Columbia (CL 56) - Naval Cruise Book

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example of diving procedure with full suit, one visitor was heard to sum up the trip with the following intelligent comment: .............., tHe, as were all of us, was speechless.j Carefully brushing fresh salt on our blues, shining up our American Theater ribbons, and taking our gold braid out of the brine bucket, we started off to sample Connecticut hospitality, feminine variety, the occasion being the formal dance sponsored by the New London Elks, and decorated by the women from Conn. College. This proved to be a somewhat milder party for the fellows, as compared to what was done at and to the Newport OfHcer's Club. Characteristically, the Ensigns were divided into two groups, the haves and the have-nots, the former aglow with enthusiasm for New London, and the latter just aglow, but sure that icy North Atlantic water must How through the girls' veins. Needless to say, all enjoyed themselves, danc- ing, being cut in on, cutting in on Windy f the blonde with the very bare midriffj, being cut in on, dancing again, being cut in on, and finally ending up at the punch bowl, and sincerely appreciated the efforts of the Elks, although l E it is admitted that some of our COLUMBIA boys were more antlerish than Elks. But then, Elks are land animals, and our- home was the sea. So back to it! In our best seaman fashion we swung our- selves over the side and down the ladder into the waiting whaleboats, for transportation to either the SPIKEFISH or the GROUPER, which were waiting to receive their sightseers. Having been to the sub school, and seen how all the machinery could be crammed into only ten buildings, none with over an acre of floor space, we were now to observe how the same equipment could be put into a submarine only 300 feet long. Once inside, we were herded very systematic- ally from forward torpedo room to control room to engine room to after torpedo room, and saw in each place the amazing ingenuity of design which makes our submarines among the best in the world. But an even greater source of astonishment was the precision of the crews, the efficiency of command, and the speed of the mens' movements as they answered the sig- nal bells and lights, whether in the quiet con- thirty-three L J

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wastelands. And for these fearless adventurers there lived a prayer in the heart of many a Newport maiden, as they sat by their candles in a window facing the sea, and watched us weighing anchor for faraway New London. Having made the hazardous trip from New- port, we anchored in the Thames River off New London. The term anchored is used with reservation since it is rumored that the hull was in the mud before our anchor, but be that as it was, we were. And so to the business at hand. A careful study of the probability function as applied to student officers showed that by working two shifts a day, and by throwing overboard all prospective USN signees, all stu- dent officers could have the chance to visit the submarine school and base, actually the source of all submarine personnel in the Navy. So soon we found ourselves in an LCM head- ing for the fleet wharf. From there, a half hour ride in a rwank bus made by the Inter- national Truck Company terminated at a point, also on the river, at least a full half mile from where we came ashore. However, we did not arrive too late, but rather, just at the right time. For we were immediately ushered into a chow hall, and. . I N ' D 1 it fr : if ' AR- - 5 - j X auch Z W7 Y xy W.. f fa ,. err ,., , ' 6-SJ1, Y 2 u l mf xc actually ate, foff plates and with clean silver- warej, steak, mashed potatoes, a variety of vegetables, and pie, all in unlimited quantities. Happy sighs were heard, broken only by the popping of buttons. After a few minutes spent on the lawn, bask- ing in New London sunshine, we began our excursion. Armed with polaroid glasses, our first stop was the machine gun firing building, where six Daniel Boone's tried to hit stereoscop- tically described planes with electronic bullets- which no doubt explains the low scores! From there we traveled by foot, by bus, and by elevator, to buildings crammed with blowers, hydraulic systems, control boards, torpedoes and Hring chambers, Diesel engines of all types, dry cells, mock-ups, and mock-ups of the mock-ups. Of particular interest was the escape tank, where it was demonstrated that free ascents could be made from a depth of 100'-although it was admitted that fins and gills would be helpful! After this exhibition, plus demonstrations of engine room technique, consisting mainly of a cacophony of beeps and dings and honks broken by the crash of control levers, and the irml

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