Showing posts with label WW II Submarines. Show all posts
Showing posts with label WW II Submarines. Show all posts
Thursday, February 13, 2020
Deaths: Charles Sanna-- Part 4: Parents Were Italian Immigrants, Served in WW II
Charles Albert Sanna was born in Philadelphia on Nov. 9,1917. Both parents were Italian immigrants. His father came to the U.S. at age 13 and later managed a dairy company in Philadelphia, and ice cream company in Washington and a gelatin operation in Chicago.
The family eventually settled in Madison, Wisconsin where Charles graduated high school and attended the University of Wisconsin and received a degree in mechanical engineering in 1939. He joined the Navy two years later and rose through the ranks to become a superintendent of submarine construction at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Maine.
While there, he met Margaret "Peggy" McGee and they married in 1946.
After WW II, Sanna's father convinced him to join the family dairy business, then known as Sanna Dairy Engineers. This proved crucial to the company as he designed a 60-foot-tall stainless steel dryer in Menominee that powdered milk and died eggs.
Even though his postwar career was mostly involved with dairy, he never forgot the men who served on his submarines during the war. I'll write about that in my Tattooed On Your Soul: World War II blog later today.
--Cooter
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Hazards Bubble Up from Old Wrecks-- Part 5: Off Maryland and Delaware
Along with a photo of the W.L. Steed, there was a map of the waters off the Mid-Atlantic states showing some wreck sites that pose a risk.
VANRANGER-- Tanker carrying 12,700 tons of fuel oil torpedoed in 1942.
INDIA ARROW-- Tanker carrying 88,369 barrels of diesel fuel torpedoed in 1942.
JOHN MORGAN-- Collided with another vessel on its maiden voyage in 1943.
W.L. STEED-- Tanker carrying 66,000 barrels of crude oil torpedoed in 1941.
MARINE ELECTRIC-- Sank in 1983 with 3,600 barrels of fuel oil in its bunkers.
If any of these ships sank today, no doubt oil speculators would rush out to buy oil causing us regular folk to have to immediately pay higher at the pump.
Watch Out for the U-Boats! --DaCoot
VANRANGER-- Tanker carrying 12,700 tons of fuel oil torpedoed in 1942.
INDIA ARROW-- Tanker carrying 88,369 barrels of diesel fuel torpedoed in 1942.
JOHN MORGAN-- Collided with another vessel on its maiden voyage in 1943.
W.L. STEED-- Tanker carrying 66,000 barrels of crude oil torpedoed in 1941.
MARINE ELECTRIC-- Sank in 1983 with 3,600 barrels of fuel oil in its bunkers.
If any of these ships sank today, no doubt oil speculators would rush out to buy oil causing us regular folk to have to immediately pay higher at the pump.
Watch Out for the U-Boats! --DaCoot
Thursday, October 27, 2011
The Dutch Navy in World War II
Since I really didn't even know there was a Dutch Navy in the war, I went to good old Wikipedia and did some more research.
After the fall of the Netherlands to German forces, the Royal Netherlands Navy had headquarters in London. Their duties consisted primarily of escorting troop transports at Dunkirk and D-Day as well as convoy duty in the North Atlantic.
During the war, the Dutch navy suffered heavy losses, especially in operations against the Japanese in the colony of the Dutch East Indies and the Battle of Java Sea.
Dutch Naval forces in Asia were virtually annihilated during Japanese operations against the Dutch East Indies in February and March 1942. During that time, the Dutch lost twenty ships (including their only two light cruisers) and 2500 killed.
The submarine K XVI which was just found, was sunk near Borneo on Christmas Day 1941.
During the early days of World War II, Dutch submarines sank more Japanese ships than the entire British and US navies together, earning Dutch Admiral Conrad Helfrich the nickname "Ship-A-Day Helfrich."
So, There Was a Dutch Navy in World War II. --Cooter
After the fall of the Netherlands to German forces, the Royal Netherlands Navy had headquarters in London. Their duties consisted primarily of escorting troop transports at Dunkirk and D-Day as well as convoy duty in the North Atlantic.
During the war, the Dutch navy suffered heavy losses, especially in operations against the Japanese in the colony of the Dutch East Indies and the Battle of Java Sea.
Dutch Naval forces in Asia were virtually annihilated during Japanese operations against the Dutch East Indies in February and March 1942. During that time, the Dutch lost twenty ships (including their only two light cruisers) and 2500 killed.
The submarine K XVI which was just found, was sunk near Borneo on Christmas Day 1941.
During the early days of World War II, Dutch submarines sank more Japanese ships than the entire British and US navies together, earning Dutch Admiral Conrad Helfrich the nickname "Ship-A-Day Helfrich."
So, There Was a Dutch Navy in World War II. --Cooter
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Dutch World War II Submarine Found Off Borneo
From the October 26th Borneo Post.
And, I didn't even know the Netherlands had submarines during the war.
Sports divers found the wreck of the HR. MS. KXVI, missing since Christmas Day 1941 with a crew of 36, after receiving a tip from a local fisherman.
The 1,000 ton submarine was part of an Allied fleet tasked with stopping the Japanese invasion of what was then called the Dutch East Indies. It had torpedoes the Japanese submarine hunter Sagiri the day before and sunk itself Dec. 25th by a Japanese submarine.
That brings to six the number of Dutch subs sunk during the war that have now been found. Only one, the HR. MS. 0 13, remains, sunk somewhere in the North Sea.
A Little Known Aspect of the War. --Cooter
And, I didn't even know the Netherlands had submarines during the war.
Sports divers found the wreck of the HR. MS. KXVI, missing since Christmas Day 1941 with a crew of 36, after receiving a tip from a local fisherman.
The 1,000 ton submarine was part of an Allied fleet tasked with stopping the Japanese invasion of what was then called the Dutch East Indies. It had torpedoes the Japanese submarine hunter Sagiri the day before and sunk itself Dec. 25th by a Japanese submarine.
That brings to six the number of Dutch subs sunk during the war that have now been found. Only one, the HR. MS. 0 13, remains, sunk somewhere in the North Sea.
A Little Known Aspect of the War. --Cooter
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Fate of Two German U-boats
The two German submarines that were so successful in the fall of 1942 in Canadian waters, did not survive the war, however.
U-518
The U-518 was sunk by the destroyer escorts USS Carter and USS Neal A. Scott 22 April1945, after sinking a total of nine ships and damaging three others. The St. Lawrence sinkings came on its first war patrol where it sank four and damaged two ships.
There were no survivors.
U-513
This submarine was sunk off the coast of Brazil 19 July 1943, by depth charges dropped from a US plane. It was found this past summer, July 14, 2011. there are still the wrecks of ten other U-boats located in the waters off Brazil.
During its career, it sank six ships and damaged two others. There were seven survivors of its crew of 53.
A Hard Service. --Cooter
U-518
The U-518 was sunk by the destroyer escorts USS Carter and USS Neal A. Scott 22 April1945, after sinking a total of nine ships and damaging three others. The St. Lawrence sinkings came on its first war patrol where it sank four and damaged two ships.
There were no survivors.
U-513
This submarine was sunk off the coast of Brazil 19 July 1943, by depth charges dropped from a US plane. It was found this past summer, July 14, 2011. there are still the wrecks of ten other U-boats located in the waters off Brazil.
During its career, it sank six ships and damaged two others. There were seven survivors of its crew of 53.
A Hard Service. --Cooter
Thursday, October 20, 2011
US Submarine Grouper-- Part 2
THIRD PATROL 12 Nov to 31 Dec.. Sank the Bandoeny Maru, a troopship.
FOURTH TO EIGHTH PATROLS-- Rescued an aviator and landed 50 men and supplies on New Britain for guerrilla warfare. At the end of the 8th, went back to US for overhaul.
NINTH PATROL 24June1944 sank Kumanoyama Maru. The final three patrols could find no targets and the Grouper returned to pearl harbor where it was on VJ Day.
From 1950-1957, the Grouper served as the Navy's "first hunter-killer" submarine for sub vs. sub warfare. From 1958 to 1962, it became a research vessel. Further service was from 1964 to 1968 and the ship was sold for scrap in 1970.
Quite an Interesting Story. --DaCoot
FOURTH TO EIGHTH PATROLS-- Rescued an aviator and landed 50 men and supplies on New Britain for guerrilla warfare. At the end of the 8th, went back to US for overhaul.
NINTH PATROL 24June1944 sank Kumanoyama Maru. The final three patrols could find no targets and the Grouper returned to pearl harbor where it was on VJ Day.
From 1950-1957, the Grouper served as the Navy's "first hunter-killer" submarine for sub vs. sub warfare. From 1958 to 1962, it became a research vessel. Further service was from 1964 to 1968 and the ship was sold for scrap in 1970.
Quite an Interesting Story. --DaCoot
US Submarine Grouper-- Part 1
Back on September 23rd, I wrote about Californian Bill Prigmore's World War II service aboard the submarine Grouper.
i did a little Wikipedia on the subject.
USS GROUPER SS-214
Gato-class submarine launched by the Electric Boat Company of Groton, Connecticut, 27October 1941 and commissioned 12Feb42.
Sailed to Pearl harbor and was on the submarine screen at the Battle of Midway in 1942 where it was strafed by fighters and driven deep by a series of aircraft and destroyer attacks. It is estimated that over 170 depth charges dropped on the ship.
On June 5th, the ship was forced to crash dive to avoid heavy bombers.
Afterwards, the Grouper put into Midway for three days.
On June 12th, went on FIRST WAR PATROL and torpedoed two Japanese marus (civilian ships)
The SECONF PATROL began 28 Augues and lasted until 9October. Sank two freighters, the Tone Maru September 21st and the Lisbon Maru Oct. 1st. The latter vessel was the one carrying Allied prisoners where more than 800 died.
More to Come. --Cooter
i did a little Wikipedia on the subject.
USS GROUPER SS-214
Gato-class submarine launched by the Electric Boat Company of Groton, Connecticut, 27October 1941 and commissioned 12Feb42.
Sailed to Pearl harbor and was on the submarine screen at the Battle of Midway in 1942 where it was strafed by fighters and driven deep by a series of aircraft and destroyer attacks. It is estimated that over 170 depth charges dropped on the ship.
On June 5th, the ship was forced to crash dive to avoid heavy bombers.
Afterwards, the Grouper put into Midway for three days.
On June 12th, went on FIRST WAR PATROL and torpedoed two Japanese marus (civilian ships)
The SECONF PATROL began 28 Augues and lasted until 9October. Sank two freighters, the Tone Maru September 21st and the Lisbon Maru Oct. 1st. The latter vessel was the one carrying Allied prisoners where more than 800 died.
More to Come. --Cooter
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
UK's Last World War II Submarine to Be Preserved
From the November Portsmouth (UK) News.
Well, technically, the ship did not fight in the war. I would have rather seen this to be one that had actually seen action.
Seven million pounds have been earmarked to preserve Britain's last remaining submarine from World War II. This will be the biggest restoration on the HMS Alliance since the 1960s and will include new mechanical and electrical plants as well as a new dry dock.
The ship is in desperate need of repairs.
New stairs will be built at the bow along with a new viewing platform and pontoons.
The submarine will remain open during the work.
According to Wikipedia, the Alliance was launched in 1945 and not completed until 1947 and today serves as a Royal navy Submarine Museum at Gosport in Hampshire.
Never Heard of This Old Ship. --Cooter
Well, technically, the ship did not fight in the war. I would have rather seen this to be one that had actually seen action.
Seven million pounds have been earmarked to preserve Britain's last remaining submarine from World War II. This will be the biggest restoration on the HMS Alliance since the 1960s and will include new mechanical and electrical plants as well as a new dry dock.
The ship is in desperate need of repairs.
New stairs will be built at the bow along with a new viewing platform and pontoons.
The submarine will remain open during the work.
According to Wikipedia, the Alliance was launched in 1945 and not completed until 1947 and today serves as a Royal navy Submarine Museum at Gosport in Hampshire.
Never Heard of This Old Ship. --Cooter
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
World War II Submarines at Wisconsin Maritime Museum-- Part 2
Continued from May 27th entry. From the Feb. 19, 2006 Chicago Tribune.
The museum will now take care of the blueprints. And this is no small collection, weighing in at 1,200 pounds with 3,000 items including drawings called linens ranging from large-scale down to prints of nuts and bolts.
During the war, one set of plans was at the Manitowac Shipbuilding Co. with backups at the Rahr Malting Plant in case the shipyard was attacked. All prints were designed by the Electric Boat co. in Groton, Connecticut.
Once completed at Manitowoc, the submarines were placed on barges and eventually sent down the Mississippi River before out to battle.
That must have involved going through Chicago and the Illinois River at some point, so that would have been something to see, a submarine going down the river on a barge.
As of 2006, the prints were stored off site until funds could be obtained for proper display and storage. The originals won't be available to the general public, but a person can get a copy to peruse.
Looks like a trip to Manitowoc should be planned. And there is an actual World War II submarine at the museum.
Just Some More Homefront Stuff That People Don't Much Remember Anymore. --Cooter
The museum will now take care of the blueprints. And this is no small collection, weighing in at 1,200 pounds with 3,000 items including drawings called linens ranging from large-scale down to prints of nuts and bolts.
During the war, one set of plans was at the Manitowac Shipbuilding Co. with backups at the Rahr Malting Plant in case the shipyard was attacked. All prints were designed by the Electric Boat co. in Groton, Connecticut.
Once completed at Manitowoc, the submarines were placed on barges and eventually sent down the Mississippi River before out to battle.
That must have involved going through Chicago and the Illinois River at some point, so that would have been something to see, a submarine going down the river on a barge.
As of 2006, the prints were stored off site until funds could be obtained for proper display and storage. The originals won't be available to the general public, but a person can get a copy to peruse.
Looks like a trip to Manitowoc should be planned. And there is an actual World War II submarine at the museum.
Just Some More Homefront Stuff That People Don't Much Remember Anymore. --Cooter
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
USS Lagarto (SS-371) Documentary on PBS
I had planned to see it, but missed it this past Sunday on PBS' WTTW in Chicago. But the Chicago Tribune's Watcher, TV critic Maureen Ryan had a write up on it May 22nd. Researching this is how I came across the SS-44.
"Lost and Found: The Legacy of the USS Lagarto" traced the history of the submarine from where it was built in Manitowac, Wisconsin, to its service, loss, and divers who found it it a few years ago in the Gulf of Thailand, six decades after it was sunk in 1945. All crew members were lost.
Filmmakers Harvey Moshman and Chuck Coppola tracked down family members, World War II submarine veterans, and even shipyard workers for interviews and background.
Nancy Mabin Kenney of LaGrange, Illinois, was one of the leaders to get the Navy to recognize the Lagarto's crew. Her father, William Mabin, was a signalman on the sub. A tribute was held in Manitowoc near where it was launched.
Interesting that subs made in the Midwest fought in the Pacific.
I'll Have to Keep an Eye Open for Its Rebroadcast. --Cooter
"Lost and Found: The Legacy of the USS Lagarto" traced the history of the submarine from where it was built in Manitowac, Wisconsin, to its service, loss, and divers who found it it a few years ago in the Gulf of Thailand, six decades after it was sunk in 1945. All crew members were lost.
Filmmakers Harvey Moshman and Chuck Coppola tracked down family members, World War II submarine veterans, and even shipyard workers for interviews and background.
Nancy Mabin Kenney of LaGrange, Illinois, was one of the leaders to get the Navy to recognize the Lagarto's crew. Her father, William Mabin, was a signalman on the sub. A tribute was held in Manitowoc near where it was launched.
Interesting that subs made in the Midwest fought in the Pacific.
I'll Have to Keep an Eye Open for Its Rebroadcast. --Cooter
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Oops, Story in the Wrong Place-- W W II Submarines
I accidentally had an entry in another blog about World War II submarines, and specifically the S-44 who the Submarine Veterans of World War II have assigned to the state of Illinois for remembrance.
The S-44 was launched in 1923, the third class of submarines in Naval service. It was sunk in action in 1943 with the loss of all but two of their crew.
See May 26th entry at http://downdaroadigo.blogpot.com
Remembering Our Veterans. Cooter
The S-44 was launched in 1923, the third class of submarines in Naval service. It was sunk in action in 1943 with the loss of all but two of their crew.
See May 26th entry at http://downdaroadigo.blogpot.com
Remembering Our Veterans. Cooter
Saturday, December 13, 2008
The S-21
Back on my Dec. 5th blog, I wrote about the wreck of the US World War II submarine S-21 being found off the coast of Maine after being sunk in practice.
Here some facts about the vessel from dear old Wiki.
The S-21 (SS-126) was one of the first group of S-class submarines and launched August 1920 and commissioned August 1921.
It often served in the Panama Canal area until 1939, then went to New London, Ct, where it was maintained by a partial crew. In September 1940 it was returned to full duty. On Dec. 9th it sailed to the Panama Canal where it defended the Pacific approaches.
In June 1942, it was decommissioned and transferred to the United Kingdom as the HMS P.553. Returned to the US Navy in July 1944, it was again decommissioned and sunk in practice off the New England coast 23 March 1945.
It was 219 feet long, had a21 foot beam, 1X4 inch deck gun, 4 torpedo tubes and a crew of42,
It now sits upside down at 160 feet below the surface.
Now, You Know All About the S-21. --Da Coot
Here some facts about the vessel from dear old Wiki.
The S-21 (SS-126) was one of the first group of S-class submarines and launched August 1920 and commissioned August 1921.
It often served in the Panama Canal area until 1939, then went to New London, Ct, where it was maintained by a partial crew. In September 1940 it was returned to full duty. On Dec. 9th it sailed to the Panama Canal where it defended the Pacific approaches.
In June 1942, it was decommissioned and transferred to the United Kingdom as the HMS P.553. Returned to the US Navy in July 1944, it was again decommissioned and sunk in practice off the New England coast 23 March 1945.
It was 219 feet long, had a21 foot beam, 1X4 inch deck gun, 4 torpedo tubes and a crew of42,
It now sits upside down at 160 feet below the surface.
Now, You Know All About the S-21. --Da Coot
Thursday, April 3, 2008
WW II Submarine Losses
The good folks at HMdb.org are at it again. They have recently posted two markers on the grounds of the US Naval Academy at Annapolis, Md.
One of the markers was in honor of the 374 officers, 3131 enlisted men and 52 sumarines of WW II who are still on "patrol." The marker also has a list of all 52 submarines, the A's were Albacore, Amberjack, and Argonaut.
In addition, nearby, there is a Mark XIV torpedo which constituted our WW II submarines' main armament. It held 600 pounds of explosives, was 20.5 feet long, 21 inches in diameter, and weighed 2000 pounds.
A fitting memorial to some very brave men who took their lives in their hands every time they went out on patrol.
If you ever want to go to an interesting site, check this one out. Guaranteed to spend awhile looking through their files.
Sure Wouldn't Have Wanted to Drop One of Those Bad Boys on My Foot. --Coot
One of the markers was in honor of the 374 officers, 3131 enlisted men and 52 sumarines of WW II who are still on "patrol." The marker also has a list of all 52 submarines, the A's were Albacore, Amberjack, and Argonaut.
In addition, nearby, there is a Mark XIV torpedo which constituted our WW II submarines' main armament. It held 600 pounds of explosives, was 20.5 feet long, 21 inches in diameter, and weighed 2000 pounds.
A fitting memorial to some very brave men who took their lives in their hands every time they went out on patrol.
If you ever want to go to an interesting site, check this one out. Guaranteed to spend awhile looking through their files.
Sure Wouldn't Have Wanted to Drop One of Those Bad Boys on My Foot. --Coot
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