USS New Mexico

[Tim W]

I'm here searching info for my Uncle.

His name is Russ Watson, currently in Australia, originally from Western PA.
He was on the New Mexico, apparently in it's last days, around '46-'47, at the Boston Navy yard.
He's in search of a shipmate named Louis Wighall, from Philly. He used to do alot of Boxing for some extra $$'s.

He's also looking for specs/photos for the first ship he was on, around the same time, the Seagoing tug ATR64.

I've only just joined , so I haven't searched the site yet, but that's going to start after I post this.

Thanks for any info,

Tim

[Alan B]

Hi Tim
Please see your other post.
Alan

[stontamar]

For pictures of ATR-64 (Rescue Tug) please see attachments.

On completion in August 1944 ATR-64 was assigned to the Asiatic-Pacific Theatre and after the war was sold in 1950 and named MOGUL sailing under the Canadian flag. Resold in 1961 and named ISLAND MONARCH then again in 1972 she was sold to Seaspan International Ltd and given the name SEASPAN CHINOOK. Finally following another sale she was renamed LA LUMIERE.

I believe she is still in existence and is owned by the Heritage Maritime Society of Vancouver, in Britannia Beach, British Columbia.

Regards

[Batstiger]

Hi Tim, there are a few specs for the ATR 64 on this page. The photo's are all of the Lumiere except for the one that Stontamar has already posted.

http://www.navsource.org/archives/09/40/40064.htm

Regards, Bob.

[Batstiger]

Should you so desire it here is an excellent page on the "NEW MEXICO"

http://www.navsource.org/archives/01/40a.htm


Bob.

[Sheri Briley]

There is an active USS New Mexico Association that may be able to help.
The president is my grandfather Vernon "Ole Vern" Dascher who was aboard during WWI until her final days.

You may contact him by snail or email.
His addy is 3064 DeVilla Trails; St. Charles, MO 63301
His email is olevernbb40@yahoo.com

They are getting ready for their annual reunion in St. Louis, MO the end of September. There are 15-20 crew members that still get together, along with many of thier family & friends (and the widows too)

[astraltrader]

An interesting picture of New Mexico taken 1939-1940.

[sierra hotel]

An interesting picture of New Mexico taken 1939-1940.

YES, quite, I thought the national ensign astern to be unusually large, but certainly looks dressy. thanks for posting this, didn't have this one. RDB in Canada

[RNfanDan]

I think the modernized New Mexicos were the best-looking US battleships of the pre-WWII (not 11) era. A pity they did not seem to play much of a role, even being absent from Pearl Harbor did not, apparently, elevate their status very much in the aftermath of the destruction there.

My personal favorite is Idaho, and I hope some day to craft a replica of her in late-1930s configuration!

Dan

[Don Boyer]

Dan, if you have it or can find it, the Squadron/Signal Publications Vol. 1 on US Battleships has a really nice photo of Idaho at RinkyDink Iceland right about the start of the war or a little after. It shows why they were such handsome ships at the right angle. Idaho was unique among pre WWII battleships in later being refitted with single 5"/38 cal guns in destroyer-type gunhouses instead of the more common twins fitted to many other battleships. This was of course in addition to the tons of 40 and 20 mm installed in wartime. I've always thought that period was her best "look" of any.

[RNfanDan]

Hello, Don!

I have an interest in those US battleships which served in the Atlantic, especially in the pre-African Invasion days. From what I recall off hand, South Dakota, Mississippi, Idaho and Washington were the main players.

This theater of USN operations takes a distant back seat in many USN historical accounts I've read over the years, but I will keep an eye out for the volume you referenced. In those days, before Sea Blue and hulls and bristling swarms of light AA, there was actually some SHIP visible in photographs, and I would be most interested in seeing these four vessels' photographs during their joint-RN and Reykjavik days.

My father was stationed at Reykjavik from 1942, where he served in the old USAAF as a Senior Aircraft Mechanic, I believe across the runways from the RAF facilities.

Thanks for the tip, sir!

Dan

[Don Boyer]

Dan:

Texas, New York and Arkansas were also Atlantic Fleet stalwarts, although I only recollect their contributions to the Normandy operations along with Nevada. I believe early in the war they were almost always on convoy escort duties, on guard against a breakout of any of the big German warships. Of course Massachusetts was in on the North African operations as well. Wyoming, relegated to AA training duties and partially disarmed of her main battery, spent all the war in Atlantic waters.

All the modern battleships and the two "battlecruisers" worked up in the Atlantic, but all were quickly moved to the Pacific in expectation they would eventually have to meet the Japanese battleline at some point in the war. And they were also needed as fast escorts for the carriers because of their monstrous AA batteries.

[designeraccd]

Actually Massachusetts supported the North African invasion, and IIRC, was straddled by Jean Bart's return fire? The Texas and New York were there, too. Also, wasn't it Washington that served with the Home Fleet to guard against Tirpitz for a while?

None of the 3 Mississippi class engaged in any battles in the Atlantic. DFO :D

[Hank]

Yessir, Designer- Though the defence of the PQ Artic Convoys was the responsibility of the RN, Fleet Admiral Ernest J. King, USN, assigned Task Force 39 to the defensive role. Built around the CV USS Wasp and the BB USS Washington. Tirpitz was a consideration, though the majority of the problems (losses) were generated by Doenitz's submarines and the usage of the Heinkel-115 torpedo bombers.

Tim, If you're still out there the rescue tug ATR-64 had one logbook spanning the dates of September 25, 1944 to June 30, 1945.
Regards

[WGVSr]

Actually Massachusetts supported the North African invasion, and IIRC, was straddled by Jean Bart's return fire? The Texas and New York were there, too. Also, wasn't it Washington that served with the Home Fleet to guard against Tirpitz for a while?

None of the 3 Mississippi class engaged in any battles in the Atlantic. DFO :D

I think Massachusetts actually hit Jean Bart at least once and maybe twice. I seem to remember pictures of the damage to Jean Bart's foc'sle and it was torn up pretty well.
Bill

[ludsie]

Was new Mexico at the battle of Leyte gulf thought she might have been but could be wrong

[WGVSr]

Was new Mexico at the battle of Leyte gulf thought she might have been but could be wrong

I believe she was under refit at Bremerton at the time.
Bill

[Don Boyer]

Ships present at Leyte: West Virginia, California, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, Maryland (all Pearl Harbor vets) and Mississippi. The other old battleships not already in the western Pacific were either under refit or preparing to shift from the Atlantic to the Pacific following the last of the shore bombardment duties around France.

[fallstexan]

I'm here searching info for my Uncle.

His name is Russ Watson, currently in Australia, originally from Western PA.
He was on the New Mexico, apparently in it's last days, around '46-'47, at the Boston Navy yard.
He's in search of a shipmate named Louis Wighall, from Philly. He used to do alot of Boxing for some extra $$'s.

He's also looking for specs/photos for the first ship he was on, around the same time, the Seagoing tug ATR64.

I've only just joined , so I haven't searched the site yet, but that's going to start after I post this.

Thanks for any info,

Tim

Hello:

I am Georganne Davis, searching for information about my deceased
Grandfather. He was in the Navy, we believe between 1913-1917.
We have the draft card that was filled out, in 1917, and he did not
reenlist. Oddly, he was known as Charles "Sailor" Davis and was a
boxer. We have pictures of him wearing the Boxing Title Belt for the
Atlantic Fleet. Could you be of assistance? Thank you for your time.

:) Georganne Davis

[brian james]

A nice shot of USS New Mexico....C1931...Regards Brian......