USS TENNESSEE - USS MEMPHIS RPPC NAVAL SHIPWRECK PHOTO ALBUM

Item #1395

This collection of a variety of postcards includes 56 real photo postcards (3 1/2” x 5 3/8”), 28 Forecastle Log postcards (3 1/4” x 5 3/8”), and one miscellany postcard (3 1/2” x 5 3/8”) for a total of 85 postcards. On verso of many of the RPPCs are AZO stamps. Several RPPCs in this collection offer raw visual document of the unsteady, unpredictable waters.

Sepia-hued real photo postcards of sailors, ship hands, and Naval officers on the coal-powered USS Tennessee (rechristened the USS Memphis on May 25, 1916 — a card celebrating the occasion along with song lyrics are preserved). Photograph subjects include the wide open sea, interactions with other ships, and torpedo testing. Other images include that of he admirals band in he USS Prairie at Santo Domingo City, shipmates greeting the Minister of Uruguay, “boarding in Rio”, a look at the straits of Magellan, the Miri Flores Locks, the Gates locks, and other dam projects. One image of several men wet and out of focus as the vessel appears to rock over big waves, a foreshadowing of the fatal wreck of August 29th, 1916.

The majority of postcards are blank, though a few have script notes, like this one from March 24th, 1916: “I am in this picture. Can you place me?” inscribed in pencil on verso. The reference photo is of smoke stacks, no visible people present.

Another one from the same day is of sailors on deck in a moment of recreation with a similar “I spy” inscription on verso in pencil. Another note: “Please keep all these cards for me”.

A postcard addressed to Mr. S.E. Barker of Hartford, Connecticut postdated May 30, 1916, reads: “Received those two special deliver letters you sent me April 28 and 20th. May 30th and I thank you every [sic] so much for no...” (Illegible.)

A February 2005 article run in ‘Postcard Collector’ details the tragedy befallen the USS Memphis during the tsunami of 1916 in the Caribbean Sea. As the storm began to rear “[o]rders were given to rig the ship for heavy weather and for all crew members to man their stations. The ship soon began undergo 15-degree rolls side to side and to experience occasional tugs of the anchor line. Below decks, frantic efforts to warm up the engines was completed quickly but the buildup of adequate steam pressure was agonizingly slow. To complicate matters, water spray began entering the fire rooms and engine rooms through hatches, ventilation stacks and smoke stacks located high in the ship’s superstructure. Bilges began filling, conditions were ripe for a steam explosion in a firebox, and the motion of the ship caused unsecured items like tools and supplies to become dangerous projectiles.” Ultimately, after rescue missions, 25 of the 31 sailors left aboard drowned after their SOS signals failed to ignite the liberty party search and rescue. The damage and loss of life was severe.

Accompanying this journalistic account, is a typeset five-page breakdown of the disastrous event by an unknown enthusiast, titled “The Loss of the Memphis, 29 August 1916”. A brief one-page account “The Court Martial of Captain Beach” is provided as well. The following are quotes or paraphrasing from the articles. Typos are present throughout both, though are corrected here.

Concerning “The Loss of the Memphis”, tensions began to mount as well as the sea, while Admiral Pond was ashore and Captain Beach remained aboard. The first to warn of the approaching storm was the cruiser’s Executive Officer, Lt. Commander Williams. The crew quickly jumped into action, firing up the boilers and preparing to head out to sea. By this time it was already too late, “The Captain looked […] seaward and - to his horror - saw an immense wave, about 70 feet high approaching the harbor fast, and obscuring the horizon…”

The boilers did not heat up quick enough for the USS Memphis to stand a chance careening toward safer waters. The boat took on spray and sea, and rocked at an angle of nearly seventy degrees. The 18,000 ton vessel ran into rocks and was reported to have grazed the seabed, thus damaging the hull. The uncontrollable rocking of the boat bruised, battered, burned, washed overboard, drowned, and otherwise injured many of those on and below deck. In all, 850 lives were saved.

“The Court Martial of Captain Beach” details the enquiry into Captain Beach’s responsibility regarding his responsiveness to the inclement weather resulting in the untimely death of twenty-five men aboard. Captain Beach was found guilty on two charges of insufficient steam reserves in case of emergency, and not properly securing the vessel for heavy weather. The jury did unanimously recommend for clemency in execution of his sentence. This resulted in immediate loss of seniority and the improbability of future promotions. After his sentencing, he was “appointed head of the Naval Torpedo Station (at the time, one of the important posts in the navy).” He stayed at this post for 18 months, and was then appointed to command the New York battleship. He did not suffer great losses, as these were very prominent positions.

Price: $995.00