This Job's for the Birds: Tower of London's New Ravenmaster

From the March 5, 2024, Chicago Tribune "A job that's really for the birds" by Jill Lawless, AP.

If an ancient prophesy is correct, then Michael "Barney" Chandler has the most important job in England.  The 56-year-old former Royal Marine is the new ravenmaster at the Tower of London.  It is his new job to be responsible for looking after the feathered protectors of the 1,000-year-old fortress.

According to legend, if the ravens leave the 11th century fortress beside the River Thames, its White Tower will crumble and the Kingdom of England will fall.

In the 17th century, King Charles II was told of the prophesy and decreed that there must always be six ravens at the tower.

--DaCoot

Wreck of First U.S. Destroyer Lost to Enemy Action Found: The USS Jacob Jones

From the August 19, 2022, Chicago Tribune "WW I Navy destroyer."

The wreck of the first U.S. Navy destroyer lost to enemy action has been found off the coast of southwest England, 105 years after it was sunk by a German submarine.

A team of British divers announced the find on Facebook last week saying it was thrilled to have located the World War I ship, the USS Jacob Jones, about sixty nautical miles south of Newlyn, a fishing harbor in Cornwall.

More than a century ago, in 1917, after the United States entered World War I against Germany, the Jacob Jones left Boston for Ireland, whetre it performed rescue operations, picking up survivors from British steamships that had been hit by German submarines and escorting convoys through dangerous waters.

On December 6, 1917, the Jacob Jones left Brest, France, for Queenstown, Ireland, according to U.S. Naval records.  About 20 miles off the coast of southern England, a German submarine torpedoed the Jones.  There were seven officers and 103 crew members aboard the ship.  Eight minutes later, the ship sank, and 64 men  lost their lives.

--Cooter

Titanic Survivor Adolphe Saalfeld-- Part 3: The Aftermath

"No one in our boat knew how many lifeboats were on the Titanic but ... there was ample time for saving every soul on board had their been sufficient boats....  

"The Captain and Officers  of the Carpathia did all  that was possible to make  us comfortable and to those that were sick or injured, they gave their tenderest care.  The icebergs were huge and the weather extremely  rough on the voyage to New York."

Afterwards, Saalfeld returned to his wife in England.  But as a male survivor of the disaster he found himself ostracized by  society and  his family reported that  he never slept properly again, often calling on his chauffeur to drive him around empty  midnight streets before he drifted off.

He died  in Kew, Surrey on June  5, 1926, at age 61.  He was still chairman of the firm, which continued to do business until 1954.    His estate was settled  on July 16, 1926, and his assets were worth 46,902 pounds.  Burial was at Golders Green Jewish  Cemetery in Barnet,  London.

--Cooter

Titanic Survivor Adolphe Saalfeld-- Part 1: British Subject, Born in Germany

From Encyclopedia Titanica.

Back in April and early this month, I was writing about what they ate and drank on the Titanic on that first and last voyage it made across the Atlantic.  The article I used gave the name of "Popcorn Dan" Coxon and Adolphe Saalfeld.

He was born in Oranienbaum, Anholt, Germany, to Jewish parents  around 1865.  Trained as a chemist, he came to Britain in the  mid-1880s and became a naturalized citizen in July 1896, living in Clarence Lodge, Victoria Park, Manchester.  By 1901, he was described in the census as a chemical merchant and still living in Manchester.

A self-made  businessman, Adolphe was chairman of the  chemists and distillers at  Sparks, White & Co. and oversaw  his line  of concentrated perfume fragrances and fine oils for distribution and sales.

Saalfeld boarded the Titanic at Southampton as a first-class passenger (ticket #19988 which cost30 pounds, 10 shillings.  He was traveling with samples of his perfume products with the intention of opening up a new outlet for his floral fragrances in America.

--Cooter

Daniel Coxon, 'Popcorn Dan', Titanic Victim-- Part 2: Lost His Life

It is believed that Daniel Coxon had returned to England one time earlier, but he returned to his home land  aboard the SS New York on 22  December 1911, traveling  in third class  aboard the same steamer that almost collided with the Titanic in Southampton docks four months later.  

Whilst in England, he lived at  38 Rockford, Kentish Town, London, presumably the address of one of his siblings.  Reportedly delaying his return to the U.S. so he could board the new steamer Titanic, he boarded the vessel at Southampton as a  third class passenger (ticker number 364500 which cost 7 pounds, 5 shillings).

Mr. Coxon lost his life in the disaster and his body, if recovered, was never identified.

--Cooter

Daniel Coxon 'Popcorn Dan', Titanic Victim-- Part 1

From the Encyclopedia Titanica.

He was born in St. Prancas, Middlesex, England, on  27 August 1853 and married twice, with his first wife dying and had eight children with his second one.  His family was listed as living at Kentish Town in Middlesex from 1871 to 1891, but he did not live with them, having moved to Canada sometime in the early 1870s before finally ending up in Merrill, Wisconsin (according to family sources).

Mr. Coxon never married in his new home and was listed as a laborer in the 1900 census.  By the time of the 1910 census, he was listed as a  street popcorn vendor.

Contemporary news sources listed him as a "cripple" and was well-known in his community as  "Popcorn Dan."

--Cooter

Five Famous Shipwrecks Waiting to Be Discovered-- Part 2: Griffon, Endurance and Bon Homme Richard

From the April 30 History Mysterious History.

3.  THE GRIFFIN

The first sailing ship on the Great Lakes.  The Griffin (or Le was a three-masted vessel built by French explorer LaSalle during his exploration of the lakes.  It disappeared in 1679.  It is considered the "Holy Grail of the Great Lakes" shipwrecks.

4.  SHACKLETON'S ENDURANCE

In 1914, Ernest Shackleton set sail for his expedition to Antarctica and the South Pole.  But the Endurance got caught in the ice and had its hull cracked.  Shackleton and the crew escaped by making an 800 mile voyage in a lifeboat, but the whereabouts of his Endurance are not known.

5.  BON HOMME RICHARD

A French donation to the American cause under command of John Paul Jones.  In 1779, it captured 16 British vessels off the coast of England.  On September 23 it fought the British frigate HMS Serapis.  Jones had not yet begun to fight and won, but the Bon Homme Richard sank and no one has been able to find it.

--Cootship

Six WW II Innovations That Changed Everyday Life-- Part 2: Jet Engines and Blood Plasma Tranfusion

3.  JET ENGINES

Frank Whittle, an English engineer with the Royal Air Force filed the first patent for a het engine in 1930, but the first country to fly a jet engine plane was Germany, which performed a test flight of its model on August 27, 1939.

The first Allied plane to use jet technology  took flight on May 15, 1941.  Though they didn't have much of an impact on the war, but jet engines later would transform both military and civilian transportation.

**************************

4.  BLOOD PLASMA TRANSFUSION

During the war, an American  surgeon named Charles Drew standardized the production of blood plasma for medical use.

Unlike blood,  plasma can be given to anyone regardless of a person's blood type, making it easier to administer on the battlefield.

--Cooter

The Speedwell-- Part 5: Leaks Are Upon Us

The Mayflower and Speedwell began their voyage to the New World from Southampton on 5 August 1620, but the Speedwell again began taking on water, and again the two ships had to put into harbor for Speedwell repairs.  This time at Dartmouth.

By now, it was getting very late to attempt am Atlantic crossing as winter was fast approaching.  Much better to start a new colony in the spring or summer to give the colonist a chance to prepare for winter.  The Speedwell's leaking problem was putting the whole expedition into jeopardy.

Repairs were made and a third attempt by the two ships was made.  The Speedwell did its usual leaking and a return to Dartmouth.  This time the decision was made to get rid of the Speedwell.  Some of its passengers transferred to the Mayflowers and the rest stayed in England.

Now, the severely overcrowded Mayflower was to set off again on September 6, 1620.

Winter's A'Coming.  --Cooter

The Speedwell-- Part 4: A Veteran of the War Against Spain and the Spanish Armada

From Wikipedia.

The Speedwell was a 60 ton pinnace that was, along with the Mayflower, supposed to transport the Pilgrims to America.  A vessel of the same name and size had traveled to America 17 years before the Pilgrims as the flagship of the first expedition of Martin Pring.

It was built in 1577, under the name Swiftsure, as part of English preparations for war with Spain and participated in the fight against the Spanish Armada.  During the Earl of Essex's 1596 Azores expedition and served as the ship of his second in command, Sir Gelli Meyrick.  After the war with Spain ended, she was decommissioned in 1605, and renamed the Speedwell.

Captain Blossom, a Leiden, Netherlands Separatist, bought the Speedwell in July 1620.  They then sailed to Southampton under the command of a Captain Reynolds.  There, they met a second ship named the Mayflower,  which had been chartered by merchant investors (again, Captain Blossom).

The Speedwell was already leaking badly at this time.

The two ships lay at anchor in Southampton for almost two weeks while the Speedwell was being repaired.   The group had to sell some of their supplies and food to cover costs and port fees.

--Cooter

The Other Pilgrim Ship, the Speedwell-- Part 2: 'Leakie As a Sieve' and Likely to 'Sunke Right Downe"

The group from Leiden, Netherlands, the Pilgrims,  remained apart from the others, staying on the smaller of the two ships, the Speedwell.

Finally, on August 5, 1820, the two ships left Southampton to cross the Atlantic and find their colony.  The Speedwell followed in the Mayflower's wake.

It didn't take long for everyone to realize that the Speedwell was not up to the task before it.  The ship proved to be as "leakie as a sieve."  The captains of the two ships conferred and decided it best for the ships to set in for repairs at Dartmouth, England, just 75 miles from where they had started.

Robert Cushman, on board the Speedwell declared that if the ship had "stayed at sea but three or four hours more, she would have sunke right downe."

Work on the Speedwell began as the travelers fretted over the loss of time.  By August 17, the repairs were finished, but winds kept the two ships at Dartmouth.  There was fear that already too much of the food taken along to get them to their destination had already been eaten.

Finally, they were able to sail, but after just a short time, the Speedwell began leaking badly again.  The ships returned to Plymouth and it was decided to abandon the Speedwell.

Many of the Speedwell's colonists were put aboard the Mayflower, exasperating already crowded conditions.

So Much for the Speedwell.  --CootWell

What Was the Speedwell?-- Part 1

From "Mayflower: Birth of America."

The Separatists (Pilgrims) were actually supposed to journey to America in two ships, the Mayflower and the Speedwell.  So, what happened to the Speedwell. Why is it not well-known, like the Mayflower?

The Pilgrims in Leiden, Netherlands had purchased their own ship to make the voyage.  It was named the Speedwell.  Just 50-feet long, it was considered safe enough  to make the dangerous voyage across the Atlantic.

They also hired a captain for it.  Sadly, both the ship and captain proved untrustworthy.

The Pilgrims left the Netherlands and sailed to the English port of Southampton tom meet up with another ship that was hired by the London investors in the proposed colony.  From there, they were to sail across the Atlantic.

That other ship was the Mayflower, under the command of Christopher Jones.

So, What Happened to the Speedwell?  Why Has It been Overlooked in History?  --CootAtist

Five Things You May Not Know About the Pilgrims-- Part 2: Not Plymouth, England, Been There, Done That, and Tolerance

3.  THE PILGRIMS DIDN'T NAME THEIR COLONY AFTER PLYMOUTH, ENGLAND.

The site had actually been named that before the Pilgrims had arrived and had already been shown as such on maps (with some variations of spelling such as Plimoth).

It is sheer coincidence that the Pilgrims had originally sailed from Plymouth, England.

4.  SOME OF THE MAYFLOWER'S PASSENGERS HAD BEEN TO AMERICA BEFORE.

Several of the crew had already been there.  One man, Stephen Hopkins, had already tried to settle in the New World at Jamestown ten years earlier, but his ship wrecked off the coast of  Bermuda, stranding him before his eventual return to England.

William Shakespeare admitted that he had based his play "The Tempest" on this story and had even named one of its characters, Stephano, after Stephen Hopkins, who was once one of his neighbors as well.

5.  THE PILGRIMS WERE RELATIVELY TOLERANT OF OTHER RELIGIONS.

They were strict on their interpretation of religion but did not attempt to convert others.  They did not observe Christmas, but allowed others to take the day off.  They allowed men who were not of their faith to hold public office.

Gosh, I Didn't Know Some of This Stuff.  --Cooter

400 Years Ago, This Mayflower Ship Arrived-- Part 1: Going to the New World

I saw one of those neat collector book/magazines in the local Jewel about the Mayflower and Pilgrims and then remembered those cancel culture folks want this gone because of what happened to the Indians afterwards.  I don't much like cancel culture folk anyway, so instead of burning it or protesting out in front of the store, I bought it.

I like these magazines and have been amassing a whole bunch of them.  They are generally just 100 pages long, with lots and lots of pictures, so it doesn't take too long to go through one.  These are the new coffee table books of this age I guess.

Sadly, the price of them keeps going up every year.  Now one will cost you between $13 and $15.

Anyway, since this year and month marks the 400th anniversary of the Pilgrim arrival in the New World, I will be writing segments of the "Mayflower: Birth of America" book/magazine for the rest of the month.

The book magazine started off with a Pilgrim Timeline.

***************************************

1620

SEPTEMBER 6--  The Mayflower departs from Southampton, England

NOVEMBER 9--  The Mayflower's passengers spot Cape Cod, considerably north of their intended Hudson River.

NOVEMBER 11--  The Mayflower rounds the tip of Cape Cod, drops anchor near present-day Provincetown, Massachusetts and the Mayflower Compact is signed.  The people spend the next few weeks exploring Cape Cod.

DECEMBER 16--  The Mayflower arrives at Plymouth Harbor

A Bit Late in the Year to Be Starting a Colony in My Books.  --CootPil

In Case You're Wondering About the Submarine at the Top of This Blog

From Wikipedia.

This is the German submarine SM U-118, one of 329 submarines Germany had during World War I.

It was commissioned in May 1918.  During the war, it sank two Allied ships.  With the surrender of the German Imperial Navy later that year, the SM U-118 was transferred to Fraallience and was to be broken up.  As it was being towed through the English Channel to Scapa Flow a storm was encountered and the towing hawser broke and the ship ran aground at Hastings in Sussex, England.

Attempts to get her off or destroy her failed.  The ship then became a popular tourist attraction.  definitely something you don't see that often on a beach.  Tours were made of the interior.

It was broken up between October and December 1919.  Part of the keel may still be buried in the beach.

Anyone Have a Shovel?  --Cooter

Five Lies About Early American History You Might Have Learned in School

From the Literacy Site by Allison Stout.

1.  CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS DISCOVERED  THE AMERICAS.

2.  THE ENTIRE THANKSGIVING STORY  There is a 4:30 minute video for you to watch.

3.  THERE WERE 13 ORIGINAL COLONIES--    There were only 12 because Delaware was a part of Pennsylvania until 1776.  Delaware may not have been a colony, it was the first state to ratify the U.S. Constitution (hence the nickname "The First State).

4.  THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE WAS ADDRESSED TO KING GEORGE III.  It was actually an explanation to the world and England that the colonies had to cut ties with England.  And, John Hancock did not sign his name really big so that King George III could read it without his glasses.    He just had an obnoxiously big signature.

5.  THE UNION FOUGHT THE CIVIL WAR TO FREE THE SLAVES.  Lincoln actually wanted to preserve the Union at first and to keep the border states happy.  Abolishing slavery would not go over big in these slave states.

It wasn't until later in the war that the goal began to shift toward freeing the slaves.

--Cooter

The Belangiga Bells-- Part 4: Talking About the Cannon Which Was Also Taken

In 1979 it was discovered that the small bronze cannon that was also taken from in front of the church had been cast in  London in 1557 and bore the monogram of Mary I of England.  So, it is a 400-year-old Falcon cannon.  It is located at Fort Warren.

OK, so then what was a Falcon cannon?  A new one to me.

From Wikipedia.

A Falconet, or Falcon, cannon was a light artillery piece developed in the late 15th century.  The barrel would be around four feet long and it used a half pound charge of black powder to fire a one pound round shot 5000 feet.

--Cooter

USCG Cutter Tampa-- Part 4: Convoy Duty Between Gibraltar and England

The Tampa was then ordered to duty overseas.  On September 29, 1917, the Tampa departed New York in the company of the USS Paducah, USS Hubbard and five French-manned, American-made submarine chasers in tow., reaching Gibraltar  27 October.

War service for the Tampa lasted just eleven months. where she protected convoys from U-boats from Gibraltar to the southern coast of England.  Between  27 October and 31 July 1918,  eighteen convoys were escorted with two ships lost.

--Cooter

English Privateer Lord Clive Found-- Part 1

From the May 10, 2015, NDTV  "After 252 Years, English Warship To be Recovered Off Uruguay."

The Lord Clive was sunk by the Spanish in 1763 and discovered off Uruguay by Ruben Collado in 2004.

It was announced Friday, May 8, that he had received permission from the government of Uruguay to bring up the remains of the 60-gun privateer from off the coast of Colonia del Sacramento.

It was sunk by gunfire from the Spanish while the English and Portuguese bombarded the city during the Seven years War.  Some 270 died aboard the Lord Clive.  The Spanish were able to hold on to the city, but it was later returned to Portugal under the Treaty of 1763.

The Lord Clive was reported to have been carrying a lot of gold as well as barrels of mercury and rum.

--CootClive

Without a Trace: The Lost Colony, "Croatoan"

From the Feb. 2017 Our State magazine, North Carolina.

In April 1587, more than 30 years before the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock, explorer John White and about 120 men, women and children set sail from England to establish England's first permanent settlement in what became America.

They were the first whites to come here and joined thousands of Indians already living here for centuries.  They had intended to land in the Chesapeake Bay area, but got dropped off on Roanoke Island and soon became some of North Carolina's most famous residents: the Lost Colony

After living at the island for six weeks, White left the colony for England to get supplies and reinforcements.  he had delays in returning.

--Cooter