Ahoy - Mac's Web Log

Dear Mr. Gregory,

 I would first like to introduce myself. I am a former Marine Corps officer and a student of military history who resides in the San Francisco Bay area. ( Fourth generation Californian!)

 I found your website during a search about the Graf Spee, and am quite impressed. Your accounts of little known aspects of the war in the Pacific, as well as World War 1 Naval operations, make for fascinating reading!
 
Regarding your discussion on Panzerschiff Admiral Graf Spee. In 1956 the UK production company of Pressburger and Powell released the movie "Battle of the River Plate", which was shown in the U.S. under the title "Pursuit of the Graf Spee". The role of the German raider was played by none other then the American heavy cruiser U.S.S. Salem, then flagship of the Sixth Fleet.

It should also be known that the this film's London premiere was attended by none other than Marilyn Monroe!

Much to our good fortune, the Salem has survived! She is currently a museum ship in Quincy, Massachusetts, and is the only surviving example of a heavy cruiser existing in the world today. Two Salem related  websites that I would recommend:
www.uss.salem.org and  www.willshak.com/salem/broadbeam.html.

Again fascinating info, and, as you would say in OZ, Good on Ya!

Sincerely,
John F. Davies
1st Lt. USMC (ret.)

Hello John,

My thanks for your kind comments, Ahoy is a joint effort with my friend and Web Master, Terry Kearns in Atlanta, Georgia taking care of the site with both dedication and expertise. I do the research and writing. We are always pleased when anyone takes the trouble to write to us.

Your information is interesting.

I need to finish the Battle of the River Plate, but recently had surgery on my left knee, it will some weeks or even months before a tired old 82 year old knee with both arthritis and a badly damaged cartilage stops aching. I have trouble sitting and spending much time at my PC.

Again nice to hear from you, and with best wishes from both the US and Australia.

Mac. Gregory.

John,

Me again, I have attached the story of the bell from USS Canberra, our visit to the Navy Yard, the presentation of this bell by your President to my Prime Minister on the 10th. of September 2001, the day before 9/11.

It is my understanding when I was able to influence that presentation, the bell had been on display on board USS Salem, and was removed for this occasion.

This story is the first one on Ahoy, and you may well not get that far down the list of articles.

Best regards.

Semper Fi.
Mac.

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