Quiet here...

[TBR]

Since no one took the opportunity to answer and I've got a good question I'll answer now: Blücher.

The new question:

We're again looking for a naval officer who is mostly known today for his literary exploits. Very early in his career ha raised the alarm to fight the approaching enemy Martians.

 

[TBR]

New hint:

The sought after officers father was captain of one of the ships whose catastrophic end was featured among the questions in this thread.

 

[TBR]

New hint:

The sought after officer wrote his most known book while still in active service. He was dissappointed by the movie though it also is now widely regarded as a classic.

 

[HReardon]

Edward L. Beach, Jr.

 

[TBR]

Correct, you're it!

Reading one of his orbituaries I was struck by the fact that he was one of those affected by the "War of the Worlds" prank when, as midshipman-regimental commander in Annapolis, he, in conjunction woth the supervisory officers, sounded the alarm and prepared to issue weapons to repel the Martian invaders.

 

[HReardon]

The "martian" thing really threw me. It wasn't until your last hint that I could look him up and find a reference to the "War of the Worlds" broadcast. Now I need to come up with a good question.

 

[HReardon]

This ship met an unhappy end. Who is she?

The picture is bigger in my album, I have no idea how to link it.

 

[Bontainer]

Difficult from that angle.

Might be ACR6 California, lost to either torpedo of mine on Juli, 19th, 1918, or ACR10 Tennessee (later Memphis), wrecked by a Tsunami in 1916 (thrown on dry land, an especially sad fate for a ship).

 

[HReardon]

Around here, unless you have an unusual angle, someone gets it right away.

This hint should do it. A sentence which has stuck in my head for years - even if it is a mixed metaphor:

"While centre-stage should have been clearing for the leading contenders to engage, here was a supporting actor getting in the way and babbling his own, nonsensical lines."

 

[Heinz Fischer]

That would have to be the Defense whose unlucky fate I mentioned in another thread today.

Quote is from Andrew Gordon

 

[Heinz Fischer]

And since I know for a fact I got it right, here's the next one. Should again be fairly straightforward.

Who am I?

 

[HReardon]

Heinz Fischer of course has it right.

 

[barkhauer]

And since I know for a fact I got it right, here's the next one. Should again be fairly straightforward.

Who am I?

Dummy ship?

 

[Double Whisky]

Who am I?

HMS CENTURION in the role of HMS ANSON, I suppose...

 

[Heinz Fischer]

That's right, it's Centurion performing the role of Anson, classified as "Fleet Tender" (even the designation was itself a dummy). The only one of the British dummy battleships that was actually a battleship (at some point, anyway) and the only one that ever actually sailed anywhere in its intended decoy role

 

[Double Whisky]

That's right, it's Centurion performing the role of Anson

What a warship I was?
What was my flag, name and tactical designation?
View attachment 25640

 

[kotori87]

Probably a Q-ship, I guess. Not sure about flag, name, and designation yet though. I'll do some more research tonight.

 

[Yang]

Comon give us a hint?

 

[Double Whisky]

Comon give us a hint?

Kotori87 is on right way

This photo is quite easily available... Some three or four clicks...
Popular source...

 

[Yang]

Ok, now the popular source was a useful tip. Its the Q-ship HMS Privet and her tactical designation is Q-19.