from Dictionary.com, one of the definitions of the word tragedy: "a lamentable, dreadful, or fatal event or affair; calamity; disaster: the tragedy of war." I think it'd be hard to say, then, that the sinking of the Royal Oak was not a tragedy. Jean Swanson Birsay -----Original Message----- From: orcadia-bounces@rootsweb.com on behalf of Charles Tait Sent: Fri 10/9/2009 6:57 AM To: orcadia@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: [ORCADIA] Royal Oak Hi Could be interesting, though I doubt there can be anything new. By the way this was not really a tragedy, though the deaths of so many of the crew was certainly tragic for their families. In reality it was the result of an unprepared and incompetent Admiralty which utterly failed to provide adequate defenses at Scapa Flow. In fact it was a remarkable feat of arms for U47 and its crew. And a wake up call to the British. -- Charles Tait Photographic Limited, Kelton, St Ola, Orkney, UK KW15 1TR Tel 01856 873738 Fax 01856 875313 Mobile 07785 220269 All outgoing and incoming mail is checked by Norton Antivirus email charles.tait@zetnet.co.uk website http://www.charles-tait.co.uk photo gallery http://gallery.charlestait.com Charles Tait Photographic Limited Company Number SC240761 Warning: This email is intended only for the addressee. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any sale, usage, distribution or copying of this email or its attachment(s) is strictly forbidden. If you have received this message by mistake please notify us. It may contain data that is copyright,confidential or otherwise not for distribution. _______________________________________ Orcadia Group Photo Album http://tinyurl.com/28bx9x ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to ORCADIA-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message