U.S. Submarine Related - Remembering our heritage

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Remembering our heritage

Printed From: Rontini Submarine BBS
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Forum Name: U.S. Submarine Related
Forum Description: Submarine Related Topics
URL: http://RontiniSubmarineBBS.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=4137
Printed Date: 19 Apr 2024 at 3:11pm
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Topic: Remembering our heritage

Posted By: oldsubs
Subject: Remembering our heritage
Date 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.

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Be Well
Oldsubs

Replies:

Posted By: Sewer Pipe Snipe
Date 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.

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Walt,
Had I done everything right throughout my life, the World wouldn't have noticed.