Nationalist Navy: 1954 Edition
The two ships at rest in the menu picture are the primary combat units of the Nationalist Chinese Navy in 1954. News highlights at the time reported weekly, if not regular attacks by Chinese gunboats on the mainland of China. For the listening audience, it was assumed that the attacks were deadly, and struck fear in the hearts of those who remained on the mainland.
From the look of the ships sitting high and dry at low tide one may infer that any attack will not be launched at least until after the tide comes in. This old navy salt learned early in his career that the tide may be an awesome force when he rode the battleship USS Wisconsin aground in the Hudson River in the summer of 1951. This was a crisis for the Wisconsin, which almost became a competitor of the Statue of Liberty for spectators. These nimble Nationalist gunboats were in no hurry to weigh anchor and get out of port before the tide goes out. All hands may be on liberty until that time. What a bummer!!
The picture does not do justice to what remains hidden from view. The sailors from three vessels were eating lunch on the boat on the right. There seemed to be at least fifty sailors sitting on the main deck. What is not shown are the 50-caliber machine guns which may be manned all over each of the little boats. Their speed and maneuverability was greatly enhanced by Gray-Marine Diesels powering each of the boats, making them an elusive target.
These little boats were at rest in the off-shore islands of Quemoy and Matsu, which are located about fifty miles from the Chinese mainland. While each attack to and from this staging area may take one or several days, these warriors were not without strategic support. Pictured below is the Nationalist Navy’s supply ship which accompanied each attack to the mainland. From its appearance, the supply ship is a coordinated match for the pair of fearsome gunboats.
In any war, supply is a critical feature. Food, ammunition, repair parts, and who knows what else is always needed at the least opportune moment. Hopefully the Nationalist Navy’s Supply Ship was capable of providing everything needed. What a magnificent beast!
