Explanation of My Thoughts...

Becoming A Part of You…

Many of the common things that the Navyman would see or hear each day, especially if his ship had been at sea for a few weeks, became so much a part of his life that he will never forget those sounds or sights. When I was stationed on the USS Manchester taps was played each night over the ships announcing system, referred to as the 1MC. When I hear taps today I know that it is for a sad occasion and I observe it as such, but it also takes me back to my first ship when the sound of taps meant that it was the end of another day. All Navymen on the Light Cruiser Manchester would be totally silent during taps, each one being engrossed in their own thoughts or meditation about what these notes meant to him.

Some of the other sounds that became a large part of a Navyman's life and are recalled with fondness when they are no longer heard are the foghorn, which any Navyman serving on ships in California or the West Coast has heard on uncountable occasions, because the West Coast is renowned for its consistent fog. The sound of the ship's bell always told the Navyman what time it was and I always heard that sound as a welcome intervention to whatever was taking place at that time. It could be heard throughout the ship and was always consistent in its tolling. The sounds of Navymen engaged in work, play or any other endeavor will always be welcome in my mind. Most Navymen displayed a good sense of humor and were always willing to make light of nearly any circumstance. Laughing and joking was a continual part of a Navyman's life and this helped to ease the seriousness of what might be taking place? I recall an incident that happened one Sunday afternoon in the Mediterranean Sea when the Destroyer Turner was taking on ammunition while underway. Taking on ammunition on a Navy ship is an all hands evolution so every Sailor except those on watch was involved. The ammunition was being high lined from an ammunition ship by lines and pulleys rigged between the 2 ships, and would be sent over in cargo nets. This was a very serious and dangerous business and there was no talking or joking. The only voices to be heard were those in charge.

As one of the boxes of 5 inch projectiles had been emptied and was being raised to be pulled back to the ammunition ship the Turner took a moderate roll and the ammunition box swung over and hit the Sailor carrying that last projectile. It hit him hard enough to knock him down and the projectile fell to the deck bounced and then started rolling. The Sailor nearest that projectile reached down and scooped it up. He then took a couple of quick steps to the edge of the deck and threw the projectile into the sea. Nearly everyone that was near the scene of this incident had either started to head for cover or had just hit the deck. This Sailor had just carried out the proper safety precautions for a projectile falling to a deck. Time stood still for everyone for about 10 seconds and then a voice broke the spell saying "Hey, Sailor, you know we are probably going to have to count these bullets over again, how many more did you throw over the side?" Everybody laughed because the danger was now gone. And true to form a Navyman could nearly always find a reason to laugh and joke, and to display that "devil-may-care philosophy of the sea" as mentioned in "Once I Was A Navyman" and still do the vital job that was required.

The tranquility and beauty of the sea, and the skies, gave a Navyman assurance that there was something in his everyday life at sea that could help to relieve the loneliness of long time separation from family and friends. The sea, along with good Shipmates, helped to provide the solace and comfort that the Navyman needed to guide him through tough times when the scant news that he may receive while at sea might only indicate that the rest of the world had not gone crazy. No one could ever be sure in the world where nuclear weapons could end everything during those times, almost everything was an unknown and the uncertainty of what may occur tomorrow affected almost everyone, and that certainly included the average Navyman. He could only "prepare for the worst and hope for the best". I am proud that the average Navyman that I served with performed his job with excellence in those times and kept a positive attitude. This reduced the stress to all Navymen knowing that they could depend on their Shipmates regardless of the stresses involved

Warships…

The types of Navy ships denoted in "Once I Was A Navyman" include specific Navy vessels, mostly "Men-of-War". Many ships other than "Men-of-War" served with distinction and these ships were not omitted because they were unimportant. There is neither time nor space to allow credit to all the proud auxiliary ships that provided the life sustaining items to the fighting ships crew and their ships, such as fuel, food, supplies, ammunition, spare parts, movies and even mail, which allowed a "Man-of-War" to operate effectively on the open seas. Without the essential material and services provided by all the auxiliary ships it would have been impossible for warships to have even presented the appearance of being a formidable sea force.

Tugs…

Another vessel, which a Navyman would see each time his ship entered or left port was the Tugboat. If a Navyman was stationed on a large ship the Tugs were always there to assist in "coming alongside the pier" or "getting underway" safely and as quickly as possible. Tugboats were always given the names of Indian tribes. I can still picture them with taut lines constantly straining to pull a large ship sideways to gain the position that the vessel, which might be hundreds of times larger than the tug, needed to be placed. The name of that Tug was always proudly displayed and I expect that Tribe would feel a sense of control, which they certainly had.