On 24 August 1943, German submarine U-185 (Type IXC/40, Kptlt. A. Maus) sunk by depth charges from Avenger and Wildcat aircraft of US Navy Composite Squadron 13 (VC-13), operating from escort carrier USS Core (CVE-13) in position 27.00N, 37.06W.
U-185 sinking (photo: US Navy)
Records on U-185 are held at the US National Archives.
“On this day in history” 30 June 1951, a group of stranded Japanese soldiers who refuse to believe World War II ended in 1945, surrender to Lt. Cmdr. James B. Johnson, USS Cocopa (ATF 101) on Anatahan Island in the northern Marianas.
Japanese assemble on the beach at Anatahan Island under a white flag.
USS Cocopa dispatches landing party.
Approaching the island.
The formal surrender.
Handing over weapons.
Returning to USS Cocopa with the Japanese.
Surrendered Japanese soldiers aboard USS Cocopa.
“On this day in history” 12 June 1943, German Type XB submarine U-118 (KrvKpt. Werner Czygan) was sunk with depth charges by a flight of Avenger aircraft operating from the US Navy escort carrier USS Bogue (ACV/CVE-9). There were 43 dead (including Czygan) and 16 survivors. The wreck of U-118 lays west of the Canary Islands at 30.49N, 33.49W.
Remarkably, a gun camera photo of the attack exists. The photo is in the collection of US Naval History and Heritage Command.
Fourth attack run on U-118, TBF pilot Ltjg W. F. Chamberlain, USNR. Staffed U-boat and dropped two depth charges. (NHHC 80-G-6894)
“On this day in history” 11 June 1944, the Iowa-class battleship USS Missouri (BB 63) was commissioned into the United States Navy at the New York Navy Yard.
USS Missouri commissioning ceremony, 11 June 1944 (NH 96795).
A new project for 2016. I’ll be uploading US Navy documentary and training films from the archives to YouTube. I’ve created a new YouTube channel for this, US Navy Movies, which will keep the content separate from my Royal Navy channel.
Here are a few samples.
USS Oriskany (CV-34/CVA-34) was an Essex-class aircraft carrier in service with the US Navy from 1950 to 1976. After decommissioning, Oriskany was laid up at the Naval Inactive Ship Facility at Bremerton, WA. The Navy announced on 5 April 2004, that it would transfer the former aircraft carrier to the State of Florida for use as an artificial reef. Towed to Pensacola, Oriskany was sunk with explosive charges on May 17, 2006. She now forms an artificial reef in the Gulf of Mexico.
USS Oriskany (CVA 34) laid up at the Naval Inactive Ship Maintenance Facility at Puget Sound, Bremerton in 1990. Moored alongside are USS Hornet (CVS 12), USS Bennington (CVS 20) and USS Bon Homme Richard (CVA 31). VIRIN: DN-SC-90-03975.
The decommissioned aircraft carrier USS Oriskany (CVA 34) at Pensacola, Florida January 1, 2005. VIRIN: 050111-N-GS507-010.
The decommissioned aircraft carrier USS Oriskany (CVA 34) is towed out to sea May 15, 2006. VIRIN: 060515-N-JC459-007.
Explosives detonate aboard the decommissioned aircraft carrier USS Oriskany (CVA 34) in the Gulf of Mexico during SINKEX to create an artificial reef on June 17, 2006. VIRIN: 060517-N-JC459-001.
The decommissioned aircraft carrier USS Oriskany (CVA 34) sinks in the Gulf of Mexico 24 miles off the coast of Pensacola, Florida during SINKEX to create an artificial reef, June 17, 2006. VIRIN: 060517-N-JC459-009.
The decommissioned aircraft carrier USS Oriskany (CVA 34) sinks in the Gulf of Mexico 24 miles off the coast of Pensacola, Florida during SINKEX to create an artificial reef, June 17, 2006. VIRIN: 060517-N-GO804-010.
The decommissioned aircraft carrier USS Oriskany (CVA 34) sinks in the Gulf of Mexico 24 miles off the coast of Pensacola, Florida during SINKEX to create an artificial reef, June 17, 2006. VIRIN: 060517-N-GO804-011.
The decommissioned aircraft carrier USS Oriskany (CVA 34) sinks in the Gulf of Mexico 24 miles off the coast of Pensacola, Florida during SINKEX to create an artificial reef, June 17, 2006. VIRIN: 060517-N-JC459-014.
Divers on main deck of sunken aircraft carrier / artificial reef USS Oriskay (CVA 34) in the Gulf of Mexico, 6 July, 2007. Divers are PS1 K. Arnold (USN) and MAJ S. Phelps (US Army). VIRIN: 070706-O-TW583-002.
World navies comparative frigate strengths from 1939 to 1958.
| Year | USN | RN | Fr | Ne | USSR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1939 | 43 | 46 | 5 | |||
| 1941 | 22 | |||||
| 1945 | 482 | 598 | 35 | 6 | 48 | |
| 1948 | 13 | |||||
| 1950 | 11 | |||||
| 1951 | 36 | 44 | 16 | |||
| 1952 | 89 | |||||
| 1954 | 33 | |||||
| 1955 | 60 | |||||
| 1957 | 71 | 26 | 61 | |||
| 1952 | 18 |
Source: Friedman, Norman. The Postwar Naval Revolution. Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press, 1986.
The Iwo Jima-class amphibious assault ship USS New Orleans (LPH-11) was decomissioned in 1997 and mothballed at Suisun Bay until 2006. She was moved to Pearl Harbor in 2006 to prep for disposal via SINKEX, and was finally sunk during RIMPAC 2010.
Decommissioned USS New Orleans (LPH 11) taking fire during SINKEX, July 10, 2010.
New Orleans begins to roll during SINKEX, RIMPAC 2010.
New Orleans takes fire from a line of surface combat ships, July 10, 2010.
New Orleans begins to sink after being engaged by the Australian navy frigate HMAS Warramunga (FFH 152) with her 5-inch gun.
New Orleans rolls on its side and begins to sink after being impacted by rounds fired from several ships.
Decommissoned US Navy amphibious assault ship USS New Orleans (LPH 11) slips below the surface at the conclusion of SINKEX, July 10, 2010.
New Orleans sunk on July 10, 2010 approx. 70-miles NW of Kauai, Hawaii.
World navies comparative destroyer (DD) strengths from 1939 to 1958.
| Year | USN | RN | Fr | Ne | USSR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1939 | 127 | 100 | 57 | 8 | |
| 1941 | 42 | ||||
| 1945 | 372 | 108 | 15 | 5 | 45 |
| 1948 | 135 | ||||
| 1950 | 109 | ||||
| 1951 | 28 | 11 | 5 | ||
| 1952 | 211 | ||||
| 1954 | 26 | ||||
| 1955 | 140 | ||||
| 1957 | 212 | 19 | 19 | ||
| 1952 | 12 |
Source: Friedman, Norman. The Postwar Naval Revolution. Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press, 1986.
Naval Matters 