Welcome to MSW’s Scuttlebutt! Here’s the news for the day.
On Display - HMS Liverpool
MSW Crewmate Stefano Matteucci (bauherr) sends in his first submission, a fine photo gallery of HMS Liverpool, in this Build Feature!
On Display
World War II Poster Collection
Today’s website is one of my favorites, The World War II Poster Collection. This online collection is hosted by Northwestern University in Chicago and features the US government approved advertising supporting the war effort. Enjoy.
Website
This Day in U.S. Naval History
1775 - Congress orders the first officers' commissions printed.
1908 - Rear Adm. William S. Cowles submits a report to Secretary of the Navy recommending the purchase of aircraft suitable for operating from Naval ships on scouting and observation missions.
1941 - The first Naval armed guard detachment (seven men under a coxswain) of World War II reports to liberty ship SS Dunboyne.
1944 - Two-day destroyer Battle of Ormoc Bay begins.
1965 - USS Enterprise (CVAN 65) and USS Bainbridge (DLGN 25) become the first nuclear-powered task unit used in combat operations with the launch of air strikes near Bien Hoa, Vietnam.
HMS Iron Duke Faces Icebergs in the Antarctic
Source: Royal Navy
HMS Iron Duke, accompanied by RFA Black Rover, has successfully navigated large icebergs in the Antarctic Convergence Zone to make a safe passage from the Falkland Islands to South Georgia.
HMS Iron Duke's Lynx Mk 3 helicopter was deployed to conduct twilight patrols to ensure a smooth passage to the area where the vessel is conducting an in-depth patrol.
Upon arrival off the coast of South Georgia HMS Iron Duke surveyed areas to the east of the island taking in the abandoned Whaling Stations at Leith, Husvik and Stromness. Both ships entered Cumberland Bay, and HMS Iron Duke took the opportunity to make a close approach to the Nordenskold glacier.
Iron Duke's bridge reported that due to the nature of the terrain of South Georgia this patrol close in to the rocky shoreline provided the team with some excellent navigation training.
HMS Iron Duke has since spent some time at anchor off Grytviken which allowed the ship's company the opportunity to go ashore and see the abundant wildlife in and around the whaling station.
British Antarctic Survey staff in South Georgia made use of the helicopter to survey areas of the island. RFA Black Rover is now returning to the Falkland Islands, while HMS Iron Duke continues patrolling activities.
Commander Mark Newland, HMS Iron Duke's captain, said:
"The Atlantic Patrol Task (South) is a challenging and hugely rewarding deployment. Patrolling the island of South Georgia has been wonderful; it is truly a magical place. I am delighted to be here.
"My ship's company have worked incredibly hard over the last seven months. To expect a young sailor to have one job in our disaster relief organization operations, a second role when conducting counter-drugs patrols, and at the same time retain core skills such as those that provide reassurance to the Falkland Islands is a big task and they have responded magnificently.
"To have been able to bring them to South Georgia is a wonderful reward for all their efforts."
Russia, Venezuela to start naval drills in Caribbean
Source: Russian Navy
Russia and Venezuela will begin joint naval exercises in the Caribbean on Monday, lasting two days.
Four Russian and 12 Venezuelan ships will practice sea rescue operations and maneuvering, and conduct live-firing artillery drills. The exercises will include tactics to counter terrorism and drug trafficking, and will involve helicopters and planes, Russian and Venezuelan officials said earlier.
The Russian warships, led by the nuclear-powered cruiser Pyotr Veliky (Peter the Great) arrived in Venezuela on Tuesday - the first such deployment since the Cold War - ahead of the Russian president's first visit to the Latin American country.
The exercises are widely seen as Moscow's response to the United States' aid to Georgia after its brief war with Russia and U.S. plans to deploy missiles in Central Europe. Russia has denied any connection.
Two Russian strategic bombers carried out patrols along the coast of South America in October.
During their visit to Russia's Admiral Chabanenko destroyer last week, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and his Venezuelan counterpart Hugo Chavez said the planned drills were designed to ensure stability in the region and were not aimed against third countries.
They said other Latin American states could join their countries' naval exercises in the future.
Photo of the Day
Gen. David H. Patraeus, Commander, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) gets briefed by Flight Deck Handler Lt. Cmdr. Wesley D. Cunningham in Flight Deck Control aboard the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71).
Gator
