Columbus (CA 74) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 43 text:

f Cff f f t f I ay back on the fantail, beneath the 3rd division, lies the CR Division. The communications gang, as it is so called, IS a grand bunch of guys run by a well liked officer by the name of LT Murphree. On such operations as Mainbrace and Longstep , the CR division has managed to keep up to its high standards as being an efficient and well managed bunch. We have our share of Petty Officers, Seamen and SA ' s, but we also have one other vital factor, and that is cooperation. Ship ' s communications is an important job which carries a great deal of responsibility. This responsibility must be handed down to men capable of doing the job, and so far there have been no complaints. When the flag came aboard we were swarmed with extra work, but we managed to keep our heads above water and carry out our duties as best we knew how. Our ship, the COLUMBUS, has a reputation that is hard to beat, but we as a small hand picked group of men strive to keep up to the high esteem set by the COLUMBUS and our fellow ship- mates. Soon some of our old-timers will be leaving, and we will be getting new faces on board. Our only wish is that they can fill the shoes worn so proudly by our old-timers. The COLUMBUS will sail many more seas, and see many more lands, and we ' re sure she ' ll never forget her cruise of 1952-53 and of the great bunch of Radio and Telemen alike, she had on board at that time. This article wouldn ' t be complete if we didn ' t mention the Post Office and the men who run it. They have done a grand job of carrying the mail, and getting it out to the crew as fast as they can. No one will forget the Christmas mail of 1952 and no one will forget the expeditious way in which it was handled. And so as we make our way towards the States and home, we will continue our work, for it is such work that makes the CR division outstanding.

Page 45 text:

he signal gang — t-he eyes of the ship. This division consists of highly trained men specializing in many forms of the all-important and oldest type of communications, visual signaling. These men come under the rating of Quartermaster- Signalman, an almost invariably sea-going rate. Among the more important forms of visual signaling are flag hoists, flashing light and semaphore. Flag hoist is mainly used for rapid dissemination of tactical signals throughout the task fleet, force or group. The sharp command of stand by your bags alerts the signal v atch and instantaneously the flag bags are alive with motions of multi-colored flags being hoisted smartly in the air. Immediately visual responsibility is determined and expeditious closing up of signals together with sharpness of execution are all signs of a well coordinated signal gang. Messages of a limited text are distributed to the fleet by use of a signal lamp, the beam of which is interpreted to form morse code characters. Minimum lag in transmission of relays is constantly being strived for. Semaphore is a speedy method of transmitting messages by hand flags whose relative positions decide the letters of the alphabet. Its limited range restricts it mainly for use in port. In all methods of communication, reliability, security and speed are paramount. Training and general supervision comes under the competent eye of J. R. McCarthy, QMC, being closely assisted by the capable, harmonious LPO, C. C. Gouge, QM I. Training of hew men in the division is patiently and tactfully carried out by the divisional training petty officer hi. A. Watts, QM3. Ensigns Harthorn and Lucas, the signal and junior signal officers respectively, have the admiration of the entire signal gang for their complete willingness and sympathetic attitude towards the men, and one need never feel ill at ease in bearing confidences or requesting advice. The general consensus of opinion throughout the fleet is that the COLUMBUS signal gang Is tops, and despite a series of set-backs by the loss of many competent operators due to transfer and discharge it hasstill managed, through hard work on the part of all hands, to maintain a high standard of reliability and respect. Qfu.V ( '