scuttlebutt october 2013

Message froM the Chair

Dear Friends Members,

It’s been another terrific year for the Friends of the Battleship North Carolina. The Friends would like to thank all of you who joined the Friends or renewed your memberships for your continuing support. Without your support, the Friends would not be in a position to carry out our mission to support the Battleship North Carolina.

One way in which we are able to get our message out is having board members go out into the community and speak to local groups and non-profits. Being able to talk to groups, not only about the legacy of the Battleship North Carolina but also about the future of the Showboat, is an honor and privilege. If you know of a group or non-profit that would like to have one of our speakers give a presentation, please contact [email protected].

This coming year the Friends will be completing work on our long-term strategic plan. Board members have been working with the ship’s staff to develop a plan to provide for the continued growth of the Friends and improve our overall ability to provide for the future needs of the Battleship North Carolina. A group of committee chairs, led by board member Pat Marriot, has been meeting regularly to develop what we believe will be a blueprint for future growth and success. We will keep you posted as to the status of the plan in the coming months.

The Friends’ board consists of 16 members who come from all walks of life and backgrounds. They are all volunteers who give their time and talent but, most importantly, have a love of the North Carolina.

We also rely on others who donate their services to the board and whose talent and expertise are critical to the running of the board. Currently the board has three open

positions. We are looking for people who wish to serve on the board for a two-year term. We need people who are willing to roll up their sleeves and pitch in where needed. This is a working board and each board member wears many hats and is expected to be active and participate on committees, fund-raising events, and attend monthly meetings. If you are interested in serving on the Friends’ Board or would like more information. please contact Frank Glossl at [email protected] or call 910-251-5797 x 2045.

We continue to thank you for your support and look forward to seeing you aboard the Battleship North Carolina in the coming year. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us at [email protected] or visit our website at battleshipnc.com/friends.

Regards,

Frank GlosslFrank Glossl, ChairmanFriends of the Battleship North Carolina

oCtober 2013 [email protected] Vol. 5

0720 – ComCruDiv-10 in Baltimore assumed tactical command of T.G. 58.2 due to damage to C.T.G 58.2’s flagship Franklin.

Despit the critical damage done, the Franklin made it back to Pearl Harbor for repairs. No one could repair, however, the damage done to its crew as she lost 724 men and tallied 265 wounded in the attack.

The former crew of the Franklin hosts an annual reunion, similar to that enjoyed by the former crew of the North Carolina, every year in the spring.

6APR45 – A day of heavy Kamikaze attacks. The Japanese claimed to have launched over 350 suicide planes that day. The Americans claimed to have shot down 249. This however, was not to be the story of the day for the crew of the North Carolina. At 1305 the North Carolina was struck by a friendly 5” shell in the Sky 2 gun director. This hit killed 3 men and wounded 44 others.

On the same day, at 1628 hours, there was an incident, while retrieving a Kingfisher scout plane, that resulted in the loss of a member of the crew of North Carolina. The following comes from the after action reports filed that day.

At 1628, #7 OS2N-1 scout seaplane capsized while being taken aboard after having been recalled from a rescue mission. The pilot was picked up by USS English, which ship also sank the plane. The radioman was missing.

The radioman was never found.

The final battlestar earned by the North Carolina was for “Third Fleet Operations” in regards to the bombardment of and air strikes on, the home islands of Japan. One incident of particular note occurred 10AUG45. The following is an excerpt of the after action report for that day.

0843 – As directed by CTG 38.3, the two OS2U seaplanes of this ship were launched to attempt the rescue of downed pilots reported off of northern Honshu. Both seaplanes had been stripped of rear armament, both pilots volunteering for the mission. In company with fighters from the Essex, one pilot was identified on the eastern shore of Mutsu where he had been hiding for over a day since being shot down.

Lt. Jacobs landed and, in rough water, attemped to throw a lifebouy to the waiting pilot but, according to his own account, he must have inadvertantly hit the throttle with his leg when a large wave hit, throwing him into the water and sending his Kingfisher out to sea. The CAP from Essex attemped, but were unable to confirm, its destruction. Meanwhile, Lt. Oliver, standing by in the vicinity while Jacobs landed, realized that the latter’s plane had become a runaway. Oliver then landed and taxied in to pick up the two pilots. Oliver then, despite the extra weight and adverse

In March of 1945, the American Pacific Fleet was advancing on the home islands of the Empire of Japan. With the capture of Iwo Jima, the Pacific Command turned its attention to the next target in the series, the island of Okinawa.

The North Carolina earned her 14th battlestar for Okinawa Operations. This included other lesser known events such as the capture of the Kerama Islands and raids against inland targets, primarily Kyushu. The American fast carriers launched repeated attacks during this period and on 19MAR45, while in the process of launching and retrieving aircraft, the carrier Franklin was attacked by an enemy bomber that scored two direct hits. With many fully-fueled and armed aircraft on her flight deck, the Franklin burst into flames from bow to stern. The following is from the after action reports from the officers of North Carolina.

0658 – CIC reported a bogey bearing 305 degrees, distance 18 miles.

0707 – The bogey was sighted bearing broad on the starboard bow, distance about 3000 yards, and identified as a “Jill”, which shortly thereafter bombed the Franklin.

The pall of black smoke completely obscured Franklin, which commenced turning to the right. This ship manuevered to clear Franklin, the latter dropping into the center of the formation, on our starboard beam, thence astearn, slowing.

The Franklin’s wake was dotted with life rafts and an estimated 30 to 50 men who had been blown or had jumped overboard as a result of the explosion. Enormous fires raged throughout the forward and aft hangar spaces and by 0720, planes on the after part of her flight deck commenced burning and exploding.

Pittsburgh, Santa Fe, and several destroyers were directed to remain with Franklin while T.G. 58.2 continued on to westward.

battlestars of the battleship North CaroliNaBy Daryl MillarD

oCtober 2013 Scuttlebutt page 2

continued on Page 3The USS Franklin after being hit by a Japanese suicide plane

off Kyusja, Japan, on March 19 1945.


continued from Page 2NaVigate the ColleCtioNs

of the

battleship North CaroliNa

Ever wonder what unique treasures are behind the steel walls of the Battleship NORTH CAROLINA? The Interpretation and Collections Department and the Friends of the Battleship are giving everyone the opportunity to find out and it is at no cost to the public.

The Battleship has launched the first digital initiative to share the extensive collections online. The ship has been cataloging the collections into a database for more than 15 years, therefore the database represents years of work by staff, volunteers and college interns. Through dedication, perseverance and funding by the Friends of the Battleship, the free online catalog gives the internet community an insider’s look to rare artifacts.

http://www.battleshipnc.com/friends“We are sharing more than 26,000 records of our

collections (artifacts, photographs, archival & library materials) with 4,000 associated images,” says Mary Ames Booker, Curator for the Battleship. “There are multiple avenues to search the collections. Even if you don’t have a particular object in mind, the system allows for a random search that pulls from all sources on the site. Viewers might be very surprised at what they can find. It is almost like a treasure hunt.”

Frank Glossl, Chairman of the Friends of the Battleship, “The mission of the Friends is to support, promote and perpetuate ship activities. Membership with the non-profit arm of the ship, increases the impact of all of the Battleship’s programs — its artifact acquisition, support of exhibits, innovative research, restoration projects and commitment to education. As an organization, we are delighted to be able to provide funding for such an honorable initiative.”

The online catalog will be continuously updated as new items are acquired and catalogued. Future additions include audio files, video clips, PDFs, and an online ordering form for reprints.

A link with more information regarding collections online as well as other benefits of becoming a Friends member can be found at:

http://www.battleshipnc.com/friends

BB55 firing her 16-inch guns on Okinawa.

sea conditions, took off successfully and returned to this ship, being hoisted aboard at 1453.

The courage of Lt. Jacobs and Oliver in performing this rescue, at almost the maximum range of their aircraft, and in an enemy land-locked body of water, was highly commendable. Recommendations for awards have been made in seperate correspondance.

This was the excitement of war. What is included now is the equally anti-climactic finish for the North Carolina from her after action reports at the end of hostilities.

17AUG45 – Topped off destroyers during the day. Task force 38 conducted exercise “Snapshot”

Weather-Fair and warm with a 12 knot wind from the southeast. Occassional rain, squalls in the second dog watch.

1SEP45 – Continued operations in area south of Shikoku designated for Task Unit 38.3.9. Condition 3, with condition 1 set for dawn alert.

2SEP45 – Official “V-J” Day and end of war with Japan. Continued operations in designated area south of Shikoku. Condition 3 with condition 1 set for dawn alert.

With that, the war was over, but not the journey of the North Carolina. Her state’s proud citizens and school children would bring her home to Wilmington where she would remain “The Showboat” of the entire Pacific Fleet. Job well done crew. Job well done to everyone who supports our ship. May she remain as as a flagship to remember the cost and value of freedom.

I leave you with one final excerpt from the after action reports.

14Aug45 – Fair and warm with a light (10knot) breeze from the northeast. Average temperature 81 degrees. Average cloud cover 70%.

Think about her on a day like this.


frieNDs projeCts aND opportuNities

turret offiCer’s perisCope is returNeD to the uss North CaroliNa

by Mike WorthaM

In a project sponsored by The Friends, what is thought to be a missing turret officer’s periscope for Turret #3 has been returned to the Ship.

The periscope was discovered by Chris Nardie, Curator of the Battleship Massachusetts (BB-59), while he was searching through the Inactive Ships Facility in Portsmouth, VA looking for items that could be used at the Battleship Cove Memorial in Fall River, MA. Chris stated that there were several other periscopes there, but the one for Battleship North Carolina was the only one labeled. Realizing the importance of such a find, and realizing that we would no doubt like to have the Ship’s periscope back in Wilmington, he saved it for us, as well as all the rest of the scopes as they were probably going to be scrapped.

Arrangements were made for the periscope to be delivered to Wilmington and Chris delivered it in April when returning to Massachusetts after visiting the Battleship Alabama Memorial in Mobile, AL. Friends’ members and ship’s staff were there to help get it unloaded and it is now safely stowed away. Although there are no immediate plans to install the scope back to its proper location in Turret #3, at least it is back with the Ship - back where it belongs.

The periscope was used by the turret officer to view activity outside of the enclosed 16 in. turret gun house in the same way a periscope was used on a submarine. Each turret had 2 scopes, but turret #3 has always been minus one of its scopes since it came to Wilmington. Evidence suggests the periscope found and returned by Chris Nardi to be the missing scope.

It’s still somewhat of a mystery as to when and why the periscope left the Ship in the first place, and why it ended up in a warehouse in Portsmouth, VA. I’m sure somewhere in the Ship’s archives there is an official report or document that answers the question as to when and why it was removed, but the fact that it never made it back to the Ship generates a lot of theories and possibilities, depending on who you ask.

When the periscope was opened, it was immediately obvious how well packaged it was and the fact that it was in excellent condition. If you looked closely you could tell that it had a slight used look (which suggested that it was not brand new), but it was in excellent condition. The interior of the case and the procedure for securing the scope in the case were remarkable. Plainly visible and attached to the scope was a tag labeled USS North Carolina.

continued on Page 5

View of officer’s station in a 16” gun house with a periscope in use by one of the officers.

View of the periscope in its specially designed case.

Friend’s members and Ship’s staff unloading the periscope.


document/tag was labeled:

NAVY YARD, NEW YORKOPTICAL SHOP X-37

BLDG. 280 - 8th FLOORUSS NORTH CAROLINA

2/26/47 PERISCOPEMARK 28 MOD. 1 SERIAL 29

It would be interesting to know if the date 2/26/47 is the date the Optical Shop received the periscope, or is it the date that it released it as fixed.

Another document was labeled:UNSERVICEABLE/REPAIRABLE

FSN, PART NO. and ITEM DESCRIPTION 278939PERISCOPE MK 28 MOD. 1 SK91731

The Battleship North Carolina was in the NY Navy Yard from October 1946 to June 1947, and decommissioned 27 June 1947 in Bayonne, NJ. The date on the Optical Shop tag is 26 February 1947. A logical explanation for the scope would be that while the Ship was in the NY Navy Yard the periscope was sent to the Optical Shop for repairs. Whether or not it was fixed is uncertain, but since it was probably a known fact that the Ship was to be decommissioned, it was probably decided that there was no need to return the scope to the Ship and replace it back in turret #3, so it was put in storage. Over time it eventually ended up in the Inactive Ships Facility in Portsmouth, VA where Chris Nardi found it along with a several other scopes being stored there. I guess it was a stroke of luck that it was labeled. Otherwise, Chris would never have known it was for Battleship North Carolina and would never have saved it for us.

A special thanks goes to Cecil Ard (Ship’s Volunteer) who first brought the missing periscope and its possible whereabouts to my attention. It was a conversation with him that got the project started. Also, special thanks to Mary Ames Booker (Curator) for important information about the Ship at that time and related pictures from the archives. A very special thanks to Chris Nardi (Curator, Battleship Massachusetts) who found the scope, saved it for us, and even brought it to Wilmington.

Also plainly visible on the face of the scope was the brass ID tag that identified it.

US NAVY BUR. of ORDPERISCOPE

MARK XXVIII (28) MOD. 1 NO. 29Made by

Spencer Lens Company – Buffalo, NY 1942A Mark XXVIII Model No. 1 periscope is the type of

scope used in a 16 in. gun turret.

A couple of other documents in the case suggested possible reasons as to the history of the periscope. One

CorreCtioN

In the last issue of Scuttlebutt we published a very nice story about the surviving Doolittle Raiders and “The Final Toast”. This article was mistakenly attributed to Friends member, Ted Gragg. We aren’t exactly sure who the actual author is, but hope to learn the true identity someday and will let you know.

If anyone has the author’s name, please send it to me ... Thanks!

continued from Page 4

Optical Shop tag

Brass plate for the Mark 28 Periscope


all haNDs oN lego Deck! Introducing Arne Freyschmidt,a seventeen-year-old from

Germany. He built a 5 1/4 foot long model replica of BB55 using LEGOs.

This endeavor took over eight months. Part of the time was spent waiting for continuing online orders of additional LEGO bricks to arrive.

Arne is interested in World War II and the U.S. Navy. He decided to re-create a battleship and chose the North Carolina because he likes the history of our Pacific Campaign. Using pictures from our website and Wikapedia, he constructed a very intricate LEGO model.

We congratulate Arne on a job well done.


ACROSS 6 The sides of a ship above the deck 7 The front part of a ship 8 A piece of equipment with blades that spin, used for moving a

ship 9 A person unfamiliar with the sea or seamanship 11 The part of a ship from which it is controlled 13 An open cask of water or water fountain on a ship 16 The widest part of a ship from one side to the other 20 A heavy cable or rope used for tying up or pulling a ship 21 The part of the ship on your left as you look forward 22 The part of the ship on your right as you look forward 24 “Our” battleship 26 A room where sick people go to rest and get medical

treatment on a ship 28 A high part on a military ship where guns are fixed. It can turn

in any direction to aim and shoot the guns

DOWN 1 On or relating to the deck of a ship 2 The upper edge of the side of a ship 3 The back part of a ship’s upper deck, where the officers often

live 4 A wheel or handle used for making a ship go in the desired

direction

5 The part of the ship that is above the main deck 7 A place on a ship where prisoners are kept, or a small prison 10 In the middle part of a ship 12 The part of the ship that floats on water 14 A round piece of equipment that is turned to wind a heavy

rope 15 A room on a warship used by all the officers except the

captain 17 A place near the top of a ship’s mast where a sailor stands to

look out over the sea 18 A small window in the side of a ship 19 A flat board or metal structure placed between a ship and land

so you can walk across 23 One of the levels of a ship; the outside part of a ship that you

can walk on 25 The back part of a ship 27 Hull number of USS North Carolina

WORD BANK

AMIDSHIPS, BB55, BEAM, BOW, BRIDGE, BRIG, BULWARKS, CAPSTAN, CROWS NEST, DECK, GANGWAY, GUNWALE, HAWSER, HELM, HULL, LANDLUBBER, NORTH CAROLINA,

PORT, PORTHOLE, PROPELLER, QUARTERDECK, TURRET, TOPSIDE, SCUTTLEBUTT, SICKBAY, STARBOARD, STERN, SUPERSTRUCTURE, WARDROOM

1

2

3

4

6 7

8

9 10 11

5

12

13 15

16

20

18

22

21

24

14

17

19

25

23

27 26

28

Answer in the next Scuttlebutt

This list reflects New and Renewal Friends Members as of October 15, 2013. If you do not see your name and you have joined or re-joined the Friends since the last issue of Scuttlebutt,

please contact Susan Mason Carter by email at [email protected]


2013CaleNDar of eVeNts

October 29 - Batty Battleship’s Halloween Bash (Tues.)

December 7 - Battleship Alive!

All events take place on Saturday unless otherwise noted.

Be sure to check the Battleship website for complete details about all of these events.

All articles & photos printed with permission. Copyrights may apply.

Isaac and Stephanie AndricoRobin ArmentroutDennis and Claudia BanksMary Beth and John BanksonJennifer BarnesMary Ames BookerKatherine BrantleyDennis BriddellPeter and Karen BrownAlan and Pamela ButlerJames and Elaine CarbaryKim CashmanFelipe Castaneda, Jr.Kathy and Andrew ClarkWilliam CollinsonDoug and Jill DavisDavid and Sandra DiemerScott DunbarCharles EmersonDoug and Margi EricksonCris and Crystal EtheridgeEric FairJohn and Ruth Ann FerraroScott and Brigit FloraCDR Chuck Gore, USN (Ret.) and

Sandy Vidlak-Gore

Ralph HarwoodWesley HechtStephen HornsbergerRoger HuntingtonRod Hyson, Sr.Thomas and Myra JenkinsK. Corey Keeble, Curator EmeritusMichele Kong and Regina RansomBarbara and Bill LassaterDaniel LewisGeorge LucasCherie LucasKaren and John M. Matthews, Jr.Clifford and Jennifer McElroyWillie E. McGee, Jr.Daryl MillardGray and Kelsey MitchellBrian MobleySteve and Pat MooreJames and Marie NashDan OwensBilly PattersonAllan PaulJeff and Nancy PetersonRonald and and Carolyn PhelpsCharles Piccirilli

roll Call

Please join in welcoming our new and renewing Friends.

Darrin and Stephanie PohlmanJim RamentolKen and Pat RittenmeyerRodney and Belinda RobinsonTimothy SanfordRobert SauerJohn SchneiderWayne SchuttsDaniel SheretRoger SimonDon SlawterBrian SmithSteven and Edna SmithGalen StancilJim SweetwoodMorgan and Tammy TackettBrian J. ThompsonBruce and Paul TingleRonald TurnerSonya VerblaauwNate Vogan and Tori BerneroJohn C. WhitleyGary and Nikki WilliamsRobert and Julie WiseRandy WoodMike and Cindy Wortham

P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P

Scuttlebutt is the bi-monthly newsletter of The Friends of the Battleship North Carolina, PO Box 480,Wilmington, NC 28402 • battleshipnc.com/friendsEditor-in-Chief/Layout & Design: Nancie Giacalone Managing Editor: Ronnie Rhodes Please send address changes or comments to:

[email protected]

scuttlebutt october 2013

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