In Memoriam - USS Reuben James

[82Rigger]

USS REUBEN JAMES (DD-245)

On October 31, 1941, the USS Reuben James, on escort duty,
was torpedoed and sunk by a German U-Boat off the western coast of Ireland. There were 44 survivors. One hundred American sailors lost their lives.

This occurred over a month before Pearl Harbor. America was still neutral.

Der Fuehrer Adolf Hitler apologized and expressed his "regret" over this "unfortunate" event.


Have you heard of the ship called the good Reuben James?
Run by hard fighting men both of honor and of fame.
She flew the Stars and Stripes of the land of the free,
but tonight she's in her grave at the bottom of the sea.

Oh, tell me, what were their names, tell me, what were their names?
Did you have a friend on the good Reuben James?

One hundred men went down to their dark and watery graves. When that good ship went down, only forty-four were saved.
'Twas the last day of October they saved forty-four
from the dark, icy water of that cold Ireland shore.


It was there in the dark of that cold and watery night.
They watched for the U-boats and they waited for a fight.
Then a whine and a rock and a great explosion's roar.
They lay the Reuben James on that cold ocean floor.


Many years have passed since those brave men are gone.
Those cold, icy waters, they're still and they're calm.
Many years have passed and still I wonder why
the worst of men must fight and the best of men must die!

[Andy]

First reports of this ship sinking were, "We are now in the shooting war". The German's really didn't know if the ship was English or Canadian or God forbid, American. They did know it was on anti-sub patrol.
I think Hitler was serious about the "Sorry 'bout that". He didn't want to take on the US if he didn't have to. Not making anything like an excuse for the sinking but when you are put in Harm's Way, harm just might happen.

Stay healthy,
Andy

[sn-e3]

The ship I served aboard was names the USS Black DD666 it was named after commander Hugh David Black Who was killed in february 28th 1942 he was the skipper of the Destroyer Jacob Jones DD 130 alot of good men went down to submarine in the early part of the way. And i'm sure alot of very good men paid the surpreme price for serving their country "Bless them all"

[Seascamp]

Ok Sis, HELP. I distinctly remember a song called Reuben James of some time back. Maybe by Gordon Lightfoot or some similar balladeer but I remember something and I?m going nuts trying to recall the details.

Scamp

[frisco-kid]

I think the song you're trying to remember is the one that Rigger put the lyrics on his post from. I believe it was recorded by the Kingston Trio in the late '50s, early '60s. Hope this rattles some codwebs loose .

[Arrow]

My error...I thought you might have been lookin' for Kenny Rogers and the First Edition of Ruben James. I'll post it again if your lookin' for those particular lyrics.

Arrow>>>>

[Timothy R. Kuhr]

Kingston Trio
of the Ruben James
Have you heard of the ship called the good Reuben James?
Run by hard fighting men both of honor and of fame.
She flew the Stars and Stripes of the land of the free,
but tonight she's in her grave at the bottom of the sea.
Chorus:
Oh, tell me, what were their names, tell me, what were their names?
Did you have a friend on the good Reuben James?
Oh, tell me, what were their names, tell me, what were their names?
Did you have a friend on the good Reuben James?

One hundred men went down to their dark and watery graves.
When that good ship went down, only forty-four were saved.
'Twas the last day of October they saved forty-four
from the dark, icy water of that cold Iceland shore.

(Chorus)

It was there in the dark of that cold and watery night.
They watched for the U-boats and they waited for a fight.
Then a whine and a rock and a great explosion's roar.
They lay the Reuben James on that cold ocean floor.

(Chorus)

Many years have passed since those brave men are gone.
Those cold, icy waters, they're still and they're calm.
Many years have passed and still I wonder why
the worst of men must fight and the best of men must die!

(Chorus)

[Seascamp]

Thanks all. Dodged that bullet I reckon as I figured my bubble had at long last crossed the line and point of no return. Kingston Trio, sure. I should have figured those guys had done a version of the song, they were among the greats. But maybe I?m not out of the woods yet. The version rattling around in my attic really boomed out ?Reuben James? as the beginning of the Chorus. Maybe that is the Kenny Rodgers version as the rattling in my bell free is singing solo, I think. Or maybe I?m getting addle pated, who knows. Thanks again.

Scamp