Columbus (CA 74) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 37 text:

he Seventh Division, under the direction of LTJG Miller and Ensign Thayer, is considered one of the hardest working divisions on board the COLUMBUS. It can readily be under- stood if an inspection was to be held of the superbly kept topside spaces on the starboard side between frames 93 and 127. These spaces are under the supervision of C. B. Pursel, BM3. A word must be said for the expert handling of the Seventh ' s numerous fueling hoses and stations which are headed by A. B. Christofferson, BM2, the leading petty officer. Of course we must not forget the boys who work aloft on the 03 and 04 levels and the stack, and on the lower decks under Vanhook, C. C, BM3. As in every other division, we have our characters, such as B. E. Luke the drifter. Bishop and Daniel (Steel Mill) Gahagan. We are not left out of the lover department either. Such people as Bill (The Steamer) Dorton and Guy Ruscito take care of that. We also have our athletes, K. J. Triptow, boxer, and A. G. Kopsky, football star. And if you ever have a police case, by all means see Maxie (Private Eye) Drews. As a whole, and I ' m sure that we all agree, the Seventh consists of a wonderful bunch of sailors. What keeps the Seventh Division gun gang on its toes? Some of us know the answer. Maybe you think it ' s MacDoughall, GMI, or Boggs, GMC. But if you stop and think you will find that the men themselves take pride in their ship and in their work. They want their working spaces to look the best on the ship. They also like someone to appreciate their work and compliment them on it. You ' ll always find the guns ready for any occasion. You ' ll always find us ready to cooperate with all hands. Some things make it hard to achieve our goal. For instance. Mount 3010, on the fantail. These men take a lot of kidding about their mount being the garbarge barge. But you ' ve got to give credit where credit is due. Many mounts don ' t have to contend with a salt spray or the black soot that always appears when they blow tubes. Things like this always keep the men busy. And If you ever walk into the gun shack you will always find the men in a friendly debate. There ' s nothing they would rather do than argue. It ' s like an old ladies tea party, except that they drink coffee. The men are proud of their division and ship and will do anything to make them outstanding.

Page 39 text:

he Machinist Mates, Enginemen and Machinery Repairmen of the Able Division are divided into five gangs. The steam heat gang under J. P. Stout, MM I can be seen anywhere from climbing the stack to the whistle and siren to fixing the potato peeler in the galley. The laundry, crane, steering gear and anchor windlass all come under them, too, as do many other parts of the ship. The ice house gang under C. T. Sayers, MM3, is responsible for the upkeep of all refrigerators, air-conditioning units and scuttlebutts. T. L. Evans, EN2 and his diesel gang take care of all boat engines in addition to forward and after diesel. The ship ' s vehicles are cared for by the vehicle repairmen under R. D. Jones, MM3. The fifth gang, the machine shop, under E. R. Heller, MR3, is called on to repair anything from pumps to chasing threads on a bolt. The tool crib which is found in the machine shop is well stocked, and supplies tools not only to engineers but throughout the ship. The division is represented in the log room by R. D. Bois, YNSN. The one who has the job of keeping the boys in line is Uncle Red Cromer, MM I, who is the LPO of the di vision. The division officer is Ensign R. L. Flucker who moved up from his role as junior division officer when LT F. E. Maguire was returned to inactive duty in the reserves, hie is assisted by C. A. Sedivy, MMC, and R. M. Crockett, ENC, who are the two Able Division Chiefs. Whenever a boat is called away, it ' s the Able Division who supplies the engineer. This includes every liberty boat, beach guard boat, and picket boat, as well as the officers motor boat and Captain ' s gig. Even such items as the operating table, dentists chairs, sterilizer and all such equipment used in the Medical Department is under the repair of the Able Division. When it comes to getting hot water for the crew ' s washroom, again it ' s the Able Div. responsibility. The heating system throughout the ship also comes under the Able Division maintenance. Yes, even the barber ' s chairs and pressers. All galley machinery and utilities are under the maintenance of the Able Division. The Division in which to learn most anything is the Auxiliary Division aboard ship, known as the good old A Division.