Wharf Rat's Home - A Shipmate Who Never Made it to Sea.

'It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.'

Preserving a piece of US Maritime History - invaluable

The USS Olympia is a cruiser that fought in the Spanish American War in 1898 and has been preserved in Philadelphia. She's a one of a kind ship, a national historic monument, and in danger. She needs approximately $10-15 million in repairs to keep her a viable museum for years to come. If you have the resources, or connections to those resources, please consider helping. (full disclosure - there is no financial benefit to me to ask the question - we need to save this ship for posterity). Please contact me at 612-599-1935 or bdskon@fedex.com if you have additional questions.

Sunday, March 20, 2011

March 19, 1945 I missed the anniversary yesterday of the day the USS Franklin CV 13 was hit, and survived the worst damage of any carrier (that survived) in WWII. Her log book is opend to this day in the National Archives. Remember her sacrifice and the 724 sailors still on deployment

2 comments:

AnonymousJune 18, 2011 at 1:57 PM
My father was aboard the day she was hit, part of Torpedo Squadron Five. The second blast threw his clear into the drink, giving him his second purple heart of the war. Amazing story, it is of the Franklin and of the courage of those who fought on her and to save her.
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Wharf RatJune 18, 2011 at 8:23 PM
Thank you for sharing about your father.

I was in DC at the National Archives and about 150 feet behind the Declaration of Independence is the log book from CV 13. It was open to the day that it was hit, and the hair stood up on the back of my neck. Incredible to read the log. Incredible that it was so well documented.
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