The Seaweed

USS Champlin DD-601  

Fall 1999

USS Champlin On The Internet

The USS Champlin now has it's own web site on the World Wide Web. The recently revised site features a new, easy to remember address: usschamplin.com and has been expanded and improved by the addition of a page devoted to photographs taken during the period September 12, 1942 to January 31, 1947. Included in the photographs currently on the web are two photos of the torpedoed SS Wyoming as she sinks beneath the waves. These two photos were provided by one of the survivors and member of the Champlin Reunion Group, Richard Roseman, Major (Ret.) USAF. Other photos were provided by Gerald M. Cruthers RdM3/c, Robert G. Nixon and the widow of Walter M. Johnson, RM3/c.

The Champlin web site lists the names and ranks of all of the officers and crew known to have served on "The Champ", and also gives a brief history of her various voyages.

If you don't have a computer, find someone who does. Many libraries have computers available to the public. When you visit the web site, be certain to sign the Log. You can also read the entries in the Log written by other shipmates and visitors to the site.

Also in this issue:

37ºN Lat. - 68ºW Long...............page 1
The Hunt for U-856....................page 2
U-856: Another Viewpoint...........page 4
U-Boat War: Final Score.............page 4
U-856: Your Story.....................page 4
Reunion Group News..................page 5
Champlin References..................page 5
Questions In Search Of Answers..page 6

We are always looking for photographs of the officers and crew. If you have one or more you would like to see on the web site, just send them to me. I will scan them and return them to you no worse for the wear. We hope to have enough photos so that we can have a revolving collection with pictures changing over time, so that the site always has something new to offer.

Lately, we have noticed several visitors to the site working on family genealogies. A niece of shipmate James E. Thrawl left a note on the log advising us of his address and telephone number. So, we gave him a call and sure enough, he was the shipmate we were looking for.

37ºN Lat. - 68ºW Long.

By Jack Brawdy

In Library , PA where I live, and in every other community of our nation we celebrate Memorial Day. We all know what that day is about and we pause and remember, at least we should remember. Unfortunately, the flag display on my block was conspicuous by its absence. Two houses on the entire block!

As we honor all fallen American heros, most of us have family members and friends we remember as the guns volley and the sound of taps echo over the countryside. In my particular case, besides my dad, brothers and uncle, I always remember Eddie Miller.

Fifty-six years ago, Eddie Miller and I, along with about two hundred other sailors were serving aboard the USS Champlin, an American destroyer. It was 1943 and the country was a war against Germany and Japan. At this particular time the Champlin was on duty escorting and protecting supply ships trying to make...
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