Fort Mississauga-- Part 3: Operations

With the American Navy now controlling Lake Ontario, the importance of this fort was crucial to British security in the area.

The British Army was stationed in the fort from 1813 to 1855, after which the Canadian militia provided garrison duty.    The militia used  it as a summer training ground beginning in the 1870s and this went on for both World Wars and the Korean War.

Today, the Niagara-on-the-Lake Golf Course surrounds the site, but public access is permitted via a walking path.  But, there are warnings for visitors to watch out for golfers who have the  right of way.

The blockhouse is the only original structure still standing.  All the other buildings (which were mostly log structures) have been destroyed or dismantled.  The interior of the blockhouse is closed, but there are wooden staircases providing access.

--Brock-Perry

Fort George-- Part 13

Fort George's reconstruction was completed by 1939 with the installation of wooden gates.  Reconstruction and preservation were largely based on the fort's original 1799 designs and largely competed through make-work programs designed to find work for unemployed during the Great Depression.

Wood during the reconstruction was pressurized using creosote for longevity.

Fort George was included in the 1939 Royal Tour of Canada, though the calvacade only passed by it and did not go inside.  Then came the Second World War.  The fort was opened to the public on 1 July 940 although its official dedication was not until June 1950 when there was a fly-by by the Canadian and U.S. Air Force.

--Brock-Perry

John B. Montgomery, USN: Officer in Three Wars

I have been writing about the USS Montgomery on my Running the Blockade:  Civil War Navy blog.  It is part of my "RoadTripping Through History:  The Continuing Saga of the USS Montgomery" presentation that I made in January at McHenry County College.

There have been six ships in the U.S. Navy by the name USS Montgomery:  American Revolution, War of 1812, Civil War, Spanish-American War, World War I and II and current.  Right now I am writing about the World War I-II ship which was named after John B. Montgomery who was a U.S. Navy officer in the War of 1812, Mexican War and Civil War.

The War of 1812 USS Montgomery was on Lake Champlain.

I am going to write about his War of 1812 service here (and also in my Running the Blockade blog for his entire 50 year service record).

From Wikipedia.

JOHN BARRIEN MONTGOMERY  (1794- March 25, 1872)

Officer in the U.S. Navy who rose through the ranks, serving in the War of 1812, Mexican War and Civil War.  He performed in various  capacities including commanding several vessels.

--Brock-Perry

Mount Diablo Beacon Relit for Veterans Day-- Part 2

Continued from my Tattooed on Your Soul:  WW II blog.

The original lighting of the beacon dates back to 1928 and Charles Lindbergh.  Lindbergh lit the beacon to assist planes in the early days of commercial flight.  At  the time, the beacon was lit nightly, until December 8, 1941,  the day after the attack on Pearl Harbor.

Following that fateful day, it wasn't relit until 1964, when Fleet Admiral Chester Nimitz,  Commander in Chief of Pacific Forces  during World War II, attended the ceremony on Mount Diablo's summit in commemoration of the survivors of Pearl Harbor.

He suggested that the Beacon be lit every December 7th to honor those who served and  sacrificed.

--Brock-Perry

Some More on Destroyers Named USS Jacob Jones

The USS Jacob Jones (DD-61) was sunk by a German U-boat during World War I.  It was named after War of 1812 veteran naval officer Jacob Nathaniel Jones.

It was sunk on December 6, 1917, with the loss of 66 men of a crew of 99.

This was the first ship in the U.S. Navy with the name.

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But, there was another USS Jacob Jones (DD-130), Wickes-class destroyer.  Commissioned in  1919 and it too was sunk by torpedoes from a German U-boat on February 28, 1942 during World War II.  Only 11 of her crew of 113 survived.

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Then there was a third USS Jacob Jones (DE-130) commissioned in 1943.  It was a destroyer escort.  It was not sunk by a torpedo and decommissioned in 1946.

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So, there were three vessels in the U.S. Navy named after Jacob Jones.

--Brock-Perry

Two Destroyers at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, Named After People from the War of 1812

In my Tattooed On Your Soul:  WW II blog, I have been writing about the USS Montgomery (DD-121) (DM--17) which was at Pearl Harbor when the Japanese attacked.  It did not receive any damage, but it and other destroyers anchored in Middle Loch, across from Fort Island, may have shot down as many as six Japanese planes.

Two of those ships with the Montgomery that day were named after War of 1812 naval heroes.  

They were the USS Perry (DD-320) (DMS-17), named for Oliver Hazard Perry and the USS Gamble (DD-123) (DM-15) named after Peter Gamble, killed at the Battle of Lake Champlain.  And, it was also named after Peter's brother, John M. Gamble who was an officer in the USMC.

--Brock-Perry

Fought in Three Wars, WW II to Vietnam: Major General Salve H. Matheson (Vietnam Veterans Day 2022)

From Coffee or Die.

In honor of today being a much too late, much-ignored thank you to those who fought in Vietnam and came home to a country that didn't welcome them as they should have for the most part.

Today is National Vietnam War Veterans Day.

All my blogs but one will honor them today.

MAJOR GENERAL SALVE H. MATHESON

He participated in D-Day, liberation of Holland, Battle of the Bulge  and also helped seize Hitler's Eagle's Nest.

During the Korean War, he had instrumental involvement in the  amphibious landings at Inchon and Wonsan.

In Vietnam, he assumed command of the  1st Brigade of the 101st Airborne Division and participated in the Tet Offensive.

And, I notice his name is not on the list of names to pick from as the Confederate-named Army bases are renamed.

Okay, I Found a Gunboat No. 47 (But, It Was From WW II)

If you remember, back on March 9 I asked anyone knew anything about a Gunboat 47 that Richard Hill served on in the New York Flotilla back in the War of 1812.  I kept looking, but to no avail. Now granted, the American gunboats in the War of 1812 weren't much to write home about, but come on, somehow, someone must have made mention of this particular ship.

Well, I did come across a Gunboat No. 47 listed in the "Ship's Data, U.S. Naval Vessels, 1930."  

It was in the index under "Gunboat 47 and had the name "Luzon."  In addition, it said to "see river gunboat."   Probably not the War of 1812 ship I'm looking for given the date and the name.  I can't imagine any U.S. ship being given that name during that war.

And, it wasn't.  

The USS Luzon (PG-47) was a river gunboat commissioned in 1928, one of eight gunboats built for service on the Yangtze River in China.  She ended up being scuttled in Manila Bay, Philippines in the opening days of World War II.

The Japanese raised her and used the ship until  it was torpedoed by an American submarine in 1944.  I may have to write about this ship in my World War II blog.  (I did, go to the Tattooed on Your Soul: World War II blog to the right of this, click on it and go to April 2022 and you will find several posts.)

At least I found a Gunboat 47, even if it isn't the right one.  Where, oh where, is my War of 1812 Gunboat 47?

Bet You Weren't Expecting World War II Stuff Here.  --Brock-Perry

USS McCall (DD-400), A World War II Ship (What Does This Have to Do with the War of 1812?)

So, the first thought has to be exactly why is a World War II destroyer here in a War of 1812 blog?

In my Tattooed On Your Soul: World War II blog I am writing about the USS Gridley (DD-380) which was the lead ship of her class of US Navy destroyers and fought in World War II.  This was a relatively small class of destroyers with just four ships. 

One of those other three destroyers was named the USS McCall (DD-400) which served during World War II.  This ship was named after War of 1812 naval officer Edward McCall.

There was also an earlier destroyer named after him, the USS McCall (DD-28), a modified  Paulding-class destroyer that saw service in World War I and was a part of the Coast Guard's Rum Patrol.  I'll be writing about this one in my Cooter's History Thing blog.

--Brock-Perry

USS Constitution Commemorates the 80th Anniversary of Pearl Harbor

From the December 7, 2021, WVCB Channel 5 ABC Boston.

The USS Constitution commemorated the 80th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor Tuesday at the Charlestown Navy Yard.

The commemoration included the laying of a wreath aboard the USS Cassin Young (DD-793), a World War II destroyer named after Captain Cassin Young who received a Medal of Honor at Pearl Harbor and was later killed at Guadalcanal.

The Cassin Young is a museum ship today and tied up across from the USS Constitution.

There was a gun salute from the USS Constitution.

The USS Constitution is the world's oldest commissioned warship afloat and  played a crucial role in the Barbary Wars and the War of 1812 and actively defended sea lanes from 1797 to 1855.

--Brock-Perry

USS Montgomery

Earlier this month, I wrote about a current U.S. warship named the USS Montgomery (LCS-8) in my Cooter's History Thing blog.  I got to wondering if there had been other warships by that name and checked out good ol' Wiki to find out if there were.

There were.

There was a frigate in the American Revolution, a sloop or schooner in the War of 1812, a warship from the Civil War that took part in the attacks of Fort Fisher (of natural interest to me), a protected cruiser from the Spanish American War and a WW II destroyer/minelayer.

I will be writing about these ships in my appropriate blogs: Civil War Navy, History and World War II blogs.

--Brock-Perry

Somewhat Off Subject, But Allan Nevins and Rick Reuschel

I have to include this as these are two people of interest to me.  I came across their names while trying to figure out the previous post.  What about this place also called Hebron Cemetery in Camp Point, Illinois, but not in Hebron, Illinois, where there is also a Hebron Cemetery.  Confusing.

Going to the Wikipedia Camp Point, Illinois, site, they have a listing of notable people from there.

Two names jumped right off the page to me: Allan Nevins and Rick Reuschel, combining two things I really like, the Civil War and baseball.

Allan Nevins was born in Camp Point. (1890-1971).  A noted historian and journalist.  Probably best-known for his Civil War 8 volume series "Ordeal of the Union."  I have this set, but, alas, haven't read any of them.

Rick Reuschel was born in Quincy, Illinois, but grew up in Camp Point and was a major league pitcher compiling 214 wins over many seasons from 1972 to 1991.  Many of those were for one of my favorite teams, the Chicago Cubs (second favorite behind the Chicago White Sox).

He also has a brother named Paul Reuschel who also pitched for a few years in the majors.  They were even both on the Cubs at one time.

Arthur S. Nevins, Allan's brother, who was a general in the Army and a close personal friend of Dwight D. Eisenhower.

You Never Know What You're Going to Find When You Go Roadtripping Through History Like I Do.  --Brock-Perry

Midshipman Richard Dale-- Part 4: 1967 Was a Highpoint of the Ceremony

**  Starting in 1932,  Captain Adams sent funds  for the wreaths used in the ceremony, but it was not until he retired from the Navy and returned home to Bermuda in 1963, that he was able to be present when the wreath was laid.  My  uncle, Richard Dale, was able to attend that year.

**  In 1967, the ceremony reached its peak when the United States agreed to send the frigate USS Luce for the occasion.  Personnel from the U.S. Bases in Bermuda, which had been established in the Second World War, also, participated.

**  After Captain Adams' untimely death in 1973, the service waned and eventually ceased when  the U.S. Forces withdrew  from Bermuda in 1995.  However, a meeting  between St. Georgian Beau  Evans and Louise  Reider sparked  the reintroduction of the ceremony in 2006.

Edward Dale closed with this remark:  "It gives me great pleasure to once again, 199 years after the death of my great- great- great grand uncle, Midshipman Richard Dale, to express the heartfelt gratitude of the Dale family."

--Brock-Perry

Fort Wayne-- Part 7: After WW II

At the end of World War II, plans were made to close the fort. In 1948, the fort and original barracks were turned over to the City of Detroit's Historical  Commission form operation as a military museum.

In the 1950s, anti-aircraft guns were installed at the fort, later upgraded to Nike-Ajax missiles.   During the Cold War, Fort Wayne served as an entrance station for the armed forces, with thousands of enlistees and draftees being sworn in there for the Korean and Vietnam wars.

The fort was again used to house families displaced after the 1967 12th Street Riot, wit the last families staying at the fort until 1971.

--Brock-Perry

About That Fort Wayne in Detroit-- Part 6: World War II

Every single tank, truck, jeep, tire or spare part that was sent overseas to the European and Pacific Theaters from Detroit went through Fort Wayne.  And that was a huge amount to say the least.  At the time, there was also a railroad spur along the river front, docks for large ships and over 2,000 , mostly civilian, employees.

The drivers and mechanics of the Red Ball Express were also trained there.

In addition, Fort Wayne also served as the detention center for Italian prisoners of war captured during the North African Campaign., who were employed as servants, cooks and janitors.  After Italy's surrender, the POWs were given the chance to return to Italy, but many chose to stay in Detroit.

--Brock-Perry

About That Fort Wayne in Detroit-- Part 5: IN WW II, It Was the World's Largest Motor Supply Depot

In World War I, Fort Wayne became important in the acquisition of cars, trucks and spare parts for the military, of course, Motor City you know.  And that role really took off during World War II.

There was a "Red Scare" in the United States after World War I with the troubles going on in Russia, and Fort Wayne served as a temporary detention center for persons accused of being Communist.  In 1921, the world's first motorized  ride-on lawnmower was used at Fort Wayne, along with several other sites.

During the Great Depression the fort was opened to homeless families and it housed a local group of the Civilian Conservation Corps.

During World War II, Fort Wayne was designated Motor Supply Depot and additional buildings were constructed for warehousing and shipping.  At that time Fort Wayne was the largest motor supply depot in the world.  Its command center controlled the flow of materiel from the automobile factories   to the citywide network of staging facilities which included the Michigan State Fairgrounds and the Port of Detroit  terminal.

--Brock-Perry

Fort Wool in the Chesapeake Bay-- Part 2: Birds vs. History?

Tourists arrive at Fort Wool on the  Miss Hampton II. a tour boat sailing out of Hampton.  Those traveling the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel can see Fort Wool, lying to the east, on man-made South Island.

Construction started on the fort in 1819, and during the next 125 years, Fort Wool evolved as military technology advanced, resulting in a  rare fort that contains military architecture that spans the entire era of United States seacoast defense.

Notable are the remaining granite casemates dating to 1826, though most of the fort's defenses date from the early 20th century, including the World War II Battery 229 which included two 6-inch shielded guns and its iconic  steel tower.

While fully  recognizing the need for nesting sites for migratory seabirds and completing the tunnel-bridge expansions, these solutions need not and should not come at the expense of the permanent loss of a historic treasure.

The site, in the middle of Hampton Roads, near the  1862 USS Monitor-CSS Virginia battle, offers dramatic views of the Chesapeake Bay and Fort Monroe.

--Brock-Perry

Craney Island, Virginia-- Part 2: Quarantine Station, Fuel Depot and That Big War of 1812 Battle

 After the Civil War, the island belonged to several owners, including the city of Norfolk which used it as a place of confinement in the 1900s due to the many contagious diseases that occurred there.  Many suffering from small pox and yellow fever were quarantined there.

In the 1920s, the U.S. Shipping Board took over the island and built 18 huge fuel oil storage tanks.  Later, the board leased the island to a molasses company (hopefully they didn't use the fuel tanks to store the molasses.)

In the 1940s, ownership of the island passed to the U.S. Navy and a huge expansion took place due to the increased war demand for fuel, oil and gas.

Today, the island is overseen  by the Navy, which runs the fuel depot and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

But, the biggest military action took place at this island during the War of 1812.  It was the scene of the bloody June 22, 1813, Battle of Craney Island.

--Brock-Perry

9-11 Was a Result of Events That Took Place Nearly 2000 Years Ago

 I was teaching at John T. Magee Middle School in Round Lake, Illinois, on September 11, 2001, when I was told by another teacher that a plane had hit one of the World Trade Center buildings in New York City.

At that time, all my lesson plans for that day were suspended and we listened on the radio to the events as they transpired.  In between, I told the students about how this attack could be traced back to around 2,000 years ago when the Romans made the Jewish people leave their homeland in Israel and move elsewhere.

With the Jewish people gone, Palestinians moved into the land and it became an Arab country.  After World War II and the Nazi Holocaust, the world was so appalled by what had happened, that the country of Palestine was partitioned to give the Jewish people a homeland of their own.

This did not take into account the fact that Palestinians had lived there for all that time in between.  They and the other Arab countries around them fought back. The United States supported Israel and with that became an enemy of the Arab countries.

And that was why we had 9-11.

--Brock-Perry

Saving the USS Constitution in 1830-- Part 1: Also the WW II USS Hornet Saved

From the May 19, 2020, East Bay (Massachusetts) Times  "Snapp Shots:  Closed USS Hornet too great a treasure to be lost" by Martin Snapp.

The aircraft carrier USS Hornet (CV-12) was slated to be scrapped on September 2, 1995, the 50th anniversary of the end of World War II.  This was the second aircraft carrier by that name.  The first one (which had launched the famous Doolittle Raid) was sunk in battle during the war and this aircraft carrier was renamed from the Kearsarge in the former's honor.  It participated in the rest of the war and continued service to its country, even picking up those first astronauts to land on the moon on their return to earth back in 1969.

She was towed across San Francisco Bay for the occasion and afterwards, those in attendance decided she would be better as a museum ship, which she became.  The USS Hornet Sea, Air and Space Museum formally opened on October 17, 1998, in Alameda, California.

This was not the first ship in the U.S. Navy to be saved from destruction.  An earlier one was the famous USS Constitution, veteran of the Barbary Wars and War of 1812.

--Brock-Perry