Comstock (LSD 45 LSD 19) - Naval Cruise Book

Text from Pages 1 - 56 of the 1960 volume:

. VI YOME SHIMA I N. ° N ' . . ' V Io SHIMA X — L l VIRGIN T AUG 196,0 S V © ' ' ■ ' ■ ' - j-Rose ' 25 JULY I9b0 ©, DELL A ■ ' •• ' '  ' in i ii in i in hi ii i in i 111 1 inn i ii ii ii ii i ii i ii i ii 1 1 ® rAYE 22 AUG I9b0 145 150 155 ' ■ I I I I I I 1 I H I ' I 1 ' I I I M ' M n | l I I ■ l I I • I iTT-f 160 ' |65° Book Staff Editor Artist G F. Sweeney, HM1 Business Manager Ens L. J. TasBone I960 FAR EAST CRUISE A HISTORY Since her assignment to the U S. Pacific Fleet a few months after commissioning July 2, 1945, at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard, COMSTOCK has been a proud member of the Pacific Fleet Amphibious Force. From April 16 to November 24, 1959, COMSTOCK Called at Oahu, Kwajalein, Republic of Philip- pines, Okinawa, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan and Guam, and participated in Seventh Fleet exercises. This Book sets down some of the events of this, the latest in her numerous Far Eastern tours of duty. Earlier, COMSTOCK completed four tours in Korean waters from September 1950 to June 1953. While operating with United Nation forces, COMSTOCK served as flagship for Mine Squadrons 3 and 7 and Minesweeping Boat Division 1, as gunfire support ship, and as boat haven for landing craft used in a Commando raid by British Royal Marines. She was active in Inchon and Wonsan landings of the Korean War, also. Peace - time duties included participation in Operation Passage to Freedom in the summer of 1954 when the U. S. evacuated thousands of freedom - loving Indo-Chinese from Communist do- mination in what now is known as North Viet Nam. Twice COMSTOCK has spent tours with Joint Task Force 7, aiding in nuclear weapons test preparations at the Pacific Proving Grounds. The most recent period was in 1957-58 in the build- up phase of Operation Hardtack . COMSTOCK, named in remembrance of the famous Comstock Lode at Virginia City, Nevada, is home ported at San Diego, California, as a unit of Amphibious Squadron ONE. CT . ? -- r-|Wsfc£ k ? L j M 1 Sir - ■ 1  v k X X r COMMANDING OFFICER Commander Ralph E. Sandvigen, USNR, assumed command of COMSTOCK September 22, 1959, at Buckner Bay, Okinawa. Prior to his present assignment he was on the Staff, 12th Naval District. Also a Silver Star winner, CDR Sandvigen participated in seven pacific campaigns during World War II and two WESTPAC tours during the Korean fighting. He is a 1937 graduate of College of Puget Sound, and was commissioned in 1941. He is married to the former Miss Barbara Kinsey of Tacoma, Washington. They have one son, Scott Edward. EXECUTIVE OFFICER Lieutenant Commander Jack N. Casseday, USN, reported aboard for duty as Executive Officer in July of 1960. Previously his duty was with staff of Commander Fleet Training Group Sandiego, California. Mr. Casseday was c ommissioned in 1945 on completion of the V-12 Reserve Officer Training Program. He is a graduate of the General Line School, Newport, Rhode Island. Class of 1947. He has also completed the Officer Electronics Maintainance Course at Treasure Island, San Fran- cisco in 1949. He is married to the former Miss Barbara Jean Hill of Santa Monica, California and has two daughters, Carol May and Colleen. LT. A. P. BUTLER JR. Chief Engineer LT. R. L. HOLLAND Supply Officer LT. D. C. HARRIS Operations Officer LTJG. J. L. GODFREY First Lieutenant LTJG. L. J. TASSONE Navigator LTJG. L. P. WILHELM Disbursing Officer CHBOSN. B. L. AUWEN Ships Boatswain MACH. L. H. FULLER Main Propulsion Assistant THE OFFICERS First Division The first division is a part of the deck department. Their duties include anchoring the ship, handling forward lines when mooring, rigging and unrigging the quarterdeck when the ship moors starboard side to, hoisting and lowering the Gig in and out of the water. Personnel run cranes, boats, handle cargo, raise and lower the stern gate, sew canvas, issue housekeeping gear and paint to all departments, stand Junior Officer . of - the Deck and boatswain of the watch inport; boatswain mate of the watch, helmsman, and look-out underway. They maintain and clean the forecastle, passage ways, starboard wing- wall, and the well deck. CARTER HURST y6 Second Division McDANIEI J, k± TAYLOR The second division is a part of the deck depart- ment. Their duties include handling lines aft when ooring, rigging the quarterdeck wnen the ship moors port side to, hoisting and lowering the LCVP. and the motor whaleboat between the water and the skids. Personnel run cranes, boats, handle cargo, raise and lower the stern gate, stand Junior Officer-of-the-Deck, boatswain mate of the wctch, and messenger in port; boatswain of the watch, helmsman, look-out, life boat watches, and life bouy watches underway. They maintain and clean the gun deck, passage ways, starboard wingwall, superstructure deck, and helicopter deck. 10 11 The Gunnery Department is a part of the Deck department and is included as the Third Division. Herein lies the responsibility for the ships armament. Third Divi- sion is in charge of the ships four 40MM mounts and small arms. It is no small job maintaining these weap- ons so that they are in a constant state of readiness. The personnel of the Third Division man these mounts at general quarters as well as keep them in shape during the normal routine while the ship operates. It is also their responsibility to train the men who comprise the ship ' s landing party. ESPINOSA 12 A Division 13 B Division The teakettle terrors!!! B Division is charged with the operation and maintenance of the ship ' s boilers and their many allied machines. Though the hours are long and the schedule irregular, B Division on is never found lacking when the chips are down. REEVES 14 E Division E Division is responsible for the up keep, maintenance and repair of practically all electrical equipment aboard ship. They are also responsible for all interior communication equipment, motion picture equipment, and last but not least Ships Transportation. Considering the amount of work that is done and the number of people to accomplish it. They are outstanding as a division. 15 M Division Part of the Engineering team that keeps things moving, it is the function of the M Division to operate and maintain the ship ' s main propulsion equipment. This equipment includes the main engines, main shafts, ships generator ' s for electrical power, and the evaporators which supply the ship ' s fresh water. Their ' s is a demanding task but the results are always above standard. WK J, But we can ' t brush after every meal m 16 VAUGHN 17 HARMON BURNETT BARROS R Division UNYAN R-Division is responsible for number of jobs. These include, ballasting of the Ship, maintainence of the ballasting system, fire fighting and damage control equipment, all pipe and plumbing repair or renewal, boat repair, metal and wood building, all welding and water tight integrity of the ship. The motto of R-Division is We do difficult jobs immediately, the impossible take a little longer . WILLIAMS JW D R-Division consists of three rates, the Metalsmith, the Pipefitter, and the Damage Controlman They are referred to aboard ship as the Tin Bender the Plunger Head and the Termite . The pipefitter and the Metalsmith are Known as Shipfitters, and are rated as Shipfitter Metalsmith and Shipfitter Pipe. The Metalsmith does most of the welding and building, repairing of bulkheads, decks, latters, and boats. The Pipefitter is responsible for the plumbing through out the ship renewal and repair of the piping through out the ship. The Damage Controlman is the ships carpenter. His duties consists of wood working and small boat repair, he is responsible for the ships water tight integrity, damage con- trol and firefighting equipment. HABECK SURGENER , 18 X Division SWEENEY HOKTON CAMANAG DREW KINSLOW ESPIRITU MANCILLA ZELLERS 20 The eyes of the ship! Here are the men who took us from point Loma to Inchon, from Inchon to Sasebo and so on through the rest of the cruise and finally returned us safely to San Diego. No matter where our travels took us it would seem we had been there before the way. The quartermasters directed the ship through the most restricted of waters night or day. In doing their job these men not only had to study landmarks but also had to familiarize themselves with the movements of the sun and stars. They had to be sure of time which required constant checks on their clocks and chronometers. They insure that all of their navigational equipment is in the best shape possible, compasses, alidades, binoculars, barometers, thermometers, gyro repeaters, dividers, parallel motion Protracters and various and sundry other equipment that is the r res- ponsibility. But this does not end their responsibility, they must be the ship ' s weather men. Not only do they keep themse ' ves aware of all storms and typhoons but must inform Central Weather Facilities of the weather in the areas the ship transverses. These men are also responsible for a chronological record the ship must mainta ' n in the form of the quartermaster ' s notebook which includes every evolution the ship might encounter. The Officers right hand man who must know the bridge like the back of his hand and have a working knowledge of the rules of the road so that in any situation he is ready toaid the Officer of the deck. N Division Buckingham Kinnibrugh Christensen Mepellin Lost! Who ' s lost? ' 21 S Division The men in the Supply Department fullfil the task of supplying everyone en the ship with spare part?, regulat on forms and their many copies, working materials, etc. They also meet the personalized needs of ship ' s company in the fo r m of the laundry, the ships store, the soda fountain, the barber shop, the tailor shop, the mess halls and the officers ' wardroom. In addition to thi; the all important departmental budgets and individual pay accounts are maintained by the Supply Department for the rest of the ship. The Supply Department plays a vital role in supporting the morale and satisfying the needs of the navy team. Their objective is Service to the Fleet in the best possible way. 22 23 A TURN TO 24 o OHE FAC Ci IN THE CREW 25 25 27 How does the old saying go? It matters not whether you win or lose, it ' s how you play the game. Our motto was more to the effect - It matters not whether you win or lose as long as there are liquid refreshments. All kidding aside, though our operating schedule prohibited participating as much as we would have liked to, the Comstock did field a fine softball team and it appears as if the ship will show as much enthusiasm in other sports. 4L.. H RHUife ' 28 TOUCH FOOT BALL IN THE WELL DECK SKEET SHOOTING AT SEA 29 30 ■KMH ■ I FUELING AND REPLENISHING AT SEA 31 32 33 Cruise Highlights The COMSTOCK again rounded Point Loma, causing us to leave behind many families and friends. This time we were headed for Inchon, Korea via Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Our first assignment; deliver three LCU ' S to the army at Inchon. We made our stop at Pearl and managed to see a few of the fabled sights and experience some of the more exotic places, but were soon underway again on the long trek to Korea. To make the jaunt as enjoyable as possible we found a few using their free time to worship the sun and others cultivating beards. Some of course, as will happen, found little time for such activity. We soon approached the southern tip of Japan and transited the Van Dieman Straits to enter the East China Sea, the last leg of our voyage to Inchon. When we finally reached the coast of Korea we found we still had a long way to go. Inchon is sixty-five miles inland through many small and winding channels, but we arrived on schedule. After a very short stay in Inchon we departed for Sasebo, Japan, our first liberty port and voyage repairs. Sasebo, on the West coast of the Island of Kyushu, was a new experience to the younger sailors for here was their first introduction to the Orient. Sasebo gave the COMSTOCK her first chance to field a Softball team and enjoy the summer weather with swimming and touring, but Sasebo also brought us our first typhoon of the cruise, Luckily we were missed, but we could feel the effects of wind and rain; and invision the possibility of a closer encounter. We eventually left Sasebo and headed for Okinawa and the port of Naha. Here we spent a very short time while loading Marine equipment on board to be transported to Numazu, Japan, a trip we were to make many times before the cruise ended. We set sail for Numazu, a trip that took us two days and 19 hours and upon arrival found our- selves at the foot of Mount Fuji. Few had realized that the famous mountain was so near to Numazu. We off-loaded our equipment and Marines and were soon underway for Yokosuka, the center of Naval Activity in West Pac. Our visits during the first half of the cruise were abbreviated but varied. We left Yokosuka for Kobe. We arrived in Kobe while receiving storm warnings on a threatening typhoon named Wendy . Our first day was wet but still fairly calm. We granted liberty, but the next day brought Wendy closer and forced our hand. We got underway to evade this typhoon. Just before we made the open sea the typhoon passed close by and the ship, though rigged for heavy weather, felt Wendy vent a good deal of her high winds and rain. We weathered her and now were manned by a crew of men who could pass as salts , old sea dogs or what ever you might call them. They had seen the sea in one of her lesser moods. Gathering our loose ends we proceeded to our next port, Iwakuni, to off-load Seabees we had acquired in Yokosuka and to pick up Marines bound for Okinawa. We were in and out of Iwakuni after dusk and before dawn, our visit probably unknown to many of the inhabitants. When dawn finally came we were well on our way to Okinawa and for the next few weeks we make trips back and forth from Okinawa to Numazu carrying troops and their gear. 34 At this time the thought that occupied our minds most was our scheduled three weeks in Hong Kong, B.C. as station ship. We finally left Okinawa and began the 800 mile stint to the last western outpost in China we had been looking forward to seeing for so long. Here was probably the closest many of us will have been to Communist China, passing down their coast while transiting the Formosa Straits. The passage was uneventful and our ship arrived in Hong Kong on a beautiful, slightly warm day. Hong Kong, though a part of the Far East, was still different from the other cities of the Orient we had visited. Hong Kong was much more the continental city. Probably the English government and the fact that it is a free port contributed a great deal. In Hong Kong there can be found merchandise from the four corners of the earth, but still the best buys are the tailored clothes, made from the finest materials. After the first few days of enjoying the sights, we got to work adjusting ourselves to being Station Ship Hong Kong . This we found was not the picnic we thought it might be, but rather a great amount of work for a limited number of men. Still we were able to station the shore patrol, handle the mail, accept the communications responsibility, orient visiting military, make extra boat runs, board incoming ships, disseminate information, enjoy ourselves, (I could go on) and do the many other duties assigned the station ship. After three weeks we saw our relief enter the harbor, the USS WASHBURN. In the most ex- pedient manner possible we turned over our post and departed the city and Island of Hong Kong, most of us elated since this marked the half way point in the cruise. Off again for Buckner Bay, Okinawa and another load of Marines for Numazu, after which we spent a little of our time in Yokosuka. Next we began to prepare for our first Amphibious Operation of Fiscal Year 61, Pack Board . Departing for Kimmu Wan Bay, Okinawa, we made ready to launch an assault on AWANIKO. All preparations were made in Buckner Bay and we set sail by a round - about route to the Rehearsal Area. During our movement we were exercised by submarines giving us a chance to practice evasive maneuvering. Eventually after some rough spots had been smoothed out we proceeded to launch a most successful amphibious assault. After the day of the unitial attack we practiced warding off swimmers afforded by our own UDT units. When the exercise was completed we packed up and were anxious to return to Yokosuka, since this marked the near end to our cruise. After we completed our voyage repairs it would be only a month of 5500 miles before we saw our families and friends once more. During our stay in Yokosuka, the Commodore, Phibron I, was relieved. Captain E. B. RITEENHOUSE turned his command over to Captain J. T. BULLEN Jr. It was also learned at this time that the new Commodore would return to CONUS on board the COMSTOCK. Well, to make a Jong story as short as possible our cruise ended as all cruised do, with the sighting of Point Loma and the Channel Fever and finally the reunion. 35 PEOPLE ■ ■■■■.. 37 38 39 40 41 42 HONG KONG 43 OKINAWA 44 LIBERTY CALL!! 45 47 fltffi — K2h 48 Auto Graphs 49 50 i r Va I . ' . -fcV ££ _ s - , i n fe, V afUN ■ ■