Cotten (DD 669) - Naval Cruise Book

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FORWARD FIRE ROOM B-1, this is the bridge, you're smok- ing. That is one of the casual remarks that can always be heard in the for- ward hole. Whether itls cleaning bilges or changing water for coffee, these men are always on the alert be- cause One can never tell from way down therei' what's going on on the outside, Blowing tubes is their de- light, especially after the deck force has just finished painting. QW l 4:18 0 ess? 1 AFTER FIRE ROOM The other part of the Black Gang, these boys are just as alert as up for- ward. If they aren't on their usual watch, they are punching tubes and cleaning firesides or performing some other clean job. Even so, when liberty commences you'll always see these boys up on the quarter deck showered and clean shaven.

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AFTER ENGINE ROOM The other component of engineers, the after engine room boys, perform the same tasks as up forward except for making the water. This space, although filled with numerous types of machinery, can always be found spic and span because there just isn't any laying down on the job. Taking orders from the forward engine room is never griped about although at times there seems to be an insufficient number of hands to do all the work at once. However, we always get along well and being off a few turns can always be caught up the next hour. FV ' f-figs' I FORWARD ENGINE ROOM just another group of engineers, these men are always on the alert for any odd sounds. It is in this hole where the ship is continually raising or lowering the throttle. Also known as great coffee drinkers, they always have some of this wonderful stuff around. Distilling water is also one of the more important duties of these boys. Keeping the crew happy is good for morale and these men do just that by providing us with sufficient water. We have never been forced to go on water hours to date.

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n e agen: The rumors started in july of 1952 that the U. S. S, COTTEN, 210118 Vlfithlqthe rest of DesDiv 302, would depart for a trip around the .world with a tour off duty in 015621 Sogne- time in early 1953. When they were made official, the date was set or iiiuaflll dr ' t ue to reasons unknown to the crew it was postponed until April. Then in arc ue o .a cracked starboard screw and defective boilers the jaunt to far eastern shores was again e et for Ma . A . . cancelgpiraiiehding approilcimately three weeks inudrydockn at Boston and obtaining an .'EXCELLENT in the Admiral's departure inspection held in! that great liberty .port,Hbetter known to all as Beantown U. S. A. , the ,ready ship and the Im .not so sure willing crew departed on May 18, 1953 from Newport, Rhode Islandfor the distant shores of Korea. H After an uneventful and beautiful trip which was hindered only by one small storm o Cape Hatteras the ship arrived in Cristobal Harbor, Canal Zone on May 23. The trip through the famous canal was no less than fascinating as the whole crew turned to their cameras to capture on film many of the beautiful sights seen only to .those who pass through the Canal. The ship as seen from the beach must have looked like the bleachers at Yankee Stadium during a World Series. It seemed as though the Sightseers were everywhere, from the main deck to the mast. The forty-one mile trip through the Canal will probably be some of the best remembered mileage the ship will put on during the course of this cruise. f . . n . c . The port and ustarboardn sections split the two daynliberty while the ship was in Balboa. Most of the crew took the short trip to Panama City for their liberty, but 1t IS understood that the best time had by all was only a matter of 1000 yards away from the ship. A great time was had by everyone who participated in the so called softball game at Black Gnat field, Balboa. It seemed that the real contest was an eighteen inning fiasco saturated by an overabundance of beer. The outcome was never determined as the partici- pants, arbitraters and spectators could not recall the score. The BLUE RIBBGN was awarded Mr. Pabst , to the victor belong the spoils. On May 25th the Cotten turned her bow north, bound for San Diego. The crew experienced a very calm and sunny trip on the way to this Southern California sea port. We entered San Diego Harbor and tied up alongside the tender U. S. S. Prairie for the duration of our five day stay there. Since San Diego is not one of the better towns for liberty most of the crew journeyed to other points to enjoy their liberty, such as the famous town, Hollywood and Los Angeles. It was also noticed that quite a few of the Peach fuzz boys made the trip to Tijuana. . The ship departed sadly from San Diego on june 6, not to see the shores of the United States again until january, 1954. After two days at sea DesDiv 302 joined the U. S. S. Mt. Katmai and proceeded westward. The journey westward was interrupted for three hours with a stop at Midway Island for refueling. Here the members of the Cotten encountered the strange specimen of fowl aptly named the Goony Bird. Each section was granted one-half hour liberty. These birds are the most Hat footed, knockneed, bowlegged, top heavy and ugly birds known to man. How they fly is a mystery but it is sure they defy all laws of gravity upon leaving the ground. Yes, everything was Goony that day. We soon left Midway and the Goonybirds far behind as we headed for Yokosuka, Japan. , After sixteen days at sea the ship proudly headed up Tokyo Bay to tie up in Yokosuka for seven wonderful days in which we learned much about the ways of the japanese.