As a veteran of Naval Aviation, I have witnessed first-hand the dangers of aircraft carrier operations. While flight operations are being conducted, the activities above and below decks on a carrier must be meticulously coordinated. Mistakes all too often lead to serious accidents.
This careful coordination of activities extends beyond the aircraft carrier itself, to the support ships that escort the carrier. When viewed from an aircraft above, these support ships constantly engage in a precise ballet to remain in the proper position closely aft and to the side of the carrier to support flight launch and recovery operations. This is not an easy task. The carrier is always ‘chasing the wind’ – constantly changing heading and speed to keep sufficient wind flowing directly down the deck. The support ships are tasked with keeping proper position in relation to the carrier, often at night or in bad weather and heavy seas.
The U.S.S. Hobson (DD-464) , a Gleaves-class destroyer was built at the Charleston Navy Yard and commissioned shortly after the outbreak of WWII. During the war she saw action in North Africa, the western Atlantic, and at D-Day. Late in 1944 she was converted to a destroyer-minesweeper and reclassified DMS-26. After this conversion she saw heavy action near Okinawa, where she suffered significant casualties and damage from enemy suicide attacks. Repairs were completed after WWII and the Hobson took up duty as a destroyer-minesweeper with the Atlantic Fleet.
On the night of April 26, 1952 the Hobson was a support ship for the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Wasp (CV-18), which was conducting flight operations 700 miles west of the Azores. The Wasp began a turn into the wind to prepare for aircraft recovery. The Hobson needed to maneuver to maintain its correct position in reference to the Wasp. A tragic miscalculation took place on the Hobson bridge that night. The Hobson turned port in a maneuver that required crossing the bow of the Wasp, instead of simply falling behind the Wasp and turning in the carrier’s wake. The Hobson was struck amidships by the Wasp. The collision cut the Hobson in half. She sank in less than five minutes. 176 of her crew were lost at sea, many asleep in their berthing compartments.
I have read several accounts of the events on the bridge of the Hobson that night – the best being found in Kit Bonner’s book, Final Voyages. An official Navy inquiry laid blame on the Commanding Officer of the Hobson, Lieutenant Commander W.J. Tierney, who died in the accident. Suffice it to say that procedures broke down that night – and that 176 men paid the ultimate price for a mistake in judgement.
Governments and their military seldom build memorials to those lost in accidents – they don’t wish to draw attention to such incidents. Within the beautiful Battery area of Charleston, South Carolina, however, stands a monument to those lost in the Hobson accident. It was built and paid for by the “U.S.S. Hobson Memorial Society” – a group of former shipmates, families and friends of the lost men of the Hobson. One side of the monument briefly describes the events of April 26, 1952. The other side lists the names of the lost, and the time and date of the accident. The monument is simple as an art piece, but I find my eyes are drawn to the platform – constructed of stones collected from the 38 home states of those lost at sea in just four minutes. These stones, perhaps more than anything else about the memorial, create a visual image in color and number of the scope of the loss of life that April night. Viewed from above one can almost visualize a small ship breaking apart on a big ocean, lives from numerous states scattered on the Atlantic floor, like the stones of the platform – a boy from Ohio lies here, another from Texas lies there, and one from California there, and on and on…
Damage to the Wasp showing the violence of the collision. The Wasp lost almost 90 feet of her bow.
Jim Teresco’s fine photographs of the
U.S.S Hobson Memorial
Additional information on the history of the U.S.S. Hobson can be found at the following links:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Hobson_(DD-464)
http://www.cv18.com/hist/hobson.html
Cynthia Walther said:
My Uncle, Frank Zwingman was one of the crew lost at sea when the Hobson sank. I am very greatful for finding this article and the memorial pictures. The loss of my uncle has been one of my mothers biggest sorrows in life, it was never discussed in our home about the tragic events of that day because it was so painful for her, even now. I hope to make a trip someday to Charleston to see the memorial and see my uncles name.
Lucy Estep said:
Thank you so much for the Hobson information. My uncle, Arthur Bass, was also one who was lost at sea and it wasn’t talked about much either.
I am working on a family history book through photos and was thrilled to come across this blog. I saved the images of the dedication booklet and will use it in our family book for every member of the family to share.
Thank you so much for sharing!
Michele Torrice said:
My namesake and Uncle, Michael Amico was lost at sea on the USS Hobson one month before I was born. My Grandparents, especially my dear grandmother never recovered from the loss of their son. To this very day, my moms eyes have a look of sorrow that will never go away nor can she even talk about him or his untimely death, and my dad will softly cry and the sound of his name. Back in 1999, my sister and I, while vacationing at Myrtle Beach, drove down to Charleston as we wanted to see the Memorial and our Uncle Michael’s name. We were unable to locate the Memorial and no one in Charleston, S.C. knew what we were talking about. It was very sad that we never found the Memorial and that no one could direct us to it. We were directed to an Air Craft Carrier that is now a museum and there was an entire section dedicated to the USS Hobson. Uncle Michael was so much a part of our lives, even in death, we never will let him be forgotton and even though he died before I was born, I feel like I have known him all my life……it will be 59 years ago this year.
Chuck Arnold said:
Where exactly (latitude/longitude) did the sinking of the “Hobson” take place?
Chuck – The sinking was 700 miles west of the Azores (38 degrees 27 minutes North/41 degrees 21 minutes West) – Dan
Karl Wagner said:
My father, Horst Wagner was a member of the crew and went down with the ship. I was 13 months old and my brother was not yet born. This is the first time that I have really read actual accounts of what took place that unfortunate night. I never got the chance to know my father, although I have many baby pictures of him holding me. I often wonder about the lives of the survivors and difficulty of trying to live with that terrible memory of the events of that night. I had the opportunity 7 years ago, while on a business trip to Charleston to visit the memorial and see my father’s name and the names of all of the others lost at sea that night. I’m not sure what I would say, or what questions I might ask, but I welcome the opportunity, if there was one, to communicate with any of the survivors, or even one of their family members. Obviously that accident altered course of so many lives, I know my grandparents struggled with the loss of their son, who was born in Germany and came to American as a very small child and ultimately gave his life for this country. It has been almost 60 years, but I still often wonder what life would have been like had he never died.
Laura Richards said:
My mother lost her cousin, David Baker the night the Hobson sank. He was 19 years old. So very sad. I plan to visit the memorial this week when I visit Charleston.
Lori Gray Wisconsin said:
My mothers only brother Harold Carlson Jr, was a crew member and went down with the ship. He was only 17 and was such a little guy he barely made weight. My grandparents were divorced and my grandfather signed for him to join, knowing that Junior as we always knew him by would find someway or another to join. My mother was only 21 at the time, but she never got over the loss. I was born 10 years later in 1962 so I never met Jr, but heard so many stories about him that I feel like I knew him well. I do have a letter written to my grandmother from a surviving shipmate Fred Kezer Jr., and a great picture of him and the ship Captain..if photos could talk.
Jr has a smirk on his face and the captain is looking down at him with a smile on his face, I can just imagine what he might have said.
Miki Behnke said:
My husbands brother was one of those lost on the Hobson that night. He had just gone off watch according to information the family was given. We have seen the memorial in Charleston and it was very moving for us.
John said:
My uncle, Robert Ortlip, was a crew member of the U.S.S. Hobson and went down with the ship on April 26, 1952. We have the memorial book and his name is listed in the book.
patricia clanton said:
I live in downtown Charleston and have always passed by the memorial. Today I wanted to research what actually had occurred after viewing it up close. If anyone would like a picture of their loved ones name, I will try and find it for you and will email it to you. I was sad standing in front of it today and reading names, ages and the town from where they were from. My deepest condolences to those who lost their loved ones. My email address is pywclanton@yahoo.com. If you visit Charleston it is located on Murray Blvd, on what is known as the Battery as well as White Point Gardens. Best wishes, Patricia
joseph h arsenault said:
i am a member of the crew and apreciate the comments and my heart even after all this time a tear still comes to my eyes when i think about it. sincerly joseph h. arsenault
Lauretta said:
I lost my uncle, Grady Patterson,on this ship. My father always wondered what really happened. I guess we’ll never know. God Bless my Uncle.
Lauretta Patterson said:
My uncle Grady Patterson went down with this ship. I never knew there was a memorial. Thank God I found this website. My father talked a lot about the incident. It happened a year before I was born. If anyone knows about any Pattersons please let me know. Thank you
Ronald E. Leonard said:
MY GOOD FRIEND AND PLAYMATE,KENNETH L.MULLINS, 18 Y/O WAS ONE OF THE 178 SOULS LOST THAT DAY IN THE TERRIBLE COLLISION WITH THE CARRIER WASP.
NOW THAT I AM NEARLY 80-MY LIFE IS UP FRONT IN MY BRAIN RECALLING EVENTS AFFECTING MY PATH THROUGH THE LAST 60+YRS. THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPRESS MY FEELINGS.
Colleen Alber said:
My father, Francis W. O’Connor, was one of the survivors of the collision. He did not speak of it to me during my childhood, but I do know it was an incredibly painful memory that he carried with him everyday and every night of his life. It was not until this past decade that I began to hear small bits and pieces about the tragedy. My father would travel each year to Charleston to reunite with the other survivors. He passed away this May at the age of 81. May he rest in peace with the men, the friends, he thought of and missed dearly.
John said:
My girlfriend and I are driving from Philadelphia to Florida for vacation. My girlfriend mentioned that she would like to stop and sleep over in Charleston on our way back. I hope to see the memorial to honor my Uncle Bobby (Robert P. Ortlip) who I never met by visiting the memorial.
Thomas C. Robinson said:
On that dreadful night I had a cousin that went down on the Hobson. When Cecil Ray Mauzy was in on leave before he went back, he gave me a white sailor’s cap, had his name on it. I kept it for years,I still had it when I got married, but somewhere I let it get away from me. I was 10 years old at the time of the accident, never seen him again, his body was never recovered. I believe he was 24. .. I think of you often, Cecil
Merritt Crawford said:
Colleen Alber,I had the good fortune to meet your father on a plane right after a commemoration event in 2011. We stayed in touch every so often and I adored his friendship. After not being able to reach him for a while, I did some research and learned of his death and am deeply saddened. My heart goes out to you and your family. Frank did not speak much of the tradgedy to me but just the knowledge of it spurred me to look into and I have since visited the Yorktown, thinking of him every minute of the tour. He is most certainly missed dearly, even by someone who was only a friend for a short time.
Arthur Laquiere said:
Dear Colleen
I knew your father well,I Also was a survivor
I spoke to your father last April about attending
reunion but could not make it as planned. I had
attended many of the reunions and seen your father
many times over the years.I called him this Jan.
about attending this year and thats when I found
out he had passed this last May.I will miss him
this year at the memorial.
Arthur
Jerry Martin said:
I don’t know what brought me to this site today, maybe it was a dream that had of my dad in the other night. He was Gerald L. Martin, and I was eight years old when he served aboard the Carrier WASP CV18 the night of the terrible accident with the Destroyer Hobson. In later years he would tell me about it. I found a list of the crew of the Hobson that were lost that night, and I will pray for them.
joanne comins rick said:
i am the namesake for my uncle, john p comins, who was lost that night; i was born a year later and never knew him, but he was always a part of my life growing up. every april from my earliest memories, we drove to charleston for the memorial services-my parents and grandparents; the saturday night dinners, sometimes on the naval base; staying at the fort sumter hotel; and the sunday memorial services with full military honors, the navy band; the guns salute; the white crisp uniforms against the impossibly clear blue skies drenched in sunlight; the speeches and the tears. we would look at the memorial and touch the names; although its been 60 years now, it’s all still raw just beneath the surface. i’ve never learned about my uncle’s life aboard ship, or what he was doing before the ship sank. of that my grandparents and parents would not speak, even if they themselves ever knew. and now they’re gone, too. if anyone knows or has stories to share, i would love to hear.
Claudia Baker-Thompson said:
My Uncle, David Baker was lost that night. My son took me to the memorial in SC to fulfill a lifelong wish. I was a young child when David died, his Navy photo was on my grandmothers dresser thru out her life. When I saw the monument I cried and tried to explain to my three grandchildren who this Uncle David was and about that tragic night. May the men & their families have peace knowing their stories live on thru us. Thank you for sharing Claudia Baker-Thompson
Denver A Norman said:
I WAS FIVE YRS WHEN MY BROTHER WAS LOST AND ONE OF THE MANY WERE SLEEPING. His NAME IS Richard E Norman and would love to hear from all who may have know him. thanks
Denver A Norman
Ron Ross said:
John S. Ross, my father was one of three radiomen on watch. He survived of course or I would not be here today. His story is a great one. He just passed away this past February at the age of 81. We miss him so very much it hurts. I’d hoped to spend many more days with him in our woodshop inventing things, but there apparently were other plans for him.
He did 4 years total in the Navy, got out and became a Chief Radio Tech for the Ohio State HP. Retired from there in 85, then him and Mom rode a motorcycle in all 50 States incl yes Hawaii when I was stationed there myself.
Love and miss you both.
Bob Morley said:
My grandfather was aboard as well William Mansfield
Jack Cowan said:
I was a crew member of U.S.S. O’Hare DD 889, part of the task group. Our ship participated in the search and rescue. We had a passenger, a reporter for the Boston Globe aboard. He wrote a story and we transmitted it stateside the next day. Here is the taxt from the original typewritten document.
U.S.S. O’HARE (DD 889)
At Sea
280300Z April
Press Release by Lawrence Dame, Staff Writer, Boston Herald
In Mid Atlantic Aboard a U.S. Destroyer at Scene of Sinking, Sunday: –
The U.S. airplane carrier Wasp collided with and sank the destroyer minesweeper Hobson during maneuvers 485 miles southeast of Newfoundland at 10:30 mid-Atlantic time (8:30 Boston time) last night. So far as can be learned, 187 Hobson lives were lost as the sharp bow of the 40,000-ton flattop sliced her 2400-ton guardship in two. The twain of coffins, largely filled with men in bunks, plummeted immediately to a bottom nearly three miles down.Latest reports place 63 Hobson survivors including seven officers, out of a complement of about 250. A desperate 10-hour search in rough weather that developed into a howling northeast gale with rain and rotting visibility had to be called to a halt at 9:30 A.M. today. The Wasp, so badly damaged that she is proceeding through the storm stern-first at speeds as slow as eight knots in punishing waves, lost no men in the sudden crash.
The dangerous weather, fine yesterday during general exercises of a fleet bound for Europe from Norfolk, made it certain early today that no survivors not picked up in the gallant rescue efforts from the Wasp and a destroyer during the first two hours could remain alive. A naval board of inquiry on shore will be asked to determine the unexplained cause of the American Navy’s worst disaster since World War Two.
A helicopter and a group of destroyers rushed at all available speed from another maneuvering area 50 miles away made every possible attempt to find bodies in a tempestuous sea strewn with wreckage, empty life rafts, empty life jackets and an oil slick from the ill-fated craft’s tanks. Only one man, a dead chief petty officer, was picked up in the increasingly raging waters early this morning. The body, identified as that of H. D. Hopkins, address unlisted as yet, was transferred from one of the small boats the injred Wasp put overboard for rescues to the destroyer O’HARE early today.
Mute, pitiful testimony of the fact that tragedy struck without warning on a rolling sea under faint stars and a black sky came through the empty life preservers. Most of the Hobson’s men were trapped below decks, many in their bunks and many never at sea before, with a watch of about seven and possibly as many officers out of the 15 aboard on the alert. There could have been no frantic rushes up the steel ladders from the ship’s bowels. Several of the survivors are injured, a few critically, and are in the wallowing Wasp’s sick bay or on the destroyer Rodman, not to be reached because of heavy seas from my destroyer.
We received the alarm aboard the O’HARE, 50 miles from the death scene, which was at 42.20 north latitude and 44.15 west longitude, at just about 8:30 P.M. Boston time, after night plane maneuvers had barely reached an end. The planes that had located us in the darkness came from the recently recommissioned Wasp, dropped flares, and headed back for their ship’s haven. Several had not succeeded in making the flight deck before the crash occurred.
What they could not see, and what I saw in wonder when daylight came, were two bites out of the bow keel of the carrier visible at the waterline. The two, the front one larger than the other, extended for about 50 feet, or 17 structural frames along this line and the forward nip, perhaps 35 feet wide snapped off the keel 28 feet below.
While temporary repairs and shorings to strengthen the disfigured beak were being made from the interior, with skill that tested the ingenuity of the Wasp’s command and men to the utmost, the waves, often 25 feet high, forced the craft to turn round and proceed slowly backward. A long dockyard job, possible only in the states, will be necessary. More than 2000 men and many planes are aboard.
What I saw from the O’HARE, with Commdr. O.D. MacMillan as captain, is typical of the post-disater scene and attempted rescue activity. For 50 miles, there was nothing but obscurity cut by searchlights on the hustling destroyers sent to the rescue by Rear Admiral Chester C. Wood, with his flotilla command on the destroyer Stribling. He led the valiant destroyer effort.
Then we suddenly saw what appeared to be a circle of lights. Then debris, including oranges from the Hobson’s food lockers, shone under our persistent lights. Rescue crews lined the main weather decks of the destroyers. They held ropes, grapnels, hooks, life jackets, small lights and other rescue gear. Medical aides prepared sick bays in wardrooms and cooks heated broth for survivors.
Indicative of the self-sacrificing esprit de corps that spread through the entire fleet when disaster struck was the fact that 25 swimmers aboard the O’HARE volunteered to go into the perilous water before Skipper MacMillan said no. Unhappily, it was too late for them to do any good except to haul the stray, empty lifesaving gear and other floating relics including much clothing, aboard.
The Wasp, responsible for the safety of planes still in the dark sky which a few hours before a fleeting crescent moon had helped illuminate, put over all available rafts, jackets and boats before she got into a new receiving position for her winged wards. Many a flyer wondered why all the commotion on the surface from the sky, so contrary to the usual well-oiled night tactics.
The whole fleet, saddened by the loss of a sailor overboard from the same Hobson on Friday, during refueling tactics in a mean rolling sea, went in gloom over a disaster which many at first refused to believe ever could happen. Whatever did happen, and it is not safe to surmise since it may have been due to mechanical fault rather than human error, one thing seems clear. When struck by the mighty Wasp, the tiny mine sweeper which was acting as a guard for whatever planes might fail to land on the Wasp decks, must have rolled over in two parts. Her remnants, with men who could not have suffered agony for more than a few seconds, took the big bite out of the forward bow and keel. Then in rolling over, the smaller gulp was snatched. In coming up after pitching, the Wasp today clearly showed the far horizon where solid steel once plowed the water. No more careful scrutiny of wreckage and flotsam than that made for more than 10 arduous and dangerous hours in increasingly bad weather by the rescue screen of destroyers could be imagined. Yet its results were zero. Except to prove what many had feared in a murky dawn that hope must be abandoned despite a mild temperature of 64 in water and air. Too may men had gone down with their ship without a chance to know what happened. The 63 rescued, most of them picked up within two hours after the tragedy, were the pitifully small company of lucky ones. Even a few of these may not live.
By cruel irony of a fickle sea, today was the worst of the six-day voyage out of Norfolk. Destroyer crews took heavy punishment in great waves. It was hazardous indeed to pass on the weather decks next to the water. The single helicopter that mad its frail-seeming eggbeater trips low to and fro over the ocean could not be joined by heavier planes. Nobody wanted to risk any life on this fatal ground as Rear Admiral H.B. Jarrett, in command of the fleet, indicated. Before departure the first bird of the day, a tiny gull, hovered over the oil slick as though to land then darted away. Men of the Wasp, in craft ranging from whaleboats to the captain’s brassy gig, did more than mortals should have to accomplish to haul in the 63 survivors. They were aided nobly by the guard destroyer Rodman, assigned to the Wasp along with the Hobson, before the main rescue elements staged their futile arrival. At dawn the littered water was a penetrating 46 degrees. The wind was 14 knots, rose suddenly to 28, died down and then as quickly roared up to gale force of 40 miles an hour or better. The scene of tragedy, 615 miles west northwest of the Azores, is 2725 fathoms deep or 2.7 miles. It has been abandoned finally tonight, all hope vanished. The red-eyed vigil ended. Nearly exhausted destroyer men either staggered to bunks or reported for the few regular turns of duty a Sunday requires at sea.
What appeared to be a Portuguese square-rigger, bound home for Lisbon after a winter on the Grand Banks, was the only unofficial ship anywhere near the scene. She apparently plied on toward the Azores in blissful ignorance of Sabbath disaster. She would have no survivors. A memorial service which was to have been held in the fleet for what seemed so much of a tragedy on Friday the loss overboard from Hobson of J.J. O’Leary, address undetermined had to be postponed because of weather and the newer surprise today. The Hobson, listed by Jane’s as 2575 tons, 348 feet long, complement 250, was launched in 1941, September. The Wasp, listed at 33,000 but much heavier with load, is 888 feet and built in 1943. Hobson cost 15 million.
Phylis Ann Cutler Dye said:
My brother, Donald L. Cutler, served on the USS Hobson and was one of the many who lost their lives that fateful day. I was almost 5 years old and to this day I still have memories of him and hear stories of how he “spoiled his little sister”. May God Bless all who were lost and those who miraculously survived. Thank you.
Charles Hatch said:
I would like to speak to any family member of Jim McBride. My name is Charles Hatch. I live in Millsboro, Delaware. My telephone number is (302) 663- 0157; or you can email me at the above address
Chuck Lankowski said:
My dad Edwin Lankowski was a survivor.
Michael R. Potts said:
My Uncle Jack (Robert Jackson) Potts was also lost in the sinking of the Hobson. The memorial is located in the park at Battery Park, Charleston,SC. According to my aunt (Jacks sister) they still have memorial services every year at the end of April. Could check and find out for sure.
Cindy Buckner said:
My PawPaw’s twin brother died on this ship. I always thought it would be cool to meet him. I hate he had to feel that type of pain. Rest well Mr.Eugene Buckner and Mr.Ernest Buckner. Together again after all those years. Love you both.rest well in Heaven.
Donny Shore said:
My half brother Jack Shore lost his life that night on the Hobson. He died before I was born so my curiosity runs wild trying too gather info. Of him and those around him on that fateful night. If any of the survivors are still available for discussion or recognize my brother’s name, please contact me. 336-366-7332. Thank you.
Brian Charbonneau said:
My dad Joseph P.Charbonneau was an electrition on the Wasp. That fateful night he manned one of the Wasps search light he is my hero. All those sailors and marines were hero’s as well. U served 10years active duty as a Sgt crew chief and doorgunner. On huey Helios.2000 flight hours. My dad Joseph P. Charbonneau is my hero to this day. R. S. Sgt B.D.Charbonneau usmc retired. 603-204-1355.
Fran Burns said:
My uncle Teddy Gould from Maryland died in this tragic accident. I was not yet born but learn about him from my mom and his Gilman football trophy, a memorial fund at Princeton and a few sports photos. Please email if you knew him . Keywestnorth@hotmail.com
Peggy Shore Money said:
I am attempting to learn if there will be a Memorial Service in Charleston this year for the Hobson. If anyone sees this and has any information on the Memorial please send e-mail. Thank you.
William Shane Senseney said:
Before I retired, in my younger years I was a color guard for this memorial two years in a row. As a Mineman this ship and it’s crew held a special placed to us Mineman. Two of our Mineman also died that night. I retired here in Charleston and would like to offer my services to any family members that would like to have a picture of a loved ones name. You can reach me at svtshane361@yahoo.com.
Judi Davis Barra said:
My uncle, Richard A. Royce was aboard the USS Hobson and was one of the 176 that drowned when the ship went down. I never got to meet him as the collision occurred a year and a half before I was born. He was my mother’s brother.
James L Turner III said:
I was nine months old and my mother was seven months pregnant when my father went down with the USS Hobson. I took my eldest son to the Charleston Memorial in 1984. It was an emotional torment for which I was not prepared. Even now, at the age of 67, I get sad thinking about how my father died.
Jeff Caplinger said:
I am writing a book on the history of the USS Hobson. My father served on the Hobson during WWII 1942-44. I would appreciate anything that anyone can share on the subject of the Hobson. I am in the research stage right now and would love to talk with anyone connected with the Hobson (including survivors). I know there are not too many survivors left. Family members of those who perished and those who survived. Family members from the WWII era etc. Pictures of the Hobson and her crew. Memorabilia from the Hobson and reunions in Charleston. I live in Charleston and feel a special connection to the Hobson. Thank you!
David O Whitten said:
I have the newspaper article on the launching of HOBSON and the Launching Program. I can post them
Kati said:
Hi! I found a bible that belongs to a Chester J. Wilks Jr. if Miami who was onboard this ship. I would love to locate his family to give them this. Assistance is greatly appreciated.
tom keane said:
A good friend of mine, Charles (“Jolly Cholly”) Mac Anulty, lost his life aboard the Hobson. He was 18 years old. His death was a real shock to the small town of Ventura, California
Daryll said:
My grandfather was Arthur Schmidt, an electrician aboard the Hobson when it sunk. He was one of the survivors. If any of you remember him could you reach out? Daryllthomas@gmail.com . He passed when I was 11 and never got to ask him about his time in the navy.
Dave Lyle said:
Zach Hagan McCord was from Greenwood, SC and a Clemson alumnus, Class of ’47. He is on our Scroll of Honor Memorial, located across the street from the east end of Memorial Stadium. If anyone knows anything else about him, please send it to me and I will add it to his profile on our Scroll of Honor Website. jdavidlyle@bellsouth.net.
Martha Lubitz said:
My father, Cecil Lubitz, was an ensign aboard the Hobson during the war.
He is 95 years old and in failing health.
I pulled up a picture of the Hobson by which my father was very much moved.
God bless the souls of the men who lost their lives in the terrible tragedy that sunk the Hobson!
Carolyn Bryant Lyde, MD said:
11/30/2020
My half brother, (Clayton) Eddie Bryant was a 17 year old who lost his life on the Hobson, in 1952. I was born in 1958, and would very much like to connect with any of the survivors who may have known him.
Laurel Millette said:
My grandfather was one of the few survivors – he was on leave that night. My understanding is the family preserved what remained – I believe my grandfather helped write the condolences.
I’m happy to put survivors in touch with my Aunt – not sure what she has but she is our family’s unofficial archivist.
My grandfather’s name was John Georges – i believe he was an officer. Such a heartbreaking loss.
Lmillette47@gmail..com
Bruce Brews said:
http://www.cv18.com/hist/hobson.html is no longer a lavid URL.
Robin Greene said:
My father was one of the survivors. No matter how strong he wanted to have us see him to be when he told the story about that night, we all knew it had to bother him terribly. My dads name was John S Ross from Hillsboro, OH. Dad passed away in 2014. He was one of the kindest people you would ever meet. I loved him with all of my heart.
GEORGE a BOUSMAN said:
my Uncle was on board a fireman . the second generation . I was third generation Navy on the USS New port News MY dad was the first to be in Navy WWII. I have a daughter who is a chief with 20 Yrs soon to retire. Navy runs deep . I do think of my uncle . God Bless !!