Site Map

Home – My welcome page with a greeting and ‘The Latest News’ list of all the changes I’ve made and ‘In the Works’ to let you know what I’m working on. This whole section focuses on the core topic of Bernard’s life and loss on the SS Arkansan.

The Backstory – Why I started down this rabbit hole.

Historical Perspective – A high level view of how Arkansan’s loss fits into the war.

Bernard Bio – Bernard’s life story up to the point of his loss, focusing on his training at the Massachusetts Nautical School and his early career with American-Hawaiian Steamship Company.

Arkansan Info – His vessel’s long and interesting history with additional sub-pages:

Robert B. Mauchan – Bio on the man that convinced the US Government to build the Arkansan and her sisters in China.

Ye Zaifu – Bio of the Chinese Engineer that helped design Arkansan.

H.K. Kwong – Bio on the brilliant Chinese Shipyard Manager.

Fred E. Anderson – Bio of Arkansan’s first Master.

The Attack – A play-by-play on how the attack unfolded on the SS Arkansan.

Aftermath – What happened after the attack including casualties and survivors and bio’s on key personnel.

U-126 – What became of the U-Boat that sank the SS Arkansan with additional sub-pages:

Alexander Coumbis – Bio of the RAF pilot who sank the U-126 while stationed at RAF Chivenor with 172 Squadron with additional sub-pages (Look for more here soon as add bios of additional crew):

Frank C. Blackmore – Bio of Alex’s first Commander.

Douglas E. Dixon - Bio of Alex’s second Commander.

RAF Templeton/Haverfordwest – Alex’s first assignment after RAF Chivenor.

RAF West Freugh – Alex’s last assignment including his loss.

Braid Fell – The bombing range Alex’s was operating at when he was lost.

Stoneykirk New Cemetery – The cemetery where Alex was buried.

American-Hawaiian in WWII – The main landing page provides an introduction to who Arkansan’s owners, American-Hawaiian Steamship Company, was (don’t miss the You-Tube movie) and provides a year-by-year summary of their fleet showing which vessels were added and which were lost during the war.

Alaskan – Detailed history of the vessel including her loss, who sank her and bios on key personnel.

Seabury Cook – Detailed Bio on Alaskan’s Second Mate that was too comprehensive to include on Alaskan’s page.

American - Detailed history of the vessel including her loss, who sank her and bios on key personnel.

Cape San Juan - Detailed history of the vessel including her loss, who sank her and bios on key personnel.

1st Fighter - Summary of one of three units being transported.

253rd Ordnance - Summary of one of three units being transported.

855th Engineers - Summary of one of three units being transported.

SS Edwin T. Meredith – Summary of one of the rescue vessels.

USS Dempsey – Summary of one of the rescue vessels.

USS McCalla – Summary of one of the rescue vessels.

USS SC-654 – Summary of one of the rescue vessels.

USS SC-1048 – Summary of one of the rescue vessels.

USS YMS-241 – Summary of one of the rescue vessels.

Coloradan - Detailed history of the vessel including her loss, who sank her and bios on key personnel.

Honolulan - Detailed history of the vessel including her loss, who sank her and bios on key personnel.

RAF No. 204 Squadron – Summary of Coastal Command squadron that located and attempted to aid the survivors.

Montanan - Detailed history of the vessel including her loss, who sank her and bios on key personnel.

Ohioan - Detailed history of the vessel including her loss, who sank her and bios on key personnel.

Texan - Detailed history of the vessel including her loss, who sank her and bios on key personnel.

Washingtonian - Detailed history of the vessel including her loss, who sank her and bios on key personnel.

William L. Marcy - Detailed history of the vessel including her loss, who sank her and bios on key personnel.

John F. Hines – Bio of Pennsylvania Nautical School Superintendent. 

Masters, Mates & Pilots – The main landing page provides a summary of the officers that served with American-Hawaiian (including a list with links on Bios created to date), and a place to collection the following Bios of men that were not connected to a loss.

Albert E. Bamforth – Detailed bio of an A-H officer I helped their family research, who happened to be Honolulan’s Master Charles Bamforth’s younger brother.

George W. Duffy – Tribute to my friend and mentor who passed in 2017.

Ross E. O’Laughlin Jr. – Bio of a young A-H officer I helped their family research.

  Thomas N. Lewis – Bio of Arkansan’s Chief   Mate that was injured, which led to Bernard joining the Arkansan crew.