196.
Apr. 14, 2024

I am a French citizen living in Normandy close to 1944 D-DAY landing beaches (OMAHA beach and UTAH beach). Since 2019, on sea shore near Grandcamp-Maisy, I collected some small rusted wreckages of a P-47 US WWII fighter. Because there is only one P-47 crash reported on this area during WWII, I have the strong feeling that they are parts of 2nd Lt. Charles E. LABNO aircraft, crashed here on June 22, 1944. Charles E. LABNO is not a MIA pilot and is now buried in Resurrection Catholic  Cemetery & Mausoleums, JUSTICE, COOK County (Illinois - USA). For years I made effort to identify and contact Charles E. LABNO family in order to share with them my findings. We are now close to the 80th anniversary of D-DAY and at the same time of Charles E. LABNO death. In a last effort to identify and contact Charles E. LABNO descendants I send this message to you, hoping you may have some means of action to succeed better than I did. Please find attached the small file I wrote related to all my findings and research work about 2nd Lt. Charles E. LABNO last flight over Normandy (FRANCE). Thanks a lot for your assistance.

Best regards,
Pascal Bouvier
Grandcamp-Maisy-Normandy, France

195.
Oct. 25, 2022

Thanks for your site.

Steen Raaschou
Copenhagen, Denmark

194.
May 3, 2020

I have found this photograph amongst my late mother in laws affects. I have looked online and discovered your email in the hope that a) you maybe able to give me an idea who the gentleman is in the picture or b) they maybe of some interest to you and you could use them on the website. My husband's family have history in the Royal Navy but unfortunately, we know very little about it. I look forward to hearing from you with any information you may have.

Karen Stevens

An unidentified RNR Lieutenant.

193.
Apr. 15, 2020

I have the following item to donate. I would like it to be sold/auctioned and the proceeds used to defray the cost of maintenance of the website MaritimeQuest.

It is a never used Zippo Lady's cigarette lighter (showing below.) The ship's patch is for the USS James Monroe SSBN-622. The dolphins on the reverse are silver. I purchased it from our ship recreation committee store while on patrol between 1965 and 1969.

I bought the lighter as a gift for an aunt. She told me at the time I gave it to her, about 1966-68, that she had quit smoking but would keep it. She died 2 years ago and I got the lighter back in the estate settlement.

My aunt was married to Mark Corley of Corley-Miller Manufacturing in Chicago. He was the inventor and manufacturer of Hobart meat and produce packaging machinery and the Hobart mixers used on Navy ships and all military shore installations. He also invented and made the Miller TIG and MIG welding machines and the Miller and the Hobart engine driven welding machines as well as industrial packaging and material handling machinery. He also made Zippo lighters under contract, so the lighter has been in some pretty impressive hands.

Mike Rankin
Ex-MM (SS), qualified on SS-425 and SSBN-622

192.
Jan. 28, 2019

I am a producer working at London, UK based production company called Like A Shot Entertainment. Currently we are working on a series that will explore shipwrecks around the world, one of the ones we are focusing on is the SS Cotopaxi, a merchant that disappeared on the 1st of December 1925 on route from Charleston, South Carolina to Havana, Cuba carrying a load of coal, and 33 crew members. 

We would really like to hear from people that had relatives on the ship either when it disappeared or on other journeys. Please send me an email to loubna.likeashot@gmail.com if you'd like to get in touch. 

Many thanks,
Loubna Turjuman

191.
Apr. 2, 2018

My dad, Noel Murray, was a merchant navy electrician from 1958 to 1982. He died in 2014, but wrote his life story which I've now published as a blog. It could be of interest to anyone with an interest in life at sea in that period. Please feel free to pass on the link or use in your web site.

https://williamnoelmurray.wordpress.com/

Best regards,
Dave Murray

190.
Mar. 25, 2018

I've been trying to identify an old photo for months now and hoping you can assist? Black and white c. 1920s-30s.

Thank you so much,
Lori Hull

The photo shows two Captains (one on each end) and an Admiral (center) standing on the stern of a ship. Probably a battleship. Reverse side suggests the photo was taken at or near san Francisco, California.

189.
Oct. 31, 2016

Just came across your site and it is magnificent, a great testimony to our late heroes. Well done.

Cheers,
Kevin Wallis
NSW Australia

188.
Aug. 24, 2016

I am thrilled and delighted to find such a wonderful website and thank you to all those behind it. My research into my grandfather AB D J44626 Frederick Bentley led me here. He was a survivor on the Prince of Wales when sunk off Singapore in 1941. Not only is the site a mine of information about that event, but also about many things "maritime." I sincerely hope that it is preserved for the education of generations to come.

Stephen Bentley

187.
July 28, 2015

I have just found your fascinating website. . . my Lord, HOW many men's lives . . . .and the history!! I have just finished the 7 year restoration of probably the last original and working Royal Navy -" Fast Motor Dinghy" - - -" FMD ". . or " Skimming Dish" as there were called. The Admiralty built 954 of them and so I have had to be extremely careful to get it all correct. I then made a website which some of your readers might like to have a look at. It is at   http://erikpam.wix.com/rnhistoricspeedboat I have always had a big problem trying to find photos of these sharp little craft. and today I found another 2 in your pages, which is marvelous!  These, I will insert in the the story of "Dragonfly"

All the best,
Erik Benson

186.
Feb. 22, 2015

Congratulations! An excellent site for seamen, airmen, and not only!

Capt. Marinel Chiriac, MSc, MNI
Constanta, Romania

185.
Feb. 19, 2015

Excellent site and extremely interesting to a retired Air Force pilot.

Thanks,
Robin Armour, Major USAFR Retired

184.
Nov. 17, 2014

I feel happy to to have found your site while browsing the net for Audie Murphy's memorial, and so encountering this site. My name is Johan Hennige and live in San Juan de Alicante (Spain), but am a Dutchman. I spent 45 years of my working life at sea as a ship's engineer on merchant vessels, dregers and offshore pipe laying vessels, so I am still interested in all things maritime. My hobbies are model shipbuilding (sailing ships) and all things concerning WWII, because I grew up during that time in the former Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia). So thanking you for this site.

With best of regards,
Johan Hennige

183.
Nov. 5, 2014

Signing into your Guestbook, I have been looking for an excellent Website such as yours for some time now.

Brian Bonicap
Spokane, Washington, USA

181.
June 27, 2014

I have a problem. Researching the arrival of my Grt Grt Grandmother in New York, I have found the manifest on New York Passenger Arrivals 1820-1957 showing her arrival with mother and sister on April 9th, 1858. I have looked at the original image on Ancestry as provided by the National Archives. Problem is that in researching the Great Western itself, every site I have reviewed shows she went to the breakers in 1856/7! Help, is there anyway to authenticate the 1858 Manifest or was here last voyage later then thought? Thanks for any info you may have or referral to another site.

Peter J. Monahan

180.
Aug. 6, 2013

Many pleasant memories about serving aboard USS Uvalde  AKA-88 during the Korean War, but I only have contact with one shipmate since discharge from the Navy . Any info about shipmates from  1952-1956 era would be appreciated.

George Edd Brown
BM2
Shipmate 1952-1956
Flatwoods, Kentucky

179.
June 24, 2013

Very interesting as I am trying to find my grandfather's ship, a midget submarine based in Gosport. His name was Gillard (William Walter) although the details are a bit sketchy. Thank you for the site... will be going to Gosport in the coming weeks (maybe even this week as it's Armed Forces Day).

William Wakeman

178.
Jan. 15, 2013

My father Frank served on merchant ships and was sunk by torpedo twice in the North Atlantic during WW2. Sadly, he died a few years ago never having talked about his experiences of the war. He was born and lived in Edinburgh and shipped out of various ports around the country. I am trying to find out the names of the ships that he served on during the war, particularly those that were sunk. I am hoping that one of your readers might have the answers or may be able to point me in the right direction.

Thanks,
Brian Passmore

177.
Dec. 23, 2012

I don't know if you have been aware of a long running campaign (70 years) that a medal should be awarded for Naval Operations in the Arctic delivering supplies to the Russians. It has been continually turned down by successive governments and many, I included, have long campaigned for such a medal to be given. They have been told that the Atlantic Star also covered service in the Arctic convoys, but many had not served in the Atlantic operations so would not qualify and in any case the areas are complete lt apart. I thought this may be of interest to you.

Prime Minister David Cameron said he was 'delighted' by the decision to award medals to Arctic Convoy veterans. During Prime Minister's Questions yesterday, Mr. Cameron said Sir John Holmes recommended that there will be an Arctic Convoy Star Medal after a review. He said; "I am very pleased that some of the brave men of the Arctic Convoys will get the recognition they so richly deserve for the very dangerous work they did. I pay tribute to my right honourable friends and the members for Portsmouth North and Gosport and members of the house from all sides who campaigned hard over these issues and I'm glad we have reached a resolution and one that is proper and right.' He said more details will emerge in the New Year about how the veterans can apply for a medal. It was also agreed that members of Bomber Command will be awarded a Clasp for their Star.

Derek Hodgson, R.N.
(HMS Concord 1948-1950)

176.
Dec. 20, 2012

Excellent source of reference. Many thanks indeed.

C. D. G. Pyke,
Chester, UK

175.
Nov. 10, 2012

The reason for my writing this time is to ask you if there is any way of identifying the vessels depicted in the pictures below of my wife Penny's father Lt. Kenneth Horley, second from left in the main picture with a bunch of other officers, and on the (picture) left in the pair of them. It would also be good to know if anyone can identify the men as well. We think that the pictures were taken c.1925. Kenneth was axed in the "Geddes Axe" and placed on the Reserve List as a Lt. Commander, and we think was discharged in about 1936. He died in 1941. If you can provide any information please contact me through the webmaster. (michael@maritimequest.com)

Patrick Langrishe

174.
Nov. 2, 2012

I am doing research on 4 stacker passenger liners for a work of fiction that I am writing. Specifically I would like to speak with someone knowledgeable of the ship operations and ship systems/mechanics. I also require sources of information ship layouts. Specifically my characters need a way of sabotaging the ship so as to delay its arrival to port and I wish to be as accurate as possible so as to enrich my story. Any assistance would be appreciated.

David Vladyka

173.
Sept. 5, 2012

Few lines to thank you for this amazing site. Documents found there are amazing, such a lot of work and friendship relations, surely.

I'm a French writer, my last book is a novel based on the Pacific War theatre - in process of being published soon - as each historical text, it takes a long time to got the right documentation, then i've been looking over the net for months, and today I found your site.

Congratulations for all this amazing pages,
Jean Michel RiHET

172.
July 16, 2012

Just a quick note to say that your site is a ship lovers dream! The photos are clear and beautiful and everything is so well organized. The time and effort that you have put into the site is obvious.

Thank You!!
Dennis Costabile
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA

171.
June 4, 2012

I am in possession of an old clock that has the following inscription on it:

PRESENTED TO NELLIE KENTLAND ON THE OCCASION OF HER LEAVING THE S.S. ATHENS FEB 1905.

Walter Charlton

170.
Apr. 22, 2012
Subject: USS Casco AVP-12

My uncle was on the USS Casco (AVP-12) Seaplane Tender of which he was a seaplane pilot.  My mother said he was a "rum runner" and the only survivor of his squadron (event unknown).  Does anyone have any information on this event or seaplane pilots or seaplanes in general? Thank you for any help you might be able to give me.

Sincerely,
Leronne Calvin-Wagner
Sacramento, California

169.
Apr. 17, 2012
Subject: Unveiling of Falklands SAS plaque.

A plaque commemorating those members of the SAS who lost their lives during the Falklands War in 1982 will be unveiled on the 19th May 2012 at 2pm in the Sun Room of the Allied Special Forces Grove at the National Memorial Arboretum.

On the 20th May 2012 the Falklands memorial will be dedicated at the Arboretum. More details about this can be obtained via their website www.thenma.org.uk

Hope that this is all of interest to your members.

Regards,
Mike Colton
Secretary
Allied Special Forces Association

168.
Feb. 22, 2012
Subject: Former Far Eastern Prisoners of War Conference.

We are announcing the next conference on former Far Eastern PoWs for Sept. 8/9, 2012. For anyone interested in this subject or interested in attending the conference please check our website for further details.

Mag Parkes
www.researchingfepowhistory.org.uk

167.
Jan. 26, 2012
Subject: Veterans

I would like to thank all veterans in wood county and around! God bless you all!

Chris Mays

166.
Dec. 13, 2011

Had a look at your site and quite liked it. It is hard to find anything on merchant ships. I have looked everywhere for pictures of the tugs, Warilla and Wooree. These were owned by Waratah Tug and Salvage Company during the 1960's. I myself served with the RAN on Sydney, Stalwart and Paluma. during the 1960's to 1970. The Warilla gave me good childhood memories as I often went out with her in Newcastle on jobs. Anyway, congrats on a good site.

All the best,
Wayne Cummings

165.
Dec. 1, 2011

I am wondering if you can help me please? I know my dad, Harry Binns, served in both the Royal and Merchant navies before and during the war, as a stoker. My mother told me that his heavy drinking was caused because his ship had been hit during the war and he saw a lot of his friends die but was able to help some until they were rescued. I know he had medals as I remember playing with them as a child, but I don't know which ship(s) he served on - is there anyway to find this out please. My mother spent some time in Portsmouth after they married during the war. My parents are both passed away, but we lost touch with my Dad after my parents split up in the '80's and I would like some tangible evidence of his war record for my sons and grandson if possible.

Kind Regards,
Vivienne O'Shea

164.
Oct. 6, 2011

I have a ships bell which has written on it--- CLARIDGE and the date 1849. Do you have any information available that would help me track down the ship it came from?

Thank you,
Darlene Smith
Vernon, BC, Canada

163.
Sept. 13, 2011

First class information on various related maritime sources of interest, you are to be congratulated on it's content and the conciseness contained there in. Well done I will be a regular visitor, many thanks. 

Bob Edgar
Lecturer, Reid Kerr College, Paisley, Scotland

162.
Aug. 20, 2011

Having found your site, it brought back many memories. In 1969 I visited my uncle Hans, in Gdansk with my father, as I speak no German I was only able to pick out a odd word or two, but I can remember him saying that he was made to enlist on a German battleship at the start of the war. He was, I believe, an engineer. My father said that he was wounded, and was interned in America until after the war ended, but he was not sure which ship he was on.

The story of the Graf Spee fits the bill though, any information would be gratefully received, my uncles name was Hans Stople, (sorry for the spelling, but I  don't know how it was spelled), he said that the captain ordered him to scuttle the ship by opening the sea hatches, and that they ran out of ammunition, or the ship would not have been captured. Hans lived for many years in Gdansk after the war, but after 1969, we lost all contact with him.

Regards,
Rudi Dymczynski

161.
Aug. 12, 2011

In June 1969 I was a Supplier in the Royal Air Force, and was posted to 1004 Signals Unit, HMS Jufair, BFPO63( Bahrain). At this time, I was a Senior Aircraftsman and 19 years old. I was in accommodation in the Old Navy HQ, HMS Jufair. To avoid boredom I joined the RAF Muharraq Diving Club down at RAF Muharraq, and trained in sub aqua. As Bahrain was not far from the oggin we made use of the RN dhows for getting to sea to go diving. We then started using RPL's of the RCT Maritime Unit based up the RAF ASR.

As I recall these boats were big enough to have 4x3 ton trucks as cargo and a landing craft type ramp at the front. I spent many happy hours on Sundays diving from this RPL. Also my unit used the services of 2 Sqn RCT for our daily transport needs. I must also give praise for the cinema run by the RCT, which used a whitewashed wall of the NAFFI for its screen. This is where I discovered Tom and Jerry cartoons, and above all the famous man  "FRED QUIMBY." Now 62 years old and retired after 27 years as a Guard on British Rail.

From S0595188 SAC Fisher J. E. 1004
Signals Unit, HMS Jufair, BFPO63.(6 June 1969 to 7 July 1970)

160.
July 22, 2011

I believe the tubular bridge in the background of the last photograph, on this page, was engineered and built by Isambard Kingdom Brunel. He also designed and built the Great Eastern steamship. Your site is the best for period photos of many famous ships. I check for updates regularly.

Gary Thorson
Mesa, Arizona
Boiler tender US Navy 1961-1964

159.
June 29, 2011

I recently found that my late father possibly served time on HMS MTB-732, his name was David John Greengrass. I noticed the crew that died on the 28th 1944, was trying to locate the survivors list. David spent the rest of the war in Africa, he was in the Royal Marines Coastal services. I have spent over 10 years on my ancestry and have managed to go back to 1250 A.D. on the family name Greengrass. This would be a nice link if you have any information regarding David greengrass. David died in England 1989.

Regards,
Peter Woodward
Canada

158.
June 19, 2011

Do you happen to know the names of the Masters of SS Exterminator, SS Hybert, and SS John Randolph (All in QP-13)? Besides, I am looking for a long time now for the names of the Masters of SS Alcoa Ranger, SS Fairfield City, SS Navarino, SS Pan Atlantic, SS Troubador, SS West Gotomska, and SS Exford. (All in PQ-17; Exford and West Gotomska left the Convoy). And I nowhere can find the name of the Master of MV Cheshire, the ship that sailed together with the unfortunate SS Léopoldville from the UK to Cherbourg on Christmas eve 1944. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Kind regards,
Pieter Graf
Netherlands

157.
Mar. 13, 2011

I am researching my family's history in WW 1, " Mc Kernon, " and stumbled across your site. I have already found some of the ships Edward Mc Kernon served on, and I look forward to spending many hours looking at your wonderful photos.

Thank you,
Marion Mc Larnon
Newtownabbey, Northern Ireland

156.
Mar. 9, 2011

Does anyone know of registers of sea captains or yacht captains for the 1920 & 1930 time frame?  I am researching Frank Max Frantzen who captained a number of yachts, including those for the Barklie Henry family and possibly the Kimball family.  He lived mostly in NYC and died in the Bahamas while sailing one of the yachts in 1937.  If anyone knows where I could find a registry for captains at that time, I certainly would appreciate it.

Karen S. Golden Rodgers
Manteo, North Carolina

155.
Jan. 13, 2010

I'm a WW2 vet who would like to correspond with anyone who was aboard a troopship when it sailed from Le Havre to New York arriving Jan. 1, 1946. One soldier I remember was Ed Curran. In the original "Perfect Storm" that we encountered he was in his bunk seasick for most of the voyage. I would like to hear from someone because I have written a story about our wild ride for my grandchildren... and also want to find out
the name of my ship. The first to go is memory!

Frank Walsh
Coos Bay, Oregon

154.
Dec. 13, 2010

I recently bought a used couch and found a package of old pictures in it. I am sure someone would like these back. Seems to be a reunion at DayBreak motel maybe. Sign says "Welcome USS Nevada Association SSBN-733 33rd Reunion  Aug. 13-16 1986 The year of the great comm:"  Another has a sign which reads "Nautilus Dining Room" with two men standing near the entrance. A smaller photo says "J.J. Fontenot 1987" on the back. Also a black and white photo of four sailors two are Petty Officers, don't know about the other two. If you can identify the owner or contact them, please let me know. 

Thanks
Diana