Benham (DD 796) - Naval Cruise Book

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Eternal Viqilance

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S DIVISION PM - i. M ' -» ' r ;-- ' ft . Left to Right:- 1st Row — Royster, Turpin, Leggett, Antoine, Mills, Speegle, Baker 2nd Row— Collins, Williams, Eslinger, Weyher, Faience, Wiggins, Donahue, Korn 3rd Row — Lathan, Mrachek, Smith, Hanner, Siroky, Albury 4th Row — Edmondson, Hayes, Levine, Borges, Cole When we speak of the Supply Department, we speak of numerous rates. Among these rates are found Storekeeper, Disbursing Clerk, Commissaryman, Ship ' s Serviceman, Stewardsmate and Hospital Corpsman. Storekeepers are constantly kept busy each day,requisitioning food, ship ' s store stock, and the endless supply of parts, tools and other materials to keep the BENHAM in ship shape . The Commissarymen plan and prepare the all-important chow, while the Disbursing Clerk figures our pay and helps us with our allotments and other financial problems. Duke the Barber can be found just outside the Supply Office, cutting the many heads of hair. The Hospital Corpsmen are always ready and eager to treat us for the usual cuts, bruises and illnesses that occur. The loundrymen have the important task of keeping the crew in clean clothes, a job which is well carried out. Stewardsmates can be found tackling the million and one jobs that arise in the Officer ' s Country . Ship ' s Store helped us procure many items from foreign merchants while on our cruise, in addition to supplying us with our everyday needs such as cigarettes and toiletries. The duties performed by the S division are extremely important to the health and welfare of the crew, and they are very efficiently and capably carried out.

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PANAMA, C. Z. After spending a very hot, but interesting trip through the Panama Canal, we arrived in Balboa, just a few miles beyond the end of the Canal. Just as we moored alongside a fueling pier, a tropical storm broke loose, but rain never stops a sailor and we departed to see what the city had to offer. The results were very educational and relaxing as we found both Balboa and Panama City, a nearby town, very hospitable. The University of Panama, in its modernistic design, and the Panama Hotel were two sights well worth seeing. At night the city was very picturesque with its neon lights and cafes. The Latin American music was very refreshing. Many of the men went on a tour of Balboa which was founded by one of Balboa s Captains and later destroyed by Henry Morgan, the famed pirate. Upon departing from the tropical country, we entered the calm waters of the Pacific for the first time and pushed our way up along thecoastof Central America and Mexico towards San Diego. Downtown Panama City Next Lock, Please Miraflores, Dead Ahead ! Atlantic Goodbye, as we entered the first lock.