So 2018 is nearly behind us. A lot happened that was shared through the blogs and much happened that was either too difficult to share or information that was confidential and can't be shared without permission. For the highlights of the year I put together a brief monthly synopsis below.
January – The first week of December 2017 Greg and I were in New Orleans, where we met Kevin Wheeler. Kevin is the son of Lt. Virgil Wheeler, a survivor of the sinking who went on to practice law and lead a very interesting life. In January our shipwreck hunter David Mearns was in New Orleans on business and was able to meet with Kevin. I’m always pleased when the people of STRONG have the opportunity to meet with the people who have made this project come alive over the years. Also this month, my website broke over 26,261 hits for the first time! I also began researching some of the men lost with Lt. Hugh Barr Miller, Jr. with the help of Jason Dawsey of the National WW2 Museum in New Orleans. Lastly, I talked with David about approaching the crew of the RV PETREL with some questions. David has worked with these guys for years. I was curious if they would care to have me contact them.
February – As to the last sentence above, David hooked me up with Paul Mayer of the RV PETREL crew! This began a wonderful friendship and for that I will always be grateful. As part of Paul’s continuing research on the STRONG and the events of the sinking, I asked Stephen Harding if he would send him a copy of The Castaway’s War, which he obliged. Paul was very open and I learned much about life on board a research vessel. I look forward to learning much more over time, and thank David for the assist. Web hits were at 21,895, a bit down from last month.
March – This month had its ups and downs. The main event was that the RV PETREL made an attempt to locate STRONG based on the coordinates available and were unsuccessful. While disappointing, we have got to look at it from the point of collecting data. At least they know where it’s not, so when they go looking again they don’t need to cover the same territory. This month we also discussed having a plaque made for the first time. Shipwreck hunter David Mearns completed questions for an upcoming article for Military History Magazine for Stephen Harding. It came out in the April edition of the magazine. Web hits were back up at 27, 650 for the month.
April – RV PETREL had located the wreck of the USS HELENA CL-50 back in March. They had to wait for the proper time to release news of the find and that happened in April. During the time she was discovered and the announcement though, I lost one of my contacts who had been on HELENA when she was hit. Fran Reiber lost his battle with time and went to the great sea beyond. It’s always sad when one of these men is lost to me. These sailors have provided me with so much information over the years. His loss hurt me greatly. Also lost this month, Mrs. Bettyjo Monroe, wife of Joe Monroe of the DD-758, the second STRONG. A very sweet lady and Greg will miss her teasing him. Web hits for this month were at 28, 015 and climbing again.
May – This month Greg and I finally met Paul Mayer in person! Paul and his wife Rosie live outside of Chattanooga. Being familiar with the drive down (our daughter used to live there), we easily made the trip and spent some very lovely and informative time with them at their home. Also this month I created a design for the plaque and submitted it to the trophy company to create. In May, web hits dropped a bit to 26,024.
June – The new book by David Mearns titled The Shipwreck Hunter was released in the US! He writes about me and the project in the final chapter and I couldn’t be more grateful for his consideration. I continue to make edits to the plaque in progress. June web hits dropped back to 22, 082.
July – The 75th anniversary of the STRONG sinking was on the 5th of the month. A few days later the RV PETREL announced the discovery of the wreck of the USS WARD, a destroyer present at Pearl Harbor on December 7th, 1941. I received the final draft on the plaque design and looked forward to sharing the finished plaque with the families. On their way back from attending a reunion of USS INDIANAPOLIS survivors, Paul and Rosie Mayer stopped in Lexington to have lunch with us and visit a while. Warmed my heart that they wanted to say hello and spend some time. Love having them as new friends! July web hits are at 24, 752.
August – Through an Australian man who visits my Facebook page for the project (thanks Nigel!) I made contact with a woman, Ender Rence who lives and works in the Solomon Islands. She could be very helpful in the future and I’m glad to know her. The plaque came back to the trophy company, but incomplete and I had to send it back for the finishing touches. Got it back before the end of the month. They did a beautiful job! This month we also lost Junior “Rocky” Britton of the DD-467. I got to meet Rocky in Gettysburg in 2015, so did David Mearns. Thank you Darlene, for keeping me posted on this. Web hits for August are at 25,864.
September – We attended the reunion in Baltimore/Annapolis and had a wonderful time! We visited Stephen Harding at his History.net offices in Tyson’s Corner. Very cool visit to the magazine offices and we came away with some free magazine copies. I also discovered the book Bones of My Grandfather by Clay Bonnyman Evans. After reading the book, I found I identified with him and his mission. Meeting him is now on my bucket list. Web hits for this month reached 28, 133.
October – This month we lost Paul G. Allen, co-founder of Microsoft and owner of Vulcan, Inc. Allen owned many research ships, among them the MY OCTOPUS and RV PETREL, both of which spent time in the Kula Gulf searching for STRONG. It still boggles the mind that he gave of his organizations time and expertise to help our cause. Even more so that there could still be more help in the future. I had so hoped to meet him some day. Also this month I solved the mystery surrounding the remains of one STRONG man who died on Arundel Island, Edward Deering. Still working on what may have happened to the other four men in regards to what happened to their remains after the war and have been in touch with the DPAA and other organizations. A blog on this is to come, I’m still working out some things. Web hits are at 29, 561.
November – David Mearns won the Mountbatten Award for his book The Shipwreck Hunter! His book was chosen out of 38 different books on maritime history. Congratulations to David! A new high for web hits at 29,933! The most ever!
December – Nothing to report this month. PETREL is still in the South Pacific and taking a holiday break, while Paul Mayer is home with his family and will report back toward the end of the month. They will remain in the South Pacific for the time being and I’ll keep all posted if anything of interest develops, anything I am at liberty to share that is. I truly believe it will. Web hits for this month still being tallied.
So much for the year behind. There will be more interesting things coming in 2019, rest assured. With the upcoming productions of movies for The Last Battle and The Castaway’s War, both from books by Stephen Harding, I’m sure there will be plenty to report later in the year. I’m also anxious to see if David Mearns has any new adventures to share. Stay tuned all, and thank you for all your support and encouragement through the year. I couldn't do this without you! Happy 2019!!!
Tammi
January – The first week of December 2017 Greg and I were in New Orleans, where we met Kevin Wheeler. Kevin is the son of Lt. Virgil Wheeler, a survivor of the sinking who went on to practice law and lead a very interesting life. In January our shipwreck hunter David Mearns was in New Orleans on business and was able to meet with Kevin. I’m always pleased when the people of STRONG have the opportunity to meet with the people who have made this project come alive over the years. Also this month, my website broke over 26,261 hits for the first time! I also began researching some of the men lost with Lt. Hugh Barr Miller, Jr. with the help of Jason Dawsey of the National WW2 Museum in New Orleans. Lastly, I talked with David about approaching the crew of the RV PETREL with some questions. David has worked with these guys for years. I was curious if they would care to have me contact them.
February – As to the last sentence above, David hooked me up with Paul Mayer of the RV PETREL crew! This began a wonderful friendship and for that I will always be grateful. As part of Paul’s continuing research on the STRONG and the events of the sinking, I asked Stephen Harding if he would send him a copy of The Castaway’s War, which he obliged. Paul was very open and I learned much about life on board a research vessel. I look forward to learning much more over time, and thank David for the assist. Web hits were at 21,895, a bit down from last month.
March – This month had its ups and downs. The main event was that the RV PETREL made an attempt to locate STRONG based on the coordinates available and were unsuccessful. While disappointing, we have got to look at it from the point of collecting data. At least they know where it’s not, so when they go looking again they don’t need to cover the same territory. This month we also discussed having a plaque made for the first time. Shipwreck hunter David Mearns completed questions for an upcoming article for Military History Magazine for Stephen Harding. It came out in the April edition of the magazine. Web hits were back up at 27, 650 for the month.
April – RV PETREL had located the wreck of the USS HELENA CL-50 back in March. They had to wait for the proper time to release news of the find and that happened in April. During the time she was discovered and the announcement though, I lost one of my contacts who had been on HELENA when she was hit. Fran Reiber lost his battle with time and went to the great sea beyond. It’s always sad when one of these men is lost to me. These sailors have provided me with so much information over the years. His loss hurt me greatly. Also lost this month, Mrs. Bettyjo Monroe, wife of Joe Monroe of the DD-758, the second STRONG. A very sweet lady and Greg will miss her teasing him. Web hits for this month were at 28, 015 and climbing again.
May – This month Greg and I finally met Paul Mayer in person! Paul and his wife Rosie live outside of Chattanooga. Being familiar with the drive down (our daughter used to live there), we easily made the trip and spent some very lovely and informative time with them at their home. Also this month I created a design for the plaque and submitted it to the trophy company to create. In May, web hits dropped a bit to 26,024.
June – The new book by David Mearns titled The Shipwreck Hunter was released in the US! He writes about me and the project in the final chapter and I couldn’t be more grateful for his consideration. I continue to make edits to the plaque in progress. June web hits dropped back to 22, 082.
July – The 75th anniversary of the STRONG sinking was on the 5th of the month. A few days later the RV PETREL announced the discovery of the wreck of the USS WARD, a destroyer present at Pearl Harbor on December 7th, 1941. I received the final draft on the plaque design and looked forward to sharing the finished plaque with the families. On their way back from attending a reunion of USS INDIANAPOLIS survivors, Paul and Rosie Mayer stopped in Lexington to have lunch with us and visit a while. Warmed my heart that they wanted to say hello and spend some time. Love having them as new friends! July web hits are at 24, 752.
August – Through an Australian man who visits my Facebook page for the project (thanks Nigel!) I made contact with a woman, Ender Rence who lives and works in the Solomon Islands. She could be very helpful in the future and I’m glad to know her. The plaque came back to the trophy company, but incomplete and I had to send it back for the finishing touches. Got it back before the end of the month. They did a beautiful job! This month we also lost Junior “Rocky” Britton of the DD-467. I got to meet Rocky in Gettysburg in 2015, so did David Mearns. Thank you Darlene, for keeping me posted on this. Web hits for August are at 25,864.
September – We attended the reunion in Baltimore/Annapolis and had a wonderful time! We visited Stephen Harding at his History.net offices in Tyson’s Corner. Very cool visit to the magazine offices and we came away with some free magazine copies. I also discovered the book Bones of My Grandfather by Clay Bonnyman Evans. After reading the book, I found I identified with him and his mission. Meeting him is now on my bucket list. Web hits for this month reached 28, 133.
October – This month we lost Paul G. Allen, co-founder of Microsoft and owner of Vulcan, Inc. Allen owned many research ships, among them the MY OCTOPUS and RV PETREL, both of which spent time in the Kula Gulf searching for STRONG. It still boggles the mind that he gave of his organizations time and expertise to help our cause. Even more so that there could still be more help in the future. I had so hoped to meet him some day. Also this month I solved the mystery surrounding the remains of one STRONG man who died on Arundel Island, Edward Deering. Still working on what may have happened to the other four men in regards to what happened to their remains after the war and have been in touch with the DPAA and other organizations. A blog on this is to come, I’m still working out some things. Web hits are at 29, 561.
November – David Mearns won the Mountbatten Award for his book The Shipwreck Hunter! His book was chosen out of 38 different books on maritime history. Congratulations to David! A new high for web hits at 29,933! The most ever!
December – Nothing to report this month. PETREL is still in the South Pacific and taking a holiday break, while Paul Mayer is home with his family and will report back toward the end of the month. They will remain in the South Pacific for the time being and I’ll keep all posted if anything of interest develops, anything I am at liberty to share that is. I truly believe it will. Web hits for this month still being tallied.
So much for the year behind. There will be more interesting things coming in 2019, rest assured. With the upcoming productions of movies for The Last Battle and The Castaway’s War, both from books by Stephen Harding, I’m sure there will be plenty to report later in the year. I’m also anxious to see if David Mearns has any new adventures to share. Stay tuned all, and thank you for all your support and encouragement through the year. I couldn't do this without you! Happy 2019!!!
Tammi
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