Ship Trivia Quiz

Unmanned, and if you were over here (in the UK) at this time of the year, you would be experiencing these "firings" - it was rocket-propelled! Another clue? The vessel was not the intended target.

Rick

Don't give up so easily! Another clue, which should enable you to find the answer. The rocket-propelled torpedo was the brainchild of Pascal Plant, who demonstrated it on the Potomac in December 1862.

Rick

 This it ?.

"The autumn of 1862 witnessed an incredible experiment in the Potomac River off Washington City. There, inventor Pascal Plant demonstrated his rocket-propelled underwater torpedo to Navy officials. True to his claims, Plant successfully sank a ship - unfortunately, it was the schooner Diana, which lay tied up next to the target vessel! A second torpedo "porpoised" out of the water and flew through the air for 100 yards. Missing the potential of both attacks, the navy Department declined to pursue Plant's ideas. ......."

"At this same time (July), Confederate records claim that a Colonel E.H. Angamar made an attack on the Union fleet off Mobile with rocket-propelled torpedoes launched from a similarly-powered boat. The first mention of this craft appeared in November of 1862, but whether the supposed attack ever took place or not is unknown (the U.S. Navy has no record of it). "

At last! Yes, it was the schooner "Diana" - the first ship sunk by a locomotive torpedo.

Next question please.

OK, nice easy one.

There were 175 of them, what were they called ?.

Nobody seems to want to have a stab at this, so I'll try. I think the HNSA (Historic Naval Ships Association) has(or had) about 175 vessels in its fleet.

Is that what you're after?

Rick

Very interesting,

But,

No.

These 175 were a class of ship.

Got it now, I think. Eleven shipyards launched 175 ships over 32 months in the 1940s. However, rather than monopolize this thread, I'll let someone else have the satisfaction of setting the next question.

Rick

I am going to assume that the answer above is the correct one (please, correct me if it isn't) and I would like to get the trivia Quiz moving again with a new question.

New question: Who was "The Incredibly Stupid One" and what ship did he fall off of?

That's the guy, he turned out to be a real hero and incredibly smart. You get to ask the next question jayman.

For those of you who might be interested in his story, check this link:

   http://www.geocities.com/talesofseasia/doug.html

Just as an aside, do you know what is special about the USS Canberra?

Isn't the USS Canberra named after the Australian ship HMAS Canberra - the only American warship named after a foreign vessel.

Rick

Since there seems to be no active, unanswered question at the moment, here's one:

How are the preserved HMS Trincomalee and USS Constitution historically related?

Cheers,

John Snyder, White Ensign Models, http://WhiteEnsignModels.com 

"Historically related"... ?

 Kind of an open question, John.

Both were originally sailing frigates intended to serve in the War of 1812, later parked at the pier  to serve as training ships (Trincomalee being renamed Foudroyant at the turn of the century), and later restored to nearly their original apprearance as frigates. 

 No?  That's not it?

How about:

The original plans for Trincomalee were sent from England to the shipyard in Bombay aboard HMS Java, who didn't complete her journey to India, having been waylaid by Constitution.

 Otherwise, I'll continue poking around.

Rick Heinbaugh 

Hi Rick,

You got it with your second answer!

Cheers,

John 

Anyone mind if I jump in? Just a bit over all the Yank questions!!(No offence!!)

Who is the most well known crew member of HMAS Armidale(I) and why?

Cheers

Mick

I dunno.  Let me know when the baton comes back to me.

Thanks,

Rick 

Is it Ordinary Seaman Donald Lawson? His daughter christened the current HMAS Armidale.

(Surface Line, you answered the question prior to this one correctly and therefore it should have been your turn to ask the following question by the rules stated at the beginning of this thread. Whoever answers this question should recognize that and let you ask a question before they proceed with the next question.)

I hate unanswered questions! Are we looking for Colin Madigan - a survivor ofthe Armidale and now a famous Aussie architect?

Anyway, regardless of the answer, it's Surface Line's turn for a question.

Rick

followup to my previous:

 What was the first destroyer to operate a fixed wing aircraft in a combat environment?  (and when?)

the sound of crickets is deafening...

Must be either too far off the wall,  or I've upset people.  This is not a Yank question.

The first victim was a German airship.

Answer posted tomorrow.