Monday, May 31, 2021
Puget Sound 1911.
USS Pennsylvania (ACR-4) and USS Charleston (C-22) are moored side by side at Puget Sound Navy Yard in 1911.
Three Iowa's.
Three Iowa-class battleships in reserve. From left to right - USS Wisconsin (BB-64), USS New Jersey (BB-62), USS Iowa (BB-61). The fourth sister - USS Missouri (BB-63) undergoing repairs at that time. 1977.
Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 1.
SNMCMG1 Minehunters rafted up with flagship BNS Godetia.
Germany FGS Sulzbach-Rosenberg
United Kingdom HMS Pembroke
Netherlands HNLMS Zierikzee
Belgium BNS Crocus
Estonia EML Ugandi
Friday, May 28, 2021
Balao class submarines.
In formation on 18 April 1966. The boats seen are: USS BLENNY (SS-324), USS CLAMAGORE (SS-343), USS COBBLER (SS-344), and USS CORPORAL (SS-346).
The submarine USS Clamagore (SS-343), a Balao-class 311-foot “fleet boat” of the type that crushed the Japanese merchant fleet during WWII, commissioned on 28 June 1945– just narrowly too late for the war. However, her Naval service was rich, being converted to a GUPPY II snorkel boat in 1947 and later GUPPY III in 1962– one of only a handful to get the latter upgrade.
Decommissioned in 1973, the boat was still in pretty good shape when she was donated at age 36 to become a museum ship at Patriot’s Point, South Carolina where she has been since 1981, near the WWII carrier USS Yorktown.
HMS Hermes going south.
Royal Marines line up for a weapons check in the hanger of HMS Hermes in the South Atlantic on their way to the Falklands in 1982. Note the hangar crammed full of Harriers and the big Sea Kings on a deck above.
HMS Fox wheelhouse.
Wheelhouse shot of the Astraea-class 2nd class protected cruiser, HMS Fox, likely around the early 1900s, with her wheels covered in battle honor from the 14 previous Royal Navy vessels that carried the name. A slight ship, she had stamina and would range the globe, pushing up rivers in Africa, fighting pirates, surviving ice floes, storming Dervish forts, duking it out with Germans, sparking Arab revolts, and mixing it up with Bolsheviks across her career.
Wednesday, May 26, 2021
OnThisDay 1982.
Type 42 Destroyer HMS COVENTRY is lost during action with Argentine Aircraft in which several bombs hit. 19 sailors died, most of which were in the Operations Room and Dining Hall areas where bombs hit.
Navy Commissions Littoral Combat Ship USS Mobile.
The Navy commissioned its newest Independence Class littoral combat ship USS Mobile (LCS 26) during a ceremony in Mobile, Alabama, May 22.
Due to COVID-19 limitations, 400 guests attended the socially distanced ceremony for the littoral combat ship named in honor of the city in which it was built.Mobile will homeport in San Diego with sister ships USS Independence (LCS 2), USS Coronado (LCS 4), USS Jackson (LCS 6), USS Montgomery (LCS 8) , USS Gabrielle Giffords (LCS 10), USS Omaha (LCS 12), USS Manchester (LCS 14), USS Tulsa (LCS 16), USS Charleston (LCS 18), USS Cincinnati (LCS 20), USS Kansas City (LCS 22), and USS Oakland (LCS 24).
The LCS is a fast, agile, mission-focused platform designed to operate in near-shore environments while capable of open-ocean tasking. The LCS can support forward presence, maritime security, sea control, and deterrence.
USS Bremerton SSN 698.
A decommissioning ceremony was held for Los Angeles-class fast attack submarine USS Bremerton (SSN 698), after 40 years of service during a ceremony May 18, 2021, at the U.S. Naval Undersea Museum in Keyport, Washington.
The ceremony was hosted by Submarine Group Nine, with Capt. Richard Massie, commodore, Submarine Squadron Nineteen, serving as the presiding officer.
While in-person attendance was limited to ensure COVID protocols were observed, the event was live streamed on multiple Submarine Group Nine social media channels. A group of former crew members gathered at a local submariner hangout in downtown Bremerton to watch the ceremony and exchange sea stories.
The guest speaker for the ceremony was retired Captain Thomas Anderson, Bremerton’s first commanding officer, who took the ship on its maiden deployment and commanded the vessel 1981-1982. Anderson was invited to ride aboard Bremerton as it made its final voyage from Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, to PSNS & IMF for decommissioning, inactivation, and eventual recycling.
“There were about 1,600 dedicated, professional submariners who made it happen,” said Anderson, referring to the 40 years of service Bremerton provided to the U.S. Navy and the nation. “There was also the support of many others all along the line, including the submarine bases and shipyards, all who helped make that time period possible.”
“I’d like to thank Capt. (Christopher) Lindberg (current and final commanding officer of Bremerton) and his crew for taking care of the old gal in her final days,” Anderson said. “Despite the challenges of COVID, they’ve made this occasion special. In the spirit of 698, they figured out how to do it well, in true ‘Bad Fish’ tradition. They are the last to care for and know the secrets and the stories of this special submarine.”
The ceremony was held outside of the PSNS & IMF controlled industrial area to allow former crew members, families and supporters the opportunity to bid the submarine farewell. The crew will be signed over to PSNS & IMF in a ceremony at PSNS & IMF May 21.
“From the keel laying on May 8, 1976, commissioning of March 28, 1981, to this decommissioning ceremony, it has been an eventful 45 years,” said Lindberg. “We do not have time at this moment to scratch the surface of all the stories and memories of those who have served aboard her, the 1,600. We are here today to honor all those stories. Having talked to the alumni and organizers, and meeting with some of the plank owners who have come here to wish her farewell, I know Bremerton is ‘The American Classic.’ It really is impressive how much they all learned together, and the bonds that the prior shipmates have.”
“I too would like to thank the final crew,” Lindberg said. “They stood the watch during the final push to reach this day. They came to Bremerton knowing they’d be completing the decommissioning. They were given a schedule that would change from week to week, and sometimes day to day. Through it all, they have stood the watch. They have drained all the fluids, depressurized all systems, secured all electrical power, and most importantly, have emptied all the lockers after 40 years. They have finished the job.”
Bremerton departed Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, April 20, 2018, on its way to Bremerton, Washington, where it began the inactivation and decommissioning process. Bremerton entered Dry Dock 1 at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard & Intermediate Maintenance Facility Oct. 14, 2020, to continue its inactivation process.
Bremerton is the second U.S. Navy ship to bear the name. The first USS Bremerton (CA 130) was a heavy cruiser commissioned near the end of World War II. She was named after the winning city resulting from a war bond drive contest between the workers at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and rival Mare Island Naval Shipyard in Vallejo, California.
USS Bremerton (SSN 698) was commissioned on March 28, 1981, and is named after the city of Bremerton, Washington. The tenth ship of the Los Angeles-class nuclear powered attack submarine, much of Bremerton’s activities remain under wraps.
It’s most high-profile mission was to assist local, state and federal officials with the disposal of the commercial tanker, New Carissa. The vessel had been spilling oil since it was shipwrecked near Coos Bay, Oregon, Feb. 4, 1999, and posed a danger to the environment. Once the unified command completed work in preparation for the ship’s disposal, Bremerton stepped in to fire one MK-48 advanced capability torpedo to sink New Carissa March 11, 1999.
Tuesday, May 25, 2021
WWII.
Force H comprised of HMS Renown, HMS Ark Royal and HMS Sheffield at sea. All three would take part in the hunt for the Bismarck.
Change of command ceremony being held on the pier head at Trumbo Annex, U.S. Naval Station, Key West, Florida. 1950's.
U.S. Naval Station, Key West, Florida. On the left are USS Huse (DE 145) with USS Snowden (DE
246) behind her. On the right are USS Howard D. Crow (DE 252) with USS Greenwood (DE 679) tied behind.
Monday, May 24, 2021
USS Ronald Reagn bak at sea.
The U.S. Navy’s only forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) and its strike group departed Fleet Activities Yokosuka, May 19, to support security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
During this routine at-sea period, Ronald Reagan, its strike group ships and the embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5 are expected to work with allies and partners, promote adherence to a rules-based international order, as well as maintain presence and flexibility to meet the needs of the U.S. Department of Defense.
Ronald Reagan successfully completed sea trials in preparation for deployment on May 13.
Type 31 Frigate Names Announced.
Five names to rally and inspire sailors and Royal Marines now and for the future have been selected for Britain’s next generation of frigates.
Britain’s senior sailor First Sea Lord Admiral Tony Radakin today announced the names of the Type 31 frigates – which will now be known as the Inspiration class.
Approved by Her Majesty The Queen, HMS Active, Bulldog, Campbeltown, Formidable and Venturer draw their names from warships and submarines whose deeds and missions are intended to reflect and inspire current and future Royal Navy operations.
Each name has been selected to represent key themes and operations which will dominate and shape the global mission of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines: carrier operations (Formidable); operational advantage in the North Atlantic (Bulldog); forward deployment of ships around the globe to protect UK interests (Active); technology and innovation (Venturer); and the Future Commando Force (Campbeltown).
The names of the five future frigates were revealed at the First Sea Lord’s Seapower conference held in Arundel House.
“I welcome the announcement of the names of the Inspiration-class. Each of the names has been chosen for evoking those values we strive for: cutting-edge technology, audacity and global operations,” Admiral Radakin said.
“They represent the best of Britain’s world-class shipbuilding heritage and will fly the flag for decades to come.”
Admiral Radakin told conference delegates that the new class was at the heart of a new era of maritime renaissance – as heralded by this year’s defense review – which recognized the importance of defense, the Royal Navy and the maritime realm to the prosperity of the nation.
This “maritime resurgence” has brought with it a rebirth of Britain’s shipbuilding industry to provide modernized forces – but the government expects “increased presence” as a result, embodied by the global missions of the Inspiration class.
The Type 31s replace five general-purpose Type 23 frigates which have served the Royal Navy with distinction since the early 1990s.
All five Inspiration-class vessels will be assembled at the Babcock yard in Rosyth, where a new construction hall is nearing completion.
The first steel is due to be cut on the ships this summer and all five are due to be in service by 2028, operating alongside Type 26 or City-class frigates which will be dedicated submarine hunters and will replace the equivalent specialist Type 23s.
HMS Queen Elizabeth Set Sails For Her Maiden Operational Deployment – CSG21.
Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth yesterday set sail as the flagship of Carrier Strike Group 21 (CSG21) from Portsmouth naval base in the twilight. As part of CSG21, the aircraft carrier's maiden deployment, the task group will visit 40 nations including India, Japan, Republic of Korea and Singapore in a deployment covering 26,000 nautical miles.
The group will also join up and take part in exercises with French carrier FS Charles De Gaulle in the Mediterranean as well as navies and aircraft from allies such as the US, Canada, Denmark, Greece, Israel, Italy, Japan and the UAE.
While in the Pacific, ships from the Carrier Strike Group will mark the 50th anniversary of the Five Powers Defence Arrangements between Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand and the UK by taking part in Exercise Bersama Lima.
Dutch frigate HNLMS Evertsen and American Arleigh Burke destroyer USS The Sullivans are also part of the strike group.
Sunday, May 23, 2021
OnThisDay 1982.
Type 21 Frigate HMS ANTELOPE is damaged by Argentine Skyhawks in San Carlos Water.The attack killed 1 sailor and left 2 unexploded bombs, one of which detonated the following day killing the Royal Engineer EoD technician attempting to make it safe.
Saturday, May 22, 2021
World War II North Atlantic convoy duty - S.S. COULMORE.
At 01.04 hours on 10 March 1943, U-229 fired a torpedo at convoy SC-121 south of Reykjavik, followed by a spread of two torpedoes at 01.05 hours and reported two ships sunk and another damaged. In fact, the torpedoes sank Nailsea Court and damaged Coulmore.
The Coulmore (Master Charles Brain Ashford) was abandoned by the crew after a torpedo hit in peak tanks on the port side, but one lifeboat was swept away empty and another swamped, drowning the occupants. Two survivors were picked up by HMCS Dauphin (K 157) (T/Lt M.H. Wallace, RCNR) and five more by USCGC Bibb (WPG 31), which located the abandoned vessel the next morning in 58°30N/19°31W. Tugs were sent out to salvage Coulmore and she was towed to the Clyde, arrving on 23 March. The ship was repaired and returned to service in July 1943.
Friday, May 21, 2021
HMS Dorsetshire, prior to her destruction by Japanese dive bombers 1942. She and her sister ship HMS Cornwall sank within 10 minutes of each other. Dorsetshire by 17 bombs and Corwall by 11, in about 20 minutes. Just 2 of 8 British warships lost between 5th and 9th April. The other losses were the carrier HMS Hermes, HMS Tenedos HMS Hector, HMS Atherstone, HMS Hollyhock and the Australian destroyer HMAS Vampire.
Thursday, May 20, 2021
The Russian Navy Udaloy-class destroyer RFS Admiral Panteleyev (BPK 548) arrives at Joint Base Pearl Harbour-Hickam to participate in the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise 2012. Twenty-two nations, 42 ships, six submarines, more than 200 aircraft and 25,000 personnel will participate in the biennial RIMPAC from June 29 to Aug. 3, in and around the Hawaiian Islands. The world’s largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity that helps participants foster and sustain the cooperative relationships that are critical to ensuring the safety of sea-lanes and security on the world’s oceans. RIMPAC 2012 is the 23rd exercise in the series that began in 1971.
Tuesday, May 18, 2021
Monday, May 17, 2021
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