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Lewis E. Seeley

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Shipmates : A Personal Journal Aboard a World War II Destroyer (U.S.S. Rown DD 405)-2nd edition Paperback – June 30, 2000

by Lorraine Seeley Buell (Author), Lewis E. Seeley (Author), June Rouse (Editor),

24

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On September 11, 1943, USS Rowan (DD405) was torpedoed. The explosion lit the midnight sky and within 40 seconds, the ship was lost. Among the casualties was Francis Kirwin (Bob) Seeley. Among the handful of survivors was his older brother, Lewis E. Seeley. Shipmates is the true story of Lewis Seeley's life aboard a World War II US destroyer in the Atlantic theater of war. Through his eyes, see the allure of adventure that drew him to enlist, the war that led a generation to serve with courage and honor, the grief that united them, and the love that sustained them through their darkest hours.

Print length

260 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Magicimage Filmbooks
Publication date

June 30, 2000
Dimensions

8.82 x 1.34 x 11.38 inches
ISBN-10

1882127021
ISBN-13

978-1882127023
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Editorial Reviews

Review

Compelling reading for those of us who have served aboard warships and know the lexicon, routines and emotions experienced. --David Holihan, former destroyerman

A story of love, unrelenting sacrifices, courage, and fear. --Bill Hagen, Jr., former destroyerman

Shipmates is one of the finest personal memoirs of World War II that I have read, and that includes Crossing the Line and Battleship Sailor. It should be required reading for every young sailor. --Mike McKinnon, former destroyerman

About the Author

Lewis E. Seeley (1918-1999) joined the Navy in 1940, and retired as a Master Chief in 1967. A native of land-locked Central Illinois, he was devoted to the US Navy and served with honor for nearly 30 years. He never thought of himself as a writer or storyteller, but after forty years of keeping inside the memories of that dreadful night in 1943, Lewis felt the need to record his harrowing tale and share it with his family and future generations. To accomplish that end, he had to enlist the help of the other survivors and former shipmates. Through the writing skills of his daughter, Lorraine, Mr. Seeley recaptures that moment in his life with remarkable detail and emotional impact.

Co-author Lorraine Seeley Buell is the youngest daughter former destroyerman Lewis Seeley. Using tape recordings of her father's memories, a diary kept by her uncle, and letters and interviews from other survivors, she has reconstructed the narrative of her father's experience of battle in WWII... capturing all the bravery, fear, desperation, heroism, faith and love.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Magicimage Filmbooks; UK ed. edition (June 30, 2000)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 260 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1882127021
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1882127023
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 4.08 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8.82 x 1.34 x 11.38 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #2,682,371 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #8,763 in Theater (Books)
- #24,188 in World War II History (Books)

Customer Reviews:
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Karen A. Kinnard

Shipmates, A personal journal aboard a WW II Destroyer (U.S.S. Rown DD-405) 2nd Edition

Reviewed in the United States on October 13, 2011

Verified Purchase

My grandfather Ray Edward Cole (known as Pappy by his shipmates), was one who perished that night. His brother, my Uncle John Cole also on the ship, survived after jumping into the black waters. A third brother, Euklie Cole was on the U.S.S. Rhind DD404 and was a rescue ship for those in the water. This family had a fourth son and brother Verlie Clayton Cole. The story was always told that Uncle Clayton was on the same ship with Uncle Euklie but I cannot find a muster roll of this. I found him on Aug 31, 1943 on the U.S.S. Arkansas but don't know where he was on that terrible night. I commend the author and his family to putting this to paper. The book is a piece of history that many do not know. We lost 200 lives that night. And the 73 who made it home, never left that ship.

2 people found this helpful

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zippy

Heroes, one and all

Reviewed in the United States on September 11, 2014

Verified Purchase

Bought this book because my grandfather was on this ship and unfortunately, he did not survive. I plan on visiting the cemetery where the men of the USS Rowan, who gave their lives in the war are memorialized in Nettuno, Italy this winter. I read it, loved it; then passed it on to my mother, who then passed it on to my brother who is reading it right now. My mother was only 11 years old when she lost her father when the ship was sunk. Thanks Lorraine for allowing our family to experience what life was like on the ship.

2 people found this helpful

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Steven Estabrook

Historical Read

Reviewed in the United States on March 1, 2015

Verified Purchase

I only read part of it, because it was ordered for my Mother, But the reason it was ordered is it gave a first hand account of my Grandfather who perished on the U.S.S. Rowan along with most of his shipmates, it made me wish I had met grandfather. My father was only 7 when his father died and he really did not know him because his father was always out to sea during world war 2. This book was written from the memories of one of the survivors of the U.S.S. Rowan.

2 people found this helpful

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mike

Three Stars

Reviewed in the United States on January 30, 2018

older book

Reviewed in the United States on December 15, 2019

Verified Purchase

Exceptional accounting of my Uncle and crew

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Amazon Customer

I'm trying to contact the author or other families of ...

Reviewed in the United States on October 29, 2015

Verified Purchase

I'm trying to contact the author or other families of U.S. Rowan #405. I have a ship photo album from my uncle John Burroughs Dillon who died on that ship. dillonfamily4@live.com

3 people found this helpful

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Citizen Amazon

Five Stars

Reviewed in the United States on June 18, 2018

Verified Purchase

Reads easy and enjoyable. Thanks for honoring your father, and others of DD405.

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Valcat

Fantastic read of men who served and died on the Rowan

Reviewed in the United States on July 23, 2021

I spoke with Mr Seely when trying to find out more about my Uncle who died on the Rowan. I purchased the book ASAP. He includes in the book a list of all his shipments who died that day, which shows Mr Seely's heart and thoughts were still with the men who served with him.
When I spoke to him he asked me what my Uncle Rocco Antonelli's letter rank was as that would tell him in what part of the ship he would serve. When I told Mr Seely, he assured me that my mother's brother would have been exactly where the ship was torpedoed and he would have died instantly. I was able to convey this information to my Mom. He was able to get a sense of comfort from that.
I emailed Lorraine Seely when her father passed and she was lovely to speak with also. I let her know how much I enjoyed our correspondence and what the book meant to my and many of the men on the ship's family. Each of my cousin's purchased the book too.

One person found this helpful

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