Santa Fe (CL 60) - Naval Cruise Book

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The men have ez never ending lark, at .rea or in port, Qfpainting the ship's metal surface: to insure preservation and smartness. ' Convoy work of all l-ype5,from .veezhags to awning: and gun eoveu isfizshioned by lhe men in the .fail locker. Shilo: Damage Conlrol Parliex are Jtationed at several repair locker: loczzfed in Jtrolegie places throughout the Jhip. f,lf31 iff l The Repair Department has still other tasks and the men to do them. It controls the ship's Police Force - the Chief Master-at-Arms and his assistants, Whose duties are to aid the Executive Cfficer and the First Lieutenant in maintaining good order, discipline, and cleanliness in the ship. The yeomen in the First Lieutenant's office handle the hull reports, requisitions, shipalts, and other paper Work necessary for the conduct of the department's business. The Ship's Boatswain is charged with seaman- ship of the SANTA FE and has as aides the Chief Boat- sWain's Mates, the sailmaker, the painter, and the captain of the hold. The duties ofthe Repair Department range from handling the anchor Windlass on the forecastle to The Shipjflters' Shop, wiih itsforee of metafrmiths and .vhzjJj5!ter.v who do mem! work, weidin g and like repairs' wherever needed. I r

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IN ACTIGN-DAMAGE CONTROLg IN PORT-CLEAN AND REPAIR Commander ?0lzn H. Kaufman, USN, Damage Conlrof Offer and First Lieutenant, head M Conslraetinn ana' Repair Department. 2 DUAL function is performed by this portion of the SANTA FE's complement. It is charged not only with the general repair and upkeep of the hull and such systems as those having to do with ventilation, water and drainage, but also with the more important task of controlling and rectifying damage to the vessel suffered during battle. Successful accomplishment of this vital function enables the ship to absorb considerable punish- ment, yet still remain afloat with its maneuverability and firepower virtually intact. To fit the ship and those who fight her to withstand hard blows by the enemy requires unceasing effort by the Repair Department and constant training of its members in approved methods of shoring bulkheads, unwatering flooded compartments, supplying casualty electric power to isolated equipment, shifting liquids to correct list and trim, and fighting fires of all types. Some of this instruction is obtained from the several excellent damage control and fire fighting schools of the Navy ashore, but by far the larger part of such education must be carried on aboard the ship, the more experienced and skilled officers and petty officers passing on to others the knowledge they have acquired through months of active service under battle conditions. It is only too easy to stress this phase of the Repair Department's work at the expense of space devoted to the monotonous but always necessary task ofrepairing normal wear to the ship resulting from everyday use of its facil- ities. VVork is required on the hull itself as well as on the fresh water, fire main, plumbing, and ventilation systems. The excellence with which the shipfitters, carpenters' mates, metalsmiths, and their strikers replace broken pieces of equipment and repair units which just give trouble is a measure of the comfort and well being of every officer and man on the SANTA FE. 121

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The nien of lhe Carpentefsforce, who do wood-working and general upkeep and aid in controlling any hatfle damage to the ship. rigging the towing gear on the fantail, and the men are on hand for every occurrence requiring the wide practical knowledge of today's deck seamanship. Only in the control of battle damage is there drama in the Repair Department's work. The task of general repair and preservation ofthe ship takes the C and R Department oHicers and men into many diversified fields, from plying the ancient craft of sailmaking to using the most modern methods of cutting and welding. In doing theirjob they work with, and for, every other department of the ship. This can be easily understood when it is considered that most of their Work is directed to one end- That ofmaintaining the entire ship at the peak ofmaterial condition in order that it may be the most eHicient hghting unit possible. The lldaster-at-firms Force aids in keeping order and discipline about the ship and sees chat the daily roaline is carried out. The yeomen ofthe First Lieutenanfs ojice do fhe clerical work and maznzain all lhe records for lhe deparlment. ,B- The First Lieaienanl and his men handle the wildcat and supervise lhe securing fy' the anchor and chain as the ship leaves for sea. I' CJD ,ff