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

Page 32 text:

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

Page 31 text:

' 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

Page 33 text:

.4 vc. i ri 'tluretw making ...ff..ir-.3 wfurnmahon, es- :-clsf-f single pictc of 4 .mr 'Saw an the war. warns 'sm PIR? Pl-IDCIT g-Un, ewursc. speed and elsif vmellxgrnt ust of IM all If could lead US gf gf,-:gn IIIC f3LI2f11'l'Cl'I'5 tm. pak. wr greenish . um kept rwflfd '0 N DIVISION xg , T 4 i I it t I x h The Personnel Ofiee the scope in order to pick out one little spot from among the thousands of others and identify it as an approaching enemy sub- marine or enemy aircraft. The lives of 5,000 men, many supplies and a valuable ship rested on his alertness and ability. Operating alone or in convoy, the radiomen stood con- tinuous watches guarding fleet and local frequencies. Radio trans- mitters in their main radio room or emergency shack reached any part of the world. Coupled with the two aforementioned rates, comes the electronic technician mates. Formerly radio techni- cians, the advent of war and science gave them added duties. Their job of maintaining all radar and radio gear in good operat- ing condition was only accomplished by diligent day-by-day care. Have a yeoman do it , a phrase heard often on any ship, usually fell on the ears of the chief yeoman and his men in the Personnel Office. Theirs was the most monotonous job of all. Handling the ship's correspondence, maintaining service records, and filling out reports. The importance of this routine clerical work should not be overlooked. The paper workn aboard a modern naval vessel, although somewhat complex, provides for eflicient administration. As can be seen, each of the approximately eight different ratings in this division assumed its particular share of the load assigned to N Division and aided that division in establishing an enviable record. Copying FOX in the radio room