Porterfield (DD 682) - Naval Cruise Book

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THE GUNNERY DEPARTMENT The Gunnery Department is responsible -for the operation and care of all the Ship's offensive arma- ment, and the preservation, maintenance and care of topside areas. The ship's main battery of offensive armament consists of five inch dual purpose gun mounts. As another major weapon, it carries five torpedoes. The secondary battery is composed of forty millimeter gun mounts, which are used for anti-aircraft purposes. For antisubmarine warfare, the ship is equipped with hedgehogs and depth charges. There are five rates in the gunnery department. Boatswain's Mates CBMD, the jack-of-all-trades rate, have responsibility for the appearance and preser- vation of the main deck, O-l deck and the sides of the ship. lt is they who must continually struggle against the eternal decay and corrosion caused by the sea. ln addition, they are responsible for all ground tackle, and care and coxswaining of the ship's two boats. Truly the art of seamanship is theirs. Boatswain Mates are usually assigned to gunnery stations and repair parties during general quarters. Gunner's Mates CGMD must know how to operate, clean, and maintain the ship's five inch and forty millimeter guns. Rated gunner's mates are usually assigned the responsible jobs of gun captains at battle stations. This means they must not only know how to operate their guns and effectively coordinate their gun crews as a team, but they must be able, if necessary, to take complete charge of the mount and fire locally. Firecontrolmen CFTD are technicians, both in main- taining firecontrol equipment and in operating it. Firecontrol equipment electronically and mechani- cally solves the big problem of where to aim the guns in order to hit a target, and it is the job of the FT's both to keep this equipment in operating condi- .X X6 in tion, and, during the firing of the guns, operate the computer, rangefinder, and radar, so that the ship's gunfire will be effective. Theirs is an extremely re- sponsible job. Torpedomen CTMJ are primarily concerned with the upkeep of their five torpedoes, kept in the tor- pedo tube mount amidships. These torpedoes may be launched on a high speed run on any large enemy surface craft, and pack the largest single blow the ship can deliver. The Torpedomen also have charge of the depth charges, which are fired from projectors placed on either side of the ship, and rolled from racks off the stern. The hedgehog mounts which comprise the other half of the ship's anti-sub- marine armament, are twin projectors placed for- ward of the bridge on the O-l deck. The Hedge- hogs are a type of rocket, and are launched in two patterns. These are fired in a trajectory forward of the ship, and enter and fall through the water to strike any enemy submarine lurking beneath the surface. r The Sonarmen CSO? have the great responsibility of operating underwater sound equipment tsonarl to detect the presence of enemy sub-surface craft. Theirs is a day-in-day-out job spent scanning a scope and listening with their ears for the characteristic echo of any enemy submarine. Once contact is made, they function as a highly integrated and coordin- ated team, obtaining maximum possible information about the submarine in order that the ship may conduct a successful attack. ln addition, the sonar- men muslt maintain and repair their own equipment. Those are the five ratings of the Gunnery Depart- ment. Taken separately each is a specialist in his field. Taken together, all operate effectively and are coordinated by the commanding officer in battle to give the ship its offensive wallop. f'X

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FIRST DIVISION Another year has gone by and we can look back on another eventful cruise with its many experiences and good times. Oh, it wasn't all play and no work, we had the same old routine that is necessary on every ship. For the lst Division there was the constant chore of keeping the forward part of the ship looking trim, along with the many details that had to be manned such as: picking up the buoy, anchor detail, retrieving the sleeve after firing, the high line and fueling details. There was never any trouble, trying to find something to do! lt was the good liberty ports that made us forget those busy days at sea. This cruise provided a couple of new stopsp one of which was Bangkok, Thailand with the beautiful splendor of the many colorful Budda Temples. One of the fellows in the lst Division was fortunate in finding a home away from home. He met an Army Sergeant and his family and was invited to their home for a treat of water buffalo and all the trimmings. ln Hong Kong everyone took advantage of the low cost of clothing to fatten their wardrobes. A tour of the Island topped off with a swell steak dinner was a real treat. There wasn't much to do in Formosa, although the crew did enjoy a swimming party held at one of the beaches. ' Of all the ports we entered japan was the most popu- lar. There is always so much to do there. Yokosuka has the finest E. M. Club known to a serviceman. From Yokosuka it is just a short train ride to Yokohama or Tokyo which is a real sight-seeing trip for any for- eigner. On the way home we had a brief stop at Midway. About the only thing of considerable interest there was the beautiful water that surrounded the Island and the Gooney birds that were there. , There was plenty of time in Pearl Harbor to enjoy the many beaches and means of entertainment, but knowing we were so close to home, that was quickly passed, and we steamed home to San Diego. X I 'N Z ' I5 ...- ... I if f' ? o X I2 f X I .' ' ,. X. fl 2 K L