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Binding: Hardcover

See also more books on the same topic(s):
   Naval salvage operations
   Ports and naval bases
   United States: Naval salvage operations
   War at sea in the Pacific and Indian Oceans: Ports and naval bases
   War at sea in the West, 1939-1945: Ports and naval bases

Feedback from visitors

Feedback from Kenneth Hadley on Friday, 9 April 2004

Rates this book:

I was a cabin boy on the SS. Samsylarna, the ship in questionand I must say that this story is not quite accurate. Firstly, the destroyer did NOT come alongside to take us off,we dropped the l/boats and diembarked in quite an orderly fashion. We rowed the boats to a big S/African ex-trawler where we hung about for thee or four days before they decide what to do. We ,the crew stayed in an army camp near Benghazi for almost a month. The only repairs carried out was to pour tons of concrete into the hole,then pumped her out. I remember this all too well as I had my 17th birthday in that transit camp! Then, they sent half of us overland by truck to Alex., and the other half crewed her to Alex., under tow.,where we all met up in the Red Ensign Club and where there for a few weeks until they shoved her into a floating drydock to have a good examinaton of thr damage. By the way ,another anomily of the authors was that we were torpedoed during an airraid, At 11:20 at night? WE were the victim of one lone Italian plane,who, unfortunately for us was carrying a torpedo. One man was killed,an artillery gunner who's misfortune was to sleep in a hammock strung under the bun platform over the stern of the ship, which was where they were quatered. The silver, I'm not too clear on but I can remember the third mate having the mick taken out of him ,standing guard with a .38 hand gun in a holster, because the ignorant firemen put up what they thought was funny a silly limarick about his gun a [3.8] , making theselvesthe fools. I could go on about this officers story. Sometimes I wonder if he was ever in the vicinity at all. We were raided from Gib., until the event,night after night. This is what makes me fume every time I read thro' it. Yes, I have the story here in front of me because I took the book from the library and photocopied every pageI hope you dont mind me correcting this writer, just , I thought you should know that the crew were not just extras in this guys sideshow. Mr. Kenneth Hadley, 122, ST.JohnsRoad, Biddulph, Stoke-on-Trent,Staffs. ST8 6TF,formally of the North East, Where the pool of seamen came from. I do hope someone reads this and appreciates my corrections. Thanking you in advance.

Feedback from Anonymous on Friday, 7 May 2004

Rates this book: Not rated

My name is Kenneth Hadley. I gave the rating for the book "Epics of Salvage and I apologize for the low rating . At that particular time I was annoyed at David Masters and not the publishers. The book itself deserves more than the stars Ioriginally gave,on reflection I think ,for content alone ,4 stars at least. What I would appreciate if it were at all possible would be a photo of the SS Samsylarna as she was ,wounded but not bowed. I've met one or two old mates from her and they have pictures of heras she was beached at benghazi. I would gladly pay for the photo ,the postage & packaging. My address is the same as above. You would earn my heartfelt gratitude if you could help in this, my search.
sincerely yours K.Hadley

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