Short Takes’ Unexpected Ships – The Unexpected Bell

Today, July 30, 2024, marks 79 years since one of the greatest Navy tragedies of World War II darkened our nation’s maritime skies. Robert Shaw’s mesmerizing performance in 1975’s “Jaws” introduced a new generation to the tragedy of the USS Indianapolis, a ship that sank in 18,000 feet of water and has never been salvaged. … Continue reading Short Takes’ Unexpected Ships – The Unexpected Bell

Pierside – Shipshape in Bristol Fashion!

Celebrate this Independence Day with the crew of USS Ponce (LPD 15)! Take a voyage back to the year 2011 and the Proud Lion’s participation in the historic Patriotic Exercises put on by Bristol, Rhode Island. Bristol’s date all the way back to 1777, and the town still knows how to party! Stay tuned after … Continue reading Pierside – Shipshape in Bristol Fashion!

Short Takes; Unexpected Ships – The Unexpected Propeller

Discover another of the Unexpected Ships here on Short Takes! Find out how an unexpected propeller in the middle of Delaware heralds the story of USS Shangri-La, the only ship in Navy history to be named for a mythical place! https://youtu.be/6jWAlToOEO0 #nathanaelmiller, #sparks1524, #shorttakes, #unexpectedships, #USSShangriLa, #USSShangri-La, #ShangriLa, #Shangri-La, #history, #Navy, #aircraftcarrier, #warship, #carrier, #navalaviation,

Short Takes: Unexpected Ships — USS Memphis

Another Unexpected Ships here on Short Takes! Strolling about Nashville’s scenic Centennial Park can reveal the bronze scrollwork from the bow of the cruiser USS Memphis (CA 10), a ship that started life as USS Tennessee! Join me for the story of USS Memphis—the USS Tennessee before the USS Tennessee! https://youtu.be/EbnGh-4CaRg #nathanaelmiller, #sparks1524, #shorttakes, #tennessee, … Continue reading Short Takes: Unexpected Ships — USS Memphis

Short Takes – USS Stewart

NEW 'SHORT TAKES' VIDEO! Step aboard USS Stewart, one of the great, unsung fleet of destroyer escorts that provided critical anti-submarine protection to Allied forces during World War II! These tiny ships, some of the smallest ocean-going warships fielded by the Navy during the war, were one of the key assets which prevented the Axis … Continue reading Short Takes – USS Stewart

Short Takes – Cavalla

NEW VIDEO! Come aboard for a short tour of the World War II submarine USS Cavalla, a notable boat with the distinction of having sank one of the carriers that attacked Pearl Harbor in 1941. Cavalla is open to the public at the Galveston Naval Museum in Galveston, Texas. https://youtu.be/oBK9BI7D2mQ #nathanaelmiller, #sparks1524, #Navy, #submarine, #ShortTakes, … Continue reading Short Takes – Cavalla

Travel Log + On the Waterfront – Drydocked!

(Pensacola, FL; May 25, 2023) –The former USS Texas (BB 35) is getting the makeover to end all makeovers! Texas is a New York-class battleship and the only known United States warship still afloat that served in both world wars. Commissioned in 1914, Texas was constructed during a time of rapid advances in naval architecture … Continue reading Travel Log + On the Waterfront – Drydocked!

On the Waterfront – A-Fording an Island

(Pensacola, Florida; Feb. 26, 2023) – Very few jobs involve hanging out underneath a 555 metric ton (nearly 612 regular ton) steel superstructure swinging over one's head, but the Navy is not just a job, it's an adventure! This adventure played out on a cold, snowy day in Newport News, Virginia, as the final piece … Continue reading On the Waterfront – A-Fording an Island

On the Waterfront – Leapfrog!

(Pensacola, Florida; Feb. 17, 2023) – I haven't played leapfrog since I was about four feet shorter than I am now; that is to say, since I was rather little. Imagine my surprise in 2010 at finding myself in a game of leapfrog, but one played with thousand-ton warships instead of schoolmates on the playground! … Continue reading On the Waterfront – Leapfrog!

On the Waterfront – Thanksgiving in Jolly Old England!

(Pensacola, Florida; Nov. 23, 2022) – I became a Yeoman (an admin clerk) when I enlisted in the Navy. I didn't know what I really wanted to do long-term, but every command has administrative personnel, so what better rate to choose in order to actually see the Navy and figure out my ultimate path? The … Continue reading On the Waterfront – Thanksgiving in Jolly Old England!