Estes (AGC 12) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 12 text:

'Q-. u. w3ibc2X'55ktx'vc Q we in e. 'Q-3. LT E H WEAVER FIRST LIEUTENANT The Deck Department occupies a strange position in this modern Navy of ours. In some respects it is as up-to-date as the latest guided missile or atomic submarine. On the other hand, some of the gear used by the deck force such as the fid, marlin spike, and bosun pipe, are as old as sailing itself. Here is found the true blending of the old and the new aboard today's modern fighting ship. This applies not only to equipment but to men as well. A large number of seaman apprentices fresh out of boot camp are assigned to the various deck divisions as soon as they report aboard. Here they come into contact with older, wiser seaman and savvy boatswain's mates. They learn the intricacies of line splicing, kont tying, and the hundreds of other little things so basic to sailing the sea. Then, after serving their apprentice-ship, if they desire, they can transfer to another division such as the radar gang, ET's, or electricians. Thus, there is a steady process of orientation, indoctrination, and advancement. Presiding over this synthesis of old and new is LT E,l'l. Weaver, First Lieutenant. The twin team of ENS Mayer and ENS McNall supervise First Division, LTJG Parry, Second Division, and LTJG O'Keefe, Third Division. All the intricate details of deck seamanship are handled by Chief Boatswain Drennan and Chief Peterson. With this leadership, and with whatever tools at hand, old or new, the Deck Department on Estes holds true to the old Navy motto'-H Get the job done. '

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7212 S'2f7?. . . The sanguinary battle of Guadalcanal forcefully indicated to the Allies the :We need for increased building and rapid, advanced training of an efficient Amphibious war machine. Through the bitter college of experience in the island- dotted Pacihc an overall amphibious technique was developed and soon grew in stature nnd success. A flagship specifically designed to function as the floating command center exercising operationcl as well as administrative control over the combined land, sea, and air components in an amphibious assault was a natural development of our island-hopping Pacific aampaign. The USSE STES was the twelfth ia the quickly growing series of these new amphibious force flagships. The keel of this intended merchant vessel, SS MORNING STAR, was laid on 22 February T944 in a privately owned shipyard in Wilmington, North Carolina. In April, this hull was towed to the Todd Shipyard, Brooklyn, N.Y., to be converted to AGC-l2. Amphibious command ships were named for mountains and the Navy's newest was significantly entitled after the prominent peaks in Colorado near Estes Park. During World War ll, ESTES participated as Flagship in the last two amphibious assaults at lwo Jima and Okinawa, and upon cessation of hostilities, acted as flagship for the Commander of the U.S. Seventh Fleet. The latter duties took the ship to the major ports of the Far East, after which she was decommissioned on 30 June l949. ESTES was recommissioned on 3l January l95l for employment in Korea and again served as Flagship for various Flag officers. In addition to operations in Korean waters, she participated in the Passage to Freedom in Indo-China and evacuation of the Tachen Islands, and three atomic test operations in the Pacific proving Qrounds. ESTES is commanded by Captain Jesse B. Gay Jr., USN, and is the Flagship for the Commander Amphibious Group Three, Rear Admiral Henry S. Persons, USN, and his embarked staff. During her busy career, ESTES has served as flagship for many famous U.S. Navy Flag officers, and on many occasions has had U.S. and foreign heads of state and other dignitaries aboard.

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