Comments on: USS Laffey: Attacked Off Okinawa in World War II http://www.historynet.com/uss-laffey-attacked-off-okinawa-in-world-war-ii.htm?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=uss-laffey-attacked-off-okinawa-in-world-war-ii From the World's Largest History Magazine Publisher Wed, 15 Feb 2012 02:15:35 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 By: waldengr http://www.historynet.com/uss-laffey-attacked-off-okinawa-in-world-war-ii.htm#comment-787696 waldengr Sat, 28 Jan 2012 03:29:35 +0000 #comment-787696 you are right about Navy Log. great episode. seems to me, though, the episode listed the destroyer as DD 255 (which may have been a move to not identify the still active ship). and then there was the TV show, "Silent Service", about submarines. have been enamoured of subs since, but ended-up flying b-52s instead. you are right about Navy Log. great episode. seems to me, though, the episode listed the destroyer as DD 255 (which may have been a move to not identify the still active ship).

and then there was the TV show, "Silent Service", about submarines. have been enamoured of subs since, but ended-up flying b-52s instead.

]]> By: Jessica Cribbs http://www.historynet.com/uss-laffey-attacked-off-okinawa-in-world-war-ii.htm#comment-781344 Jessica Cribbs Mon, 14 Nov 2011 04:16:31 +0000 #comment-781344 My documentary, Laffey Men, is about this day on April 16, 1945. My grandfather was a survivor. He had an amazing story that he didnt fully share until I asked him. I interviewed 4 others who survived that day. Laffey Men will be on DVD soon. Check out my website. It played at two film festivals. Amazing, amazing story. www.laffeymen.com My documentary, Laffey Men, is about this day on April 16, 1945. My grandfather was a survivor. He had an amazing story that he didnt fully share until I asked him. I interviewed 4 others who survived that day. Laffey Men will be on DVD soon. Check out my website. It played at two film festivals. Amazing, amazing story. http://www.laffeymen.com

]]> By: Cody Mayfield http://www.historynet.com/uss-laffey-attacked-off-okinawa-in-world-war-ii.htm#comment-750637 Cody Mayfield Wed, 14 Sep 2011 16:16:52 +0000 #comment-750637 My dad, Joe Mayfield, was a gunners mate on the Laffey. Dad died in 1989, but before his death he was able to visit his old ship. When I was a little boy, I gazed in awe of the photo album he had of the Laffey and his mates. Dad donated his album to the association while on his last visit. I look forward to the day when I can visit my Dad's ship, and once again gaze in awe and respect of his photo album. My dad, Joe Mayfield, was a gunners mate on the Laffey. Dad died in 1989, but before his death he was able to visit his old ship. When I was a little boy, I gazed in awe of the photo album he had of the Laffey and his mates. Dad donated his album to the association while on his last visit. I look forward to the day when I can visit my Dad's ship, and once again gaze in awe and respect of his photo album.

]]> By: Harvey Ghantt http://www.historynet.com/uss-laffey-attacked-off-okinawa-in-world-war-ii.htm#comment-707391 Harvey Ghantt Tue, 23 Aug 2011 17:05:04 +0000 #comment-707391 Good points. Will you be writing more on this topic? I've been a lifelong radio control jet enthusiast. I would like to read more. Good points. Will you be writing more on this topic? I've been a lifelong radio control jet enthusiast. I would like to read more.

]]> By: Joe Gattuso http://www.historynet.com/uss-laffey-attacked-off-okinawa-in-world-war-ii.htm#comment-633671 Joe Gattuso Fri, 08 Jul 2011 13:43:04 +0000 #comment-633671 The Laffey was saved! (Although it probably will always need donations, so please don't stop). Here are some web sites on current status. http://www.patriotspoint.org/exhibits/fleet/laffey.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Laffey_%28DD-724%29 These sites are not all up to date. The Laffey may not be returning to Patriot's Point, however, and could stay at Clemson. Speaking about saving old warships, don't forget that the USS Olympia Admiral Dewey's flagship, the oldest metal U.S. warship and third oldest after the Constitution and Constellation, is also on the brink of being scrapped or used as a reef. There is some hope. Here are some links on that: http://www.preservationnation.org/travel-and-sites/sites/northeast-region/the-uss-olympia.html http://www.spanamwar.com/olympia.htm Last but not least, my connection to the Laffey is that my dad, Vince Gattuso, served on the Laffey just after the war in 1946 and 1947. The Laffey took part in the Bikini nuclear tests and went on a tour that included Australia. If anyone has any more information on those missions, I'd be really interested. The Laffey was saved! (Although it probably will always need donations, so please don't stop). Here are some web sites on current status.

http://www.patriotspoint.org/exhibits/fleet/laffey.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Laffey_%28DD-724%29

These sites are not all up to date. The Laffey may not be returning to Patriot's Point, however, and could stay at Clemson.

Speaking about saving old warships, don't forget that the USS Olympia Admiral Dewey's flagship, the oldest metal U.S. warship and third oldest after the Constitution and Constellation, is also on the brink of being scrapped or used as a reef. There is some hope. Here are some links on that:

http://www.preservationnation.org/travel-and-sites/sites/northeast-region/the-uss-olympia.html
http://www.spanamwar.com/olympia.htm

Last but not least, my connection to the Laffey is that my dad, Vince Gattuso, served on the Laffey just after the war in 1946 and 1947. The Laffey took part in the Bikini nuclear tests and went on a tour that included Australia. If anyone has any more information on those missions, I'd be really interested.

]]> By: Russell Hines http://www.historynet.com/uss-laffey-attacked-off-okinawa-in-world-war-ii.htm#comment-362048 Russell Hines Tue, 09 Nov 2010 18:46:42 +0000 #comment-362048 I hope that they get The old girl back to her resting place.It was my dad's ship,& is the only way I have to remember him after his death.I feel like I with me dad when I'm on her ,and walking in his foot steps.How can I help get her back so all can see the badest little ship never make,& that would not give up,or sink nomatter what was done to her...? I hope that they get The old girl back to her resting place.It was my dad's ship,& is the only way I have to remember him after his death.I feel like I with me dad when I'm on her ,and walking in his foot steps.How can I help get her back so all can see the badest little ship never make,& that would not give up,or sink nomatter what was done to her…?

]]> By: mark weaver http://www.historynet.com/uss-laffey-attacked-off-okinawa-in-world-war-ii.htm#comment-123696 mark weaver Wed, 23 Sep 2009 18:55:36 +0000 #comment-123696 Craig, The name of the movie based loosely on the Laffey was "Away All Boats", Starring Jeff Chandler. I have the movie and it did come out in 1956 or 57. Craig,

The name of the movie based loosely on the Laffey was "Away All Boats", Starring Jeff Chandler. I have the movie and it did come out in 1956 or 57.

]]> By: Barbara Thompson http://www.historynet.com/uss-laffey-attacked-off-okinawa-in-world-war-ii.htm#comment-36736 Barbara Thompson Sat, 28 Feb 2009 00:52:10 +0000 #comment-36736 I was very saddened to read about the Laffey's deteriorating condition. My father, Henry Thompson, Carpenter's Mate was proud of his ship and his service. He attended many reunions and had hoped that I would carry on membership in the USS Laffey Association after his death in 1995. I regret that I did not but at least I can contribute to the care of this ship. My family would like to visit the Laffey in April. Will she even be there? I have never seen her,but now feel the pressure of time closing in. I guess I assumed that she would always be maintained because of her historical importance. I strongly hope that enough donations are made to save THE SHIP THAT WOULD NOT DIE I was very saddened to read about the Laffey's deteriorating condition. My father, Henry Thompson, Carpenter's Mate
was proud of his ship and his service. He attended many reunions
and had hoped that I would carry on membership in the USS Laffey Association after his death in 1995. I regret that I did not but at least
I can contribute to the care of this ship. My family would like to visit the Laffey in April. Will she even be there? I have never seen her,but
now feel the pressure of time closing in. I guess I assumed that she
would always be maintained because of her historical importance.
I strongly hope that enough donations are made to save THE SHIP
THAT WOULD NOT DIE

]]> By: Robert Dockery http://www.historynet.com/uss-laffey-attacked-off-okinawa-in-world-war-ii.htm#comment-33849 Robert Dockery Fri, 13 Feb 2009 19:33:12 +0000 #comment-33849 Sadly, the ship that would not die may be facing her final hours. This from the official website of the U.S.S. Laffey: USS Laffey Needs Immediate Repairs Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina – Dec 12, 2008 In the early hours of Monday morning, December 1st, staff personnel at Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Museum noticed the last remaining Sumner class destroyer in existence, the USS Laffey, sitting lower than usual in the water. When staff personnel arrived, they discovered five feet of water in the lower section of the ship. As emergency procedures began and pumping commenced, water was entering the ship at a rate of 2,000 gallons per hour. After over 90,000 gallons of sea water were pumped from the ship, the location of the leak was determined late Wednesday evening. Environmental personnel were called to oversee the operations to ensure that all procedures were being conducted in a safe and efficient manner. There were no hazardous materials released into the outside water. Survey teams and divers were on the scene Thursday morning to attempt temporary repairs and assess the extent of the hull’s deterioration. By late afternoon Thursday, the leak was stopped with an epoxy patch, thereby allowing a marine survey to be conducted. Three weeks ago, five holes were discovered in the aft section of the ship and 4,600 gallons of seawater were pumped out before repairs could be made. The breach in the ship’s hull discovered December 1 is unrelated to the earlier discovered holes. The USS Laffey was last in dry dock 14 years ago when she underwent repairs. At that time, extensive repairs were made to the hull by welding metal plates over the deteriorated areas. The leak discovered December 1 is located along a weld that began rusting, causing a crack approximately 12 inches by one fourth of an inch. As of Thursday morning, December 11, the epoxy patch was holding and all water had been removed from the ship. Unfortunately, during the day Thursday, staff personnel at the Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Museum discovered the USS Laffey was again taking on water through three holes that developed since the December 1 leaks were repaired. Patriots Point’s pumps and a private contractor’s pumps have been removing water from the Laffey. Divers started patching the holes Thursday afternoon to stabilize the leaks. This morning, the divers are continuing to work on the patches. A boom has been deployed around the ship to prevent any possible contamination. The US Coast Guard representatives have been on site to assist Patriots Point. The December 11 holes are not connected with the holes discovered three weeks ago or those discovered on December 1, but they highlight Patriots Point Development Authority’s challenges with the cost and the need for constant maintenance of its aging fleet of four naval museum vessels. An early estimate of the cost to tow the USS Laffey to a repair facility and repair her is $3.5 million. Patriots Point is weighing its alternatives to deal with the Laffey given her deteriorated hull condition. In addition to this early estimate of $3.5 million needed for the Laffey, the aircraft carrier Yorktown, submarine Clamagore and Coast Guard Cutter Ingham collectively need approximately $50 million of maintenance and repairs. This need is not unique to Patriots Point's fleet. The aircraft carrier museum ship Intrepid moored in New York recently received over $120 million of repairs and maintenance. Please make checks payable to: Patriots Point Development Authority make notation for SAVE THE LAFFEY on check and envelope. Mail checks to: Patriots Point Development Authority 40 Patriots Point Road Mount Pleasant, SC 29464 Attn: C.F.O. Thanks for your help. Sonny Walker, President USS LAFFEY ASSOCIATION Sadly, the ship that would not die may be facing her final hours. This from the official website of the U.S.S. Laffey:

USS Laffey Needs Immediate Repairs
Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina – Dec 12, 2008

In the early hours of Monday morning, December 1st, staff personnel at Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Museum noticed the last remaining Sumner class destroyer in existence, the USS Laffey, sitting lower than usual in the water.

When staff personnel arrived, they discovered five feet of water in the lower section of the ship. As emergency procedures began and pumping commenced, water was entering the ship at a rate of 2,000 gallons per hour. After over 90,000 gallons of sea water were pumped from the ship, the location of the leak was determined late Wednesday evening. Environmental personnel were called to oversee the operations to ensure that all procedures were being conducted in a safe and efficient manner. There were no hazardous materials released into the outside water.

Survey teams and divers were on the scene Thursday morning to attempt temporary repairs and assess the extent of the hull’s deterioration. By late afternoon Thursday, the leak was stopped with an epoxy patch, thereby allowing a marine survey to be conducted.

Three weeks ago, five holes were discovered in the aft section of the ship and 4,600 gallons of seawater were pumped out before repairs could be made. The breach in the ship’s hull discovered December 1 is unrelated to the earlier discovered holes.

The USS Laffey was last in dry dock 14 years ago when she underwent repairs. At that time, extensive repairs were made to the hull by welding metal plates over the deteriorated areas. The leak discovered December 1 is located along a weld that began rusting, causing a crack approximately 12 inches by one fourth of an inch.

As of Thursday morning, December 11, the epoxy patch was holding and all water had been removed from the ship. Unfortunately, during the day Thursday, staff personnel at the Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Museum discovered the USS Laffey was again taking on water through three holes that developed since the December 1 leaks were repaired. Patriots Point’s pumps and a private contractor’s pumps have been removing water from the Laffey. Divers started patching the holes Thursday afternoon to stabilize the leaks. This morning, the divers are continuing to work on the patches. A boom has been deployed around the ship to prevent any possible contamination. The US Coast Guard representatives have been on site to assist Patriots Point.

The December 11 holes are not connected with the holes discovered three weeks ago or those discovered on December 1, but they highlight Patriots Point Development Authority’s challenges with the cost and the need for constant maintenance of its aging fleet of four naval museum vessels. An early estimate of the cost to tow the USS Laffey to a repair facility and repair her is $3.5 million. Patriots Point is weighing its alternatives to deal with the Laffey given her deteriorated hull condition. In addition to this early estimate of $3.5 million needed for the Laffey, the aircraft carrier Yorktown, submarine Clamagore and Coast Guard Cutter Ingham collectively need approximately $50 million of maintenance and repairs. This need is not unique to Patriots Point's fleet. The aircraft carrier museum ship Intrepid moored in New York recently received over $120 million of repairs and maintenance.

Please make checks payable to: Patriots Point Development Authority make notation for SAVE THE LAFFEY on check and envelope.

Mail checks to:

Patriots Point Development Authority
40 Patriots Point Road
Mount Pleasant, SC 29464

Attn: C.F.O.

Thanks for your help.

Sonny Walker, President
USS LAFFEY ASSOCIATION

]]> By: mac gi;kerson http://www.historynet.com/uss-laffey-attacked-off-okinawa-in-world-war-ii.htm#comment-21784 mac gi;kerson Sun, 14 Dec 2008 05:28:09 +0000 #comment-21784 my grandfather was arthur bredy and was on the lcs-51 at okinowa he never told me why he had hated japs so much but after reading this report and other info I understand now and also him being a christian how hard it was to forgive the japanese air core . I wish many people today with things seeming so bleak these days to sit back and reflect on what our forefathers went thru to keep us free arthur h bredy was a gunner on that ship my grandfather was arthur bredy and was on the lcs-51 at okinowa he never told me why he had hated japs so much but after reading this report and other info I understand now and also him being a christian how hard it was to forgive the japanese air core . I wish many people today with things seeming so bleak these days to sit back and reflect on what our forefathers went thru to keep us free arthur h bredy was a gunner on that ship

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