Remembering our heritage

Message Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic Printable Version Translate Topic

   One hundred years ago today the crew of the USS A-8 (Shark) died.  

We were in a declared war with Germany and Austria-Hungary.  The A-boats were in Manila Bay serving as harbor defense and operated patrolling the entrance to the bay and its adjoining waters.  On the 24th of July 1917 she was on patrol when gasoline fumes in the boat exploded.  The crew tried to fight the fire but to no avail.  In doing so they all suffered burns and the effects of inhaling the smoke and hot gasses.  Captain Marcus ordered the crew out of the boat and even though severely burned himself took the helm in an attempt to beach the boat. Six of the seven man crew and Captain Marcus died of their injuries one hundred years ago today.  Only one of the crew lingered on until dying on 1 August 1917.  

The physical remains of the boat was decommissioned then sunk as a target in 1922.  

She is the only boat where the entire crew died but the boat's structure was not lost.  In some respects she becomes the US Submarine Force's first wartime loss.

Author	Message Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic Printable Version Translate Topic
oldsubs Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Neptune Joined: 15 Jan 2016 Location: St Augustine FL Status: Offline Points: 2070	Post Options Post Reply Quote oldsubs Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Remembering our heritage Posted: 25 Jul 2017 at 9:32am
	One hundred years ago today the crew of the USS A-8 (Shark) died. We were in a declared war with Germany and Austria-Hungary. The A-boats were in Manila Bay serving as harbor defense and operated patrolling the entrance to the bay and its adjoining waters. On the 24th of July 1917 she was on patrol when gasoline fumes in the boat exploded. The crew tried to fight the fire but to no avail. In doing so they all suffered burns and the effects of inhaling the smoke and hot gasses. Captain Marcus ordered the crew out of the boat and even though severely burned himself took the helm in an attempt to beach the boat. Six of the seven man crew and Captain Marcus died of their injuries one hundred years ago today. Only one of the crew lingered on until dying on 1 August 1917. The physical remains of the boat was decommissioned then sunk as a target in 1922. She is the only boat where the entire crew died but the boat's structure was not lost. In some respects she becomes the US Submarine Force's first wartime loss.
	Be Well Oldsubs

Sewer Pipe Snipe Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List BBS Supporter Joined: 04 Jan 2016 Location: Albany, GA Status: Offline Points: 5723	Post Options Post Reply Quote Sewer Pipe Snipe Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 25 Jul 2017 at 11:51am
	Hand Salute to all those that have gone before, those that made the sacrifice, and those yet to come. For it is our heritage to recall their names, for as long as their names are spoken, they live on.
	Walt, Had I done everything right throughout my life, the World wouldn't have noticed.