A couple weeks ago we had hurricane force winds (76 mph) here in the midwest causing severe damage and power outages. We were out for 4.5 days ourselves due to downed trees. When you are at sea or in port when this happens, there is nothing to block the gale force winds that can occur. This is what happened with the RV Petrel, the ship that found the wreck of STRONG in February of 2019. The link to this article, Leith Port Accident will tell the story. 

The ship is in port between missions. She is now owned by the US Navy and operations are run by another engineering group. The winds knocked her on her side. Many people were on board and there are multiple injuries, to what extent I do not know. It will be a miracle if no one dies from this. Some of the equipment that was not tied down could be the cause of some of the casualties, a very dangerous situation. My friend and former crew member of Petrel, Paul Mayer sent me the article this morning. None of the former crew or staff were on board at the time. 

Greg and I are headed to Edinburgh where Leith Port is located in mid-April. I had hoped to get up there to see the ship and perhaps take some pictures. This however, is not the scenario I would have wanted, something such as this to keep the ship in port. I wish for a speedy recovery for anyone injured and that the ship is made right soon. 

I will post updates and possibly pictures if we can get access to the docks. 

-Tammi

Well, it's been a rough few days. I've been wanting to post up some information for everyone about a book by James Horan and Paul Mayer's new and wonderful award. But last weekend my husband was diagnosed with COVID, we lost power for 4.5 days and I've been overwhelmed and feel like death warmed over. We're both getting better, power's back and I'm still testing negative, so on with the show. 

My friend John Bailey who is writing a book about the history of the USS NICHOLAS DD-442 sent me a wonderful link to a PDF of the James Horan book, Action Tonight. Horan was a contemporary in WW2, traveling all over and interviewing men serving on the front lines and the sea in the South Pacific. There are several references to the STRONG DD-467 in here, particularly on pages 78, 91, 131, and 141. Below is the link to the book, a very compelling chronicle of his time spent there. Click here:
James Horan Action Tonight   (if this link does not work for you, message me from the Contacts page or the email on the home page and I can send you the link directly.)

Now, for Paul Mayer, our shipwreck hunter friend formerly with the crew of the RV Petrel. If you recall, they located the wreck of STRONG in February of 2019, but before and after that there were years on the seas making discoveries and bringing closure to families. Paul and his former boss and friend Rob Kraft were recently in Washington, D.C. to receive an award from the Department of the Navy for all their work over the years working with the late Paul Allen's company, Vulcan, Inc. See the pics below, taken by Paul's most sweet and beautiful wife, Rosie Mayer. Paul says: "Rosie and I got to go to Washington DC last weekend for myself and former boss Rob Kraft to receive a couple of service awards from the Navy History and Heritage Command.  It was for the work that was done by the crew of RV Petrel finding WWII ships.  Myself and Rob Kraft received medals but it was very much a team effort.  It was a casual afternoon hanging out with people that we worked with for a few years that became friends."

I'm also still waiting on some information that could change some things this year. If what I feel may happen, happens - then I will be most grateful. If not, then I tried. 

Stay well, everyone!

Tammi

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