As was traditional on New Year’s Eve, this rhyming deck log entry was prepared by ENS Tracy Connors for the “mid watch” on USS F. D. ROOSEVELT (CVA-42)on 1 January 1963.
The log is kept in verses clear.
All lines are doubled to Florida soil.
Mayport Naval Station hoses uncoil
Bringing water for tanks thirsty and dry
Meaning fire water and showers, no lie!
Telephone lines bring us the world,
As 2Alpha and 2Bravo generators hum and whirl.
USS YELLOWSTONE, SARATOGA and SABINE,
GOODRICH and MEREDITH are having a good time.
RUSH, POWER, TURNER and SUMNER,
Destroyers it appears are here without number.
HAWKINS, FISKE, HUNTINGTON, ZELLERS,
NOA and AULT, all good little fellers.
LUCE and FARRAGUT (I musn’t forget), are moored side by side.
Outer lines are slackening with the falling tide.
Yard and district craft cluster together,
Finding protection from cold, stormy weather.
YELLOWSTONE carries COMDESRON 14,
And tonight he is SOPA, now isn’t that keen.
Modified Yoke is set through the ship,
Protection from flooding with nary a slip.
The ship is lighted from stem to stern,
With gay colored lights that continue to burn,
All through the night, Adding warmth and cheer,
On a cold New Year’s morn to those of us here.
0200 blew tubes on Four Bravo boiler,
Hope all that soot doesn’t land on the oiler.
Just one more duty before I secure,
To wish one and all a Happy New Year.
But whatever the memory—good or not so good—a bottomless sense of pride in my ship, in my shipmates, and in my country even as it sent us in harm’s way as a potent outpost of Freedom.
We were “the stick” in case the “talk softly” part was not successful. At the end, of course, is the happiest memory of all, if we really admit it about any ship board duty–the day you get the long awaited set of orders off the ship and on to shore duty.
© Copyright 2017-2022 BelleAire Press
Other works by Dr. Connors…
Baited Trap, the Ambush of Mission 1890
Now Available As E-Pub
Baited Trap, The Ambush of Mission 1890 is the story of helicopter rescue Mission 1890, one of the most heroic—and costly—air rescues of the Korean War. This harrowing Air Force-Navy mission is explained in compelling detail, creating a detailed personal account of what five incredibly brave and determined Air Force and Navy airmen achieved on June 25, 1952 in the infamous “Iron Triangle.”
The Korean War’s Greatest Love Story
Baited Trap is much more than a heroic war story from the “forgotten war.” It is also the Korean War’s greatest love story, following Wayne and Della Lear, Bobby Holloway, Ron Eaton and Dolly Sharp, and Frankie and Archie Connors as they tried to put their lives and families together even as the Korean War was reaching out to engulf them.
Truckbusters From Dogpatch: the Combat Diary of the 18th Fighter-Bomber Wing in the Korean War, 1950-1953
Truckbusters from Dogpatch is the most comprehensive Korean War unit history yet prepared–over 700 pages summarizing squadron histories and first person accounts—and includes over 1,000 never before published photographs and images, highlighted by the 8 ½ x 11-inch format.
Arguably, Truckbusters From Dogpatch is the most authoritative unit history ever prepared on the Korean War. In addition to consulting formerly classified squadron histories filed monthly throughout the conflict, the author was in touch with hundreds of veterans of the 18th—pilots and ground crew—whose personal recollections add vivid detail and emotion to the facts recounted in the official documents.
Recent Log Entries by CAPT Connors…
Carrier Captain’s Night Orders: “Call Me…”
After reading these Night Orders you can better appreciate what training, attention to duty, and vigilance was required by underway watchstanders in those days. What has changed since then that has resulted in the recent tragic collisions between U.S. Navy ships and other vessels?
“We do it all!” (USS Saipan LHA-2 motto)
Saipan CO, CAPT Jack Renard, was not exaggerating when he noted that “without exception, SAIPAN is the most versatile instrument of peace or war on the seas today.” Like its motto pointed out, SAIPAN could do it all.