Hi, While looking around one of the local book stores the other day, I picked up a very interesting book in their discount section entitled, "HMS Hood: Pride of the Royal Navy", by Andrew Norman.

It's a small book, less than 200 pages, but is packed with quite a bit of information from various interviews the author had with British seamen who happened to serve on this ship at some time during their naval careers, including one chapter of an interview with a Ted Briggs, one of three seamen who survived the final sinking of this ship in 1941.

There are quite a few photos of this ship throughout the book, with many of them interior shots of the various areas around the ship as well.

There is also chapter devoted to the two Boards of Inquires that were set up to study what acctually happened to cause this ship's destruction in her engagement with Bismark and Prinz Eugen. And a new one the author has come up with stating that it was caused by the herendous fires that had engulfed the ship's middle area during the battle, plus a lucky shot by Prinz Eugen that went down one of the ship's smoke stacks that ingited the fuel oil in the bowels of the ship. Interesting.

Now I don't know a whole lot about ships, naval affairs, and such, but this seemed like a pretty good book to me. And at $7, I thought it was too good of a buy to pass up.

Thanks and take care, Sgirty

Hey Larry.

Sounds like an interesting book, and quite a bargain at $7.00. The 'mighty Hood has always been a fascination for me. I wouldn't put too much credence in a shot from the P.E. going down the stack. The theory that the P.E. could have sunk the Hood has been tossed around a lot but has been pretty much been debunked. If you want to learn more about this great ship check out www.hmshood.com that is the site of the H.M.S. Hood Association.

Hi Rodger, Thanks for that web site. I put it in my favorites area in order to go back to it and read on it further later. Really liked that part of the site talking about the finding of the ship, as I find that really one of the most facinating parts of any ship's history, the work done by the various peoples and agencies that have located and taken photos of the various ship wrecks and how they look today after all those years under the water.

I also got in recently from the Military Book Club a book called "Kriegsmarine: The illustrated history of the German navy in World War II." It's general editor is Robert Jackson and it's printed by MBI Publishing Co. It's a pretty good book as well, with a lot of general history on each class of ships the Germans had out and their eventual fates. Lots of very nice photos as well, both taken during the conflict and afterwards.

Been thinking of maybe getting a ship model just to try--not like I don't have any models to build at the moment that is--ha, ha. The local hobby shop has a few Revell E-Boat models up there that seem to have about 1/2 of dust on them, so I should be able to get one at a pretty good price if I ask. But I don't know just how good the kit itself it and if it's really worth spending the money and time on it or not. Have to ask them about it.

Been busy putting down that Armstrong simulated wood flooring in the bedrooms and every joint and muscle from my waist down is telling me that I'm not quite as young as I used to be. Ha, ha! Made the big mistake of saying that if the wife bought the stuff I would put it down!!! So she took me at my word. Oh well, live and learn I guess.

Take care, Sgirty (Larry)

G'Morning, Yes the Mighty Hood tell many interesting stories! I have an internet friend, Terance McCrady from England. His father served on an escort Destroyer during WW-2. His father's Destroyer was with the Hood when she was sunk and also with the Price of Wales when she was lost. They were friends of Ted Briggs. Terance sent me the Hood book written by Ted briggs, A signed copy. I treasure this book, it gives one insite about what realy happened by one that was there. When I read it , it makes me feel that I am right there with him. The Name of the book is , Flagship Hood by Alan Coles and Ted Briggs. Ted tells of the entire history of the Hood. If you are interested in The Hoods history and what realy happened to her on that dreadful day, this is the book to have!

Cheers mates,

Garry

Garry, do you know if your friend's Father served on HMS Electra? That was one destroyer that was with both Hood and Force Z at Singapore. I remember a book when I was much younger about this ship. When they were given their orders to go with the P.O.W. and Repulse a Chief Petty Officer mentioned something to an officer. "Hmmm... HMS Electra will accompany Prince of Wales and battlecruiser...""That sounds familiar, doesn't it?" Later after the events of early December this came back to haunt the two men.

Hello Rodger, I cant think of the Destroyers name . But I will send an e-mail to Terance and find out.

Regards,

Garry

Hey Garry, if it is the Electra show your friend this link. http://www.pacificwrecks.com/ships/hms/electra.html It's about some divers finding the Electra in the Java Sea where she was sunk in action with ABDA.

Howdy Rodger,
I just got a response from my friend in England. Fast huh? And Yes his Fathers ship was the Electra, pretty cool it is! I would forward that link to him but I want to give it some thought first. His father past away not to long ago , and he dont like to talk about it to much. I have to think about his feelings. He says he wants to build a model of his Fathers ship, but he is not quite ready for that yet.
I would love to sit down with him someday and listen to him tell his fathers stories.

Cheers,

Garry

You and me both. My maternal uncle Bill was in the RNVR and served on the converted cruiser HMS Vindictive. Not a combat ship so they'll probably NEVER make a model of it. I only got to talk to him for a short time 25 years ago about it. I'd love to talk to him more but he's passed.


It's always chancy talking about vets when their old ships are found. Some our fascinated by it, some are brought to tears and very upset. Of course in the case of your friend it would be digging up the past as far as him losing his Father is concerned.

this may be a little off topic but for anyone who is interested check out www.fepow-community.org.uk scroll down a bit to the battle of the java sea H.M.S.Electra is mentioned.