Conserver (ARS 39) - Naval Cruise Book

Text from Pages 1 - 72 of the 1975 volume:

ct r9 4 t v V - .- COMMANDING OFFICER LIEUTENANT COMMANDER CARL ALLEN V7EEGAR, USN WAS GRADUATED IN FEBRUARY 1962 FROM THE NAVAL OFFICER CANDIDATE SCHOOL IN NEWPORT RHODE ISLAND. HE HAS SERVED ABOARD THE USS FRANK E. EVANS (DD-7 54) IN SUCCESSIVE BILLETS AS MAIN PROPULSION ASSISTANT, DAMAGE CONT- ROL ASSISTANT AND ENGINEER OFFICER. IN 1965 HE ATTENDED THE AI 1ERICAN UNIVERSITY IN WASHINGTON, D.C. AND WAS AWARDED A MASTER OF ARTS DEGREE IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS. HE WAS SUBSEQUENTLY ATTACHED TO THE BUREAU OF NAVAL PERSONNEL IN THE SURFACE JUNIOR OFFICER ASSIGNMENT SECTION. RETURNING TO SEA DUTY IN 1968, LIEU- TENANT COMMANDER WEEGAR WAS ASSIGNED AS COMMANDING OFFICER OF USS HOLMES COUNTY (LST-836) AND LATER REASSIGNED AS COMMANDING OFFICER USS BLANCO COUNTY {LST-344). HE THEN SERVED AS AIDE AND FLAG SECRETARY TO COMMANDER CRUISER-DESTROYER FLOTILLA NINE IN SAN DIEGO AND ATTENDED THE ARMED FORCES STAFF COLLEGE IN NORFOLK VIRGINIA. PRIOR TO HIS ASSIGNMENT TO USS CONSERVER (ARS-39) , LIEUTENANT COMMANDER WEEGAR SERVED ON THE STAFF OF THE NEWLY FORMED HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT CENTER IN SAN DIEGO. LIEUTENANT COMMANDER WEEGAR HAS A WIFE, MARY ANNE AND THREE CHILDREN, DAWNA, HOLLY ANNE, AND STEPHEN. EXECUTIVE OFFICER LIEUTENANT JOHN ANTHONY GAUSS, USN GRADUATED FROM CORNELL UNIVERS- ITY IN JUNE 1969 AND RECEIVED HIS COMMISSION THROUGH THE UNIVERSITY ' S REGULAR NROTC PROGRAM. HIS FIRST TOUR OF DUTY WAS ON BOARD THE USS PATTERSON (DE-1061) WHERE HE SERVED FROM NOVEMBER 1969 THROUGH OCTOBER 1972 AS ELECTRONICS MATERIAL OFFICER, COMBAT INFORMATION CENTER OFFICER, AND OPERATIONS OFFICER (FOR THE LAST 15 MONTHS ON BOARD)., IN OCTOBER 1972, HE WAS TRANSFERRED TO THE USS FLINT (AE-3 2) WHERE HE SERV ED AS OPERATIONS OFFICER UNTIL MAY 1974. LIEUTENANT GAUSS REPORTED TO THE USS CONSERVER (ARS-39) IN JULY 1974. HE IS MARRIED TO THE FORMER ELIZABETH ANNE HEYDELL. v. ' WARDROOM OFFICERS OFFICERS COUNTRY CW02 RONNIE SYKORA f f  ' a CW03 DEAN P. MILLER LT. JODY GRAUL U LT. EDVIARD NED CULHANE CW03 D.L. AUSMUS ENS. MR. C CATTOLICO T V D B K CHIEF PETTY OFFICERS CPO BMC (DV) L. E. LASH 111 THE GOAT LOCKER QMC V. M. LAROSE SKC A. C. HOLSTEIN T ' r MMCS(DV) W. A. RHOR MRC (DV) L.J. THOENES HTC J. B. DEFFLER ST f ft ?  7«t ' t- ' f ' ■ OPERATIONS DEPARTMENT L. TO R. ; YNl BOB CASTRO, SMI H.A. SPIVEY, HMl (DV) K.A. HANSEN, RM3 L.W. LEIST, ETR2 D.E. HOWER, QMSR J.F. WATCHOUS, QM2 (DV) C.V, LEONARD, ETN3 J.F. PETERSON, RM3 C.L. SCHMUCKER, RM2 G.E. PHILLIPS, OSSN R.C. PORKY HOSKINS, QMC VINCE BANANAS LAROSE , SN STROUD •« I . ' M IP SUPPLY DEPARTMENT L . TO R . ; MSI J.L. SMITH, SKC A.C, HOLSTEIN, SK3 RUSS WIITALA, SK2 C.P. CACAO, MSSA D.J. TOAD BRINSKELE, MS3 RIC KAIN, MSI R.K. BROAS MS2 R. FAJARDO SA KIETH FEIFAREK DECK DEPARTMENT L . TO R . ; SN H.G. HIGGENBOTTOM, SN S.P. CONKLIN, BMl A. A. LEDESMA, BM3 (DV) R.J. RIMER JR, BM3 (DV) D.W. BENSON, SR CM. NAPE, SR R.P. MEHLMAN, GMGl R.K. RALSTON, SN T.E. BRENNAN, SA P. JESTER, BM2(DV) O.W. OLSON, SA C. BROOKS ] n - — ' % i % If iM l;l-T ' ;ti ' .iJiPi Trl!  i% : I Ml I • • • i M s T:tr DIVING SALVAGE FN DUNCAN RAY McDONALD 4M3 (DV) ROY SYKES ' Skj? EMI (DV) SAM KNIGHT V MM2 (DV) BARRY SHOOLTZ QM2 (DV) CRAIG LEONARD EN3(DV) E.M. TKACIK % 1 ii ' h s ' V ii in 4« B R N. KM? n.A. DAVIS. EM3 fDV) R.E. TAHASH, -2, £N1 J.h:. TRISH K . L . CTLBERT, V H 2 W.R. IHOFFMAN, PURE .it, EMFA D.C. CONE, HT- EA, EMI M.B. SICAT PEARL HARBOR ) mm UNDERWAY THE GOOD SHIP CONSERVER DULY DEPARTED PEARL HARBOR IN COMPANY WITH TWO SOUTH KOREAN GUNBOATS. OUR FIRST STOP WAS MIDWAY ISLAND, HOME OF THE RENOWN AND PROFOUND GOONY BIRD. MIDWAY BEHIND, THE VAST WESTERN PACIFIC PROVIDED US WITH FAIR WEATHER. THE GUNBOATS REQUIRED REFUELING EVERY OTHER DAY DURING THE TRANSIT, SO MUCH THAT CONSERVER NEEDED FUEL HERSELF, AND A RENDEZVOUS WITH THE USNS LIPAN WAS OUR GOAL. THE USNS LIPAN CLOSED ON OUR POSITION OUT OF A HEAVY FOG. SHE HAD PINPOINTED US IN A GREAT OCEAN VTITHOUT ELECTRONIC NAVAIDS, AND OVERCAST DAYS AND NIGHTS PREVENTED HER TAKING A SUN OR STAR FIX, NECESSARY TO FIND HER OWN POSITION. THE ANCIENT PRACTICE OF DEAD RECK- ONING WAS EMPLOYED, AND QUITE ACCURATELY, INDEED. DEAD RECKONING IS MORE AKIN TO THE USE OF A LOG AND LINE, A NAVIGATIONAL METHOD USED BY MILITARY SHIPS AND WHALERS MORE THAN THREE CENTURIES AGO. B , - . V . SASEBO , JAPAN OUR FIRST OVERSEAS PORT VISIT; WE ALL HAD A GOOD TIME FN FELIX HERNANDEZ 3111 III! iitif III! {|,ai ) ._. ■ V 3P YOKOSUKA, JAPAN YOKO WELCOMED THE CONSERVER WITH HIGH AND RATHER RUDE SEAS. A SCREW BOUND FOR SUBIC BAY WAS PLACED UPON THE FANTAIL. WE ENTERED AND DEPARTED YOKO ON THE SAME DAY. i: 1- k- ' - ' -J-J CHIN HAE, SOUTH KOREA NEXT STOP, A CONSID- ERABLE TREK NORTH FROM SUBIC BAY. HERE CONSERVER ' S SPECIALISTS TAUGHT THE KOREAN SALVORS MANY SALVAGE TRICKS. DUFFY ' S IS THE ONLY MILITARY CLUB IN T0V7N, AND SOME fflAT OF A LANDMARK. THE CLUB HAD AN ATMOSPHERE ALL ITS OWN, A REFLECTION OF THE COUNTRYSIDE, PECULIAR BUT CHARMING. Guest Speakers  v ' . ' ; UW.J kz ' uW.J '  i H ' V  • -t i • 35 36 FRESH T- ' fATER IS PRECIOUS, AND THEN AT A CRITICAL LEVEL SALT WATER SHOOTERS MUST BF TAKEN. THESE RESOURCEFUL FOLKS TAKE FULL ADVANTAGE OF A 7ELC0MED CLOUD BURST. ia m--- FN HONKER HANKE YOKOSUKA, JAPAN BACK TO JAPAN FROM KOREA, MORE THAN TWENTY DAYS ARE SPENT HERE FOR UPKEEP AND MANY ROUTINE TASKS. EM2 SCOTT GOSSLER SN J.R. PEARSON IWAKUNI, JAPAN INTO THE BEAUTIFUL INLAND SEA OF JAPAN VJENT CONSERVER TO SALVAGE A PAIR OF BUOYS WITH ASSOCIATED CHAIN AND ANCHORS. A TOUGH JOB, OTHERS HAD TRIED AND FAILED BEFORE ARS-3 9 JUMPED INTO THE MUD AND BROUGHT UP THE BUOYS. TAIWAN TAIPEI, TAIWAN IS PROB- ABLY THE MOST POPULAR CITY VISITED THIS V7EST- PACK. HER PEOPLE SHINE WITH HOSPITALITY AND GOOD NATUREDNESS. A TAXI RIDE BETT ' TEEN KEELUNG AND TAIPEI IS MORE THRILLING THAN A ROLLER COASTER AND HAS THAT ADDED FLAIR OF CERTAIN DEATH. THESE TAIWANESE HACKS MAKE DAN GURNEY LOOK LIKE A NASH CREEPING ALONG IN THE RIGHT HAND LANE. HONG KONG E AWARDS PRESENTATION RADM ROBERT COLLINS, USN COMMANDER SERVICE GROUP THREE VISITED THE SHIP WHILE IN SINGAPORE, 15 AUGUST 1975. THE BATTLE EFFICIANCY E AND DEPARTMENTAL E s WERE PRESENTED AT A FORMAL CEREMONY. A LETTER FROM COMSERVPAC ; COMSERVPAC TAKES GREAT PLEASURE IN ANNOUNCING THE WINNERS OF THE SERVICE FORCE BATTLE EFFICIANCY COMPETITION FOR FISCAL YEAR 1975. THE WINNING SHIP FOR COMPETETIVE Vll IS USS CONSERVER (ARS-39) . FOR THE WINNERS THE SUPERIOR DAY TO DAY PERFORMANCE IS AN INDICATION OF THE FIRST DEGREE OF PROFESSIONALISM. WELL DONE. IN ADDITION TO WINNING THE OVERALL E , CONSERVER ALSO RECEIVED DEPARTMENTAL EXCELLENCE AWARDS IN ENGINEERING AND SUPPLY. H t- ] ' CONSERVER ANNIVERSARY ON 9 JUNE 197 5 THE CONSERVER CELEBRATED HER 30th ANNIVERSARY AS A COMMISSIONED SHIP OF THE U.S. PACIFIC FLEET. THE CONSERVER HAS PARTICIPATED IN SALVAGE, DIVING AND TOW OPERATIONS THROUGHOUT THE PACIFIC IN TIMES OF PEACE AND WAR. THIS EVENT CALLED FOR A THREE FOOT BIRTHDAY CAKE, PRESENTED DURING A COOKOUT, AND AN OVER 30 UNDER 3 SOFTBALL GAME. THE UNDER 3 TEAM DISPLAYED MORE SPRIGHTLINESS , BUT THE OLDER SALTS COULD OUTDRINK THEM. THE PARTY WAS HELD WHILE IN YOKOSUKA, JAPAN. s CONSERVER ATHLETES HAVE WON THE CONSERVGRU FIVE COMMODORES CUP FOR THE INTRA-GROUP SPORTS COMPETITION OVER THE PAST YEAR. COMPETING AGAINST 2 OTHER SHIPS, CONSERVER WAS ON TOP WITH 397 POINTS. TH E CLOSEST COMPETITION HAD 316.5 POINTS. CONSERVER BLAZED HER WAY ACROSS THE PACIFIC WITH A 33 AND 1 SOFTBALL RECORD. ALSO PLAYED WAS BASKET- BALL, FOOTBALL, BOWLING, GOLF, VOLLEYBALL, TENNIS, TRACK AND WALL SPORTS. WHEW! WE ALSO DRANK SOME BEER. = 1 -0 IJI I S 1 WAm .1 MIDSHIPMEN FOUR ASPIRING YOUNG OFFICERS WERE OUR GUESTS FOR THE TAIWAN TO HONG KONG LEG OF THE CRUISE. h WONDER IF THEY ' LL BE SMILING SO GAILY AFTER THEIR COMMISSIONING. i I V ' 1 i: 1 i3 rt - ' m J If- '  ' I 5 M WESTPACK OF 1975 WAS A WORKING CRUISE. CONSERVER ' S DAYS AT SEA AND ON JOBS GREATLY OUTNUMBER HER DAYS IN PORT. THIS SHIP ' S TASKS WERE LARGE, AND MANY DIFFICULTIES WERE ENCOUNTERED IN EVERY EVOLUTION. SPIRITS REMAINED HIGH, AND EACH CHALLENGE WAS ACCEPTED AND ACCOMPLISHED COMPETENTLY HENCE THE NATURE OF OUR WORK, THE FINAL PRODUCT IS ULTIMATELY A RESULT OF THE CREWS ' INTEGRITY. HOWEVER HISTORICALLY UNNOTICED, THIS WESTPACK IS PERSON- ALLY SIGNIFICANT. MIRROR SEAS AND LACQUERED SKIES, UNINHABITED COASTLINES OF THE TROPICS VEILED IN VERDURE. THE NIGHTS OF INCOMPARABLE BRILLIANCE, WHILE FLASHES OF ENERGY BLUSH IN WAKES ' FOAM GIVE VISION TO STARS E QUALLY ABOVE AS BELOW. THIS BOOK MARKING THE EVENT IS QUITE DEVOID OF TEXT, SO DETAILED IS EVERYONE ' S EXPERIENCE. T AY THE MEN REPRESENTED ON THESE PAGES GIVE THE MOST ACCURATE NARRATIVE. CRUISE BOOK STAFF OFFICER: LT EDWARD C. CULHANE LAYOUT DESIGN; ROSS HOSKINS RIC KAIN EDITORIAL: ROSS HOSKINS PHOTOGRAPHY: SCOTT GOSSLER RIC KAIN ROSS HOSKINS ROMONDO DAVIS CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS MICHAEL CONE PAUL JESTER ROBERT MEHLMAN PAT SHEA BARRY SHOOLTZ BRADLEY STORSTEEN T ' TE WISH TO THANK CHUCK KLINGMAN FOR HIS INVALUABLE ASSISTANCE AND ADVICE. THANK YOU SKC A.C. HOLSTEIN FOR PUTTING UP WITH US WHILE THIS BOOK WAS BEING CONSTRUCTED IN YOUR OWN OFFICE . BY THE WAY, WE DUMPED YOUR TRASH.