The Mariner’s Mirror Podcast

[Sam Willis]

The Society has just launched the Mariner’s Mirror Podcast, which is designed to become a global platform for sharing current maritime history and heritage projects in all periods and in all locations. Do please pass the word around and post ideas here for exciting maritime-themed projects that you may know of and that we could feature.

The podcast can be found here on the publisher’s website https://play.acast.com/s/the-mariners-mirror-podcast

The podcast can also be found on iTunes, Spotify and wherever you get your podcasts from! In the coming weeks it will also appear on the Society’s website.

Thanks
Sam

[Malcolm Lewis]

SNR Podcast
Thank you Sam for the news of the launch of the SNR Podcast. I am not familiar with the world of Podcasts and am a little uncertain how SNR’s podcast fits in with the other SNR offerings such as the Mariner’s Mirror, Topmasts and the Forum. The announcement invites one to subscribe but no costs are given. Is it free for SNR members?
Is there a correspondence page on the Podcast site and where are “letters” sent to?
Will the articles be illustrated?
Many thanks
Malcolm

[Sam Willis]

Malcolm:

If you have a smart phone you can download a podacst app and search for Mariner’s Mirror Podcast – you will have the option of subscribing there – it’s free to everyone. In this sense ‘subscribing’ means that it will download to your device with every new episode.

If you do not have a smartphone you can find it on the link here https://play.acast.com/s/the-mariners-mirror-podcast

All members will receive an email when a new episode is out and in the coming weeks it will appear on the SNR site.

In terms of content the podcast allows us to do all sorts of extra material – all is explained in the first episode.

Queries relating to particular episodes can be posted on the Forum. IF you want to get in touch directly then email podcast@snr.org.uk

Sam

[Stephen B. G]

Sam:
Long time member, and previous forum contributor. I was just listening to the podcast–the terrific episode on the “Sunken Library”–and heard your call for suggestions for topics. Here’s one that you might go after, and that’s the many sail training “school ships” as some have very interesting histories. I’d like to call your attention to one that maintains special memories for me, the USCGC Eagle, previously the Horst Wessel. As a cadet I was on two training cruises aboard Eagle in the 1970’s. Attached is an article from the local New London, CT paper (the Academy is in New London) about the Coast Guard’s acquisition of the Eagle, post-WWII, commemorating the 75th anniversary of the Eagle as a Coast Guard cutter.
Stephen Glynn
glynn@htc.net
618-978-6783
P.S. in 1980 the original teak decking of the Eagle was replaced, and through a friend there at the shipyard I happened to obtain a foot-long piece of that teak decking which I have here in my study.

Attachments:

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[Stephen B. G]

Sam,

Just listened to and thoroughly enjoyed the “Iconic Ships” podcast featuring the Cutty Sark. Visited her first in the 1980’s and more recently (March 2019) had a chance to walk through her post-fire. A magnificent ship, and the enclosed drydock and ability to walk along the length of her underbody is fascinating. The commentary by the curators got me thinking of other iconic ships I’ve visited. I was thinking that so far the series has been on British ships, although the Mayflower has a place in both American and British history. There’s what I would consider an iconic ship that is thoroughly American that you might consider featuring, the U.S.S. Constitution, which is preserved and on display in the Charlestown Navy Yard in metro Boston. I realize that for your British and Canadian audience, this vessel might be a sore point. Years ago I had the great fortune of obtaining an original Thomas Birch print of the engagement between the USS Constitution and HMS Guerriere (see attached) at a small antiques shop in Halifax, Nova Scotia. When I expressed my interest in the print to the Canadian shop owner, she was more than happy to sell it to me–“Good riddance” was her comment. It hangs in my study next to another print from that same war. But, all things considered, the vessel was unique for the day in its design and construction, and in battle earned the moniker “Old Ironsides” for which it is still known, I think it merits the phrase “iconic” at least on this side of the pond.

Thanks again for the podcast,
Stephen Glynn

[Stephen B. G]

Let’s try a smaller file

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[Stephen B. G]

Thank you, Sam! You must have read my mind! I see the new Iconic Ship is USS Constitution!
Well done!

[Stephen B. G]

Sam,
Just listened to the latest podcast on the Maritime History of WWII. Excellent! Really appreciated your guest and his insights. Your excursion into the beginnings of the U.S. Navy was interesting as well as his thoughts about the research and process of developing the book. His mention of Alexander Hamilton brought to mind Hamilton’s attempt to provide the new nation with a nascent naval force by forming the Revenue Cutter Service, the precursor of the U.S. Coast Guard. Late in the broadcast he mentioned the shipbuilding that took place (Liberty ships, amphibious craft, etc.) and seemed to say that there are no examples of WWII LSTs still afloat. You might pass on to him that there is one that is still on exhibit in the town of Evansville, Indiana: https://www.lstmemorial.org/. I haven’t visited, but from the website it seems like they’ve kept LST-325 in WWII configuration.

Thanks again for the podcast! Looking forward to your next episode!

[Sam Willis]

Many thanks for getting in touch Stephen.
S

[Malcolm Lewis]

Landing Ships Tanks (LSTs) – Were barely seaworthy
I was interested to read Steven B.G.’s post about LST 325, maybe the last LST in existence. I spent several months aboard LST3511, and named HMS Reggio, which was serving with the R.N.’s Amphibious Warfare Squadron in the Mediterranean in 1954. She was launched in Quebec, Canada in 1945. Our main role at the time was ferrying 40 and 45 Royal Marine Commando from Malta across to their training areas in the Libyan desert and back.
Every trip was a challenge during the winter gales. LSTs were flat bottomed with no keel so they hogged badly. The double bow doors leaked so there was often 2 or 3 inches of water washing around on the tank deck. The main fuel tanks were under the tank deck and ours leaked sea water causing both engines to stop quite often.
Reggio had been modified to carry 8 Landing Craft Assault (LCAs) lowered by gravity davits. The LCAs had concrete filled double walled sides to give added protection to the troops from enemy gunfire. Vehicles were parked on the upper deck. This all added considerable top weight. The top hamper and the flat bottom meant she rolled alarmingly in any sort of a sea, often over 30 degrees.
All in all, landing craft of all types were barely seaworthy but they were built to do a specific job which they did well enough.
Malcolm Lewis

[Author]

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