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At random: Robert Fulton, inventor of the steamboat, was an avid submarine enthusiast. He built several submersible warships, one of which was known as the Nautilus.

As posted elsewhere, Target E Moderators: Jump to page : 1 Now viewing page 1 [25 messages per page]
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oldsubs

Posted 2018-04-24 11:13 AM (#88195)

Historian

Posts: 190

Subject: As posted elsewhere, Target E

Something to do while sitting in your Barcolounger waiting for Gunsmoke reruns or the NFL Draft pre-draft show.

One US Submarine was designated "Target E" as its official name. It was never actually used as a target. This was the last time the "Target" designation was used. There were "Targets A" through "Target E" . The submarine was the only submarine so designated.

What was the submarine's name?
Why was the use of the 'Target' designator discontinued?

Have fun
oldsubs

Ric

Posted 2018-04-24 11:26 AM (#88196 - in reply to #88195)

Plankowner

Posts: 9163

Location: Upper lefthand corner of the map.

Subject: RE: As posted elsewhere, Target E

Ooo, Ooo, Ooo,....I know, I know..... (waves hand in the air!!!!)

oldsubs

Posted 2018-04-24 11:46 AM (#88197 - in reply to #88195)

Historian

Posts: 190

Subject: RE: As posted elsewhere, Target E

Yeah--it is easier than I thought.
Go ahead

Ric

Posted 2018-04-24 11:51 AM (#88198 - in reply to #88197)

Plankowner

Posts: 9163

Location: Upper lefthand corner of the map.

Subject: RE: As posted elsewhere, Target E

The USS Plunger (A-1), now designated as Target 'E', rests on the deck of the decommissioned Monitor Puritan at the Hinter scrapping yard. Hinter bought a 'lot' of old vessels for scrapping, they included; Maine, Missouri, Wisconsin, Ozark, Tonopah, Puritan, Miantonomoh, and Columbia. Puritan and A-1 were considered as one item.

The Navy had hemmed and hawed for years as to what to do with the submarine, the last of her kind on the East Coast, the rest being West Coast or on Asia Station and being consumed as targets for Destroyer Squadrons. During the war they had wanted to use her for aerial bombing and or explosive tests. She finally ended up laying in the mud at the end of what became known as "Rotten Row". When a large crane became available she lifted onto the deck of the Puritan and stayed there.

The Plunger, A-1 was the only A or B class submarine to be scrapped and not sunk as a target.

http://pigboats.com/subs/a-boats.html

oldsubs

Posted 2018-04-24 12:18 PM (#88199 - in reply to #88195)

Historian

Posts: 190

Subject: RE: As posted elsewhere, Target E

Ahhh but why was the "Target" designator discontinued?

Ric

Posted 2018-04-24 12:37 PM (#88200 - in reply to #88199)

Plankowner

Posts: 9163

Location: Upper lefthand corner of the map.

Subject: RE: As posted elsewhere, Target E

(hangs head)... I don't know chief...(scuffs toe in dirt)

GaryKC

Posted 2018-04-24 1:13 PM (#88201 - in reply to #88195)

COMSUBBBS

Posts: 3666

Location: Kansas City Missouri

Subject: RE: As posted elsewhere, Target E

Could it be that all surface vessels were at times called "Targets" by some who served on boats?

oldsubs

Posted 2018-04-25 6:56 AM (#88205 - in reply to #88195)

Historian

Posts: 190

Subject: RE: As posted elsewhere, Target E

Twas in 1921-22 time frame. Up to that point there were generally few ships that were to be used as targets and few that were available for disposal. However, the post WWI disarmament and treaties that restricted the numbers of new ships that could be built meant that there were many more hulls available for disposal. The Navy decided to discontinue the use of Target X designations because they would run out of letters. The decision was then made to simply use the "ex-USS Ustafish" type designation and not further denote status as to whether a particular ship was to be used as a target. It is of interest that within two years we used nine submarines as targets. All went down with their original name.

Be well
oldsubs

Ric

Posted 2018-04-25 7:08 AM (#88206 - in reply to #88205)

Plankowner

Posts: 9163

Location: Upper lefthand corner of the map.

Subject: RE: As posted elsewhere, Target E

I figured that was probably the case.
Most of those subs were the A and B boats off Manila sunk by the destroyer squadrons.
Thanks Jim

Holland Club

Posted 2018-04-26 7:22 AM (#88215 - in reply to #88205)

Master and Commander

Posts: 2490

Location: East Coast of Wisconsin

Subject: RE: As posted elsewhere, Target E

Now we know. Thank you.

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