I recently learned via a Facebook post that scavengers in the areas of the Java Sea between Indonesia and Sumatra have been illegally scavenging metals and other parts of World War 2 ships sunk during the Battle of the Java Sea on February 27th, 1942. These ships were all allied ships from the Dutch Navy, Australia, America and Great Britain.  All had been declared war graves, thus illegal to desecrate or disturb. The Dutch ships had been discovered in 2002. A 75th anniversary memorial had been planned to lay plaques on the ships in 2017. When explorers returned to the wreck sites recently, the wrecks had all but disappeared.

As I’ve been told more than once it’s very important to keep wreck sites such as this secret when discovered. We see what has happened with the wreck of the Titanic, also a grave site. Over the years items have been recovered from the site and put on display in museums around the world. While the argument for using these items as educational tools and to encourage the memory of the event is compelling, it’s still more than a little disturbing when you learn many of these artifacts have been sold and profited from. Much like stealing from the families and loved ones of the men lost in this battle, it’s stealing and selling the memories and tarnishing the sacrifices made.

For more information I’m posting links to a few of the articles I’ve found on line. I doubt there is any way to know the pervasiveness of this practice. It’s difficult and expensive to monitor all the known wreck sites. Those yet to be discovered by reputable explorers and archaeologists could be in danger of disappearing before their history can be documented. Ships such as these in the Java Sea in shallower water are more prone because they are easier to locate.  At least now the world is aware, and perhaps something can be done to keep it from happening to other wrecked ships and grave sites.
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From the links below, there are others to follow to learn about the battle itself, and the subsequent engagements on February 28th and March 1st. This is another one of those stories that the world needs to know about. Too bad it had to happen with desecration of war graves.

-Tammi
Stories about the illegal salvage:
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/nov/16/british-second-world-war-ships-illegal-scavenging-java-sea

http://edition.cnn.com/2016/11/16/asia/indonesia-ww2-ship-wrecks-disappear/index.html?sr=twCNN111716indonesia-ww2-ship-wrecks-disappear0526AMStoryLink&linkId=31255859

http://qz.com/838795/three-dutch-wwii-ships-sunk-in-1942-have-completely-vanished-from-the-ocean-floor/
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http://time.com/4572826/dutch-shipswreck-java-indonesia/

Battle of the Java Sea: https://www.awm.gov.au/exhibitions/alliesinadversity/japanese/java/

Later this month on the 22nd of November Da Capo Press will release the latest of Stephen Harding’s books, Dawn of Infamy. It’s no coincidence that its release is just prior to the 75th anniversary of Pearl Harbor. The book covers an American cargo steamer, the Cynthia Olson. The ship was loaded with lumber on its way from Tacoma to Honolulu early on December 7th, 1941 when Japanese submarine I-26 took aim and fired on the ship approximately 300 miles west of the California coast. The timing of the attack was meant to coincide with the attack on Pearl Harbor. It’s reasoned that the Cynthia Olson was the first casualty of the Japanese attack on America. Steve does a wonderful job again of laying out the history of the ship, telling the story of her men and their fate.

Steve will be attending the 75th anniversary events on the USS ARIZONA on December 7th, and has a planned appearance on December 8th at the Barnes and Noble in Honolulu. Below you will see the text from his Facebook ad, and other dates and times for appearances in the D.C. area.
Congratulations Steve on another well done book! Can’t wait to see what comes next.

-Tammi

From the Stephen Harding Books Facebook page:
Stephen Harding's latest book, "Dawn of Infamy: A Sunken Ship, a Vanished Crew and the Final Mystery of Pearl Harbor," will be published by Da Capo Press on November 22. Called a "genuine treasure" by Booklist, the volume will also be the subject of author talks/signings in the following locations:

• Nov. 25, 1-3 pm: National Museum of American History, Washington, D.C.
• Nov. 30, 7 pm: One More Page Books, Arlington, VA.
• Dec. 8, 7 pm: Barnes & Noble Books, Honolulu, Hawaii
• Dec. 17, 1-3 pm: National Air & Space Museum,
 Washington, D.C.

We’re back from a week in Charleston, a few days ahead of Hurricane Matthew. I feel for the beautiful city and her people, and hope it’s not as bad as is being predicted.

The USS STRONG DD 467/758 did another wonderful job with the reunion this year.  Our hotel was the Doubletree by the airport. We had newcomers Tom Kelly and his mother Jane Kelly, son and wife of Thomas Ambrose Kelly of the DD 467. They had a great time and even walked away with some nice raffle prizes! I’m just really glad they came, and hope to have an opportunity to meet with them again. Since we’ve been back and I sent around a note about next year’s reunion location of Virginia Beach/Norfolk, I’ve already had two other DD 467 families express interest in coming and hope they get the opportunity to do so.

To sum up, everyone arrived on Tuesday. The hospitality room was full and it was great catching up after a year. These folks literally come from all over the United States, from the west coast to the east coast the group is pretty geographically diverse. Makes for a fun mix of accents in the room!

Wednesday was spent touring the H.L. HUNLEY Museum at the Charleston Navy Yard. The HUNLEY was the only submarine in the Civil War era to sink a Union battleship, the USS HOUSATONIC. HUNLEY was sunk three times (and brought back up again) with the loss of at least 21 lives, only 3 able to escape the first time she went down. The wreck was discovered and brought to the surface in 2004. The museum is a large and well put together facility. Visitors can see the sub in its float tank of water and sodium hydroxide solution. Even more interesting is the forensic reconstruction of the faces of the crew, derived from retrieval of the bodies of the last 8 men to man the sub, making it very emotional and humanizing the loss.
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Thursday was a free day and folks went in all directions. We traveled to Patriot’s Point to see the USS YORKTOWN aircraft carrier and the USS LAFFEY, an Allen M. Sumner class destroyer, named for the first LAFFEY sunk in November of 1942. A submarine, the USS CLAGAMORE is also there, but closed for maintenance. After touring the YORKTOWN, we took a harbor cruise over to Fort Sumter, a Civil War fort that also had uses in WWI and WW2. The view from the top of the fort was breathtaking and it was amazing walking among the historic structure. I highly recommend visiting Patriot’s Point in Mt. Pleasant if you are in the Charleston area.

Friday was our visit to the historic and beautiful Boone Hall Plantation, fully operational since 1681. Many historic structures remain on the property, but the main mansion was built in 1935. Three other structures preceded it, one lost to fire, one to storms and one to time and demolition. The farm has been a major producer of indigo for dye, cotton, and a variety of fruits and vegetables. At one time it was the top pecan producing farm in the world. The live oaks on the drive up are original plantings from the 17th century. Some of these oaks in the Charleston area can live to be over 1,000 years old. Amazing and beautiful!
Saturday, the board meeting and raffle commenced. After lunch, our family headed to Isle of Palms for lunch and a chance to put our toes in the sand and smell the sea air. The banquet was held that night and from there all dispersed to pack and prepare to head home the next day.

All said and done, another great gathering of wonderful people. Looking forward to Virginia Beach/Norfolk next year!

-Tammi
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Today we visited the Boone Hall Plantation, the oldest and still operational plantation still growing fruits, vegetables and pecans. Over time it has produced indigo for dye, cotton and was once the top producer in the world of pecans. A wonderful visit, much history to learn. 

I have more photographs that I will post soon as I have a proper card reader because yes, I have an older model digital camera I'm using. :0)

​Tammi

The gang is all here and we're having a grand time. Today we visited the H.L. Hunley Museum at the Charleston Naval Base on the Cooper River. The facility and educational exhibits are amazing and a very worthy visit. Especially when you get to actually see the vessel, a Civil War submarine that succeeded in bombing and sinking a Union vessel, the USS Housatonic, a blockade vessel. History is alive here in Charleston. 

Afterwards, the memorial cemetery was held at the park and the wreath was sent to the water in memory of the lost men and the women who supported them in the war effort. A beautiful sunny day, big ships, history and all with wonderful people. Jim Merriman Jr. even allowed me to add some of the photos he took. Thanks Jim!

​Tammi

 Over the past few years I've found eBay to be a really interesting source for some choice items. On a regular basis, I use the search term "USS STRONG" and sometimes am rewarded. I found launch cachets, 3 of them which are now in my hands and the hands of 2 other people. Some great books from authors who were there and witnessed the sinking have shown up and I've bought them or a good friend (hey Andy!) has made sure I've gotten them.

Most recently though, something more personal surfaced. A little over a week ago I noticed a "commemorative" piece with "USS STRONG" on the front. On the back are the date of the keel being laid, the launch date and commissioning date, and "SS 467". The same seller had one similar from the USS NICHOLAS, and on the front it was personalized with the name "Duke". Very curious, I emailed the seller and found that both had come from an estate sale. I ended up buying the STRONG piece and got it in the mail today. My friend Andy bought the NICHOLAS piece, they were sister ships berthed around the same time from Bath Iron Works and in the same destroyer squadron. What I'd like to know, is who got these types of mementos? My assumption is they gave them to plank owners, the first men on the ship. Either way, having this most personal of items from the ship, something that was in the pocket of a man who served on STRONG and survived to carry it off with him - it's priceless. 

Below I'm including photographs. If there is anyone out there who can advise or tell me a little more about the history of items such as this, please send me a message via the STRONG Contacts page. 

-Tammi

PS - Stephen Harding interview on WAAM Radio Sunday August 21st at 5:00 EST. Click HERE for station link.
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Another review of The Castaway's War by the Washington Independent Review of Books. Click HERE.

It's pretty cool when the company you work for heartily endorses your work! And they don't have to, the magazine Stephen Harding is editor of, Military History, is just one of the entities under the umbrella of HISTORYNET.com. That said, I want to share the link to this latest wonderful book review. Click HERE to read this review!

Image from HISTORYNET.com.

A dream coming true!  I posted this in an email earlier today.  Good news!!!

Hello families!!!  I have some amazing news for all of you!  I got a text message earlier today from Stephen Harding, saying "Call me ASAP". So I did, knowing it was something important. I now have the pleasure of announcing that the book, "The Castaway's War" has been signed by Gold Circle Entertainment for a major motion picture deal!!!  The papers are signed, the ink is dry and production will begin soon. I don't know who the director might be, no idea of a cast or where they may film, but soon as I have these details I will so happily pass them along. This is the notice Steve posted on Facebook: 


Stephen Harding and Da Capo Press are immensely happy to announce that the motion picture rights to THE CASTAWAY'S WAR have been optioned by Paul Brooks' and Scott Niemeyer's Hollywood-based Gold Circle Entertainment, producers of the "Pitch Perfect" and "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" franchises. News of the deal first broke in Publisher's Marketplace, and additional details will be announced in the coming weeks.

I have been straddling Cloud 9 all day and am amazed I haven't pitched off!  So for now, take some time to digest this information. There will be more to come and I can't wait to see how all this plays out! 

​Tammi

 I got a recent update from Stephen Harding on a talk he gave at the National World War II Museum in New Orleans on June 23rd. He sent me the link for the video of the talk. There's some Louis Armstrong music and organizational stuff that happens, and Steve doesn't begin talking until about 8 minutes in. To hear and see Steve discuss his books, including The Castaway's War and Hugh Barr Miller, Jr., click HERE

Also, David Mearns posted a story on Facebook, a video produced by National Geographic including an article. David is talking about the discoveries on the Esmeralda recently in the Gulf of Oman. To see the video and read the article about our world class shipwreck hunter, click HERE
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Later all!

​Tammi