Catamount (LSD 17) - Naval Cruise Book

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Clopton, Douglas A., SN Garcia, Donald, SN Murrell, David A., SN Blddle, M. C, )r., SN Coleman, John. jr. SN Maaon. Russell W.. SA Palmer. Owen, SA Rogers, Lonnle B., SN Turk, Melvin L.. SA Diolvinson, Joseph A., SN McEnlire, George R., SN Pappan, Garland, SA Susalla. Alvin G., SN White. Ray, jr., SN Dixjn, Edward R., SA Mills, Thomas F., SA Faytosh. Robert S., SN Toms, Patrick, SN - 50 -

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Btelma, Tony T., jr. FT3 Pass, Ar.iold A., SN Silva, William D., SN Ott, Raymond L., SN Trejo, Albert, jr., SN Kcerig, Vernon K., SN SECOND DIVISION Spruill. John W., BMl Adams, Willie m H., SN Anqelini, Arthur A., EM2 A we ' .l, John W., FN Smjih. Henry P.. EMS Banister, Dallas G., BMSA Adams, Edward J., SA Brumfield, Paul C, EMSN 49 —

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ENGINEERING Lieutenant L. L. — ; . . : i m 1943 after live and one halt years of enlisted service. He served aboard the USS Rigel (AR- 4), USS Nashville (CL-43), USS Highlands (APA- 119 ' , USS Pickaway (APA-222), USS Raby (DE- 698i, in addition to the Naval Station at Treasure Island before reporting aboard the Catamount in December, 1951, as Engineering department head. Ho is married and has three sons, aged 17, 11, and 9 years old. Testing ship ' s wliistic iiiid sin ' ii! All departments make ] reparations for getting inulerway reports to the Ofhc cr of the I)e(k on the bridge! and the special sea and an hor detail is set. Slowly the ship hai ks down, swings ( iimbcr- soiiuiy aroimd, and points her how toward the open .sea. This was not the beginning of the voyage. A dcpart- inciil, little seen by the jieoph- waving at the jjier, had long been at work making its own preparations for getting y • ' t underway. The sea and anchor detail is set a 6 o ' cloek. The m H ' k 1 engineers have been up sine e before 4 o ' clock lighting off. Numerous watches have been up throughout the night main- taining a boiler and ship ' s service generator for auxiliary purposes. They have worked all day keeping the vast maze of below decks machinery in order and ready to function whenever needed. The layman doesn ' t know much about what a snipe is, but it is he who provides the power to run the ship, and keep it running. A , B , M , E , and R divisions comprise the engineering department, the largest on the ship. The steering system, which keeps the ship on course; the ice machine, providing cool water for clriiiking; the motors for the crane and all the ship ' s boats, providing liberty; all auxiliary machinery and diesel engines - these are the worries and the delights of the small A division. Within the sweltering heat of the fire rooms are found the personnel of B division, whose job it is to manij)ulate the awesome tool, steam. The endless rows of valves and gauges must constantly be watched for an ' discrepancies while underway. The main engines and turbo generator depend on their steam. Another duty involves the fuel oil system. When the YO comes alongside, it is an all hands working party for the B division. Wiiile B di ision pr() i(les the power with its steam, M division maintains the engines that use that power. The spotless machinery and brass tubing polished to perfection is thcir ' s to fondle, repair, clean, and maintain. Their importance is demonstarted by the fact that M division is the largest in Engineering. The many different communications systems inside the ship and the lighting throughout its spaces falls to another group, E division. Electrical motors and outlets are everywhere ])resent on the modern Navy shi|) and arc all maintained and operated by this division. When the 21MC; or the JV circuits fail to work, the duty electrician is automatically called upon for services. Plumbers, welders, metalsmiths, carpenters, and damage controlmen comprise the rates that operate in the repair arm of the Engineering department, R division. All repairs, woodworking, sheet and structural metalwork, and welding and cutting make up the work of these handymen . The watertight integrity of the ship is their responsibility. The ballast shack is their second home. When the balla.sting detail is called to man its stations, R division takes on another of its duties, a frequent one on the Catamount. Theirs is the job of controlling the ballasting and deballasting of the ship so that it can perform its most unique function - floating its cargo into itself. Snipes , let it be said, are indispensable. - 51