Bremerton (CA 130) - Naval Cruise Book

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l i l l l l I T l T UNNERY Send us more sleeves, went the call to Sangley Field, Bremerton had iust conducted an air shoot. Send us another sled, went the call to Subic Bay, Bremerton had iust conducted half of a surface shoot before the target was demolished. And so it went-the Gunnery Department squaring away far the next exercise, whether to riddle a towed sleeve with shrapnel or to pinpoint a surface target with accurate, devastating fire-the Cannon Cockers methodically going about their iob and doing it well. The Commander of Cruisers Destroyers Pacific had this to say after some of the final scores were in: I am particularly pleased to note the outstanding anti-aircraft gunnery proficiency demonstrated by Bremerton. . . lt is with great pleasure lauthorize display of the gunnery E on directors 3l, 33, 34, 52, and 54, and mounts 33, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, and 310. Service stripe authorized for director 54 for second consecutive award. This display will attest to Bremerton's interest, espirit and teamwork. Please extend my congradulations and well done. Responsible for the coordination and effectiveness of this large and varied organiza- tion is the Gunnery OFficer, LCDR W. H. Catha. Eight divisions so organized that they can effectively shift their energies from deck seamanship to shore bombardment to air defense as the situation requires are responsible to the Gun Boss through the Nain and Secondary Battery Officers. The Fire Control OFficer supervises Foxtrot Division in the technical work of controlling the guns so that their shots hit as intended. The operation and maintenance of the helicopter and target drones come under the Gunnery Department also. i l ,E ,i l in l i l l l l.T R. Y. Scott, llefti, Secondary Battery Ofhcer and Senior Watch Officer, and LT H. F. Kane, FireControl Officer.

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The Navigator, LCDR F.W. Adams, not only keeps the l7,000-ton lady on the right track, but on time. To this end he is assisted by a corps of 22 men which make up November Division. LTJG J.L. Krizek relieved LTJG J.l-l. Lines as assistant Navigator in February. While the Navigator was home on emergency leave, LTJG R.l-l. Ruhsenburger took over. While the sate navigation ot the ship is the primary responsibility ot the Navigator, ship control, tactics, deck watch supervision including honors and ceremonies, weather, and charting the ocean tfoor all come under his surveillance. As a result ot data compiled in connection with the latter task-which included the discovery ot some previously unknown under-ocean mocntain peaks-Eremerton has been highly complimented by the Navy's hydrographic olihce. The men of N Division are the Cluartermasters who keep the deck log in port and at sea, take the helm during general quarters or close-in situations, keep the clocks wound and the charts corrected, check the weather every hour, and assist the Navigator in every way possible. Together they form a team which has its own peculiar but ethcient way ot getting a iob done. They scurry around the bridge murmuring odd-sounding names ot stars, light houses, or rocks that stick up out ot the sea, writing down numbers hurriedly and glancing at their watches, rustling charts and drawing lines-such methods may contuse the inhabitants ot the lower regions ot Bremerton, but when we get to port on time it's because the navigators knew where we were-all the time. NT ROW ilelt to rightiz Greene, J.M., Eklund, J. G., Maiuri, G., Erickson, B. H., Villarreal, G., Chiet R P Powers J H Lines, Wrightsman, C. S., Preston, P. R., Gilcrease, T. K., Johnson, V. D. K ROW: l-lughes, B. C., Martin, J..I., Mentel, R.J., Ramsey, W.J., Cronk, G. E., Krebs, D. G., Pa nis Ottoy ml W A., Jones, J. L., Callantine, W. R.

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Chief Gunner K.E, Frye takes T are of the Armory and reeps track of all ammunition. Besides manning the ship's primary implements of war, the Gunnery Divisions are responsible for the constant iob of housekeeping and deck seamanship, under the watchful eye of the First Lieutenant. Practically all of Bremerton that shows, topside and outside, is regularly cleaned, scrubbed, scraped, or painted by the deck force. That the Department keeps ahead in the endless battle against dirt and rust is borne out by such compliments as: Good refueling music from the best-looking ship we have ever seen. The ship's boats also come under the First Lieutenant's jurisdiction, and when entering or leaving port, the handling of the mooring lines and ground tackle are under his direction. The foundation and the final strength of Bremerton's biggest depart- ment is the seamen, bos'n mates, and gunners who swab the decks, pass the ammunition, heave on the lines, and count their blessings in terms of a short break and a hot cup of ioe. LCDR W. H. Catha, Gunnery Officer, and LT EW. Numbers, First Lieutenant. yi .Fc 5 'NN' . ...l7, l8, l9, 20, SHIFT, one,