This Military Service Page was created/owned by
William Holland (GunnerBill)-Family
to remember
Blakely, Sanford Rue, MM2.
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Contact Info
Home Town Wallace
Last Address Bakersfield, California
Date of Passing May 05, 1919
Location of Interment Liberty Veterans Cemetery - Fresno, California
PO2 Blakeley served as a Machinist Mate aboard the USS Subchaser-343. At approximately 1310 hours, there was an on board explosion, causing the ship to burn to the waterline, and subsequently sink. The incident was observed by a British light cruiser, HMS Constance, that was also in the North Basin Dock, Bermuda when the Subchaser #343 exploded and burned. (Note: Such accidents with the gasoline fuel were not unusual.)
PO2 Blakely was the only crewman whose body was not recovered. His ship was very likely en route for home to be discharged as were other ships in July 1919.
Note: The Sub Chaser unit served in various ports during WWI. During the war, these chasers served at Queenstown, Ireland (and most also served at Plymouth, England), Corful, and other ports in Europe. After the war, half a dozen from this group went on to serve in the clearing of the North Sea mine barrage and other stations.
These were small ships, 110 feet in length, 13 feet beam, carrying a crew of 20 men.
Other Comments:
Sources:
http://www.subchaser.org/sc343 (eye witness and photos of the expolosion, etc.)
http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/NHC/accidents.htm (shows evidence of other such explosions)
http://www.subchaser.org/sc343
http://www.subchaser.org/home
http://www.corkshipwrecks.net/subchasers.html (photos,, etc.)
http://www.navsource.org/archives/12/150323.htm
http://www.splinterfleet.org/sfww1.php
