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Topic: Interview of Captain Richards Miller Annapolis Yard |
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Arjan Wiskerke
MASTER
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Posted on: Oct 14, 2020 - 8:52am
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Last month I was approached by a gentleman from Annapolis who pointed me to this interesting interview with the supervisor of the Annapolis Yacht Yard during WWII. Perhaps this interview has been discussed on this board before but it was new to me :
https://amaritime.pastperfectonline.com/archive/49F1C907-2389-44DC-9CCF-414940145948
I particularly like the bit about the faulty kerosine heater, I feel sorry for the Russian sailors who had to make do with it .
Arjan
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Arjan Wiskerke
MASTER
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Posted on: Nov 25, 2020 - 1:49am
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On the subject of lend lease Vospers, some nice photos have recently been posted of a late batch of Vospers built by Jacob's (Adriatic theater) :
http://cfv.org.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=457
Arjan
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Jeff D
Moderator
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 Posted on: Nov 25, 2020 - 6:00am
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Wow:
It was nearly midnight when seven long dark shapes were sighted, bunched together in two main groups, with a single ship well astern. Jerram gave the order 'Flag Four' over the R/T - attack with torpedoes. He himself swung round towards the second of the two groups and fired both torpedoes at two of the enemy craft which were moving very close together and which had been identified as F-Lighters. It was remarkable feat of aiming for both targets were hit and sunk. The other two MTB's (409 & 408) followed up the attack and three more F-Lighters in the first group blew up and sunk.
Do you know which torpedoes they used for this amazing feat?
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Arjan Wiskerke
MASTER
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Posted on: Nov 25, 2020 - 6:40am
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Hi Jeff,
I'm not sure but probably the usual 21 inch Mark VIII torpedoes. Three pics of an Annapolis Vosper at Leghorn Italy :
Regards,
Arjan
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Jeff D
Moderator
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Posted on: Nov 26, 2020 - 9:08am
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Thanks Arjan. I really like that series of photos!
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Jerry Gilmartin |
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: Nov 27, 2020 - 12:50am
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Hi Jeff and Arjan,
If these MTB's were in the Royal Navy I am fairly certain they were fitted out to use their dependable British Torpedoes and not the old unreliable US Mark 8 torpedo. If the boat was built for lend lease it was not unusual for them to have British Torpedo Tubes installed right at the factory. I know Higgins did this same thing for their boats sold to USSR and others.
Jerry Gilmartin
PT658 Crewman
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Arjan Wiskerke
MASTER
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Posted on: Nov 27, 2020 - 3:58am
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Hi Jerry,
It's probably only coincidence that the main British 21 inch torpedo was also labeled Mark VIII , at least I don't think there was a link with the US one. Apparently the British developed an improved version of the Mark VIII in 1944.
A general description from the Imperial War Museum :
The 21 - inch Torpedo Mk VIII** was the standard torpedo used by the Royal Navy during the Second World War, and until recently, was still in limited service. It proved extremely reliable in all marine theatres of operations and formed the main armament of submarines and motor torpedo boats. Such was the dependability of this type of torpedo that it was used during the Falklands campaign. On 2 May 1982, three were launched by the British nuclear attack submarine HMS Conqueror, two of which sank the Argentine cruiser General Belgrano.
Regards,
Arjan
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TED WALTHER |
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: Nov 28, 2020 - 6:16am
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Just for info purposes the Argentine Navy General Belgrano was formerly the WW2 US Brooklyn Class Light Cruiser USS Phoenix (CL-42), a Guadalcanal Veteran.
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Arjan Wiskerke
MASTER
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Posted on: Dec 1, 2020 - 4:28am
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There were many detail differences between British and American built Vospers, spot the difference (rear deck and transom) :
Arjan
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Jeff D
Moderator
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Posted on: Dec 1, 2020 - 7:18am
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Cool photo Arjan, thanks. It looks like the censors did some editing in the upper left of the photo, I see a mast just hanging in the air.
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