Marquette (AKA 95) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 34 text:

SUPPLY AND ADMINISTRATION Synonymous with the word Supply in the Nav) Bhould be the word service , Marquette ' Suppl) Depart- ment provides a number of import an I services ; in fact, it ' s activities are in lm.-.ii measure directed toward the improvement of shipboard living conditions and morale I the crew. In addition, Su [ | K is responsible for procuring hundreds of machine (•art- lor maintenance and repair, .1- well ,1- tin- many small hut important items without which ship busii sould not I - carried on. I nder the heading of personal and personnel services tall man) closel) related activities. The old saying might be modified to sa) that the Navy -ail on ii - stomach, ami to most of us the food picture vies lor top interest onl) with the Bemimonthl) pa) list, also a suppl) service, rhe feeding of five hundred men three times a day 1- no mean enterprize. tnnk-. bakers, butchers, food handlers and the mess hall policeman, the master-at-arms, work together to ensure a smooth How. both oj loud and ol door- Long-range planning ol food supplies 1- a mi. --its. particularly when ' extended operation ar. ' involved, and proper Btowage from standpoints ol defficienc) and health presents a constant problem. W ithoul the Supply Department, the ship business would doubtless come to a stand-till. Paper, stencils, notebooks, typewriters and typewriter ribbons, pencils (and erasers), pen-, and ink to till them, desks, chairs, silverware and chinaware: these things and many other- are given to us bv Supply. Laundry service, another Supply contribution (and headache) means long hot hours for the men concerned and more comfort for the rest of 11-. Twice a month, the Disbursing Section of Supply becomes the most popular group of men aboard, as the pay line forms. Over S 25,000 in cash and checks is paid out on each pavdav, and approximately S 200.(10(1 in cash is always on hand, to make certain that we have enough money for living, leave, and liberty. As one line forms at the paymaster ' s desk, another begins at the ship ' s -tore a shipboard counterpart of the old-fashioned country general store Soap, candy, watches, cameras, tooth paste, and shaving cream are only a few of the man) articles sold. Price- an- designed to lea e a man ' s billfold relati e[ lull, and quality is assured bv careful purchasing. .• owe many ol the necessities as well as the luxuries of life aboard to the men in Supply. Here is indeed a case ol the words ' suppl) and service being used in the same breath, and effectively BO.