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ORIGINAL: John 3rd

I am; however, hinging all my hopes on the AE "random volcanic eruption" rule.  

[:D][:D][:D]LMAO[:D][:D][:D]

Good one

Hey there everyone. I am sorry for not having posted for a week or so. I got sick and then left on vacation while still recovering. The good news is that it turns out that Florida is considerably warmer this time of year than Oregon is and I felt better almost as soon as I got off the plane. The bad news is that I have been too busy watching baseball games and soaking in the sun to write.

I will get something posted soon, though. In the meantime I was thinking of heading over to Tampa tomorrow (I'm staying in Lakeland) and taking a look at the SS American Victory museum ship. Has anyone been there and if so do you recommend seeing it?

Hmmmm, Tampa you say?  My esteemed opponent is visiting Port Richey and I'm in Bonita Springs for 4 more days.  He offered to meet me "midway" to which I responded only if he didn't trash the KB.  We could've arranged a mini WITP convention at the SS American Victory.

Man,
 
I wish I was at home in the US right now so we could meet.  The SS American Victory is a pretty interesting tour.  The guys who run the tour are almost all merchant marine guys.  Tell them what you're doing and you may be able to get a personal tour of the ship.
 
I'd also recommend the Aquarium since it's right there.
 
Enjoy the weather in Tampa.
 
ryan

I live in Land o Lakes (just north of Tampa).
 
SS American Victory is a nice (part of) afternoon.  It's a Victory ship, so it's not like your touring the Alabama or anything.  But it is nice.  It'll take you about 2 hours.  It's docked by the FL Aquarium, which is also very nice, and could round out the day.  And there are good eats down there (they call it Channelside).  Follow the signs for the Florida Aquarium thru downdown.  It's actually -behind- the AQ and a little hard to see.  But you'll figure it out.  Getting -out- of downtown can be a real PITA, but trying to give directions to you via internet is wasted effort.
 
Dang.  I'd meet you for a beer CF, but we're taking the family on a different outing today.
 
-F-

February 9, 1945

Location: 60 miles south of Osaka
Course: South
Attached to: TF 43
Mission: Bombardment
System Damage: 0
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 439

Orders: Intercept enemy fast transport convoys at Tori Shima

---

“Is this another bombardment run, sir?” asks Lieutenant Sugiyura. “Because how would we be able to tell if we destroyed anything there? I’ve seen that island, the whole place looks like it’s been shelled already.” He is referring to the orders the task force has just received to sail immediately towards Tori Shima.

Captain Ishii shakes his head. “No, it’s an interception. Enemy destroyers have been spotted moving towards the island. It seems likely they are going to try and move more men and supplies there under the cover of darkness. We are to try and discourage this action.”

Sugiyura grins widely. “Ah, that is fine, then! I will see that my men and torpedoes are ready for a battle!”

Lieutenant Miharu looks a bit more dour. “Sir, if we get caught anywhere around there during daylight we can expect a vigorous response from enemy aircraft. Our last attempt to move south was almost a disaster.”

“We will be in and out and well clear by daybreak,” says Ishii. “The enemy is right in our back yard now and this does have advantages for us. Unless something goes wrong we should be in little danger from air attack.”

“Yes sir,” says Miharu. “And of course plans hardly ever go wrong in wartime,” he adds in a murmur to himself. Captain Ishii politely pretends not to hear him.

The task force departs immediately to transit the Inland Sea. By tomorrow they should be in position for a swift move towards Tori Shima.

So what did you think of the American Victory?  Did you look east at 7pm and see the big streak in the sky?  (that would have been the Space Shuttle: you can see it from Tampa).
 
-F-

Damn.  I forgot about the launch!  Will watch it right now on NASA TV.

Nothing prettier then a flawless night launch of the Shuttle!  [:D][:D][:D]

ORIGINAL: Feinder

So what did you think of the American Victory?  Did you look east at 7pm and see the big streak in the sky?  (that would have been the Space Shuttle: you can see it from Tampa).

-F-

I enjoyed touring the ship! There are few places you can't poke around in and it really gives you a feel for what life aboard a WWII merchantman was like. Sure, it isn't a battleship or an aircraft carrier but the Allied war effort wouldn't have gotten very far without this ship and hundreds like her. I recommend seeing it.

I also had a wonderful talk there with 83-year-old veteran of the merchant marine named Jim Waters who served in the Pacific from 1943 on (he joined when he was 16). He was there to field questions and I asked a lot of them, all of which he was happy to answer.

Cuttlefish at the forward 3" gun:

February 10, 1945

Location: 60 miles south of Osaka
Course: South
Attached to: TF 43
Mission: Bombardment
System Damage: 0
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 410

Orders: Intercept enemy fast transport convoys at Tori Shima

---

The Japanese ships steam in slow circles off the southern tip of the Kii Peninsula. Here they are at small risk of air attack but are close enough to Tori Shima to sprint in and out during the hours of darkness. All they are waiting for now is confirmation of a target.

Submarines and patrol aircraft scour the sea to the south, seeking some sign that a fast transport convoy is heading north. Allied fighters and patrol planes operating out of Guam, Tinian, and Iwo make this dangerous work but it will pay off if it means that Tanaka’s ships can catch the enemy as they attempt to unload their cargo in the nighttime waters off the volcanic island.

There is some danger, even this close to Japan, that enemy B-24 or B-29 bombers might find and attack them. It seems, however, that the enemy has renewed his bombing campaign against Tokyo since Hibiki and the other ships left Kure. Fierce air battles are reported there and that is where the enemy’s attention seems to be focused. The risk is deemed to be acceptable.

And so they steam in circles and wait.

ORIGINAL: John 3rd

Nothing prettier then a flawless night launch of the Shuttle!  [:D][:D][:D]

Yeah[:)][:D]

ORIGINAL: BrucePowers

ORIGINAL: John 3rd

Nothing prettier then a flawless night launch of the Shuttle!  [:D][:D][:D]

Yeah[:)][:D]

American Victory was good (saw it in 05 when at a convention in Tampa). Very much worth the visit - but the shuttle launch of the 15th was simply awesome. I have never thought I would see one but finding myself in Jacksonville on busness for a month I drove down - best decision I have made in a long time. You have no idea just how much raw power is involved till you go - and it is an astonishingly beautiful sight.

p.s. And thanks to Cuttlefish for his efforts. This ongoing story has been a true delight to look forward to each few days.

Well, I went to see my first live shuttle launch back in January, 1986. That winter I was living in Stuart, Florida so it was easy to head up to a good vantage point.

As a kid I always loved to watch the gemini and apollo rockets launch on television, so I was looking forward to seeing one in person. I haven't had much desire to go watch them since... [:(]

Location: 60 miles south of Osaka
Course: South
Attached to: TF 43
Mission: Bombardment
System Damage: 0
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 410

Orders: Intercept enemy fast transport convoys at Tori Shima

Okay class -- what's wrong with this picture?[;)]

Hibiki hasn't topped off with fuel prior to the impending dash to Tori Shima and the expected sprint away if she's able. 

Nope, that's not it... if you are expecting to fight a surface battle, you probably should not be in a bombardment TF, especially if you are hoping to surprise the enemy TF. 

The man has a point...

John... you wouldn't be drawing on your hard won knowledge/experience gained from the school of hard knocks now would you? [:D]

ORIGINAL: Cuttlefish
And so they steam in circles and wait.

And so WE, the readers, steam on place and wait...[&o]