Josephus Daniels (DLG 27) - Naval Cruise Book

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fear that comes with her being dead in the' water - - allayed only by our faith that she will live again - - we surely know she lives! But there is more to it than this - she has character, the character of those mythical women warriors - the Amazons. For while she may shelter and protect us, to an enemy she isas deadly and ferocious as she-wolf. Her clean, grey lines bespeak her ability to run long and hard -'to rip and slash her enemy with all the terrifying might ofher eight thousand tons. He may hide beneath the waves, skulking through the valleys and canyons of that underworld - - he may slither through the skies peeking from behind mounds of clouds - - or he may lurk beyond the horizon on the rolling plains of the ocean - - but it is to no avail. For her senses are so acute and her stamina so tremendous and the fangs of her missiles, guns, and torpedoes so deadly that he can know no escape. But do not misunderstand - she is no beast, for she has a soul - a soul made of the minds and hearts of each and every man of her crew. This, my friends, is our lady - the fAY DEE.', As the first man of our ship, we would like for you to meet and get to know our Captain ----

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J ay ee A stranger to the sea might look upon her as just 'a huge hunk of grey-painted steel, perhaps a bit mystified by her maze of antennas and awed by the might of her weapons. But to us, sheis as a living being, almost human in our minds. We thinklof her in feminine terms and this is not just by coincidence. As a mother protects her unborn child. so 'she protects and provides for us since most of our days are spent sheltered within. the confines of her massive ribs. Deep in her bosom we can feel the life that is hers. Standing, sitting, or lying, the pulsating throb of her turbine-driven heart is evident. Her life blood ,in the forms of steam and electricity givesus life. Our ears become saturated with the muffled roar of her comfort-bringing exhaust and intake fans. Our nostrils become attuned with a multitude of fumes - - paint, oil, humanity, food and countless other odors - - all blend to give her own distinctive one. These are all comforting sensations to us, for once we have known the deafening silence, the frigid darkness, and the stgmach-twisting

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CAPTAI Az sea, his is a lonely existence, separated from his fellow officers by the barrier of his position. It is a position so demanding that he isydenied the companionship of a friend to confide in. No longer can he be as other men - he must remain above the fears and frustrations of others giving his entire being to his ship. He is the leader of the leaders and whatever the price, he must maintain that image. If these leaders are strong, he must be stronger - if one is weak, he must bear the added burden of their weakness. His is the ultimate responsibility - thus. responsible for the actions of every man within his command. Should they fail, then he fails, with them. His is an existence of decisions - some minor, many critical, and quite often required instantaneously when awakened from the sleep of extreme fatigue. His body must be superbly conditioned to withstand the rigors of long hours with little or no rest. His mind must be rigidly disciplined to endure the unbelievable pressures of command. He must be many things, but most of all, he must be the Captain.,' H PAUL D. BUTCHER CDR Commanding Officer Huntington, West Virginia