Chandeleur (AV 10) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 38 text:

O DIVISION— firil Row, left to right-OGLESBY, P. H., RdMlc, SWARTZIENDER, R. D., AerMU; lOVELl, R. E., It. (jg); FRUCHEY, D. S., CPhoM; HELMS, J. W., PhoM2c: PLATT, G. D., RdMlc. Second Row-McCUNE, D. B., RM2c; WALKER, W. W., AerM2c; GOLL, L. C, AerMlc; HARDIN, C. E., Y2c; DICKERSON, J. C, PhoM3c; DARR, L. E., Sic, ROZELL, A. J., Sp(G)2c. Third Row-SCHMIDT, R. A., RdM3c, MALOY, W. A., RdM3c; RUSHING, A. T., RdMSc; NORDMANN, J. J., RdM2c; GUNDERSON, H. E., RdM3c; THAMES, C. T., RdM2c.

Page 37 text:

rr N DIVISION The N Division or the Navigation Division is made up of a Navigator, Assistant Navigator and Quartermasters. Of all the professions aboard ship] It can be safely said that these men are following the oldest art known to sailing men. When man first ventured forth upon the seas it was imperative that among the crew there be a man with a knowledge of the stars who could guide the ship safely home to port. In the beginning only the stars were available to aid the sea-farer. Today the duties are the same but science has contributed many navigational aids. The Department ' s duty first, and most important, is navigating the ship to its destination by the safest and quickest route. In order to accomplish this the Navigators and Quartermasters now have modern instruments such as sextants, stadimeters, chronometers, watches, compasses, plotting instru- ments and navigation charts. When on watch the Quartermaster keeps the ship ' s log up to date, makes weather observations, insures that the Ensign and Union Jack are hoisted, makes hourly observations determining the ship ' s speed, course and position. Another watch is stood in steering engine room, in case of steering casualty. In port all charts and publications are corrected by the Quartermasters. Coming into and leaving port is the Navigation Department ' s busiest time, the Navigator busy plotting the course. Quartermasters taking bear- ings, steering, standing by in steering engine room, Union Jack, Ensign, anchor ball, fathometer, and engine order telegraph. When at sea any Quartermaster can always supply pertinent information concerning the position, course and speed of the ship.

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O DIVISION To centralize all of the operational functions of the CHANDELEUR an Operations Department was formed by Captain TRACY in February 1945. This department was formed primarily to handle all phases of air opera- tions in which the CHANDELEUR and her sister tenders were to play an important role in the reduction and final elimination of Japan ' s empire. The O Division was established at this time and all personnel of the Operations Department was assigned to the Division. Among the different rates which were fused to make up the O Division were Aerographers, Photographers, and Radarmen. The Operations Department handles all phases of air operations assigned to the CHANDELEUR and is responsible for the activities of the Combat Information Center. Among the many other tasks assigned Operations in the past were: the preparation of weather forecasts and terminal condi- tions covering all the different search sectors assigned our planes and the planes of sister tenders; taking and processing of photographs of search missions and the operation of the radar equipment. Acting as Seadrome Control during the first four months of the OKINAWA campaign was the largest and most responsible task under- taken in our many months in the Pacific. The reward — To All Hands — Well Done.