Admiral W L Capps (AP 121) - Naval Cruise Book

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' f as .. fxf 'tvs .15 BLCH 38 .sr t shi-re evcrv WPC we R fmlkfn hmpiul 'Kiss-llc-13 were 3 Inge ,wr ward Inf 1nfcCtiOl-15 .,,,,,-tr attendance 2114 made rm each Paw-'U' mn! ws gtg fhf gill H DIVISION The dentist worries a patient Ward. Medical ailments included Malaria, Heart Conditions, Kidney involvement and Pneumonia among many others. The Surgical cases were myriad. A spotless operating room, which would provide satisfaction to the most meticulous of skilled surgeons, was the pride of the hospital. Here both major and minor surgery were performed in the manner of a shore-based general hospital. Appendectomies, Tonsillectomies, draining of infections and the reduction and casting of fractures were common procedures. A very important section of Sick Bay was the dental office. Here two of the finest dental units available were presided over by a competent dental surgeon. A diversified laboratory, staffed by well trained technicians, assisted in the diagnostic procedures. The Medical Officer's of- Hce was conveniently used as a consultation room, and next to it was the important clerical office for the necessary medical records. The diet pantry, strong rooms or padded cells and the store- room for medical supplies completed the space in the Sick Bay area. Yet not all of H Division activities were limited to Sick Bay. The ship's sanitation was the direct responsibility of the Medical Officers. Inspection of food and water, cleanliness, berthing quarters and the condition of the heads were further necessary functions. Daily inspection of the brig and prisoners was included in the inspections. The record of the Medical Department of the Admiral W. L. Capps is excellent and can be looked on with pride by not only H Division, but the entire crew. I l 1 The Pharmacy

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H DlvlsloN To many of the crew, Sick Bay represented that normally avoided section of the main deck where one was forced to re- spond to the orderg Lay down to the Sick Bay for revaccinationn. Yet here was a small modern hospital, superbly equipped and ably manned throughout the life of the Admiral W. L. Capps. By far the most important function of H Division was the physical fitness of the ship's personnel. To keep as many men in good health and on the job for the longest possible time was the prime concern of the Medical Department. ' Morning and afternoon sick calls were provided for the outapatients. These patients were seen in the treatment room, complaints were elicited and therapy was provided. A complete X-Ray unit assisted in diagnostic procedures. A quiet room facili- Paticnts resting in the wards . L5- A12 operation in progress tated the eye, ear, nose and throat treatments as well as physio- therapy. Nearby was a Well stocked Pharmacy where every type of commonly used drug was dispensed. For the in-patient or bed case, there were 5 modern hospital wards With a total capacity of 66 beds. Included were 3 large wards, a sick officers quarters, and an isolation ward for infectious diseases. Hospital corpsmen were in constant attendance and ward rounds by the Medical Olhcers were made on each patient twice daily. Every kind of common hospital ailment was seen in the wards throughout the voyages of the AP-121. Diphtheria and Chicken Pox were among the commonest visitors to the Isolation E 5, N i ,swlgg I. e my . SN ,aww-:qi - 5 gjjp: 'xx ..,,.,,-LM ,Z-JZ? 'Ward Medicai irsei Kidney involvement ss The Surgical cases which would provide surgeons, was the eric? minor surgery were x, 1 A general hospital, Prep infections and the procedures. A very importer? Here two of the over by a competes? A diversified

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N DIVISIQN Did it concern the safe navigation or communications of the ship? Then, N Division had the men and material. Quarter- masters, radiomen, signalmen, yeomen, electronic technician mates, radarmen, mailmen, and strikers. This division usually had the hot dope on where we are going, when, why, etc. The bridge gangl' was responsible for an alert topside watch. Quartermasters supervised the work for the helmsmen and mes- sengers, maintained a log in the bridge book and assisted the Of- ficer-of-the-Deck in his function as a direct representative of the Captain in the safe navigation of a vessel. ln this latter capacity he assumed a great deal of responsibility 3 performing such duties as taking bearings, keeping charts up-to-date, etc. This relieved the Oflicer-of-the-Deck of all such details allowing him to get a A Quartermaster takes a bearing Signaling an aerial escort better perspective of the existing situation and thereby making for safer handling of the ship. Radarmen on watch supplied much needed information, es- pecially in wartime. Radar, as much as any other single piece of equipment, was responsible for the success of our Navy in the war. This equipment enabled us to beat the enemy to the punch by giving us advance knowledge of their position, course, speed and friendliness. However, radar gear, without the intelligent use of the equipment, could be worse than nothing at all. It could lead us to erroneous and perhaps fatal conclusions. It was the radarmenls job to interpret the meaning of the splotchy, pale, or greenish screen on which he kept watch. His eyes were kept riveted to Q the scope o f 1 P , thousanos of ITl3I'HlC QE' 1 T and a Operating tinuous 'r mitters in part of comes the cians, the Their job of rf ing condition 'rt