Columbus (CA 74) - Naval Cruise Book

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he ship ' s servicemen, 48 in all, are the morale builders of the ship. The heads of department are LCDR O ' Brien and LT Burke. Their task Is to see that the division is shipshape and service activities well stocked. The leading petty officer of ship service is Jack Edvv ' ards SH I . There are eleven different departments of ship ' s service which are: The BARBER SHOP, PRESS SHOP, COBBLER SHOP, TAILOR SHOP, SHIP ' S STORE OFFICE, SHIP ' S STORE, SODA FOUNTAIN, LAUNDRY, SMALL STORES, BULK STORE- ROOMS and the compartment. We will try to explain the duties of each department. First is the BARBER SHOP where we have six barbers to give you haircuts, in charge is Mearns SH3. Next you ' ll see the PRESS SHOP where you can get your clothing pressed and returned in the same day. The next stop is aft of the BARBER SHOP on the 4th deck where you ' ll find Clothing and SMALL STORES, The Navy ' s Men ' s Shop, where can be purchased the latest Naval styles, operated by Dick Tarr SKSN. Now we go to the BULK STOREROOM where all the saleable materials are stored and kept in readiness to distribute to service departments. In charge is Gommo SKSN. We now go forward and down to the 4th deck where you ' ll find the COBBLER SHOP. There you have your shoes repaired in a matter of hours. In charge is Martain SH3. Around the corner you ' ll find the TAILOR SHOP where all your rips and tears are soon fixed to satisfaction. The man in charge is Jackson SH2. We now travel to the SHIP ' S STORE OFFICE, where they have three able bodied men to keep all the ships store records and data up to date. In charge is Matthews SK3. Now let ' s go for- ward on the 2nd deck where you ' ll find the SHIP ' S STORE. There you can buy all the sailor ' s needs plus accessories. It is operated by Cecil Pierce SH3. Just turn around and you will see the SODA FOUNTAIN. Here you can buy ice cream and sodas. In charge is Hafer SN. Now go to the 3rd deck where we will see the LAUNDRY. Here they have the never ending and important task of cleaning all soiled clothing. They have a day and night shift operated by 24 men. In charge of this 24 man power house is Prescott SH2. Last but not least we find in the compartment Broadway Bill Rodgers and his assistant. Their job is to keep the compartment in 4.0 shape. So you all see the ship ' s servicemen have themselves quite a job. ► ■ ' m - . ■k. .fii: - «M »- ' 1 i

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Tnother cruise with the Sixth Fleet has ended and material and pictures have been collected and compiled to make once again a Cruise Book for men of the COLUMBUS, who might wish some day to look back on this cruise as a happy one or to bring back memories of friends aboard or old shipmates. The Stewards play an important part in life aboard ship from their service of coffee to formal dinners and help to a large extent, In maintaining a taut ship. Our work started the day we left Boston to join units of the Atlantic Fleet headed for a combined allied operation called Mainbrace. Carrying on with our military and special duties, preparation was being made to receive the Supreme Allied Com- mander Atlantic, Admiral Lynde D. McCormick. Beside having aboard the Commander of the fleet, during Mainbrace, the wardroom was host to six American news correspondents and the pace of the Stewards never slackened due to the extra people to feed. The gentlemen of the press were made to feel at home and upon completion of the operation had nothing but high praise for the Stewards who made their stay a somewhat pleasant one. Before leaving the ship, Admiral McCormick honored the wardroom with his presence for dinner and remarked upon the splendid service. Duties of the Stewards does not stop at service in the wardroom country alone. Over half of the Stewards have their battle stations, some in repair parties, ammunition handlers and loaders on A. A. batteries. After Operation Mainbrace the COLUMBUS moved over to Lisbon, Portugal to join units of the powerful Sixth Fleet for a tour of four months. During Operation Longstep the COLUMBUS was called upon suddenly to embark the Sixth Fleet Commander, Admiral John Cassady, and staff. The Steward group like other departments throughout the ship was quite .unprepared. There was a few hours In between zero hour before embarkation and the COLUMBUS crew went to work making preparations to receive the Flag. The Admiral ' s Cabin and Chief of Staff along with other rooms had to be made and ready, towels, linen, blankets, etc. had to be issued. Upon arrival at embarkation point the Stewards were confronted with what seemed like tons of luggage, but thanks to the rest of the crew who helped that night, made our burden somewhat lighter. Having the flag officers eating In the wardroom presented us with many a problem but soon the smooth running of things was under way and right about here I ' d like to borrow the phrase so often used by our Marines — The situation was well in hand. The Stewards have high praise for the COLUMBUS and all will say It was a cruise worth remembering.