I was one of those kids. I had a 10 visit pass I bought at school, 5th grade. My father and I are also in one of the small boats in the picture of the USS MA going under the Braga Bridge. We followed her in from the top of Mount Hope Bay. I used up all 10 visits and bought many more before I got married and moved away from Fall River. I was in places on that ship that at the time were supposed to be closed. I'd leave there all dirty from crawling around the ship. :)
I was born in Fall River, MA. and can remember visiting battleship cove and the "Big Mamie" as a small boy. It left quite an impression on me. The bridge spanning over her is the Braga Bridge. To drive over it and see that beautiful war monument below is something to see, especially in the summer.
I just visited the ship w/ my son on a boy scout field trip ,the ship is incredible ,u dont realize how big it really is until ur on the ship,and the size of a 16 inch gun, theres so much history to be learned at battleship cove , i will definitely b visiting it again,
And I'm PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN, WHERE AT LEAST I KNOW I'M "FREE". AND I WON'T FORGET THE MEN WHO DIED TO GIVE THAT RIGHT TO ME. AND I'LL GLADLY STAND UP NEXT TO YOU AND DEFEND HER STILL TODAY "GOD BLESS THE USA"..........
I’ve visited the ship in Fall River ( I live nearby) and have the greatest respect and awe of the men who crewed her. Thanks to greatest generation I live a free, good life. America is #1
My father served on the Big Mamie in 44and 45. At his battle station he handled the 16" powder bags which were used in the upper forward turret middle gun. Dad passed suddenly on 08/08/24. I'll always remember that my father in his late teens participated in a historic venture to vanquish a formidable foe. I came along in 1952, thanks Dad for all you did for our family for you were a lifelong hero and a great father.
I grew up in Worcester, Mass. I joined the Navy in September 1977 and retired in February 2000. I had my retirement ceremony on board the "Big Mamie on 29 November 1999!
I was on her about 45 years ago. It was a cold drizzly Sept. The reason I remember that was that all of that armor made a great heat sink. So the turret, conning tower etc. felt like sauna's! One quad 40mm could be elevated but for safety not rotated. I was amazed at how easily the guns (all 4) could be elevated! I've never forgotten "Big Mamie"!
I haven't been on Her since I was 12 in 1972 , I remember I couldn't get over the condition of one of the 16" Shells retrieved from the Jean Bart and thinking of the Damage it caused and the Men it Killed, as I write I'm looking at what was the former Bethlehem Steel Shipyard where She was built 400 yards from my House in Quincy, Its so sad there is little that remains to show the Shipyard was even there. to think of the Ships that passed by my House, especially the one's that didn't come back. I was a Boston Fireman and had access to the South Boston Drydock when she had those repairs, it was so cool to go in the Drydock and under Her. Some coincidences, December 8 was Her first Battle in North Africa / Morrocco that's my Birthday at the Cities of Casa Blanca and Safi, Safi is where my Beautiful (Model / Esthetician) Fiancé's family is from Her relatives lived through the War and the Attack's.
as a sea cadet on DD JPK 850 at the cove im luck to have crawled through every single space on BB-59 And to have performed a number of honor guard details .
The title is mis leading, she did not fire the first 16 inch salvos in WW2. She is the 1st US Battleship to do so, HMS Rodney fired her sixteen inch guns at Bismarck in May 1941. Operation Torch was in November 1942.
AT least the American nation had the fore thought to preserve some of her battleships Nth Carolina and Sth Dakota classes along with the Iowa class In my country they scrapped everything that floated including Warspite and Vanguard
Have the more modern US battleships ever been in direct combat with an equivalent enemy battleship? Only such a battle says something about the quality of the ships.
Might’ve been more constructive if you’d provided the correct turret information. Could have helped them as well as this poor old Bosun who didn’t notice/know anything about the turret information as being inaccurate. Could also assist your credibility if you didn’t immediately resort to personal insults either. Just saying…
I was one of those kids. I had a 10 visit pass I bought at school, 5th grade. My father and I are also in one of the small boats in the picture of the USS MA going under the Braga Bridge. We followed her in from the top of Mount Hope Bay. I used up all 10 visits and bought many more before I got married and moved away from Fall River. I was in places on that ship that at the time were supposed to be closed. I'd leave there all dirty from crawling around the ship. :)
Thank you for helping to save her!
I was born in Fall River, MA. and can remember visiting battleship cove and the "Big Mamie" as a small boy. It left quite an impression on me. The bridge spanning over her is the Braga Bridge. To drive over it and see that beautiful war monument below is something to see, especially in the summer.
I just visited the ship w/ my son on a boy scout field trip ,the ship is incredible ,u dont realize how big it really is until ur on the ship,and the size of a 16 inch gun, theres so much history to be learned at battleship cove , i will definitely b visiting it again,
you left out one very important fact . . . not one of her crew was lost in combat!
And I'm PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN, WHERE AT LEAST I KNOW I'M "FREE". AND I WON'T FORGET THE MEN WHO DIED TO GIVE THAT RIGHT TO ME. AND I'LL GLADLY STAND UP NEXT TO YOU AND DEFEND HER STILL TODAY "GOD BLESS THE USA"..........
Excellent what a history this ship has my god thank you to the crew and builders, they saved America from Tierney
Spent many nights on board when my boys were in Scouts.
I’ve visited the ship in Fall River ( I live nearby) and have the greatest respect and awe of the men who crewed her. Thanks to greatest generation I live a free, good life. America is #1
My father served on the Big Mamie in 44and 45. At his battle station he handled the 16" powder bags which were used in the upper forward turret middle gun. Dad passed suddenly on 08/08/24. I'll always remember that my father in his late teens participated in a historic venture to vanquish a formidable foe. I came along in 1952, thanks Dad for all you did for our family for you were a lifelong hero and a great father.
My Dad served on USS Massachusetts.
Way to go, Dad!🇺🇲
I grew up in Worcester, Mass. I joined the Navy in September 1977 and retired in February 2000. I had my retirement ceremony on board the "Big Mamie on 29 November 1999!
Sadly I live in New Bedford literally see it all the time glad to learn more bout its history n its K/D
Yes, it is Sad...... that you live in New Bedford. 🤭 only kidding, my man, only kidding.
I was on her about 45 years ago. It was a cold drizzly Sept. The reason I remember that was that all of that armor made a great heat sink. So the turret, conning tower etc. felt like sauna's! One quad 40mm could be elevated but for safety not rotated. I was amazed at how easily the guns (all 4) could be elevated! I've never forgotten "Big Mamie"!
Absolutely Positively
I haven't been on Her since I was 12 in 1972 , I remember I couldn't get over the condition of one of the 16" Shells retrieved from the Jean Bart and thinking of the Damage it caused and the Men it Killed, as I write I'm looking at what was the former Bethlehem Steel Shipyard where She was built 400 yards from my House in Quincy, Its so sad there is little that remains to show the Shipyard was even there. to think of the Ships that passed by my House, especially the one's that didn't come back.
I was a Boston Fireman and had access to the South Boston Drydock when she had those repairs, it was so cool to go in the Drydock and under Her. Some coincidences, December 8 was Her first Battle in North Africa / Morrocco that's my Birthday at the Cities of Casa Blanca and Safi, Safi is where my Beautiful (Model / Esthetician) Fiancé's family is from Her relatives lived through the War and the Attack's.
as a sea cadet on DD JPK 850 at the cove im luck to have crawled through every single space on BB-59 And to have performed a number of honor guard details .
The title is mis leading, she did not fire the first 16 inch salvos in WW2. She is the 1st US Battleship to do so, HMS Rodney fired her sixteen inch guns at Bismarck in May 1941. Operation Torch was in November 1942.
Big Mamie ❤❤❤❤❤ One fine lady
How did you get soumuch history out of it
Please do a video on the battleship history of the u s s line fish a long time Mass resident
My grandfather was on her for the entire war. I grew up listening to stories about this ships exploits.
AT least the American nation had the fore thought to preserve some of her battleships Nth Carolina and Sth Dakota classes along with the Iowa class In my country they scrapped everything that floated including Warspite and Vanguard
If you go stay at the Hampton inn in Westport don’t stay in Fall River.
They have days during the summer we're you can sleep on the Massachusetts
Have the more modern US battleships ever been in direct combat with an equivalent enemy battleship?
Only such a battle says something about the quality of the ships.
How many times did you repeat the beginning? Moving on...
your description of the turrets is inaccurate. And like most doofus narrators Truk is NOT truck but trook.
I thought it was "Chook".
Go shag-up a tree, pal ! Old School Americans pronounce words AS SPELLED. Deal with it !
Might’ve been more constructive if you’d provided the correct turret information. Could have helped them as well as this poor old Bosun who didn’t notice/know anything about the turret information as being inaccurate.
Could also assist your credibility if you didn’t immediately resort to personal insults either. Just saying…
I thought it was Kook..... like your reference name. 😜