We gave up our subscription to the local paper when the Oregonian ceased to be
delivered every day. Today a copy was accidentally delivered to our home. I’m
thus able to report that Vlasta Barber and Brian Dull wrote letters to the
editor to condemn quarterback Colin Kaepernick’s refusal to join the national
anthem. Lelde Gilman and others wrote in favor.
I discovered that the opening lyrics of Oregon’s state song are, “Land of the
Empire Builders, Land of the Golden West; Conquered and held by free men,
Fairest and the best.” There’s an editorial suggesting it might be time to
change the wording.
Orphia Eugenia Davis died, as did Dorothy V. (Vick) Beach, who moved to Vanport
in 1943. She is survived by the Hills, the Balls and the Beaches. (Also some
Vicks.) Marguerite Lorain Potwora was born a Herinckx, in Roy, Oregon. She
played the accordion on the radio with the Oregon Journal Juniors and in War
Bond rallies. The service for Jeffery Salzwedel will be held at Westide: A
Jesus Church. The obit gives no details of the life of Luaris Larsen Rodier.
Willard “Bill” Estel Gulick served aboard what the Oregonian calls the "U.S.S.
Badoeng strait.” CVE-116 was a Commencement Bay-class escort carrier,
initially named, “San Alberto Bay.” One wonders if a Bay-class carrier named
Bay caused confusion. The ship was renamed “Badoeng Strait,” after the Badung
Strait, which runs between Bali and Nusa Besar. The Wikipedia article on the
strait itself concludes, “It is usually reported as a body of water that has
accidents and mishaps.” The Battle of Badung Strait occurred during the night
of 19/20 February. Four Japanese destroyers defeated an Allied fleet that
outnumbered and outgunned them, escorting two transports to safety and sinking
a Dutch destroyer, Piet Hein. The Dutch cruiser Tromp was badly damaged.
The Dutch cruiser was named after two admirals: Maarten Tromp and Cornelis
Tromp. Marten was born in Brill. He was the oldest son of Harpert Maertensz,
who was captain of a frigate named, “Elephant’s Trunk” (Olifanstromp). The
family’s (new) surname is thought to derive from the ship he commanded. At age
twelve was on board ship when his father was hit (and killed) by a cannonball.
The young man was seized by pirates, who sold him as a slave. He was redeemed
two years later, went back to sea at age nineteen, was captured by different
pirates, kept as a slave until age 24. He was freed and joined the Dutch navy
a year later. Shortly afterwards he married Dignom Cornelisdochter de Haes.
When she died, he left the service and became a deacon. His second wife was
Alijth Jacobsdochter Arckenboudt, the daughter of Brill’s tax collector. Tromp
returned to sea, was promoted, fought in the battle of Portland, was killed by
a sharpshooter high in the rigging of William Penn’s ship.
This was a blow to those who wanted to restore the Stuarts to the throne of
England.
Cornelius Tromp was Maarten Tromp’s second son by his first wife.
I quote, “During [the career of Maarten Tromp] his main rival was Vice-Admiral
Witte de With…[sni]...de With temporarily replaced him as supreme commander for
the Battle of Kentish Knock.” This move was not popular with Tromp’s crew who,
when the Vice-Admiral tried to come aboard, shouted, “green cheese” at him and
threatened to open fire.
Wikipedia does not explain whether this was a reference to inexperience
(probable) or to cheese made with pesto: https://citywordhunt.com/tag/cheese/
Do carry on.
David Ritchie,
Portland,
Oregon------------------------------------------------------------------
To change your Lit-Ideas settings (subscribe/unsub, vacation on/off,
digest on/off), visit www.andreas.com/faq-lit-ideas.html
