Hamlin (AV 15) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 42 text:

- 43' ,. ' 1 v 1 11 Q1 1 , 'A 'l , w- i r I f .1 4 it 11 .. W I i 1- QE ' N M i X ' ll: 1 qw 3 O N .'l 4 Q 'f L! , fl 3 1 5 sf ! If Q ,: 15- ? N : 'I 1' 15 12 ' '1 I , '4 15' f 2 i , I , u ,I We 1 '4 2 i N. Q! iw kg , ,i 'N H 4 M wi 1 ,A .1 13 il M 2' 1 11 i xx .? I gi A' N' qw .g J V-P Q' ., li CREW O Page 40 CREW P

Page 41 text:

sw-am wx N W s,44M4YI?Q .1 A YQ j X NASE: cs Qwvgxwmxfz., 42 ,V g X ..,., ..,.sw.a. On constant patrol over enemy waters, the planes of our squadron daily encountered picket boats, luggers and fishing vessels. These srnall craft formed a protective ring about the hcrne islands of Japan. Acting as advance reconnaisance, these vessels could obtain information cf our fleet move- ments and radio warnings of approaching raids. For our own security, they had to be destroyed. Though the fire-control of most of these ships was famous for its inaccuracy, our planes did not al- ways escape unscathed. The PBM is nct speedy nor built for maneuverability. Making a borrber run on a ship Cupper leftl which was ready and able, proved almost disastrous for this plane and crew. After being downed at sea, the crew members were rescued by one of their own Dumbo flights while the loss of the planes was listed under expendable, Page 39 IHIW A'I' EA if CREW K

Page 43 text:

fl -erm l -ma...-' r4....' iid- M PLA ll HA BLING DETAIL, LAY AFT T0 THE EAPLA Ii IIEUK Behind the flying personnel, keeping the plones ofloot ond in the oir, is the Potrol Service Unit, o ship-boord ground crew. Every doy during the gruelling months ot lwo Jimol ond Koromo Rhetto brought heovy work for men of PATSU, Engine overhoul, mode frequent by corrosive solt sproy, repoir of empennoge domoged by heovy seosg ond potchwork on shropnel-riddled fobric were problems confronting the oirdole mechs ond metolsmiths. To give the P. Boots both bite ond bork, the ordnoncemen ond rodiomen serviced mochine guns ond rodio equipment, essentiol items of oeriol worfore. The photogrophs on these two poges depict the first operotionol hoisting of o PBQY CORONADO by o tender of this closs.- The CORO- NADO, though of less spon ond fuseloge length thon the MARINER, weighs in ot o ton ond o holf more even when stripped ond empty. Now, one of our sister ships is utilizing the results of this test hoist in c-perotion of o QY squodron. CREW Q