Land of the Free Because of the Brave

4th of July

This July 4th, we enjoy a holiday here in the United States.  It is a time when families get together, have picnics, it should also be a time when we remember...  and enjoy some fireworks.  This year due to the pandemic, it may be a bit different, but all the more reason to remember the true meaning of the day.

Why Are We Free?

Hopefully the answer to that question is obvious.  The brave men and women of the armed forces have kept us free for centuries.   In this article, we focus on just one event in our history that made a big difference.

 














The U-505 Submarine is a National Landmark and a permanent memorial to the Americans who perished at sea during both World Wars.  It can be seen at the Museum of Science & Industry in Chicago, IL.

This anchor, removed from the boat during bow repairs, is placed in the museum as an additional symbol of the bravery, commitment, and sacrifice of those Americans.

Besides the boat itself, the capture of the U-505 produced 900 pounds of code books and documents, as well as two Enigma machines - making it the largest intelligence seizure in the Battle of the Atlantic.

Tale of Two Men & Two Flags

U.S.N. Captain Daniel V. Gallery was in command of the USS Jenks the day that the U-505 was captured.  The 48-star U.S. flag shown in this picture was flying over the Jenks that day.

The ship assisted in the rescue of the German U-505 sailors that had abandoned ship per the order of their Captain, Harald Lange, who had instructed them to scuttle the boat.

The Nazi flag shown here was a spare flag that was found on the U-505 after capture.  There were two different sized flags flown on the U-505.  This variety would have flown on the bridge when the vessel surfaced.

Dangerous Mission

Until the time of the U-505 boat's capture, no German U-boat had been recovered by the U.S. Navy.   Even this one could have been lost except for the action of several brave sailors.

The Germans had started the process of scuttling the boat which means it was taking on water rapidly. In addition, there were several charges placed around the boat timed to explode to finish the deed.   They had found all but one of the known explosives when they came to this front hatch.   They were unable to steer the boat, so they needed to get inside the hatch to manually steer it via the black wheel you can see at the opposite end of the hatch.  Two volunteers stayed on the U-505 and slowly opened the hatch.  Fortunately, the explosive wasn't armed correctly, and it did not explode.   The U-505 was a prize catch during the Battle of the Atlantic and these sailors were just a part of that story.

 

In Memory of All that Lost their Lives at Sea

As we've traveled across the globe, there have been many reminders from the World Wars and other battles that have shaped our history for us to explore.   Museums such as @Msichicago can open the  cover to the pages of the past.   We highly recommend taking advantage of opportunities to explore history during your travels.

For larger images, click on the pictures. 

U-505 National Landmark (67 photos)

Thank you to all the Brave Men & Women who have kept us FREE.   Happy 4th of July.

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Land of the Free Because of the Brave

4th of July

This July 4th, we enjoy a holiday here in the United States.  It is a time when families get together, have picnics,It should also be a time when we remember... 
and enjoy some fireworks. 

Why Are We Free?

Hopefully the answer to that question is obvious.  The brave men and women of the armed forces have kept us free for centuries.   In this article, we focus on just one event in our history that made a big difference.

 












The U-505 Submarine is a National Landmark and a permanent memorial to the Americans who perished at sea during both World Wars.  It can be seen at the Museum of Science & Industry in Chicago, IL.

This anchor, removed from the boat during bow repairs, is placed in the museum as an additional symbol of the bravery, commitment, and sacrifice of those Americans.

Besides the boat itself, the capture of the U-505 produced 900 pounds of code books and documents, as well as two Enigma machines - making it the largest intelligence seizure in the Battle of the Atlantic.

Tale of Two Men & Two Flags

U.S.N. Captain Daniel V. Gallery was in command of the USS Jenks the day that the U-505 was captured.  The 48-star U.S. flag shown in this picture was flying over the Jenks that day.

The ship assisted in the rescue of the German U-505 sailors that had abandoned ship per the order of their Captain, Harald Lange, who had instructed them to scuttle the boat.

The Nazi flag shown here was a spare flag that was found on the U-505 after capture.  There were two different sized flags flown on the U-505.  This variety would have flown on the bridge when the vessel surfaced.

Dangerous Mission

Until the time of the U-505 boat's capture, no German U-boat had been recovered by the U.S. Navy.   Even this one could have been lost except for the action of several brave sailors.

The Germans had started the process of scuttling the boat which means it was taking on water rapidly. In addition, there were several charges placed around the boat timed to explode to finish the deed.   They had found all but one of the known explosives when they came to this front hatch.   They were unable to steer the boat, so they needed to get inside the hatch to manually steer it via the black wheel you can see at the opposite end of the hatch.  Two volunteers stayed on the U-505 and slowly opened the hatch.  Fortunately, the explosive wasn't armed correctly, and it did not explode.   The U-505 was a prize catch during the Battle of the Atlantic and these sailors were just a part of that story.

 

In Memory of All that Lost their Lives at Sea

As we've traveled across the globe, there have been many reminders from the World Wars and other battles that have shaped our history for us to explore.   Museums such as @Msichicago can open the  cover to the pages of the past.   We highly recommend taking advantage of opportunities to explore history during your travels.

For larger images, click on the pictures. 

U-505 National Landmark (67 photos)

Follow us on Twitter: @ChrisPappinMCC  Pinterest: CruiseWithChris Pappin and Facebook: CruiseWithChris Pappin Cruises Inc

Thank you to all the Brave Men & Women who have kept us FREE.   Happy 4th of July.

Avalon Dinner in Königswinter

Overnight in Königswinter

Continuing our Avalon Waterways River Cruise on the Rhine & Moselle Rivers

After returning form our
Cogwheel to Dragons Castle tour, it was time to get ready for the evening events.   As usual there was a Port Talk describing the next day's program which was followed by another spectacular German dinner.

"Sauerbraten"

The Chef's Recommendation for the evening was "Sauerbraten", a traditional German meal:

Braised Topside of Beef Marinated in Red Wind & Vinegar Served with Red Cabbage and Potato Dumplings.

Starters were Chicken Liver Parfait, Avalon Caesar Salad, Farfalle Pasta, and Brushette with Curd Tomato Tapenade.

The Soup selections were Veal Bouillon and Cream of Leek with Garlic Croutons.

click on images to enlarge

As you can see we complemented the meal with a nice glass of wine and selection from the Dessert choices: Cheese Platter, Pancakes Filled with Rum Raisin and Hazelnut Cream and Vanilla Sauce, Salad of Dried Apricots and Plums, Yogurt Ice Cream with Berries, and Freshly Sliced Fruits. This was definitely one of our favorite meals during the cruise.

The evening concluded with the swing band "Funky Groove Band" providing entertainment in the lounge followed by Late Night Snacks.


^{Additional photos can be found on our Rhine & Moselle Shutterfly page}

Konigswinter

Konigswinter Dinner

Click on the image to the left for more Blog posts about this trip.

Follow us on Twitter: @ChrisPappinMCC  Pinterest: CruiseWithChris Pappin and Facebook: CruiseWithChris Pappin Cruises Inc

Breaking: German Cruise Ship Rocket Attack

AIDAdiva Cruise Ship      Courtesy: Meyer Werft

German Cruise Ship AIDAdvia 

Under Rocket Attack

Israel's Port of Ashod

Global Travel Industry news outlet, eTurboNews, is reporting that the AIDAdiva cruise ship, filled with German passengers, was struck by rocket debris as it was leaving the Israel port of Ashod today.

According to the article the source of the rockets was unclear.  They could be from either the Hamas or the Israel Defense Force who have been trying to suppress the rocket attacks in the region.
In related news, AP is reporting that the Israeli Army has launched offensive on Gaza Strip to quell rocket attacks.

No Reported Injuries / Damage

According to the report, fortunately there were no casualties or significant damages to the cruise ship. We will monitor this story and provide any updates.

AIDA Cruises has canceled all port calls in Israel for the remainder of the 2014 cruise season.
Santorini, Greece will replace Ashod port call.   Passengers have been notified.

About AIDAdiva

Tonnage	69.200 gt
Overall Length	252 m
Width	32,2 m
Decks	13
Engine Power	36.000 kW
Speed	22 knots
Number of Passenger Cabins	1.025
Number of Outside Cabins	666
Passengers	2.050

MEYER WERFT delivered the AIDAdiva in April 2007

AIDA Statement

A statement released by AIDAdiva voices its regret. The cruise liner said no travel alert was issued by German authorities prior to them sailing to Israel. After the incident, German authorities issued an alert.

AIDA offers cruises to North America, Northern Europe, Western Europe, Southeast Asia, Canary Islands, Mediterranean, Caribbean, Baltic Sea, Red Sea, Black Sea and Dubai cruises.  https://aida.de/

Land of the Free Because of the Brave

4th of July

This July 4th, we enjoy a holiday here in the United States.  It is a time when families get together, have picnics,It should also be a time when we remember... 
and enjoy some fireworks. 

Why Are We Free?

Hopefully the answer to that question is obvious.  The brave men and women of the armed forces have kept us free for centuries.   In this article, we focus on just one event in our history that made a big difference.

 












The U-505 Submarine is a National Landmark and a permanent memorial to the Americans who perished at sea during both World Wars.  It can be seen at the Museum of Science & Industry in Chicago, IL.

This anchor, removed from the boat during bow repairs, is placed in the museum as an additional symbol of the bravery, commitment, and sacrifice of those Americans.

Besides the boat itself, the capture of the U-505 produced 900 pounds of code books and documents, as well as two Enigma machines - making it the largest intelligence seizure in the Battle of the Atlantic.

Tale of Two Men & Two Flags

U.S.N. Captain Daniel V. Gallery was in command of the USS Jenks the day that the U-505 was captured.  The 48-star U.S. flag shown in this picture was flying over the Jenks that day.

The ship assisted in the rescue of the German U-505 sailors that had abandoned ship per the order of their Captain, Harald Lange, who had instructed them to scuttle the boat.

The Nazi flag shown here was a spare flag that was found on the U-505 after capture.  There were two different sized flags flown on the U-505.  This variety would have flown on the bridge when the vessel surfaced.

Dangerous Mission

Until the time of the U-505 boat's capture, no German U-boat had been recovered by the U.S. Navy.   Even this one could have been lost except for the action of several brave sailors.

The Germans had started the process of scuttling the boat which means it was taking on water rapidly. In addition, there were several charges placed around the boat timed to explode to finish the deed.   They had found all but one of the known explosives when they came to this front hatch.   They were unable to steer the boat, so they needed to get inside the hatch to manually steer it via the black wheel you can see at the opposite end of the hatch.  Two volunteers stayed on the U-505 and slowly opened the hatch.  Fortunately, the explosive wasn't armed correctly, and it did not explode.   The U-505 was a prize catch during the Battle of the Atlantic and these sailors were just a part of that story.

 

In Memory of All that Lost their Lives at Sea

As we've traveled across the globe, there have been many reminders from the World Wars and other battles that have shaped our history for us to explore.   Museums such as @Msichicago can open the  cover to the pages of the past.   We highly recommend taking advantage of opportunities to explore history during your travels.

For larger images, click on the pictures. 

U-505 National Landmark (67 photos)

 

Follow us on Twitter: @ChrisPappinMCC  Pinterest: CruiseWithChris Pappin and Facebook: CruiseWithChris Pappin Cruises Inc

Thank you to all the Brave Men & Women who have kept us FREE.   Happy 4th of July.

Judge Holding Carnival Triumph In Galveston

Legal Motion

Filed in Galveston

Carnival Triumph

Departure Held

In a bizarre turn of events, a Federal Judge issued an order  holding the Carnival Triumph in the port of Galveston.

UPDATE:  Carnival Triumph to Sail on Schedule after Carnival Corp. reaches an agreement with the Federal Court

Result of Costa Concordia Litigation

The litigation in question relates to a $10M lawsuit brought about by a passenger who sailed on the Costa Concordia in Italy this past January. The Costa Concordia is a vessel operated by Costa Cruises. Carnival Cruise Lines and Costa Cruises are both part of a global organization called Carnival Corporation & plc, however, the two cruise lines operate completely independently.

Port of Galveston Director Mike Mierzwa recommended passengers continue on with plans to sail today in the event Carnival can resolve legal issues.

A federal judge Friday ordered the cruise ship held in Galveston as part a $10 million lawsuit filed by the family of a German tourist who died aboard the Costa Concordia shipwreck off the Italian coast, according to Bloomberg news service.

The Triumph apparently was ordered held because it is home-ported in Galveston, which is in the U.S. District Court system's Southern District of Texas. It was not clear why the litigation was filed in Texas rather than in some other federal district. 

“The court finds that the conditions for an attachment of defendants’ joint and collective property within this district, mainly the MS Carnival Triumph, appear to exist upon an admiralty and maritime claim,” U.S. Magistrate Judge John Froeschner of Galveston said in the warrant, Bloomberg reports.

The Carnival Triumph would be allowed to unload passengers and cargo and move between berths within the port until a “prompt hearing” can be scheduled, at which “the plaintiff shall be required to show why the attachment and garnishment should not be vacated,” according to the order, Bloomberg reports.

Source: Galveston Daily News: Carnival 'optimistic' Triumph will sail on time today

Senior Carnival Cruise Director, John Heald writes on his blog:

"We want to assure you that we are working diligently through the appropriate legal channels to get this matter resolved as soon as possible. We are optimistic the issues regarding the Carnival Triumph will be resolved and the ship will depart on its scheduled voyage later today.

In the meantime, we are proceeding with our normal embarkation process."

Carnival Triumph is scheduled to depart at  6 PM local time on a five-day cruise to Yucatan and Cozumel.

According to John Heald,  the safety briefing has been held and the U.S. Marshall's should be clearing the ship for an on-time departure.   2012 continues to be an abnormal year for the cruise industry.

We will do our best to bring you the latest news, so we do hope you bookmark this blog and also become fans on our Facebook Page.

AMAWATERWAYS Oktoberfest Offer

Photo Courtesy AMAWATERWAYS

CELEBRATE THE 200TH ANNIVERSARY OF OKTOBERFEST
Then enjoy a 7-night cruise from Nuremberg to Amsterdam

When you think of Oktoberfest, what comes to mind? German Beer? Dancing? Celebration? Yes, it's all of the above and more!

AMAWATERWAYS takes you into the heart of this extremely joyful festival.

Dance, drink & become immersed in German culture!

Then, take a luxury 7-night cruise on the Danube, Main and Rhine rivers.

Oktoberfest Escape - Brand New Program!

Spend 2 nights in Munich at Le Meridien and celebrate Oktoberfest with the locals. Your stay in Munich includes a city tour and daily breakfast. Then, enjoy an eventful 7-night cruise on board the MS AMALEGRO from Nuremberg to Amsterdam September 21, 2010 to October 1, 2010

Day		Destination		Activities
1				Overnight flight to Munich
2		Munich		Hotel check-in
3		Munich		Walking tour
4		Munich		Transfer to Nuremberg
		Nuremberg		City Tour
				EMBARKATION
				Welcome Cocktail & Dinner
5		Bamberg		Walking tour
6		Würzburg		City tour & Residenz Palace
				Optional Rothenburg tour
7		Wertheim		Free Time
		Miltenberg		Walking Tour
8		Rüdesheim		Siegfried’s Music Museum
9		Rhine Valley		Cruise past Rhine castles
		Cologne		Walking tour; Cathedral visit
10		Amsterdam		City tour & Canal cruise
11		Amsterdam		DISEMBARKATION
				Airport transfer

Ask me about River Cruising on Ms Amalegro or any of the other AMAWATERWAYS ships.