DVinson
08-19-2006, 12:10 AM
Just wanted to pass on the info. that Bert Royster has taken the lead in researching the history of the Ernest G. Small after she passed into the hands of the Taiwan Navy. He's been at it for a while and had run into several brick walls, language barrier being the biggest problem Well, it appears he has made a breakthrough. Bert asked me to share his recent adventures with you. Below is an update of his research:
Email dated 08/11/2006
Dennis,
First, good on 'us' for finding Ray Hughes. Did you let Geno know of the discovery---or Ray of Geno's address/phone number? As I recall, they were pretty close for a while.
As to my luncheon meeting, for the most part it seemed to go quite well. I took over some things for the woman (Fei Chen) from our ship to show her and she was quite interested in them (photo's of our ship, our Crusie book and some 'on line' info). Something about tracing history---family wise---appeared to really intrigue her (due to her background). I brought my wife along and the two of them got along quite well...actually our lunch lasted almost two hours with LOTS of conversation! Mrs. Chen is a very interesting woman with quite a family history!
When asked what the name of Fu Yang meant she came up with the following: Fu means something like 'Prosperity/Good Fortune/Wealth' and Yang (as in Ying & Yang) stand for the Sun or the Sun symbol. Since Taiwan's flag has the Sun symbol on it all comes together as an important thing to be named. That's how she explained it, but with a warning that with Chinese symbols translated into English words there are variations on the meaning of them so they could mean something else---a little different, but her transulation would be pretty close.
Mrs. Chen is married to a 'Merican, has one 17 year old daughter and has lived in the USA for about 20 years. She has a sister and other close family who still lives in Taiwan. She also has step-sisters/family living in mainland China---she's a long, but interesting family history---starting at the end of WW II, when her father fled from the Communists and had to abandon his 'first' family. He tried to contact his family in China, but couldn't (due to the Culteral revolution, etc.). He then remarried, had another family, a few years ago send another letter to his 'first' wife---who had been waiting about 25 years for him. She was able to respond, with Hong Kong going over to China he and Mrs. Chin were able to travel to meet her father's other family and witnessed her father tell her 'step-mother?' of his 'other' family---as I said, very interesting family history!
What Mrs. Chen will do for us is make phone calls back to Taiwan to the Naval Academy, to her sister to start looking for 'X' officers/crew of the Fu Yang (who speak English----there should be thousands of 'X' officers/crew), make phone calls to the various consulates and the like. She will begin this weekend and continue until she gets some answers. She cautioned me that it could get 'sticky' as if the Taiwan Government gets to thinking I/we are after government secrets they could 'clam up' and want to find out just why/what/who we are. She (after seeing everything I brought) said that kind of thing should be no problem as it would be clearly evident we were just doing what we said we were. I gave her your web site for 'them' to check out---if you receive a 'hit' from the 'government' now you should know from whence it came!
Dennis, when the re-union come here I will want to bring her to at least one function and introduce her to 'the guys.'
I was very polite and bought her lunch, she made my wife and I promise to do a Dim Sum thing with her in the near future. On our leaving we all shook hands and bowed a little---then she began to giggle some and suddenly rushed to her car. At that point my wife 'advised' me that my fly was open! Nothing like making a good first impression!!!!!!!!!!
WETSU, Bert
Follow-up mail to Bert on 08/11/2006
Sent: Friday, August 11, 2006 11:23 PM
Subject: Re: Thank you and an invitation
Dear Herbert,
I am so glad to meet you and your wife yesterday for lunch. I would never think I will have a chance to connect myself to Taiwan again especially from you, except I am question to myself how much could I help at this point.
Below is the email that I send to Mr. Chang, who is assistant professor for Taiwan Navy ship's engine specialist.
I worked today and had dinner meeting tonight finally arrived home till 10:00pm. I tried to call Mr. Chang and the other assistant professor also working at Taiwan Navy, still no answer. I may just have to wait till Sunday night as their time Monday morning and try to call again.
Thank you for the invitation to join your re-union, if I couldn't provide any information yet I shouldn't accept the offer. I am glad you and your shipmates could have this close re-union year after year. If I could be at Taiwan someday, I would love to go straight to Taiwan Navy to get as much detail of Fu Yang for you. As for now I will keep trying, due to the weekend schedule please allow few more days for me to fellow my search.
It was a pleasure for hearing your stories, you had help me to recognize another world that I did not have much opportunity to explore. I hope to offer good news to you soon! Please enjoy your weekend.
fei chen
Dear Mr. Chang,
My name is Fei Chen, I was born and raised in Taiwan till I was 16. I am now living in Portland, Oregon, U.S.A.. I hope you could help my American friend, Herbert J. Royster and his ship members who used to operate DD-838 during the world war II to trace its history for their reunion in September, 2006.
The ship was sold to Taiwan Navy on April 13 1971, renamed Fu Yang. Fate Decommissioned by Taiwan in December 1999 and sunk as a target October 8 2003. Any history of the Fu Yang between the dates of April 13, 1971 to her sinking on October 8, 2003 would be greatly appreciated.
I tried to call you by the telephone that you are listing on your web site, but no answer. Would I be able to reach you here? I will use this letter to fax to you tomorrow in my office, if this will give me another chance to accomplish Mr. Herbert Royster's goal. The ship will not appear with them at their reunion, but it will provides many good stories to touch many hearts.
How may I contact you again? I will be glad to call you if allow me with your tele number.
Best Regards.
Fei Chen
Email dated 08/11/2006
Dennis,
First, good on 'us' for finding Ray Hughes. Did you let Geno know of the discovery---or Ray of Geno's address/phone number? As I recall, they were pretty close for a while.
As to my luncheon meeting, for the most part it seemed to go quite well. I took over some things for the woman (Fei Chen) from our ship to show her and she was quite interested in them (photo's of our ship, our Crusie book and some 'on line' info). Something about tracing history---family wise---appeared to really intrigue her (due to her background). I brought my wife along and the two of them got along quite well...actually our lunch lasted almost two hours with LOTS of conversation! Mrs. Chen is a very interesting woman with quite a family history!
When asked what the name of Fu Yang meant she came up with the following: Fu means something like 'Prosperity/Good Fortune/Wealth' and Yang (as in Ying & Yang) stand for the Sun or the Sun symbol. Since Taiwan's flag has the Sun symbol on it all comes together as an important thing to be named. That's how she explained it, but with a warning that with Chinese symbols translated into English words there are variations on the meaning of them so they could mean something else---a little different, but her transulation would be pretty close.
Mrs. Chen is married to a 'Merican, has one 17 year old daughter and has lived in the USA for about 20 years. She has a sister and other close family who still lives in Taiwan. She also has step-sisters/family living in mainland China---she's a long, but interesting family history---starting at the end of WW II, when her father fled from the Communists and had to abandon his 'first' family. He tried to contact his family in China, but couldn't (due to the Culteral revolution, etc.). He then remarried, had another family, a few years ago send another letter to his 'first' wife---who had been waiting about 25 years for him. She was able to respond, with Hong Kong going over to China he and Mrs. Chin were able to travel to meet her father's other family and witnessed her father tell her 'step-mother?' of his 'other' family---as I said, very interesting family history!
What Mrs. Chen will do for us is make phone calls back to Taiwan to the Naval Academy, to her sister to start looking for 'X' officers/crew of the Fu Yang (who speak English----there should be thousands of 'X' officers/crew), make phone calls to the various consulates and the like. She will begin this weekend and continue until she gets some answers. She cautioned me that it could get 'sticky' as if the Taiwan Government gets to thinking I/we are after government secrets they could 'clam up' and want to find out just why/what/who we are. She (after seeing everything I brought) said that kind of thing should be no problem as it would be clearly evident we were just doing what we said we were. I gave her your web site for 'them' to check out---if you receive a 'hit' from the 'government' now you should know from whence it came!
Dennis, when the re-union come here I will want to bring her to at least one function and introduce her to 'the guys.'
I was very polite and bought her lunch, she made my wife and I promise to do a Dim Sum thing with her in the near future. On our leaving we all shook hands and bowed a little---then she began to giggle some and suddenly rushed to her car. At that point my wife 'advised' me that my fly was open! Nothing like making a good first impression!!!!!!!!!!
WETSU, Bert
Follow-up mail to Bert on 08/11/2006
Sent: Friday, August 11, 2006 11:23 PM
Subject: Re: Thank you and an invitation
Dear Herbert,
I am so glad to meet you and your wife yesterday for lunch. I would never think I will have a chance to connect myself to Taiwan again especially from you, except I am question to myself how much could I help at this point.
Below is the email that I send to Mr. Chang, who is assistant professor for Taiwan Navy ship's engine specialist.
I worked today and had dinner meeting tonight finally arrived home till 10:00pm. I tried to call Mr. Chang and the other assistant professor also working at Taiwan Navy, still no answer. I may just have to wait till Sunday night as their time Monday morning and try to call again.
Thank you for the invitation to join your re-union, if I couldn't provide any information yet I shouldn't accept the offer. I am glad you and your shipmates could have this close re-union year after year. If I could be at Taiwan someday, I would love to go straight to Taiwan Navy to get as much detail of Fu Yang for you. As for now I will keep trying, due to the weekend schedule please allow few more days for me to fellow my search.
It was a pleasure for hearing your stories, you had help me to recognize another world that I did not have much opportunity to explore. I hope to offer good news to you soon! Please enjoy your weekend.
fei chen
Dear Mr. Chang,
My name is Fei Chen, I was born and raised in Taiwan till I was 16. I am now living in Portland, Oregon, U.S.A.. I hope you could help my American friend, Herbert J. Royster and his ship members who used to operate DD-838 during the world war II to trace its history for their reunion in September, 2006.
The ship was sold to Taiwan Navy on April 13 1971, renamed Fu Yang. Fate Decommissioned by Taiwan in December 1999 and sunk as a target October 8 2003. Any history of the Fu Yang between the dates of April 13, 1971 to her sinking on October 8, 2003 would be greatly appreciated.
I tried to call you by the telephone that you are listing on your web site, but no answer. Would I be able to reach you here? I will use this letter to fax to you tomorrow in my office, if this will give me another chance to accomplish Mr. Herbert Royster's goal. The ship will not appear with them at their reunion, but it will provides many good stories to touch many hearts.
How may I contact you again? I will be glad to call you if allow me with your tele number.
Best Regards.
Fei Chen