Firedrake (AE 14) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 44 text:

A meeting of The Deck Department Art Appreciation Club. ENS Underhill, Second Division Officer think I ' ve got enough gas fo get (o Frisco FRONT ROW: j. Jones, K. Doy. SECOND ROW : H. Smith, W. Evetts, L. Johnson, ENS Underhill, J. Lamp, D. Patten, D. Galloway. TOP ROW: M. Cobbs, D. Coburn, M.Sahno, G. Gibson, J. Peterson, R. Thomas, M. Everett, C. Harris, A. Aksamit, G. Ramage, J. Rezin, W. Miller, J. Sheehan, H. Conley, P. Bolander, J. Bonney, H. Hill, V. Battalico, L. Ryan, J. Ballard, J. Corbett. ' — = ■

Page 43 text:

J All you ' d have to do is saw half -v, ay through the chain, and. We , do like it out here on deck, Mr. Wilbur, but FIREDRAKE ' s First Division consists of the men who keep the forward section oi the ship squared away at all times. Boatswain ' s Mates and deck seamen make up the personnel force responsible for this important area of the ship. The foc ' s ' le, accomodation ladder, chain lockers, and gear stowed in 1, ' 1 and ' A cargo holds are under their jurisdiction. These men assist in breaking out ammunition, man the forward replenishment stations during I ' XKHI ' S and perform general maintenance work during at-sea periods. They are also accountable for the exterior appearance of the Captain ' s Gig and the 5 1 Utility, Beat, which helps us get ashore at liberty call. The BM ' s work continu usly with no relief during heavy operations, brave squalls and tropical heat in their work, doing their part to keep FIREDRAKE providing under all conditions. think a red racing stripe would look boss. . . or should it be blue? 1 r- » So then said ' ' Eaby, what ' s a fine girl like you doing in Olongapo? This is fhe best painting position. M

Page 45 text:

• We left the hearts in San Francisco ! Simpson playing a Brahms lullaby. It reminds me of something I baked once. Momma said there ' d be days like this , The BB rollers of 2nd Division are charged with the maintenance of $ ! and If 5 holds, the fantail and FIREDRAKE ' s newly added helicopter landing platform. Like the BM ' s in 1st Division, routine housekeeping, painting and cleaning are their business when not involved in the warlike task of pre- paring and breaking out of ammunition for delivery to the enemy. (By enemy, of course, we mean the Viet Con . not aircraft carriers!) Our perfect safety record reflects the constant effort expended by Deck Dept. personnel to replenish the fleet in the safe and efficient manner which has been praised in the past. Also under 2nd Division ' s care are the ship ' s motor whaleboat and 2 Utility Bort, our other escape alternative to the exotic ports of the Orient. This cruise has proved to he a hectic one for the Deck Department, and these men deserve all fine praise for the efforts made this year in West- Pac.