Gurke (DD 783) - Naval Cruise Book

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1 C' A- wr' VI- 'U W LT. Plyer opening the fruits of victory. 4:-4:13 .Ui-s,x X Lk ,asv- -11 'JS .nA '- ... Coxswain BM2 Amos

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MOTGR WHALEBGAT R CE JAN 74 Despite the fact they had just completed nine days of work at sea, the men of the GURKE pooled their talents and strength to win the first annual Motor Whaleboat Race of DESRON 15. Acting on a challenge from the Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. ROWAN, ENS Ariniello, LT Plyer, BM2 Amos, SN Cox and ENFN Bazmore formed the crew and took the GURKE Motor Whaleboat to victory over the U.S.S. PARSONS, U.S.S. WORDEN, U.S.S. ROWAN, and U.S.S. ANDERSON. The race started in dry dock six. The crews had to row 100 yards to the end of the dry dock, then start their motors and make a long swing around Yokosuka Harbor. As the Commodore's whistle sounded the start of the race, the crews began dipping their oars with the WARDEN grabbing the early lead, being followed closely by the GURKE and the PARSONS. Following in a distant last were the ANDERSON and the ROWAN. Things changed drastically at the end of the docks when the moment came to start the engines. The WORDEN lost its lead due to problems with it's motor and the GURKE, seeing opportunity for the fame and fortune staring them in the face, took the lead for the remainder of the contest. Under the watchful eye of ENS Ariniello, LT. Plyer, SN Cox, and ENFN Baymore BM2 Amos led the whaleboat around the harbor while the rest of the competition could do nothing but try to catch up. As the fans of the GURKE screamed their approval, the victorious craft of 783 crossed the finish line with the WARDEN, PARSONS, ROWAN and ANDERSON respectively, following behind. While accepting the honored first prize of a bottle of champagne and a case of beer, ENS Ariniello beamed with pride while revealing the GURKE'S secret weapon, LT Plyer, a former Yale crew member. He also acknowledged a not so secret ingredient to the winning recipe, the excellence of the seamanship of the crew, a GURKE trademark. I- .. i' The Commodore of DESRON FIFTEEN standing by to start the race

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