Eastwind (WAGB 279) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 10 text:

December 10, 1963, a day like any other day. . Eastzuina' left Boston on that cool and slightly overcast day to begin a trip which would carry us almost 15,500 miles in 89 days. For many it involved hardships for the- long period away from home, but for all hands there was an undeniable pulse of ex- citement for the coming adventure. Prior to departure we sailed on a four day Shakedown cruise from 18 to 22 Novem- ber to pick up our ammunition at Earle, New Jersey, and to get the bugs out after the long summer in-port. Bon Voyage M U -H in ...c Q --',, ' N tml ' 1 2' , -'JM N in n . ,n ,a,, n . wi? , 4, Q In this way we were able to correct problems not otherwise detected. ' Helicopter Detachment 81, the MCB-8 Detachment, and our doctor and dentist re- ported on board so that at 1000 ofthe fateful day, when we cast off our lines, we were- ready to go. . The skyline of Boston receded into the haze to remain etched only in our memories, a sight we awaited impatiently to return. We heard Boston had its first snowstorm the day after we left, perhaps it was an omen, for good weather would bless us far more than our share in days to come. However we were involved in our own problems before long because that night and the next morning we encountered a storm of gale force off Cape Cod. Here we rolled heavily, several inches ofwater accumulated in the after sections of the ship, and many lost their appetites and cursed the call of the sea. But soon we all acquired our sea legs and the constant rolling was a part of the routine.

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COMMANDING OFFICER Bernhard Russell Henry was born on june 14, 1916, at Annapolis, Maryland. He graduated from Annapolis High School, and attended johns Hopkins University. After a tour in the Maryland National Guard, he was appointed a cadet at the Coast Guard Academy. He graduated with a Bach- elor of Science degree in Marine Engineering and a commission as Ensign on May 19, 1941. ' Q A During the war he participated in the initial invasion of Guadalcanal aboard the USS Hunter and served aboard the USS Poole and the USS Beaufort. He then took command of the buoy tender CGC Sassafras. After tours in Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington, D.C., and on the icebreaker CGC Mackz'naw, he took command of CGC Unimak in Cape May, New jersey. From Unirnalc he went to CG Base, Gloucester City, New jersey, until july 1962 when he became Commanding Officer of CGC Eastwind. Captain Henry's World War II campaign service ribbons and medals include the American Defense with Fleet Clasp, American Area, Asiatic-Pacific Area with three battle stars European African Middle Eastern Area, World War II Victory. He also has the National Defense Service Ribbon which covers the period of service during the Korean conflictj and the Antarctic Service Ribbon Captain and Mrs. Henry presently reside in Moorestown, New jersey with their three children EXECUTIVE OFFICER Willis Neil Seehorn was born October 21, 1921, at Mount Hope, Washington. He graduated from Lewis and Clark High School in 1939. Prior to his entrance into the Coast Guard, he attended Washing- ton State College. Appointed a cadet at the Coast Guard Academy in July of 1941, he was graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree and a commission as Ensign on june 6, 1945. After graduation he served on FS.'s and LST's in the Pacific. Following tours of duty with Com- mander Eastern Area, CGC Pandora, and an 83- foot patrol craft, he served in Second Coast Guard District Office and aboard CGC Spencer. In 1955, he attended Renssalaer Polytechnic Institute, where he received a Bachelor of Science in civil engineering. In 1962, after having served in Seattle, Wash- ington, Juneau, Alaska, and Long Beach, California, in civil engineering capacities, he then became execu- tive officer aboard the icebreaker Eastwz'na', a partici- pant in Operation DEEP FREEZE. Commander Seehorn's ribbons and medals in- clude the WW II Victory, American Theatre, Asiaticf Pacific Theatre, Antarctic Service, and Expert Pistol and Rifle. Commander and Mrs. Seehorn have two sons and presently reside in Winchester, Massachusetts.

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x The ship proceeded without further inci- dent to the Panama Canal via the Windward Passage between Cuba and Haiti. On Decem- ber 17 we anchored in Limon Bay on the Atlantic side of the Panama Canal. At 1700 that evening we began the transit ofthe canal. Finally, at midnight, after a fascinating pas- sage, we moored at Rodman Naval Base in the Canal Zone. P The weather was perfect for swimming and softball games. The tours through the Canal Zone and into old Panama enjoyed sunny days with blue skies and few of the characteristic tropical downpours. It was a very pleasant stay in an interesting .art of the world. But, on December 1 we cast off our lines to continue P 2 our journey south. H Then, on December 22, the Cap- tain received an ominous caller- Davy jones ! We were approaching the equator and our salty visitor was here to prepare the way for King Neptune's court in order that thelow- ly, slimy Pollywogs might be justly tried. .fl Would they be deemed worthy to enter his kingdom of honorable Shellbacks ? The next morning found the Royal Dep- uties with vengeance in their hearts for the landlubbers that dared to cross the equator. At 0120 we had passed over 000020 N at 810 06' .5 W. So, that afternoon, after a unique morning of skirmishes, King Neptune held court on the focs'le. A school of porpoise crossed our bow as an honor guard and the initiation began. That evening only one Pollywog was left aboard! He had barri- caded himself in a helicopter and thus cross- ed the equator in an aircraft. Underway across the Caribbean.