Macabre seagoing custom
 

I just came into possession of several boxes of old family photos. In
one of them, I found a manila envelope containing photos that had been
taken aboard the HMS Skirmisher during the battle of Jutland. (My
maternal grandfater served on this destroyer escort). Two or three
dramatic shots of depth charges blowing up U-boats, and one taken just
as a torpedo struck a ship immediately aft of HMS Skirmisher (*huge*
explosion). Several photos of other ships involved in the battle, and a
couple of shots of HMS Clan McVeigh in various stages of sinking.

One of the more interesting photos from a social commentary standpoint
and of interest to naval history buffs shows a group of sailors
standing around a pile of clothing, etc, on deck. The handwritten
caption on the back of the photo says, "sale of a dead man's effects,"
and it does appear that an auction could be in progress or about to
begin. (I assume this was not during the actual battle). Obviously back
about 90 years ago there wasn't any effort to send things home to the
family, and if your shipmate was killed in battle you would have an
opportunity to bid on his belongings. (It would be nice to think that
whatever money was raised from the sale would have been sent to the
surviving family, rather than escheat to the Admiralty.).

Another interesting photo, from a historical perspective, shows a group
of sailors gathered around a couple of very large maps (no, not charts-
continental maps). At first I wondered what they were doing, but upon
enlarging the photo a bit I noticed that the top of the maps read "The
Daily Mail".
Obviously the newspaper (the Mail) was including large maps of mainland
Europe in some of their issues in those days, and the sailors are
following the progress of the ground war.

A couple of snippets of "flavor" from the British Navy, WWI.

Macabre seagoing custom
 

wrote:
Another interesting photo, from a historical perspective, shows a group
of sailors gathered around a couple of very large maps (no, not charts-
continental maps). At first I wondered what they were doing, but upon
enlarging the photo a bit I noticed that the top of the maps read "The
Daily Mail".
Obviously the newspaper (the Mail) was including large maps of mainland
Europe in some of their issues in those days, and the sailors are
following the progress of the ground war.

A couple of snippets of "flavor" from the British Navy, WWI.

Interesting Chuck.

One side not to your last statement was that in WWI and WWII , weather
the Brits bombed Berlin, or vise versa, where ever the bombs hit
(especially on night raids) the spys would read the next days paper to
find out about the carnage, then radio telegraph the other side to make
a report for accuracy.

primitive intellegence, but it seemed to work.

Macabre seagoing custom
 

On 7 Jun 2006 10:01:32 -0700, "
wrote:

I just came into possession of several boxes of old family photos. In
one of them, I found a manila envelope containing photos that had been
taken aboard the HMS Skirmisher during the battle of Jutland. (My
maternal grandfater served on this destroyer escort). Two or three
dramatic shots of depth charges blowing up U-boats, and one taken just
as a torpedo struck a ship immediately aft of HMS Skirmisher (*huge*
explosion). Several photos of other ships involved in the battle, and a
couple of shots of HMS Clan McVeigh in various stages of sinking.

One of the more interesting photos from a social commentary standpoint
and of interest to naval history buffs shows a group of sailors
standing around a pile of clothing, etc, on deck. The handwritten
caption on the back of the photo says, "sale of a dead man's effects,"
and it does appear that an auction could be in progress or about to
begin. (I assume this was not during the actual battle). Obviously back
about 90 years ago there wasn't any effort to send things home to the
family, and if your shipmate was killed in battle you would have an
opportunity to bid on his belongings. (It would be nice to think that
whatever money was raised from the sale would have been sent to the
surviving family, rather than escheat to the Admiralty.).

Another interesting photo, from a historical perspective, shows a group
of sailors gathered around a couple of very large maps (no, not charts-
continental maps). At first I wondered what they were doing, but upon
enlarging the photo a bit I noticed that the top of the maps read "The
Daily Mail".
Obviously the newspaper (the Mail) was including large maps of mainland
Europe in some of their issues in those days, and the sailors are
following the progress of the ground war.

A couple of snippets of "flavor" from the British Navy, WWI.

From what I've read, the practice of selling the clothing and personal
effects of the deceased dates back to at least the 18th century. The monies
collected were supposed to go to the family, but the 'purser/ship's
accountant usually took a cut.

Nowadays, an officer, duly appointed, makes an inventory of everything,
boxes it up, and ships it to the next of kin. The officer is expected to
remove items which the next of kin may find offensive, e.g. pornography,
used prophylactics, etc., or which is illegal to possess, e.g. drugs.
--
John H

******************************************
***** Have a Spectacular Day! *****
******************************************

Macabre seagoing custom
 

"JohnH" wrote in message
...
On 7 Jun 2006 10:01:32 -0700, "
wrote:

I just came into possession of several boxes of old family photos. In
one of them, I found a manila envelope containing photos that had been
taken aboard the HMS Skirmisher during the battle of Jutland. (My
maternal grandfater served on this destroyer escort). Two or three
dramatic shots of depth charges blowing up U-boats, and one taken just
as a torpedo struck a ship immediately aft of HMS Skirmisher (*huge*
explosion). Several photos of other ships involved in the battle, and a
couple of shots of HMS Clan McVeigh in various stages of sinking.

One of the more interesting photos from a social commentary standpoint
and of interest to naval history buffs shows a group of sailors
standing around a pile of clothing, etc, on deck. The handwritten
caption on the back of the photo says, "sale of a dead man's effects,"
and it does appear that an auction could be in progress or about to
begin. (I assume this was not during the actual battle). Obviously back
about 90 years ago there wasn't any effort to send things home to the
family, and if your shipmate was killed in battle you would have an
opportunity to bid on his belongings. (It would be nice to think that
whatever money was raised from the sale would have been sent to the
surviving family, rather than escheat to the Admiralty.).

Another interesting photo, from a historical perspective, shows a group
of sailors gathered around a couple of very large maps (no, not charts-
continental maps). At first I wondered what they were doing, but upon
enlarging the photo a bit I noticed that the top of the maps read "The
Daily Mail".
Obviously the newspaper (the Mail) was including large maps of mainland
Europe in some of their issues in those days, and the sailors are
following the progress of the ground war.

A couple of snippets of "flavor" from the British Navy, WWI.

From what I've read, the practice of selling the clothing and personal
effects of the deceased dates back to at least the 18th century. The
monies
collected were supposed to go to the family, but the 'purser/ship's
accountant usually took a cut.

Nowadays, an officer, duly appointed, makes an inventory of everything,
boxes it up, and ships it to the next of kin. The officer is expected to
remove items which the next of kin may find offensive, e.g. pornography,
used prophylactics, etc., or which is illegal to possess, e.g. drugs.
--
John H

******************************************
***** Have a Spectacular Day! *****
******************************************


*Used* prophylactics???? Who the hell saves *used* prophylactics?

Macabre seagoing custom
 

Macabre seagoing custom
 

JimH wrote:
"JohnH" wrote in message
...
On 7 Jun 2006 10:01:32 -0700, "
wrote:

I just came into possession of several boxes of old family photos. In
one of them, I found a manila envelope containing photos that had been
taken aboard the HMS Skirmisher during the battle of Jutland. (My
maternal grandfater served on this destroyer escort). Two or three
dramatic shots of depth charges blowing up U-boats, and one taken just
as a torpedo struck a ship immediately aft of HMS Skirmisher (*huge*
explosion). Several photos of other ships involved in the battle, and a
couple of shots of HMS Clan McVeigh in various stages of sinking.

One of the more interesting photos from a social commentary standpoint
and of interest to naval history buffs shows a group of sailors
standing around a pile of clothing, etc, on deck. The handwritten
caption on the back of the photo says, "sale of a dead man's effects,"
and it does appear that an auction could be in progress or about to
begin. (I assume this was not during the actual battle). Obviously back
about 90 years ago there wasn't any effort to send things home to the
family, and if your shipmate was killed in battle you would have an
opportunity to bid on his belongings. (It would be nice to think that
whatever money was raised from the sale would have been sent to the
surviving family, rather than escheat to the Admiralty.).

Another interesting photo, from a historical perspective, shows a group
of sailors gathered around a couple of very large maps (no, not charts-
continental maps). At first I wondered what they were doing, but upon
enlarging the photo a bit I noticed that the top of the maps read "The
Daily Mail".
Obviously the newspaper (the Mail) was including large maps of mainland
Europe in some of their issues in those days, and the sailors are
following the progress of the ground war.

A couple of snippets of "flavor" from the British Navy, WWI.

From what I've read, the practice of selling the clothing and personal
effects of the deceased dates back to at least the 18th century. The
monies
collected were supposed to go to the family, but the 'purser/ship's
accountant usually took a cut.

Nowadays, an officer, duly appointed, makes an inventory of everything,
boxes it up, and ships it to the next of kin. The officer is expected to
remove items which the next of kin may find offensive, e.g. pornography,
used prophylactics, etc., or which is illegal to possess, e.g. drugs.
--
John H

******************************************
***** Have a Spectacular Day! *****
******************************************


*Used* prophylactics???? Who the hell saves *used* prophylactics?

Now THAT'S "macabre"!

Macabre seagoing custom
 

On Wed, 07 Jun 2006 19:04:32 GMT, Don White wrote:

wrote:
I just came into possession of several boxes of old family photos. In
one of them, I found a manila envelope containing photos that had been
taken aboard the HMS Skirmisher during the battle of Jutland. (My
maternal grandfater served on this destroyer escort). Two or three
dramatic shots of depth charges blowing up U-boats, and one taken just
as a torpedo struck a ship immediately aft of HMS Skirmisher (*huge*
explosion). Several photos of other ships involved in the battle, and a
couple of shots of HMS Clan McVeigh in various stages of sinking.

One of the more interesting photos from a social commentary standpoint
and of interest to naval history buffs shows a group of sailors
standing around a pile of clothing, etc, on deck. The handwritten
caption on the back of the photo says, "sale of a dead man's effects,"
and it does appear that an auction could be in progress or about to
begin. (I assume this was not during the actual battle). Obviously back
about 90 years ago there wasn't any effort to send things home to the
family, and if your shipmate was killed in battle you would have an
opportunity to bid on his belongings. (It would be nice to think that
whatever money was raised from the sale would have been sent to the
surviving family, rather than escheat to the Admiralty.).

Another interesting photo, from a historical perspective, shows a group
of sailors gathered around a couple of very large maps (no, not charts-
continental maps). At first I wondered what they were doing, but upon
enlarging the photo a bit I noticed that the top of the maps read "The
Daily Mail".
Obviously the newspaper (the Mail) was including large maps of mainland
Europe in some of their issues in those days, and the sailors are
following the progress of the ground war.

A couple of snippets of "flavor" from the British Navy, WWI.


Don't suppose you could 'scan' those photos and post them?

I second that!
--
John H

******************************************
***** Have a Spectacular Day! *****
******************************************

Macabre seagoing custom
 

On 7 Jun 2006 12:13:28 -0700, "basskisser" wrote:


JimH wrote:
"JohnH" wrote in message
...
On 7 Jun 2006 10:01:32 -0700, "
wrote:

I just came into possession of several boxes of old family photos. In
one of them, I found a manila envelope containing photos that had been
taken aboard the HMS Skirmisher during the battle of Jutland. (My
maternal grandfater served on this destroyer escort). Two or three
dramatic shots of depth charges blowing up U-boats, and one taken just
as a torpedo struck a ship immediately aft of HMS Skirmisher (*huge*
explosion). Several photos of other ships involved in the battle, and a
couple of shots of HMS Clan McVeigh in various stages of sinking.

One of the more interesting photos from a social commentary standpoint
and of interest to naval history buffs shows a group of sailors
standing around a pile of clothing, etc, on deck. The handwritten
caption on the back of the photo says, "sale of a dead man's effects,"
and it does appear that an auction could be in progress or about to
begin. (I assume this was not during the actual battle). Obviously back
about 90 years ago there wasn't any effort to send things home to the
family, and if your shipmate was killed in battle you would have an
opportunity to bid on his belongings. (It would be nice to think that
whatever money was raised from the sale would have been sent to the
surviving family, rather than escheat to the Admiralty.).

Another interesting photo, from a historical perspective, shows a group
of sailors gathered around a couple of very large maps (no, not charts-
continental maps). At first I wondered what they were doing, but upon
enlarging the photo a bit I noticed that the top of the maps read "The
Daily Mail".
Obviously the newspaper (the Mail) was including large maps of mainland
Europe in some of their issues in those days, and the sailors are
following the progress of the ground war.

A couple of snippets of "flavor" from the British Navy, WWI.

From what I've read, the practice of selling the clothing and personal
effects of the deceased dates back to at least the 18th century. The
monies
collected were supposed to go to the family, but the 'purser/ship's
accountant usually took a cut.

Nowadays, an officer, duly appointed, makes an inventory of everything,
boxes it up, and ships it to the next of kin. The officer is expected to
remove items which the next of kin may find offensive, e.g. pornography,
used prophylactics, etc., or which is illegal to possess, e.g. drugs.
--
John H

******************************************
***** Have a Spectacular Day! *****
******************************************


*Used* prophylactics???? Who the hell saves *used* prophylactics?

Now THAT'S "macabre"!

Jees. Most would recognize that as said in jest. Some wouldn't.
--
John H

******************************************
***** Have a Spectacular Day! *****
******************************************

Macabre seagoing custom
 

LOL! Interesting to invision. It's amazing what you can be forced to
use when on the sea for month's at a time, especially when such a
comodity may be in a quite limited supply.

Who know's , you might have been forced to share with your ship mates,
when it's somebodys "turn in the barrel"
*ugh!*


JimH wrote:
"JohnH" wrote in message
...
On 7 Jun 2006 10:01:32 -0700, "
wrote:

I just came into possession of several boxes of old family photos. In
one of them, I found a manila envelope containing photos that had been
taken aboard the HMS Skirmisher during the battle of Jutland. (My
maternal grandfater served on this destroyer escort). Two or three
dramatic shots of depth charges blowing up U-boats, and one taken just
as a torpedo struck a ship immediately aft of HMS Skirmisher (*huge*
explosion). Several photos of other ships involved in the battle, and a
couple of shots of HMS Clan McVeigh in various stages of sinking.

One of the more interesting photos from a social commentary standpoint
and of interest to naval history buffs shows a group of sailors
standing around a pile of clothing, etc, on deck. The handwritten
caption on the back of the photo says, "sale of a dead man's effects,"
and it does appear that an auction could be in progress or about to
begin. (I assume this was not during the actual battle). Obviously back
about 90 years ago there wasn't any effort to send things home to the
family, and if your shipmate was killed in battle you would have an
opportunity to bid on his belongings. (It would be nice to think that
whatever money was raised from the sale would have been sent to the
surviving family, rather than escheat to the Admiralty.).

Another interesting photo, from a historical perspective, shows a group
of sailors gathered around a couple of very large maps (no, not charts-
continental maps). At first I wondered what they were doing, but upon
enlarging the photo a bit I noticed that the top of the maps read "The
Daily Mail".
Obviously the newspaper (the Mail) was including large maps of mainland
Europe in some of their issues in those days, and the sailors are
following the progress of the ground war.

A couple of snippets of "flavor" from the British Navy, WWI.

From what I've read, the practice of selling the clothing and personal
effects of the deceased dates back to at least the 18th century. The
monies
collected were supposed to go to the family, but the 'purser/ship's
accountant usually took a cut.

Nowadays, an officer, duly appointed, makes an inventory of everything,
boxes it up, and ships it to the next of kin. The officer is expected to
remove items which the next of kin may find offensive, e.g. pornography,
used prophylactics, etc., or which is illegal to possess, e.g. drugs.
--
John H

******************************************
***** Have a Spectacular Day! *****
******************************************


*Used* prophylactics???? Who the hell saves *used* prophylactics?

Macabre seagoing custom
 

JimH wrote:

"JohnH" wrote in message
...

On 7 Jun 2006 10:01:32 -0700, "
wrote:


I just came into possession of several boxes of old family photos. In
one of them, I found a manila envelope containing photos that had been
taken aboard the HMS Skirmisher during the battle of Jutland. (My
maternal grandfater served on this destroyer escort). Two or three
dramatic shots of depth charges blowing up U-boats, and one taken just
as a torpedo struck a ship immediately aft of HMS Skirmisher (*huge*
explosion). Several photos of other ships involved in the battle, and a
couple of shots of HMS Clan McVeigh in various stages of sinking.

One of the more interesting photos from a social commentary standpoint
and of interest to naval history buffs shows a group of sailors
standing around a pile of clothing, etc, on deck. The handwritten
caption on the back of the photo says, "sale of a dead man's effects,"
and it does appear that an auction could be in progress or about to
begin. (I assume this was not during the actual battle). Obviously back
about 90 years ago there wasn't any effort to send things home to the
family, and if your shipmate was killed in battle you would have an
opportunity to bid on his belongings. (It would be nice to think that
whatever money was raised from the sale would have been sent to the
surviving family, rather than escheat to the Admiralty.).

Another interesting photo, from a historical perspective, shows a group
of sailors gathered around a couple of very large maps (no, not charts-
continental maps). At first I wondered what they were doing, but upon
enlarging the photo a bit I noticed that the top of the maps read "The
Daily Mail".
Obviously the newspaper (the Mail) was including large maps of mainland
Europe in some of their issues in those days, and the sailors are
following the progress of the ground war.

A couple of snippets of "flavor" from the British Navy, WWI.

From what I've read, the practice of selling the clothing and personal
effects of the deceased dates back to at least the 18th century. The
monies
collected were supposed to go to the family, but the 'purser/ship's
accountant usually took a cut.

Nowadays, an officer, duly appointed, makes an inventory of everything,
boxes it up, and ships it to the next of kin. The officer is expected to
remove items which the next of kin may find offensive, e.g. pornography,
used prophylactics, etc., or which is illegal to possess, e.g. drugs.
--
John H

******************************************
***** Have a Spectacular Day! *****
******************************************



*Used* prophylactics???? Who the hell saves *used* prophylactics?

Ummm....Scotsmen?

DT

Macabre seagoing custom
 

"dt" wrote in message
...
JimH wrote:

"JohnH" wrote in message
...

On 7 Jun 2006 10:01:32 -0700, "
wrote:


I just came into possession of several boxes of old family photos. In
one of them, I found a manila envelope containing photos that had been
taken aboard the HMS Skirmisher during the battle of Jutland. (My
maternal grandfater served on this destroyer escort). Two or three
dramatic shots of depth charges blowing up U-boats, and one taken just
as a torpedo struck a ship immediately aft of HMS Skirmisher (*huge*
explosion). Several photos of other ships involved in the battle, and a
couple of shots of HMS Clan McVeigh in various stages of sinking.

One of the more interesting photos from a social commentary standpoint
and of interest to naval history buffs shows a group of sailors
standing around a pile of clothing, etc, on deck. The handwritten
caption on the back of the photo says, "sale of a dead man's effects,"
and it does appear that an auction could be in progress or about to
begin. (I assume this was not during the actual battle). Obviously back
about 90 years ago there wasn't any effort to send things home to the
family, and if your shipmate was killed in battle you would have an
opportunity to bid on his belongings. (It would be nice to think that
whatever money was raised from the sale would have been sent to the
surviving family, rather than escheat to the Admiralty.).

Another interesting photo, from a historical perspective, shows a group
of sailors gathered around a couple of very large maps (no, not charts-
continental maps). At first I wondered what they were doing, but upon
enlarging the photo a bit I noticed that the top of the maps read "The
Daily Mail".
Obviously the newspaper (the Mail) was including large maps of mainland
Europe in some of their issues in those days, and the sailors are
following the progress of the ground war.

A couple of snippets of "flavor" from the British Navy, WWI.

From what I've read, the practice of selling the clothing and personal
effects of the deceased dates back to at least the 18th century. The
monies
collected were supposed to go to the family, but the 'purser/ship's
accountant usually took a cut.

Nowadays, an officer, duly appointed, makes an inventory of everything,
boxes it up, and ships it to the next of kin. The officer is expected to
remove items which the next of kin may find offensive, e.g. pornography,
used prophylactics, etc., or which is illegal to possess, e.g. drugs.
--
John H

******************************************
***** Have a Spectacular Day! *****
******************************************



*Used* prophylactics???? Who the hell saves *used* prophylactics?

Ummm....Scotsmen?

DT

I guess JohnH also did at some point in his life....which may even be now.
;-)

Macabre seagoing custom
 

Don White wrote:



Don't suppose you could 'scan' those photos and post them?

Here you go. Just click on the Battle of Jutland Gallery. :-)

http://www.pbase.com/gould/galleries

Macabre seagoing custom
 

wrote in message
oups.com...

Don White wrote:



Don't suppose you could 'scan' those photos and post them?

Here you go. Just click on the Battle of Jutland Gallery. :-)

http://www.pbase.com/gould/galleries


Those pics are priceless! Thanks for sharing them.

BTW: Your boat is looking mighty fine based on the rehab pics! When was
the last time you had a shine like that on the hull? ;-)

Macabre seagoing custom
 

On 7 Jun 2006 14:20:03 -0700, "
wrote:


Don White wrote:



Don't suppose you could 'scan' those photos and post them?

Here you go. Just click on the Battle of Jutland Gallery. :-)

http://www.pbase.com/gould/galleries

Very nice, Chuck. I'll bet there is a WW1 museum somewhere that would give
it's eye teeth for copies of those. What a find.

Thanks for the post and the trouble.
--
John H

******************************************
***** Have a Spectacular Day! *****
******************************************

Macabre seagoing custom
 

On 7 Jun 2006 13:28:27 -0700, "basskisser" wrote:


JohnH wrote:
On 7 Jun 2006 12:13:28 -0700, "basskisser" wrote:


JimH wrote:
"JohnH" wrote in message
...
On 7 Jun 2006 10:01:32 -0700, "
wrote:

I just came into possession of several boxes of old family photos. In
one of them, I found a manila envelope containing photos that had been
taken aboard the HMS Skirmisher during the battle of Jutland. (My
maternal grandfater served on this destroyer escort). Two or three
dramatic shots of depth charges blowing up U-boats, and one taken just
as a torpedo struck a ship immediately aft of HMS Skirmisher (*huge*
explosion). Several photos of other ships involved in the battle, and a
couple of shots of HMS Clan McVeigh in various stages of sinking.

One of the more interesting photos from a social commentary standpoint
and of interest to naval history buffs shows a group of sailors
standing around a pile of clothing, etc, on deck. The handwritten
caption on the back of the photo says, "sale of a dead man's effects,"
and it does appear that an auction could be in progress or about to
begin. (I assume this was not during the actual battle). Obviously back
about 90 years ago there wasn't any effort to send things home to the
family, and if your shipmate was killed in battle you would have an
opportunity to bid on his belongings. (It would be nice to think that
whatever money was raised from the sale would have been sent to the
surviving family, rather than escheat to the Admiralty.).

Another interesting photo, from a historical perspective, shows a group
of sailors gathered around a couple of very large maps (no, not charts-
continental maps). At first I wondered what they were doing, but upon
enlarging the photo a bit I noticed that the top of the maps read "The
Daily Mail".
Obviously the newspaper (the Mail) was including large maps of mainland
Europe in some of their issues in those days, and the sailors are
following the progress of the ground war.

A couple of snippets of "flavor" from the British Navy, WWI.

From what I've read, the practice of selling the clothing and personal
effects of the deceased dates back to at least the 18th century. The
monies
collected were supposed to go to the family, but the 'purser/ship's
accountant usually took a cut.

Nowadays, an officer, duly appointed, makes an inventory of everything,
boxes it up, and ships it to the next of kin. The officer is expected to
remove items which the next of kin may find offensive, e.g. pornography,
used prophylactics, etc., or which is illegal to possess, e.g. drugs.
--
John H

******************************************
***** Have a Spectacular Day! *****
******************************************


*Used* prophylactics???? Who the hell saves *used* prophylactics?

Now THAT'S "macabre"!

Jees. Most would recognize that as said in jest. Some wouldn't.
--
John H

Uh, I got it, John!

I figured *you* did! Hell, I'd thought JimH had left. Hadn't seen any crap
from him in a while.
--
John H

******************************************
***** Have a Spectacular Day! *****
******************************************

Macabre seagoing custom
 

"JohnH" wrote in message
...
On 7 Jun 2006 13:28:27 -0700, "basskisser" wrote:


JohnH wrote:
On 7 Jun 2006 12:13:28 -0700, "basskisser" wrote:


JimH wrote:
"JohnH" wrote in message
...
On 7 Jun 2006 10:01:32 -0700, "
wrote:

I just came into possession of several boxes of old family photos.
In
one of them, I found a manila envelope containing photos that had
been
taken aboard the HMS Skirmisher during the battle of Jutland. (My
maternal grandfater served on this destroyer escort). Two or three
dramatic shots of depth charges blowing up U-boats, and one taken
just
as a torpedo struck a ship immediately aft of HMS Skirmisher
(*huge*
explosion). Several photos of other ships involved in the battle,
and a
couple of shots of HMS Clan McVeigh in various stages of sinking.

One of the more interesting photos from a social commentary
standpoint
and of interest to naval history buffs shows a group of sailors
standing around a pile of clothing, etc, on deck. The handwritten
caption on the back of the photo says, "sale of a dead man's
effects,"
and it does appear that an auction could be in progress or about to
begin. (I assume this was not during the actual battle). Obviously
back
about 90 years ago there wasn't any effort to send things home to
the
family, and if your shipmate was killed in battle you would have an
opportunity to bid on his belongings. (It would be nice to think
that
whatever money was raised from the sale would have been sent to the
surviving family, rather than escheat to the Admiralty.).

Another interesting photo, from a historical perspective, shows a
group
of sailors gathered around a couple of very large maps (no, not
charts-
continental maps). At first I wondered what they were doing, but
upon
enlarging the photo a bit I noticed that the top of the maps read
"The
Daily Mail".
Obviously the newspaper (the Mail) was including large maps of
mainland
Europe in some of their issues in those days, and the sailors are
following the progress of the ground war.

A couple of snippets of "flavor" from the British Navy, WWI.

From what I've read, the practice of selling the clothing and
personal
effects of the deceased dates back to at least the 18th century.
The
monies
collected were supposed to go to the family, but the 'purser/ship's
accountant usually took a cut.

Nowadays, an officer, duly appointed, makes an inventory of
everything,
boxes it up, and ships it to the next of kin. The officer is
expected to
remove items which the next of kin may find offensive, e.g.
pornography,
used prophylactics, etc., or which is illegal to possess, e.g.
drugs.
--
John H

******************************************
***** Have a Spectacular Day! *****
******************************************


*Used* prophylactics???? Who the hell saves *used* prophylactics?

Now THAT'S "macabre"!

Jees. Most would recognize that as said in jest. Some wouldn't.
--
John H

Uh, I got it, John!

I figured *you* did! Hell, I'd thought JimH had left. Hadn't seen any crap
from him in a while.
--
John H

******************************************
***** Have a Spectacular Day! *****
******************************************

Nice troll. Stale bait. Won't bite. Have a great evening John.

BTW: Just a reminder to throw away all your prophylactics after you use
them the first time. Didn't your Daddy teach you that? ;-)

Macabre seagoing custom
 

wrote:
Don White wrote:


Don't suppose you could 'scan' those photos and post them?


Here you go. Just click on the Battle of Jutland Gallery. :-)

http://www.pbase.com/gould/galleries


Thanks Chuck. Those are quite the pictures. I was surprised how well
fed the crews seemed to be.

Macabre seagoing custom
 

Don White wrote:
wrote:

Don White wrote:


Don't suppose you could 'scan' those photos and post them?



Here you go. Just click on the Battle of Jutland Gallery. :-)

http://www.pbase.com/gould/galleries


Thanks Chuck. Those are quite the pictures. I was surprised how well
fed the crews seemed to be.

Just finished watching a program on PBS Detroit called Battle of Hood &
Bismarck.
The battle of jutland was brought up. Seems HMS Hood's keel was laid in
1916... but after the Battle of Jutland, construction was held up while
the British tried to figure out why some of their big ships were sunk.
The difference...'modern' battleships could throw the shells a much
longer distance and the shell actually came down from an arc
above...rather than a straight on shot to the 'belt armour'. The
forward half of HMS Hood's deck was reinforced...but due to weight
concerns, the back half was let go for the time being. Guess where the
Bismark's shell fell.
http://www.wtvs.org/watch/schedule.shtml

Macabre seagoing custom
 

Don White wrote:
wrote:
Don White wrote:


Don't suppose you could 'scan' those photos and post them?


Here you go. Just click on the Battle of Jutland Gallery. :-)

http://www.pbase.com/gould/galleries


Thanks Chuck. Those are quite the pictures. I was surprised how well
fed the crews seemed to be.

I have an excellent reference explaining the abundance of the crew's
diet, (my grandfather's journal that he kept during this period of
time).

See those depth charges exploding?

Every time they had to muster to stations to lob depth charges at
U-boats, (or suspected U-boats), the cook's helpers would appear on
deck with long handled nets. Each time a depth charge exploded, all
sorts of fish would come to the surface either freshly killed or too
stunned and confused to swim to safety. More U-boats? More fresh fish
for dinner!

Macabre seagoing custom
 

JimH wrote:
"JohnH" wrote in message
...
On 7 Jun 2006 13:28:27 -0700, "basskisser" wrote:


JohnH wrote:
On 7 Jun 2006 12:13:28 -0700, "basskisser" wrote:


JimH wrote:
"JohnH" wrote in message
...
On 7 Jun 2006 10:01:32 -0700, "
wrote:

I just came into possession of several boxes of old family photos.
In
one of them, I found a manila envelope containing photos that had
been
taken aboard the HMS Skirmisher during the battle of Jutland. (My
maternal grandfater served on this destroyer escort). Two or three
dramatic shots of depth charges blowing up U-boats, and one taken
just
as a torpedo struck a ship immediately aft of HMS Skirmisher
(*huge*
explosion). Several photos of other ships involved in the battle,
and a
couple of shots of HMS Clan McVeigh in various stages of sinking.

One of the more interesting photos from a social commentary
standpoint
and of interest to naval history buffs shows a group of sailors
standing around a pile of clothing, etc, on deck. The handwritten
caption on the back of the photo says, "sale of a dead man's
effects,"
and it does appear that an auction could be in progress or about to
begin. (I assume this was not during the actual battle). Obviously
back
about 90 years ago there wasn't any effort to send things home to
the
family, and if your shipmate was killed in battle you would have an
opportunity to bid on his belongings. (It would be nice to think
that
whatever money was raised from the sale would have been sent to the
surviving family, rather than escheat to the Admiralty.).

Another interesting photo, from a historical perspective, shows a
group
of sailors gathered around a couple of very large maps (no, not
charts-
continental maps). At first I wondered what they were doing, but
upon
enlarging the photo a bit I noticed that the top of the maps read
"The
Daily Mail".
Obviously the newspaper (the Mail) was including large maps of
mainland
Europe in some of their issues in those days, and the sailors are
following the progress of the ground war.

A couple of snippets of "flavor" from the British Navy, WWI.

From what I've read, the practice of selling the clothing and
personal
effects of the deceased dates back to at least the 18th century.
The
monies
collected were supposed to go to the family, but the 'purser/ship's
accountant usually took a cut.

Nowadays, an officer, duly appointed, makes an inventory of
everything,
boxes it up, and ships it to the next of kin. The officer is
expected to
remove items which the next of kin may find offensive, e.g.
pornography,
used prophylactics, etc., or which is illegal to possess, e.g.
drugs.
--
John H

******************************************
***** Have a Spectacular Day! *****
******************************************


*Used* prophylactics???? Who the hell saves *used* prophylactics?

Now THAT'S "macabre"!

Jees. Most would recognize that as said in jest. Some wouldn't.
--
John H

Uh, I got it, John!

I figured *you* did! Hell, I'd thought JimH had left. Hadn't seen any crap
from him in a while.
--
John H

******************************************
***** Have a Spectacular Day! *****
******************************************

Nice troll. Stale bait. Won't bite. Have a great evening John.

He's in his calm mode now. Let's hope he's seen the light, but I'll bet
he'll go off on another name calling swear fest rant soon.