enjoyed his books in junior high school and had lost track of his works and trying to relocate them. david
Cmdr Ellsberg's guts, brains, and adventures should be made into a movie.
On the Bottom, Men Under The Sea and Under The Red Sea Sun should all be required reading for today's students.
The adventure of restoring the Port of Massawa is a classic of American can-do and since I am a Mech. Engr. has taught me a lot about making do.
A fine offcier and a fine human being who knew how to buck the US Navy of the 20s - 40s to make things happen.
A sailor that my grandma (born in 1901) knew from Ct. was on the S-51 so the Cmdr. helped to bring him home.
Best wishes!
Read On the Bottom 55 years ago, still sticks with me.
My late father, Harold "Butch" Witmer, dove with Commander Ellsberg at Oran, Algeria, after arriving with "Operation Torch". He kept several photos of himself and diving crew at their pier and divers shack. He often spoke of how inspiring it was to dive right along side such an awesome figure as Ellsberg--my father was a Petty Officer First Class. He died in 2002 and I only wish I could still talk with him about his Navy exploits. I just purchased/waiting for "No Banners, No Bugles", hoping that my father may be mentioned or pictured in this book--it's great that Ellsberg was such a prolific writer since these memoirs are primary history sources for all of us today. I am a Army Vietnam veteran and college history professor/historian. Please let me know if there is any current society of survivors to Commander Ellsberg and his diving crew--I surely would like to be a part--thanks!
I am a talk show host with a program on military history. The first book my father read to me was "On The Bottom." I'd like to talk about having you on the air. Please contact me via e-mail.
Charles Heller
I think I've read all of Mr. Ellsberg's books. They are just great.
What a thrill to find your site! I've been a fan and follower of Edward Ellsberg since the 1940s when, as a kid, I found and read "On The Bottom" from the Houston Public Library. My favorite of all is "Under The Red Sea Sun" and his incredible feat at Massawa.
"No Banners No Bugles" in North Africa was almost as good.I've been accumulating photos here and there of the vessels Adm. Ellsberg raised or attempted to save, such as the British troopship "Strathallen." Sad to say pickings are very slim. BUT thanks to your site,I have enjoyed immensely reading his letters to Lucy. It takes only a second to think back more than fifty years and pull up names like "Wickwire," "SS Pig's Knuckle," "Hsin Rocket" and so many more. I'm an old Coastie, but next year, 2011, I will have been a member of the US Naval Institute for 50 years. I joined in January 1961 when in college at University of Houston. Glad I found you, and thank you for doing this.
JT Chapin
Helotes, TX
I first came across CDR Ellsberg's exploits in Gores' "Marine Salvage" - a book I "appropriated" from my Junior High library years ago and was instantly addicted. Since then, I've added several of his books to my personal library that has seen Afghanistan and Iraq (won't leave home without at least one).
Truly an inspirational person and for the life of me, I can't understand why these stories haven't been told on screen. Could you imagine watching an accurate portrayal of the work on the Dido in Massawa or the sheer frustration with the French pilot wrecking the Spahi?
All very good...
Would anyone know of a direction I could head in search of any his sketches/diagrams or even pictures any of his exploits? This is the one time Google has failed me.
Aloha, I just finished The Far Shore. It was a great read and I am amazed at the life and works of this fine Naval Officer. I look forward to reading more.
Read the Cmdr's books when I was a kid in the 50's. My thanks to him and his brothers in arms for their service to our great nation.
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