Trivia!

Enterprise. SC, had a reliable range of ten miles and was replaced with the improved SG and SK models with a PPI display.

 

The CXAM radar system was the first production radar system deployed on United States Navy ships. It followed several earlier prototype systems, such as the NRL radar installed in April, 1937 on the USS XXXXXXXXX its successor, the XAF, installed in December, 1938 on the USS New York (BB-34); and the first RCA-designed system, the CXZ, installed in December, 1938 or January, 1939 on the USS Texas (BB-35). Based on testing in January, 1939, where the XAF was more reliable, the US Navy ordered RCA to build six XAF-based units for deployment and then shortly thereafter ordered 14 more.
In 1937, a 200-mc radar set was tested at sea on USS XXXXXXXXXX. Two years later, USS New York (BB-34), while she was in a fleet problem in the Carribean at night, tested a greatly improved 200-mc radar set. A group of destroyers (without radar) were attempting a torpedo run on a line of battleships. All ships were in darkness. Aboard New York a group of men in air plot were intently peering at a small flourescent screen when a slightly higher hump appeared in the jagged green line wavering across the screen. They let the "hump" come to 5,000 yards, trained a searchlight in its direction, illuminated, and picked off the oncoming destroyer. Radar had come to life. Upon the Radioman's shoulders fell the brunt of keeping up sound and radar equipment. Operators of this equipment (Soundmen and radar operators, then) were usually Yeomen, Storekeepers, or Seamen, who, if they could distinguish between a "ping" and a "pong" were awarded five extra dollars a month. Communications responsibilities increased and Radiomen couldn't be spared to keep up extra equipment, so in 1943, there were two more ratings established, Radarman and Sonarman.

Still have not found when it was removed.

 

This question deals specificially with the SC radar delevloped and installed during WW2. Why it was removed I thought was the interesting bit of trivia. I got the question from one of the Naval History magazines.

 

In that case it's almost certainly USS Semmes?

 

I'm already confused!!

 

Nope, I will give a cule, a USN light cruiser.

 

I know the SC radar was very temperamental and was replaced as soon as possible. Although it was installed on several cruisers during the time of the Guadalcanal campaign, it was frequently turned off because intelligence suggested Japan had radar detection equipment that could locate ships operating on the frequency used by the SC. This information turned out to be wrong, and was a factor in many of the ship losses during that period. I don't know if this reason is related to the question or not.

 

Was the West Virginia the first ship with the SC radar?

 

Ok, Since no one seems to be getting close.

It was CL54 San Juan, Atlanta class. In the middle of the night the techs installed SC radar Serial Number 1 on the ship. The next night they came back and removed Serial Number 1, and replaced it with SC radar Serial Number 2.

This was done because Admiral King found out that CL54 San Juan had received SC radar Serial Number 1 that prior night, and he wanted Number 1 to be installed on his flagship the Augusta.

Talk about wartime efficiency. Just replace the serial number tag, we did it all the time when I was in the service.

Run with it bb26, yours was the last answer.

 

Geez. Talk about pressure. I am not sure I have anything. Anyone else have a trivia question?

 

Alright, here is one: In 1917 at Samoa beach near Eureka, California , a US Navy ship was wrecked, causing much embarrasment to the navy. What was the name of the ship, what kind was she, and how was she wrecked?

 

USS Milwaukee, CL 21, She was trying to pull the stranded Submarine H-3 free of the beach. A line parted, and the wind and currents pushed her ashore, due to the steel cable attached to the sub.

 

And a goodly chunk of her is still there, buried in the sand.

 

I think I got it right. Here's a easy one.

What did these 7 Destroyers all do together? U.S.S. DELPHY (DD #261), U.S.S. S. P. LEE (DD #310), U.S.S. YOUNG (DD #312), U.S.S. WOODBURY (DD #309), U.S.S. NICHOLAS (DD #311), U.S.S. FULLER (DD #297), U.S.S. CHAUNCEY (DD #296).

 

The "Disaster at Point Honda"...a squadron of flushdeckers made a slight navigational error and plowed into the rocks at 20 knots.

 

Wow. That was quick. djrainer, that is the correct answer.

 

Anachronus all yours.

 

"Disaster at Point Honda"
I thought that we had talked about this just a few weeks ago???

 

What famous submariner's father lost his ship to a tsunami?

 

OK, and only because I like his classic book, "Run silent Run deep". The submariner would be Captain Edward L. Beach, his father 's ship was wrecked in harbour by the tsunami.