When The RMS Titanic Was Found

When The RMS Titanic Was Found During a Cold War Spy Mission

RMS Titanic

The RMS Titanic's discovery was related to two lost US Navy submarines:

"In 1985, Robert Ballard publicly claimed he was hunting for Titanic, but the real mission was tracking two lost U.S. nuclear submarines USS Thresher and USS Scorpion. The U.S. Navy wanted to check for radiation leaks and ensure the Soviets hadn’t tampered with them. Ballard’s expedition was funded and approved on the condition that he would first locate and inspect the subs. The Titanic search was just a cover story for the press."

"Once the Navy work was done ahead of schedule, Ballard used the remaining time and equipment to begin his Titanic search. Using what he’d learned from following debris trails at the sub wrecks, he found Titanic on September 1, 1985. The real reason behind the expedition stayed classified for years until Ballard revealed the truth—that Titanic’s discovery was only possible because of a Cold War surveillance job." Source: The Ocean Buff.

The Trio

Image Source, Top: By Francis Godolphin Osbourne Stuart - http://www.uwants.com/viewthread.php?tid=3817223&extra=page%3D1, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=163984148

Image Source, Bottom: Meta via The Ocean Buff.

Submarine Chefs

How Submarine CHEFS Feed 150 Sailors in a TINY Kitchen Underwater

From the channel of Anchor Watch.

Another interesting video about food service aboard a U.S. Navy submarine.

"150 sailors. 90 days underwater. Four meals a day. That's 54,000 meals cooked in a kitchen that's 10 feet by 14 feet. Smaller than most apartment bathrooms." Source: Anchor Watch.

Inside the Navy’s $500M Littoral Combat Ship

Inside the Navy’s $500M Littoral Combat Ship

From the channel of Sam Eckholm.

"Take an exclusive look inside the US Navy's $500 Million Littoral Combat Ship."

I've always wondered about the internal activities of a Littoral Combat Ship (LCS). The excellent video takes us inside the workings of such a vessel. From working on the bridge to food service, we learn much about the activities inside an LCS.

French Submarine Rubis

French Submarine Rubis

Status: Rubis ("Ruby") was launched in 1931. She was active in World War II. 22 ships sunk. Scuttled in 1958 to be used as a sonar target.

"The wreck of the French submarine Rubis lies between Cavalaire and Saint Tropez about 3 miles from Cap Camarat. She rests perfectly upright on a flat seabed with a clear outline from bow to stern. The hull is mostly intact at about 216 feet long and 23 feet wide. The deck plating has peeled away in many spots which exposes air tanks, pipes, valves, and mine gear. The conning tower stands with its shape complete but the periscope and weapons are gone. Only the compass holder remains. The upper deck has collapsed in places which leaves narrow openings that show engines, piping, and control spaces. The forward flat deck in front of the tower is over 30 feet long and smooth. The main hatch and airlock are open but very tight and unsafe to enter. The stern opening that once allowed divers inside is now blocked. Strong currents are common but visibility is very clear. Marine life is rich with groupers, conger eels, morays, and sometimes sunfish or eagle rays. The wreck has become a famous dive site and was once used as a sonar target by the French Navy."

"She served from 1931 to 1950 as a mine laying submarine and became one of the most successful units of the Free French Naval Forces in World War II. She laid 683 mines and sank 22 enemy ships. After the war she was used as a training submarine and later laid up in Toulon. By 1958 she faced scrapping. On July 31 of that year the French Navy decided to scuttle her in deep enough water to avoid the breakers. Commander Riffaud oversaw the sinking about 3 miles off Cap Camarat. Charges opened her hull and she settled upright on the seabed without rolling. She has remained there ever since as a preserved steel shell with most internal systems still in place."

Wreck of the Rubis

Image Source, Top: By Unknown photographer on a Coastal Command aircraft - Coastal Command, Ministry of Information, 1942, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1577621. Image caption states, "Free French submarine Rubis in grave difficulties in a minefield off Norway."

Image Source, Bottom: Meta via Ships Of The World.

USS Wahoo

USS Wahoo (SS-238)

The USS Wahoo (SS-238) was a submarine named for a fish called the wahoo (Acanthocybium solandri). It was launched in February 1942. She was lost with all hands in October 1943, on her seventh war patrol. In 2005, her wreck was discovered.

USS Wahoo Wreck

"USS Wahoo lies upright in about 213 feet of water in the La Perouse Strait, with her hull still largely intact from bow to stern. The conning tower, deck gun position and hull lines are clearly visible, and the bow shape matches known Gato-class construction. Damage is concentrated near the aft and conning-tower area, consistent with a close air-dropped bomb or depth-charge detonation. Silt covers parts of the casing, and marine growth has spread over the railings, but the submarine remains one of the best-preserved American WWII wrecks found in this region. Because she is a U.S. war grave, the site is protected under the Sunken Military Craft Act and cannot be disturbed or salvaged."

"Wahoo was lost during the seventh war patrol in October 1943 while exiting the La Perouse Strait after an aggressive patrol under Lt. Cmdr. Dudley "Must" Morton. Japanese records show that on October 11 anti-submarine aircraft and surface forces attacked a submarine contact in the strait using bombs and depth-charges. This attack aligns with the timing of Wahoo's planned departure and is considered the most credible cause of her loss. All 79 men aboard were killed. She was declared overdue later that month, and the wreck was finally confirmed in 2006, [Author: some sources say 2005] closing one of the most famous missing-submarine cases of the Pacific War."

You can see more pictures of the Wahoo's wreck at the following link:

USS Wahoo: On Eternal Patrol

Image Source, Top: By U.S. Navy Bureau of Ships photo 19-N-48937, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1776243.

Image Source, Bottom: Meta via Naval Nostalgia.

USS Gravely

USS Gravely

The USS Gravely is a battle-tested Arleigh Burke-class destroyer. Commissioned in 2010, it has participated in Middle Eastern conflicts, shooting down enemy missiles. At the time of this writing, the ship is operating in the Caribbean, engaged in action against vessels carrying drugs. It was named for Admiral Samuel L. Gravely Jr.

The destroyer is 509 feet 6 inches (155.30 m) in length. It can move at speeds up to 35 miles per hour. The ship is heavily armed. It carries guns, missiles, torpedoes, and two helicopters.

Image Source: By D. L. "Paul" Farley - https://www.dvidshub.net/image/953226, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=41155735

Kazon Raider

Kazon Raider - Author's Collection

Kazon raiders/warships were created by the Trabe species. This species enslaved the Kazon people. They were eventually overthrown by the Kazon, and the latter inherited their ships. As far as I know, these ships only appear on Star Trek: Voyager.

See more on Memory Alpha.

The Conscience

The Conscience

In the early hours of May 2, the humanitarian ship Conscience was attacked in a drone strike while in international waters off the coast of Malta. The vessel is a passenger ship, and it is currently out of commission. Its mission, before it was disabled, was to break the Israeli blockade of Gaza. The Conscience is small for a passenger ship. It is 224.41 feet long and 32.81 feet wide.

The Conscience is being used as a humanitarian ship. It was attacked by a drone while off the coast of Malta. The vessel was in international waters. The nation of Israel, while not admitting or denying any involvement, is suspected to have been behind the attacks. The renowned Swedish climate activist, Greta Thunberg, was scheduled to board the ship in Malta.

Image Source: freedomflotilla.org/

Jem'Hadar Fighter

Star Trek Jem'Hadar Fighter - Author's Collection

"A Jem'Hadar fighter, or Jem'Hadar attack ship, was a small type of warship that formed the bulk of the Dominion fleet. These versatile starships were also known to perform the roles of patrol ships and scout ships." Source: Memory Alpha

The Loss of SS El Faro

DISASTROUS INDIFFERENCE: The Loss of SS El Faro

From the channel of Brick Immortalr.

"On October 1st, 2015 the Ro-Con ship El Faro plunged directly into Hurricane Joaquin, a Category 4 storm near the bahamas. This tragedy was the result of long-term negligence, poor decision making, complacency & indifference."

Hurricane Joaquin, a Category 4 storm near the Bahamas. This tragedy was the result of long-term negligence, poor decision making, complacency & indifference.

A troublesome story about the 2015 loss of the cargo ship SS Le Faro. This tale always gives me chills. Check out the video author's channel. It has links to a sequel and it has a transcript. Additionally, there are other YouTube videos about the El Faro.

The El Faro on Wikipedia.

A-Wing Fighter

A-Wing - Author's Collection

"Kuat RZ-1 A-wing Interceptor are starfighters in the Star Wars franchise. Designed and manufactured by the Kuat Systems Engineering, they are depicted as fast but fragile interceptors of the Rebel Alliance, conceived for high-speed surgical strikes, deep reconnaissance and escort fighter duty."

Source: Wikipedia

The Loss of the Submarine USS Thresher

The Loss of the USS Thresher | A Short Documentary | Fascinating Horror

From the channel of Fascinating Horror.

"This short documentary tells the story of the demise of the USS Thresher - one of the first American nuclear attack submarines..."

When I lived closer to Galveston, Texas, I once visited the USS Cavalla, which is permanently berthed at Seawolf Park. It was so hot that they had an air-conditioning system running through the boat. It was SO cramped. There's no way I could have ever served on a submarine. The loss of the Thresher has always interested - and frightened - me.

USS Thresher Web Page

Republic Gunship

Republic Gunship - Author's Collection

The Hot Wheels Republic Gunship shown above is labelled "12." On the back, it depicts Jango Fett's starship (which used to be called "Slave 1"), a snow speeder, and a Star Destroyer. If these constitute a complete set, then I still need to obtain a snow speeder.

"The Low Altitude Assault Transport/infantry (LAAT/i), also referred to as the Republic Gunship, Republic attack gunship, Assault Gunship or LAATi,[2] and nicknamed a larty,[15] was one of the several models in the Low Altitude Assault Transport line of starships that mainly served as gunships and troop transports for the Grand Army of the Republic during the Clone Wars. Its role was to transport clone troopers as well as offering air-to-ground and air-to-air support for the Galactic Republic against the Confederacy of Independent Systems. The LAAT/i gunship saw extensive use in numerous battles and campaigns of the Clone Wars. During the Imperial Era, the ships continued to see use by various factions, including both the Galactic Empire and Alliance to Restore the Republic."

 Source: starwars.fandom.com

Borg Cube

Borg Cube - Author's Collection

"Starfleet Communications: Flagship to Endeavor. Standby to engage at grid A-fifteen. Defiant and Bozeman, fall back to mobile position one.

Response: We have it in visual range. A Borg cube on course zero point two one five, speed warp point nine six.

Borg hail: We are the Borg. Lower your shields and surrender your ships. We will add your biological and technological distinctiveness to our own. Your culture will adapt to service us. Resistance is futile."

-Quotes from Star Trek: First Contact.

The Borg are the ultimate villains of Star Trek. I believe they are worse than Species 8472.

Naboo Starfighter

Naboo Starfighter - Author's Collection

The N-1 starfighter, also referred to as the Royal Naboo N-1 starfighter, Naboo N-1 starfighter, Naboo starfighter, N-1 fighter, or more simply, the N-1, was a single seat patrol craft developed by the Theed Palace Space Vessel Engineering Corps and used by the Royal Naboo Security Forces.

I bought this ship at a Walmart in Plano, Texas. This was a ship that a very young Anakin Skywalker used in the movies.

Anakin Skywalker's Jedi Interceptor

Jedi Interceptor - Author's Collection

As with most of the Hot Wheels vehicles I've found, the Interceptor includes no information about the vehicle, its exploits, etc. The box is labelled "22." It appears to be part of a four-ship collection which includes Anakin Skywalker's Jedi Interceptor, a Star Destroyer, the Ghost, and the Scythe.

"During the late Clone Wars, the Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker flew an Eta-2 Actis-class light interceptor. Anakin Skywalker piloted the interceptor during a mission to rescue Supreme Chancellor Sheev Palpatine during the Battle of Coruscant. The starfighter was destroyed aboard the Separatist flagship Invisible Hand."

More here.

U.S.S. Pasteur

U.S.S. Pasteur - Author's Collection

The U.S.S. Pasteur (NCC-58925) is a unique hospital ship, commanded by Dr. Beverly Crusher in an alternate timeline.

Source: META

Carson Teva's X-wing Fighter

Carson Teva's X-wing Fighter - Author's Collection

The cardback doesn't say anything. There are articles about Carson Teva here, and his X-wing here. That's about as detailed as it gets.

Ahsoka Tano's T-6 Shuttle

Ahsoka Tano's T-6 Shuttle - Author's Collection

Ahsoka Tano's shuttle was designated as T-6 1974. Ahsoka and Sabine Wren used it in their search for Ezra Bridger. I purchased this ship at a Walmart in Plano, Texas. Learn more about the T-6 Series shuttle here.

The Mandalorian's N-1 Starfighter

The Mandalorian's N-1 Starfighter - Author's Collection

The Mandalorian's ship is a Naboo Starship. This Hot Wheels version has nothing to say about the vessel (watch The Mandalorian to find out more, I suppose). Fictionhorizon.com, however, has this to say, in part:

An N-1 Starfighter is a single-seat starfighter that was specifically designed to be used by the Royal Naboo Security Forces. It was designed by the Theed Palace Engineering Corps of Naboo and is said to have a maximum speed of 1,100 kilometers per hour. It is also equipped with its own hyperdrive system.

See also: Din Djarin's N-1 starfighter.

I bought this ship at a Walmart in Plano, Texas.