ouessant, and Pasteur, the condemned tanker Dordogne, the auxiliary minelayer Alexis de Tocqueville, avisos Aisne, Oise, Laffaux, and Lunéville; the old armored cruisers Waldeck-Rousseau, Montcalm, and Gueydon; and a host of net-laying vessels, tugs, and assorted cargo ships were scuttled. They were joined by the armed trawlers Mouette, Trouville, Roche Noire, and Flamant.

Many of the crews of the scuttled ships made it out with RADM Cadart’s gold-carrying flotilla, so Roch Noire’s fishermen may likely have gone on to further adventures in North Africa and Senegal. 

The port facilities were likewise sabotaged, with 800 tons of gasoline and assorted ammunition stocks blown up.

Joachim Lemelsen’s 5th Panzer Division entered Brest on the 19th, and the Germans found little of immediate use, with the fires reportedly taking several days to die down.

Bundesarchiv Bild 101II-MW-5683-29A, Brest, June 1940

The strategic port would go on to endure 1,553 days of occupation and a 43-day siege before the Germans surrendered in September 1944.

And, Back to Fishing

Immediately after taking control of Brest in 1940, Kriegsmarine VADM Eberhard “Hans” Kinzel would inspect the facility to see what was salvageable.

In his report, he would note:

The auxiliary minelayer Alexis de Tocqueville, the auxiliary patrol boat Mouette, and the auxiliary sweepers Roche Noire, and Flamant are recoverable, but the three latter are of little interest to the Kriegsmarine and could be returned to the Government of Herr Laval to ensure supplies for the population.

Shortly after, Roche Noire was raised and, after a stint in Vichy use, was removed from the French naval rolls in November 1941. She was allowed to return to fishing.

Post-war, she continued to harvest her stocks from the deep for over a decade.

In 1957, she was sold across the Channel again, returning home to be added to the inventory of Wood & Davidson – J. Wood, Aberdeen. That year she was listed in Lloyds as FV Shandwick.

Eventually, all things come to an end, and our little trawler, which served in both wars, was finally broken up in 1964.

Epilogue

Little remains of the hardy Strath-class armed trawlers, save for a few wrecks and scattered relics. 

Some models are available.

The City of Aberdeen, where many Straths were completed, maintains several models, photos, and records of these otherwise forgotten trawlers.

German VADM Kinzel, who moved to resurrect our little trawler at Brest in 1940, survived the war only to take his own life in June 1945 near Flensburg.

And, while the Admiralty hasn’t elected to recycle the names of the old Strath class, Armourer’s Mate William Barnett included, HMS Victory, currently under a “Big Repair,” endures at Portsmouth’s Historic Dockyard.

Ships are more than steel
and wood
And heart of burning coal,
For those who sail upon
them know
That some ships have a
soul.

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Canada’s Answer

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110 Years Ago. October 1914. RN LCDR Norman Wilkinson‘s depiction of the sailing of Canada’s First Contingent of troops, the Canadian Expeditionary Force, over 31,000 strong, from Canada to England to fight the Germans.

Beaverbrook Collection of War Art Canadian War Museum, Ottawa, 19710261-0791

“After taking soldiers, horses, and equipment on board in Quebec City, the liners carrying the First Contingent formed up with British warships in Bay of Gaspé, Quebec, before leaving for England. Along the way, they were joined by another liner carrying soldiers from Newfoundland and by several other warships, including one of the Royal Navy’s largest battlecruisers, the 26,000-ton HMS Princess Royal, seen here in the foreground.”

The force, including the whole of the 1st Canadian Division and supporting units, comprised 1,547 officers; 29,070 men; 7,679 horses; 70 guns (QF 18-pounders), 110 motor vehicles, 705 horsed-pulled vehicles, and 82 bicycles. They were the first tranche of what would be more than 650,000 Canucks sent “Over There.” To put those numbers into perspective, Canada in 1914 had a population of just 8 million. The current Canadian Army is authorized at just 22,500 active personnel (and is 13 percent short of those numbers), drawn from a population of some 39 million. 

The flotilla of 31 merchantmen was protected by seven battleships and cruisers under convoy commander RADM Robert Phipps-Hornby CMG, Commanding North America and West Indies Station, with his flag in the old 14,000-ton Canopus class battlewagon HMS Glory. Several flotillas of destroyers would join once the convoy was nearing the sea area of maximum U-boat threat southwest of Ireland.

As for the artist. Wilkinson achieved fame for inventing the dazzle-painting technique, a form of camouflage applied to a ship’s hull to make it more difficult to detect.

In his April 1917 proposal to the British War Office, he described it as “large patches of strong colour in a carefully thought out pattern and colour scheme.

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