OHIO
The narrator wrongly describes "Ohio" as the "biggest tanker of her day". In fact in 1942 at least three tankers were bigger than "Ohio". At that time, the World's largest tanker was the Panamanian-registered "C. O. Stillman": 565 ft long, 75 ft beam, 44 feet deep and about 13,000 gross register tons (GRT). Almost as big was the Argentinian-registered "Juvenal": 556 ft long, 74 ft beam, 40 feet deep and about 9,500 GRT.
In 1942 there were two tankers called "Ohio", and the one the British used in Operational Pedestal was the smaller of them! She was 489 ft long by 68 ft beam, 36 ft deep, and about 9,300 GRT. Her namesake was the Panamanian-registered "Le Havre", which had been renamed "Ohio" in 1939. She was 506 ft long by 69 ft beam, 36 ft deep, and about 10,200 GRT.
If I could be bothered to search WW2 editions of "Lloyd's Register", I would expect to find other tankers at least as large as "Ohio". Her size was not exceptional.
WAIMARAMA The narrator describes a cargo ship exploding, and says words to the effect that it seemed impossible that anyone could survive. The narrator fails to name the exploding ship, but it seems to be "Waimarama", whose cargo included aviation spirit. In fact, at least two crewmen survived by being blown clear, and the destroyer HMS "Ledbury" rescued them, sailing among burning débris at great risk to herself. Of all the escapes in Operation Pedestal, that of anyone from the explosion of "Waimarama" must be among the narrowest.
The narrator mentions that the cargo ships chosen for Operation Pedestal were fitted with extra armament for their defence before the convoy sailed. But he fails to say what type(s) of armament were added. Was it 20mm Oerlikon or 40mm Bofors anti-aircraft guns? Machine guns? Other weapons? Please don't be vague.
The story of Operation Pedestal has been told many times. Available material about the convoy, from which to tell the story accurately, must surely be abundant. Please do better!
In 1942 there were two tankers called "Ohio", and the one the British used in Operational Pedestal was the smaller of them! She was 489 ft long by 68 ft beam, 36 ft deep, and about 9,300 GRT. Her namesake was the Panamanian-registered "Le Havre", which had been renamed "Ohio" in 1939. She was 506 ft long by 69 ft beam, 36 ft deep, and about 10,200 GRT.
If I could be bothered to search WW2 editions of "Lloyd's Register", I would expect to find other tankers at least as large as "Ohio". Her size was not exceptional.
WAIMARAMA The narrator describes a cargo ship exploding, and says words to the effect that it seemed impossible that anyone could survive. The narrator fails to name the exploding ship, but it seems to be "Waimarama", whose cargo included aviation spirit. In fact, at least two crewmen survived by being blown clear, and the destroyer HMS "Ledbury" rescued them, sailing among burning débris at great risk to herself. Of all the escapes in Operation Pedestal, that of anyone from the explosion of "Waimarama" must be among the narrowest.
The narrator mentions that the cargo ships chosen for Operation Pedestal were fitted with extra armament for their defence before the convoy sailed. But he fails to say what type(s) of armament were added. Was it 20mm Oerlikon or 40mm Bofors anti-aircraft guns? Machine guns? Other weapons? Please don't be vague.
The story of Operation Pedestal has been told many times. Available material about the convoy, from which to tell the story accurately, must surely be abundant. Please do better!
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