In order to train carrier pilots for WWII, the U.S. Navy purchased two old Great Lakes steamers and had them converted into training aircraft carriers. They became the U.S.S. Wolverine and the U.S.S. Sable, which were the only two fresh water, paddle-wheeled, coal fired aircraft carriers in the world. They sailed around Lake Michigan for the duration of the war, qualifying 17,820 pilots for carrier duty, including future President George H. W. Bush. After the war both ships were scrapped.
No point to this, really. I just thought the idea of paddle-wheel driven aircraft carriers sailing around Lake Michigan was quite amusing.
Originally posted by seraphimvultureI used to have a dachshund who would roll over when she swam. I suppose she needed more ballast.
My rottweiler's name is Sable, and its funny when she tries to swim too. No real point to this either...
-Kev
Too bad they don't give better names to ships, like say, the USS Ferret, the USS aardvaark, the USS Hamster
Originally posted by rwingettHmm, I've been in the Navy for 12 years and stationed on several aircraft carriers, but I've never heard of these.
In order to train carrier pilots for WWII, the U.S. Navy purchased two old Great Lakes steamers and had them converted into training aircraft carriers. They became the U.S.S. Wolverine and the U.S.S. Sable, which were the only two fresh water, paddle-wheeled, coal fired aircraft carriers in the world. They sailed around Lake Michigan for the duration of the ...[text shortened]... e idea of paddle-wheel driven aircraft carriers sailing around Lake Michigan was quite amusing.
So, I went looking and what do you know, Rob is right! They were actually catagorized as unclassified miscellaneous auxiliary ships. But none the less they were coal-burning, paddle wheel powered, training carriers from 1942 to 1947.
Very impressed with your accurate info, Rob. 🙂
Originally posted by Saint NickI just read a book on them. Just thought some of the servicemen here might find that interesting.
Hmm, I've been in the Navy for 12 years and stationed on several aircraft carriers, but I've never heard of these.
So, I went looking and what do you know, Rob is right! They were actually catagorized as unclassified miscellaneous auxiliary ships. But none the less they were coal-burning, paddle wheel powered, training carriers from 1942 to 1947.
Very impressed with your accurate info, Rob. 🙂
Check out some of the names given to Royal Navy ships at
http://www.fact-index.com/l/li/list_of_royal_navy_ship_names.html
most of them are serious and macho sounding, but a few are ..well not really calculated to have the opposition quaking in terror, eg
Acorn, Badger, Beaver,Bluebell, Camellia, Cheerful, Cynthia, Dahlia, Dainty, Doris
Fairy, Fawn, Flamingo, Geranium, Hyacinthm, Lapwing, Lark, Marigold, Opossum, Peony
Rhododendron, Spanker, Sparrow, Tiptoe, Wensleydale
thOriginally posted by SiskinROTFLMAO!!!!!
Check out some of the names given to Royal Navy ships at
http://www.fact-index.com/l/li/list_of_royal_navy_ship_names.html
most of them are serious and macho sounding, but a few are ..well not really calculated to have the opposition quaking in terror, eg
Acorn, Badger, Beaver,Bluebell, Camellia, Cheerful, Cynthia, Dahlia, Dainty, Doris
Fairy, Fawn, F ...[text shortened]... hm, Lapwing, Lark, Marigold, Opossum, Peony
Rhododendron, Spanker, Sparrow, Tiptoe, Wensleydale
I do't mean any disrespect..and don't mean to laugh at someone else's ship, but c'mon.... the HMS Fairy???
Oh no, Captain! The HMS Cheerful is catching us!!
ROTFLMAO!!!!!!!
Ok, I got a good story here....
It is proper to announce the arrival of high ranking personnel on ships. If the person is a commander of a unit, they will just announce the name of the unit. For example, for the commander of the USS Nimitz, they would announce "Nimitz arriving". Keep in mind that this is announced on the ship's PA system and is usually a little distorted.
Now the funny part. My ship was accompanied on a deployemnt by the HMS Regina. Everytime their commander came over, the crew got all excited.
It was even worse when the commander left and they announced his departure.
True story...if you didn't get it, re-read and think about it for a minute.
Originally posted by Saint NickUnless "Regina" was pronounced to rhyme with "vagina", I don't get it.
Ok, I got a good story here....
It is proper to announce the arrival of high ranking personnel on ships. If the person is a commander of a unit, they will just announce the name of the unit. For example, for the commander of the USS Nimitz, they would announce "Nimitz arriving". Keep in mind that this is announced on the ship's PA system and is usua ...[text shortened]... his departure.
True story...if you didn't get it, re-read and think about it for a minute.
Originally posted by SiskinAwwww! Those are so cute!
Check out some of the names given to Royal Navy ships at
http://www.fact-index.com/l/li/list_of_royal_navy_ship_names.html
most of them are serious and macho sounding, but a few are ..well not really calculated to have the opposition quaking in terror, eg
Acorn, Badger, Beaver,Bluebell, Camellia, Cheerful, Cynthia, Dahlia, Dainty, Doris
Fairy, Fawn, Fla ...[text shortened]... hm, Lapwing, Lark, Marigold, Opossum, Peony
Rhododendron, Spanker, Sparrow, Tiptoe, Wensleydale
I want a battleship called Bluebell :-)
Originally posted by rwingettSome of the submarine names were interesting, since they took their names from fish or water animals during world war ii and for many years after. I used to catch croakers all the time in the brackish waters of the gulf coast of Florida.
I went to Buffalo recently and they have a naval museum sort of thing there with a cruiser, a destroyer and a submarine on display. The submarine is called the U.S.S. Croaker. That struck me as a less than perfect name.
There was a Flounder, a Spot, and a Cobbler as well.
Originally posted by kevinyonI catch croakers here in the Gulf in SOuth Texas.😀
Some of the submarine names were interesting, since they took their names from fish or water animals during world war ii and for many years after. I used to catch croakers all the time in the brackish waters of the gulf coast of Florida.
There was a Flounder, a Spot, and a Cobbler as well.