Franklin (CV 13) - Naval Cruise Book

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-Chief Photographer Luke Dutrante poses for one of himself Shore leave was granted at once. Men marched in forma- tion to the gate, dispersing swiftly to dash for the nearest telephone, telegraph office or place of refreshment. The next day, half the crew-fifteen hundred men-left the ship for twenty full days of relaxation, every man had the oppor- tunity to visit his home. Puget Sound Navy Yard has one of the finest reputations for efficiency of any naval shore establishment. The men were moved off the ship to live in barracks and thousands of workmen were busy aboard, night and day. With half the crew on leave there was much for the remainder to do: fire- watches - standing by for hours to see that a welder's spark did not cause a conflagration, working parties-tons of stores to be removed or carried aboard, security watches - long hours of patroling deserted decks. But the barracks were a pleasure for the men, regulations were enforced by ship's officers and petty officers, considerate of the men they knew so well. Food was served in the cafeteria, which fed 9,000 men daily and it was a liberal menu, with the green food, fresh vegetables, and milk, that men on sea service crave so much. Two entire mess halls were set aside for Franklin men, and the cooks who prepared the food often remarked to inspecting officers from the ship that it was a pleasure to serve those. boys from Big Ben - a more orderly, cheerful, well-mannered outfit had never been billeted there. No pushing, no shoving, no complaining, the happiest, scrappiest crew of them all. There was a farewell party for Comdr. Benny Moore, the Executive Officer. Every man aboard was sad to see him leave. Lt. Comdr. Paul Speer, his pleasant and efficient aide, was also detached, to be relieved by Lt. P. E. Hathaway. Comdr. Joe Taylor became the Executive Officer and Comdr. H. H. Hale the Air Officer. Christmas and New Yearis Day, 194-5, were the only days during Big Benls stay that the chipping hammers, riveters l J Dr. George W. Fox fCENTERJ seems to have accidentally exchartlgea' jackets with Chief Sigrualman Harry Reese fLEFT P and machines of the repair forces were stilled and as the middle of January approached repairs were almost finished. When the last leave party returned two gala farewell parties for the crewmen and their friends were given by the ship at Craven Center. As usual, the lads of the band shone, and between the music, refreshments, and pretty girls, the dances were memorable affairs. The chief petty officers and warrant officers had farewell parties of their own - pictures tell the story better than words. On January 27th, Captain Gehres thanked the navyyard for a superb overhaul. He was speaking for every man on the ship when he said ffOur fighting efficiency has been in- creased by your skill, in turn our every effort will be dedi- cated to the complete destruction of the remaining strong- holds of the enemy. The captain had used every moment to prepare for the battles ahead, with Comdr. Taylor and the department heads he had been vigilant to see that every detail of repair was thorough. Every man and officer that could be spared had two day's fire-fighting training at Man- chester, Washington, radar operators and oflicers refreshed at CIC schools, gunners were kept in trim, engineers over- hauled their machinery. On January 28th, when Big Ben steamed slowly away from the navyyard to anchor at Sin- clair lnlet for final tests and calibrations she was as ready to fight as her captain could make her. There were a few liberties left-times for last good byes- during the next days. Farewells were bid to wives, boarding trains for the other side of the continent, girl friends in Seattle and Bremerton were treated to farewell dinners. As the last shipis boat returned through the foggy Sound on January 30th, Big Ben had said Hadieuf' The sea was rough as Franklin plowed southward for Alameda, California, on January 3lst. She was on a speed run, and the new men aboard were recalling promises of their shipmates: Hthe old girl rides like a feather bed. Even