Des Moines (CA 134) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 31 text:

D ' ' ' include the main deck and the outside of the super- structure from the quarterdeck to the after side of the stack on the starboard side. The combination of soot, salt spray, and other dirt which comes from unknown sources leaves us continually holystoning, washing down paint Work, and repainting. Besides these above- deck spaces, We are also responsible for a considerable amount of below-deck passageways. On a ship which has a reputation of being as clean as the DES MOINES this job takes a great deal of our time. Besides firing our guns and cleaning our spaces, We are involved in other iobs which befall a deck division nearly every day. While We are engaged in fueling operations the men are called upon to assist in handling the lines which pass the hoses overg when replenishing at sea We again handle lines and also supply men for the Working partiesg when entering port and tying up alongside we are responsible for securing number four lineg and last, but not least We must keep number one motor whale boat in good condition and ready to put in the Water at any time. Inspecting floats. FRONT ROW: J. J. Dooling, SN: E. J. Eastwood, BM3: J. Sturek, SA: E. Elliot, SN: D. R. Edwards, SA: H. J. Garris, SA: W. Huber, BM3 .... SECOND ROW: J. Graham, SA: G. Robinson, Jr., SN: E. Scragg, GM2: E. Chekas, BM2: Ens. Reynolds, W. R. Mat- thews, SN: A. E. Foley, GM2: K. L. Williams, GM3: R. B. Ras- trelli, SA .... THIRD ROW: W. Czarnich, SN: M. R. Weakly, SA: T. R. Moon, SN: S. M. Sweet, SN: W. P. Goins, GM3: E. L. Gatling, SA: E. H. Hall, SN: J. Manges, SN: M. Anderson, SA: E. Dar- nick, SA. FIRST ROW: T. A. O'Gorman, SA: D. A. Arieta, SN: J. Naticchionii, BM3: J. Busse, SA .... SECOND ROW: E. H. Logan, BM2: H. E. Moore, GM2: J. Poynor, SN: Wimmermark, CGM: D. A. Loy, SA: J. MacDonald, SA: R. D. Stesney, SN: R. J. Bonclie, SA. . . . THIRD ROW: L. Nester, SA: W. R. Hannon, Jr., SN: L. H. Anderson, SA: H. D. Dangerfield, SA: A. C. MacPherson, SN: A. R. Walker, SA: J. A. Pells, SA: R. B. Day, SA: W. F. Condron, SA: H. L. Williams, BM3.

Page 30 text:

Cleaning bores. Loading drill. FRONT ROW: J. M. Ferry, SA: N. Friedrich, SN: E. J. Poianow- ski, SN: C. Cillo, SA: H. L. Mohl- er, BM3 .... SECOND ROW: H. l G. Hamm, SN: R. J. Gill, SA: i J. B. Bournique, SA: M. D O'NeiIl, SN: R. Huerta, SA: H. E. Walker, SA: R. L. White, SA . . . THIRD ROW: M. B. Cooper, SA: Mulinowski, SA: J. J. Sege- dy, BM3: C. Dunn, SA: Lt. J. W Skuhun: J. Brown, SA: A. W Peden, SA: J. R. Long, SA: J. E Bryant, SN .... FOURTH ROW C. N. Ivie, SA: C. L. Roberts, SA: D. I. Skinner, SN: S. Ulisano GMT: D. S. Burtron, SA: E. Thi- bodeau, BM3: W. H. Aseltyne SA: D. J. Coughlin, SN: A. W Lopes, SA: H. Epley, SA: F. D Ridgwcly, GM2: A. C. Dunst, SA. FIFTH THE FIFTH DIVISION, being a combination gun- nery and deck division, has the twin jobs of operat- ing and maintaining our guns and of keeping our as- signed sections of the ship up to a high standard. Be- sides these two important jobs we are always on call for the various and sundry operations which are neces- sary to keep the ship going. When G.Q. or IAA is sounded the Fifth Division mans the starboard five-inch battery. Our Gunneris Mates and strikers actually handle the guns While the Boatswain's Mates and deck hands are below decks ready to send up the ammunition for the guns. The five-inch guns being dual purpose, the 6iFighting Fifthw must be ready to destroy any type of target which may come along, airborne, seagoing, or targets ashore. Another of the important but definitely unglamorous duties of the Fifth Division is that of keeping its spaces shipshape. This is one of the jobs which falls under the direction of our Boatswairfs Mates. These spaces

Page 32 text:

SIXTH 'vision FOR THE SIXTH DIVISION the Mediterranean cruise has meant many hours spent manning the port three-inch battery whether it was for drone or sleeve firing or for target acquisition. This time spent has purchased for the deck force, as well as the Gun- ner's Mates, proficiency in the cooperative endeavor of getting the guns on target and rounds fired at it. If an enemy plane ever becomes the target of our battery, we will be ready to give its pilot the choice of keeping his distance or of being brought down in short order. Having these guns, there is naturally the job of maintenance which is handled by our Gunneras Mates and their strikers who rival any Swiss watchmaker's skill with their work on these intricate mounts. In carrying out our other main function as a deck division, the deck force has a firm grip on the cleaning and upkeep of our assigned spaces on the portside from the soot covered mainmast to the lower voids, from amidships to aft 'of turret III. I For deck seamanship, the Sixth Division Boatswain's Mates and their seamen can and must be able to do anything from making a ball fender to rigging booms and handling lines. We also keep and run the Oliicer's Motorboat which is sharpened up by an example of some fine seamanship work of men in the division. It is hopeless to try to describe all of the myriad of activities which are all in a day's work for the Sixth Division. Many of the obs are typical of all deck divi- sions and many come to be considered as menial, but these tasks completed contribute just 'as much to the general welfare as do the more highly publicized jobs of the specialists. Probably our greatest cross to bear is our eternal struggle with the stacks, but there is always the chance, and we await with fiendish hope, that the Officer-oi the-Deck will someday blow those tubes on a follow- ing wind.