Naval Historical Foundation @navyhistory - Tumblr Blog

A Ship A Day: 17 JANUARY 2018 Edition (1/17)

USS Dorsey (DD 117)

Photo: USN Photo/Public Domain

#ashipaday

We can’t stop looking at the footage of the USS Lexington discovery off the coast of Australia. You, too? Then you might also be interested in our oral history with Captain Robert Gillette, who served aboard the Lexington

Have you got any information on Nelson’s Dockyard in the Caribbean and how it ran in the 18th century?

Nope! Do you?

Is there any way to get autograph copy of books written by Gary McKay regarding CSS Shenandoah and J Waddell. I have a friend that J Waddell is his great-great-grandfather. He has gone through a lot of personal losses in last few yrs, including many family heirlooms. I was trying to find a way to help him rebuild these, and thought a autograph copy of books written about his grandfather would be a nice start. Thank you for any help you can give me. Debra Rice.

We suggest that you send an email to the publisher of Gary McKay’s books. They’re the people who are best able to tell you where autographed copies can be found (or arrange to have some signed for you). Good luck!

In light of the Ferguson protests, etc. would you please post some black navy history? I don't think it matters what the admin's opinions are about the case are because it is always important to learn about African Americans in the navy and what they faced. Thanks!

I’d love to! I apologize for the delay in replying. Our Digital Content Manager moved on to another job in January and I was just hired a few weeks ago. I would love to post some info and photos about black navy history, and I will do so as soon as I have a better handle on our resources. Thank you so much for the request!

WWII Hamilton-Elgin 37500 aircraft clock under ultra violet light. This how the clock would appear to a pilot flying at night. This clock has five separate functions - has over 600 pieces - over 400 which are unique. It was flown in the F4U Corsair as well as the F6F Hellcat. It is one of the finest timepieces made for the military.

Very cool!

Any Uss Austin pictures or Military Sealift

The Navy History and Heritage Command website has lots of resources you might find useful. Here’s a link for pictures related to the USS Austin: https://www.history.navy.mil/search.html?q=uss+austin

What did Commander William E. Hunt, of the USS Levant look like? Where would I find a picture?

Good question! Given that Hunt commaned the USS Levant in 1859 and 1869, I’d say you’re going to have a tough time finding an image of the commander. We did a few quick searches and didn’t turn up anything.

ship mate

My father an law was on that ship the LST 353 C. R. Thorne can you you tell us if he was on the ship when it blow up my email is [email protected] Thank you Ed Olson

You should request your father-in-law’s service record from the Military Personnel Record Center in St. Louis. This link should help you: https://www.history.navy.mil/browse-by-topic/organization-and-administration/service-and-medical-records/navy-service-and-medical-records.html

Any submarine experts there? My question is, given subs can hear things under the oceans 1000's miles away then why do they not use one to find the pinging data recorder on the missing Malaysian plane. Surely with the technology on a sub they would be able to be used for this purpose.

It’s POSSIBLE that submarines could be used for this purpose, but submarines’ sonar systems search for things that are moving in the water, not pinging. Also, it’s doubtful that there are any submarines deployed in that region, but since that information in classified, nobody knows.

What a kind of vessel a Breton pirate in the mid 14th century would have? I am doing a historically accurate depiction of Jeanne de Clisson, but I don't know what kind of vessel she utilized. She had three ships that where painted black and had sails that where dyed red, but I can’t seem to find the type of but I can’t seem to find the type of ship she would have. All depictions of her small fleet has her leading schooners but they where not used until the 16th century. Any idea?

Wow. This one is a little out of our wheelhouse! You may want to contact the Mariner’s Museum in Newport News, Virginia, which has a very good research library. Good luck!

Any pictures of the USS North Carolina?

I found these on the Navy History and Heritage Command site: https://www.history.navy.mil/search.html?q=%22uss+north+carolina%22+bb-55&category=%2Fcontent%2Fhistory%2Fnhhc%2Four-collections

Sorry for the long delay -- our previous person in January and I was just hired recently. In any case, I hope this helps!