Watts (DD 567) - Naval Cruise Book

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W ' SHIP BOARD UFE During the past six months, the men of the lppmx' 802 to 852, of their time aboard ship, eating, and recreation. Living aboard ship for any length of time is a uniqde experience A parallel is difficult to find anywhere. One might cite cases ot men in remote places who, for survival, must exist together at very close quarters, But add the elements of a gently rolling or violently pitching plana gn whidq to live, then deny these people a glimpse of anything but sky and su 10, mg,-,Y days and you have an experience which must be considered, it nothing else, unique. More specifically, what is ship board life like? There is no more logical place to start this discussion than at 0600, reveille. A harsh, insistent whistle rouses the crew. The deck force is quickly topside, stifling a yawn with one hand, guiding a broom or hose with the other. At 0630 the crew ambles slowly down to the mess hall for breakfast. The oncoming watch is gently prodded to hasten their meal by the men about to be relieved. At 0800 the crew is mustered by the leading petty officer in each division. If at sea, an informal sight muster is taken to make sure no-one has wandered over the side. ln port, there is a more formal muster conducted at quarters with the division officers in charge. After 0800, a routine commences of work, maintenance, and watch-standing. Certain rates including deck seaman, gunners mates, fire controlmen, yeoman, and supply division personnel have few if any watches to stand and are held to ' h e ineers radiomen, more of a day-to-day work routine. Other groups suc as ng , radarmen, and quartermasters have a more stringent watch-standing schedule to maintain, spending their hours either on watch or grabbing a little rest between watches. The ship's routine is interrupted at mid day for dinner. There is also ample t'me for a few drowsy moments of rest, and most of all, time to catch up on the i worn, tattered novel kept iealously in the left hip pocket. After several readings, the edition may have fallen apart but these halves or thirds of novels continue . . . . s s ' d- ' ' I to be read with undimunished attention, as the plot is seldom serrousy is u by a few missing pages. By 1300, ship's work is recommenced and the 12 to lb watch has on dut . An occasional all hands drill necessitating general quarters or a divisional Y , , movie or lecture might alter the routine which ambles on to i600 when ehtpa work is knocked off. Supper is served early by most standards, at 1700. After supper, small groups gather on the fantail, up forward, or on the 0-I level to talk, digest e few nd book, or mere-ly gaze at the more chapters of the always-present paper-boo sunset or gently restless sea. At T900 the crowds gather. Ordinarily it's an academic question whether the movie is good, bad, indifferent, or has been seen before. tt creates a diver' sion and relaxation impossible to duplicate by any rneagrs. The movie might be boring, repetitious, or offensive, but :gtg f :G With the end of the movie comes ' by the sounding of taps. Thus at 2200. Wlflt the BXCBWV' of 'd 'd r 3 few cooks and laundrymen, and the usual intense group Gfd Pl'Y9 5 in fb' mess hall, the ship wanders off to 'fl0eP- lf' ' nm',wmf' 'hd insistent whistle and that harsh, insistent voice, Revrelle. REVIEWS- And 30 00 and so on.

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