cruisers

The unique dynamite gun cruiser, USS Vesuvius (1888). See: hamptonroadsnavalmuseum.blogspot.com/2015/06/uss-vesuvius... USS Vesuvius was an experimental ship in the late 1800s when the US Navy was developing its new steel navy. Built at the Philadelphia Navy Yard, the ship was commissioned in 1890. The hope was that this small ship would have a formidable enough armament that it would be a cost effective threat to enemy battleships. At over 21 knots, speed was its best defensive measure. The most unique aspect of this vessel were the three 15-inch guns protruding from the forward deck. They fired explosive shells which consisted of several hundred pounds of "desensitized blasting gelatin" in a metal casing. The casing was fitted with a wood sabot to ensure a seal in the barrel, which was vital as the volatile composition of these shells only allowed compressed air to be used as a propellant. Although the dynamite shell had great potential, and there was a stealth aspect to firing without gunpowder, the ship had some severe flaws for naval warfare. It had to be pointed where it wanted to fire, and its range was limited to less than 2 miles (controlled by air pressure). See also: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Vesuvius_(1888)

17 September 1961 was a Sunday ... which we already knew from the catalogue title "Waterfront, Sunday AM, Athlone, Co. Westmeath."

Streetview. The Quay maps.app.goo.gl/GbJiwcMpnsgDF5ik7

I see a Ford Anglia, memories of wee bare legs sticking to hot plastic car seats in summer....

1895 or so:

O'Dea again, 1962:

March 1880 - "... The I.M.S.{sic] Bismarck was towed up to the Fitzroy Dock at Cockatoo Island yesterday by the steamer Commodore, where she will be docked this morning ..." Tuesday, 9/3/1880 See - trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/238484524?searchTerm=b...

Wikipedia - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SMS_Bismarck " ... Eight men aboard Bismarck had died due to tropical diseases by early 1880, and so the Admiralität decided to recall the vessel. On 26 January 1880, the ship left Apia and after reaching Levuka, she was damaged in a severe storm, which forced her to go to Sydney for repairs. While she was being repaired, the Admiralität altered her original route and ordered her to proceed to the west coast of South America to support the ironclad Hansa, which was protecting German interests in the area during the War of the Pacific. ..."

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