Tuesday, February 23, 2010




Inside the LST is an array of controls that were undoubtedly on the cutting edge of high tech back in the 40's.

This whole ship amazes me. So much has changed in the last 70 years. The radio room however is a paradox. I asked a guide who served on this ship during his active duty to comment on communications during that era. He said something that gave me pause. I noticed that there was a computer in the room as well and also the coax cable used to connect modern equipment laying on top of the old radio. He said that when they take the ship out nowadays (it travels from time to time for exhibits) that they use the modern equipment. But he said...the old equipment was much more reliable and if something went wrong with it in the heat of battle...it could be repaired with the basic tools on board. With the new electronic equipment...in his words...you are "sh..t" out of luck if a part fails!

The one thing however that has made the transition from past to present is the large wooden steering wheel. He mentioned that even in today's modern warships...the wooden steering wheel remains...partly from tradition and partly because it serves it's purpose well.

Tomorrow we will see how the men lived on board.

Dan

14 comments:

Mary Lamoray said...

I'm really enjoying this series Dan... probably cause I live on a sailboat and have an extra place in my heart for it! :)

Sunny said...

This series has been so interesting and enjoyable. The old equipment is fascinating. Your pictures are so wonderfully full of detail.
Sunny :)

DawnTreader said...

Wow that's a lot of details in these pictures and you really manage to bring them out. Machinery not my field of interest really but I'm very impressed with the photos! :)

septembermom said...

Very interesting post. You never steer us wrong :) I couldn't help myself!!

J Cosmo Newbery said...

I haven't commented much of late but you have been putting up some stunning photos.

dianne said...

Great photos Dan, I was just looking at all of that equipment in the communications room, how complicated it all looks ... it has a special meaning for me as my Dad was Chief Telegraphist for many years of his navy life on a ship in World War II, along with many other missions which put him in harms way.
Thank goodness he survived, he was a good man, husband to my Mum and great Dad, he passed away last March, aged 93. ♡

Dan Felstead said...

Wow Wonderful Wire you live on a sailboat! What an exciting life! Is it as wonderful as it sounds or is there a downside to living on a sailboat?

Dan

Dan Felstead said...

Thanks Sunny...how would you like to use this "electronic" equipment today?

Dan

Dan Felstead said...

Thank you Dawn Treader...the radio room was packed with cable and wires and radios of all types...supposedly all used during world war 2.

Dan

Dan Felstead said...

Septembermom...Great Pun! I will steer myself to your site to see what is going on as well!

Dan

Dan Felstead said...

J...great to hear from you again and thanks for stopping by. Hope all is going well with you.

Dan

Dan Felstead said...

Dianne, I am sorry to hear about your Dad...he does sound like he was a great man. I wish I would have taken a picture of it but I didn't...there was a telegraph on board the ship as well. I thought about it after I left and meant to photograph it.

Dan

Lee said...

My Dad was a radio telegrapher in the Korean War. Love that radio room image!

Dan Felstead said...

Lee...thanks for stopping by. There was actually a telegraph in the room that I forgot to photograph. I am sure you dad spent many hours in a room very similar to this.

Dan