Columbus (CA 74) - Naval Cruise Book

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ow go to your stations all the navigational sea detail . How many times during the past cruise have you heard this word passed? When it is passed the COLUMBUS is either entering or leaving port or transiting one of the many straits of the Atlantic Ocean or Mediterranean Sea. For the ship ' s control stations are manned by quartermasters. Whenever the ship is fueled or fuels other ships or transfers personnel while underway the helm is manned by either Jim Swickey or Joe Choiniere, the division ' s two Ace helmsmen. The rest of the time underway the quartermaster strikers stand their watches in the conning tower keeping the ship ' s logs or In steering aft standing by to take steering control In case of emergency. The rated quartermasters stand their watches In the chart house keeping the ship ' s position plotted. In port the quartermasters stand their watches on the quarterdeck keeping the ship ' s log and acting as right-hand men to the Offlcer-of-the-Deck. They also insure that morning and evening colors are run up smartly and on time. Also In the Nan Division there are three men who are responsible for those weird noises which come blasting over the I MC jarring us all from our blissful sleep or peaceful day-dreaming. These men are the buglers who sound all the routine and emergency calls. Another man who has an important and responsible job Is the Aerographer ' s Mate. His job is to predict the weather and keep tabs on storms and other weather conditions that may affect the safety of the ship. Incidentally he is the only Aerographer ' s Mate in the Navy who can predict the weather from his rack. The Navigator, LCDR Watson, is also the head of the department while LTJG Griest doubles as assistant navigator and division officer. Under the assistant navigator comes our leading petty officer, Dube Du Bois who can usually be found in the navigation office writing books to his wife or out collecting odd stories. Our chief chart man Is the well known man about town Chichi .

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oger Division is one of the ship ' s repair divisions, nnade up of special trained and skilled men. Their aggressive, willing spirit, and pride of workmanship make the Roger Division a division where skill and co-operation work side by side. The division maintains five shops, which are the Metalsmith Shop, Pipefitter Shop, Carpenter Shop, Repair IV (Shop) and the firefighting-C02 workshop, under the capable supervision of LTJG L. hH. Carpenter, ENS D. M. Snell, and Chief Carpenter Betes. Every man is considered a specialist in his chosen work, and the many and varied repair jobs throughout the ship, afford each man an opportunity to expand his knowledge, for either a successful Navy career, or a useful position in civilian life. Our pipefitter gang is both a busy and hard working group, and you can thank them for such luxuries as efficient shower service, clear drains, and quick draining wash bowls. Theirs is the job of maintaining all piping and plumbing systems through- out the ship. The industrious Metalsmiths, known to their friends as tin benders , maintain and repair structural jobs around the ship, and specialize in welding, brazing, cutting, and metal layout work. The carpenters, long known as wood butchers are concerned mainly with wood ; and that covers a lot of sawdust. Everything from making picture frames to the upkeep of our precious liberty boats. When it comes to wood and sawdust, these com shaw artists are tops! In the C02 workshop, the men carry the responsibility for the upkeep of our ever important firefighting equipment, C02 extinguishers, fog and foam systems, portable pumps, etc. In the event of an emergency, we can be thankful our firefighting equipment is the best in the fleet , thanks to the conscientious and all important work of the C02 workshop. Damage control is indeed an important and specialized job! These men maintain our watertight integrity, repair our watertight compartments, clean and inspect our efficient ventilation systems, and in general, keep our ship an important fighting unit of the fleet. Our key man , hiayward, is responsible for the repairing and the upkeep of all locks and safes throughout the ship. The Roger division constitutes the main strength of our fire parties, fire and rescue parties, repair units, and our helicopter fire fighting party. At General Quarters, you will find them standing ready to take prompt and efficient action to effect any required emergency repairs. ' ?3- A ' .f ■$ ? It ' , ' ; ► % .