World War Two Era United States Navy
My photo essay takes place on the USS Massachusetts, a South Dakota class Battleship located at Battleship Cove in Fall River, Massachusetts. The ship was commissioned in early 1942, right on the eve of U.S. entry into World War Two. After various battles and confrontations with Japanese and German ships, the Massachusetts was decommissioned, now containing numerous battle scars, including a hole in one of the lower decks from a Japanese shell. At the time she was laid down in Battleship Cove, she contained rusted mechanical pieces, tattered and worn American ensigns, and rooms stuffed full of various junk from other decks on the ship.
As you stroll across the deck of the USS Massachusetts today, you can now go below deck, on the bridge, and even into the chief's galley. All of this can be attributed to the hard work of the staff at Battleship Cove, and the military-geared group I am a part of, the United States Naval Sea Cadets. This group calls the Battleship home, and I am proud to call myself one of them.
As you follow along with the photos of my photo essay, you will be able to experience and witness the type of place a World War Two era ship was for an American Sailor. These sailors lived by the Navy's core values: honor, courage, and commitment, and as you travel back in time with my photos, put yourself in the shoes of some of the most brave, courageous, and loyal men their generation had to offer.
As you stroll across the deck of the USS Massachusetts today, you can now go below deck, on the bridge, and even into the chief's galley. All of this can be attributed to the hard work of the staff at Battleship Cove, and the military-geared group I am a part of, the United States Naval Sea Cadets. This group calls the Battleship home, and I am proud to call myself one of them.
As you follow along with the photos of my photo essay, you will be able to experience and witness the type of place a World War Two era ship was for an American Sailor. These sailors lived by the Navy's core values: honor, courage, and commitment, and as you travel back in time with my photos, put yourself in the shoes of some of the most brave, courageous, and loyal men their generation had to offer.
This is the USS Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. It is a Gearing Class Destroyer that specializes in fighting submarines. Decommissioned in 1972, here it now rests in Battleship Cove alongside the USS Lionfish and the USS Massachusetts.
Seen in the above two photos, the USS Lionfish sits in between the USS JPK Jr. and the USS Massachusetts. As peaceful as this beautiful piece of equipment looks now, it was once a horrific war machine. The Lionfish began its first patrol of hostile Japanese waters April 1, 1945. After two more patrols of countless enemy engagement and close shaves, she now rests peacefully in Battleship Cove.
The USS Massachusetts, or "Big Mamie", as referred to affectionately by those that served aboard her. This ship, and those who deployed with her, were true American heroes during World War Two. Encountering numerous enemy ships and aircraft, the Massachusetts only received one direct hit. Seen below is the damage done by an enemy 8 inch shell as she tore through multiple decks of our beautiful war machine.
Not only did "Big Mamie" avoid most enemy fire, it delivered unfathomable amounts of shells onto Japanese Islands during her multiple bombardments. As seen below, the forward triple turret, one of two, is capable of firing three mark 8 shells simultaneously.
Although these were her main weapon of choice, when fighting ship to ship warfare, you need some back ups. As seen below, her side deck guns fired from ship to ship in any case that the gigantic triple turrets could not. I decided to slant this photo slightly as to add to the visual interest of the image.
Although she was made for war, the gigantic crew she housed needed a place to sleep. Seen below are a row of racks below deck in which enlisted sailors would sleep every night; and trust me, they're not very comfortable, I've slept in them. In order to make this photo more visually appealing, I chose to make the shot vertical, as oposed to horizontal.
A ship is a tough place to live, especially if your tall. Personally, I hit my head on almost everything as I stroll through the numerous tiny passageways. The largest passage way, or the athwart ships passage way, as shown below, is the only passage way that allows direct port to starboard access in the whole ship.
In closing, some of the bravest men and women our country had to offer served aboard the ships shown here. Having taken yourself back in time and taking a walk in their shoes, you can now say you've experienced the type of place a battleship was for an American Sailor during WWII.