Terror in the pacific, p.11
Terror in the Pacific, page 11
“Very well men, you’re doing the Navy, this ship and crew a great service. If it proves to be as good as you indicated, it just may save the ship someday.”
The two came to attention as the Captain and XO began to leave. The XO looked back at the men with a smile, and nodded his approval, then disappeared through the hatch.
“I must say old man,” Morgan said with a mock British accent. “It’s always nice to have his nibs leave on a good note.”
The men worked until lunch then knocked off. After a quick cleanup, they headed for the chow line. While standing in line, Mike became engaged with another sailor over the merits of working long hours.
Morgan broke out one of his unopened letters from Eli. She sounded like her cheerful self, but some words scattered throughout the letter told him she was missing him a great deal. At one point she even told him a little about an erotic dream she had. That part of the letter had spiked his libido again. She desired him as much as he desired her. He let a thought wisp through his mind about how they would act when he did get home.
It was Friday and there was one meatless entree for those with religious restrictions. Although he was a practicing Christian, he usually ate good meals. At thirteen hundred hours, the liberty call was sounded for the one section allowed to leave the ship. The other sections were required to remain on the ship, like Jakes, in the event they had to sortie on short notice.
The two sailors were back in the shop, working on the drone. Now that the frame was made, they attached a pair of wheels they got from the Army for the land tests. Morgan had plans to making a single pontoon, and out-rigger floats for water recovery purposes, but that was one of several considerations.
After making a holding jig for the drone, the engine was fitted for the first time. The main bulkhead was set right, except one stringer leading to the left front mount was a thirty second of an inch long. After marking the proper length and removing the small amount of metal, Mike drilled the mounting holes allowing the mounting grade eight bolts to fit properly After torquing the nuts, each bolt and nut were then drilled with a drill bit just large enough to accept locking wire. Each nut and bolt were treated in that matter to avoid loosening from engine vibration.
It was sixteen-fifteen and the 1MC came alive, “Knock off work. Sweepers, sweep down fore and aft, empty all trash in the receptacles on the pier.”
“Come on, let’s knock off, we made a lot of progress today, and we deserve a break.”
“Sounds like wise words from a wise man.” Mike said.
“Tomorrow we begin the hard work, the electronics, remote piloting, and I still haven’t come up with a telemetering system.”
“What’s that?”
“It’s a two-way communication system with the drone while she’s in the air.”
“That’s gonna be interesting.”
“You should plan on college when you get out of the service, I’d bet you would have a great career in aeronautical structure and electronics.”
“I just might do that,” Mike said. “Hey, we have liberty tomorrow, how about we go see what Brisbane is like?”
“That’s a good idea, I’ve never been here before.”
Mike grinned, “Me neither, I’m a bit anxious to see what the girls are like down here.”
“I can see right now I’m going to have to mother you.”
“I am a good boy, I am.” Mike said again in his mock English manner.
“With that sarcastic statement I know I have to take care of you. Besides, I have a vested interest in you.”
“Whatda ya mean?”
“I need you in the shop, and the ship needs you on the throttles. So, I can’t stand by and see you screw up.”
“Ahh, come on. We go over, maybe have a beer, and check things out.”
“Okay, we’ll go into the city to see what lurks there.”
Then it was cleanup, change into some clean clothes, and before they knew it, the 1MC called out, “Supper for relief sections.” The two went to the chow line and waited their turn for supper. Following supper, they attended to letter writing, and getting the unsealed envelopes to the censor’s bag.
“This is the Captain,” the 1MC blared, “Liberty is cancelled, prepare to get underway, Captain out.”
The two sailors headed for the berthing compartment to change back into working clothes and shoes. Then it was to the engine room, where Crown began cracking open the drains on the various systems. Newman put together the logs and set out the ear phones and transmitter for Mike when he took the position of throttleman.
Jake and most of the rest of the engine room gang hustled down the ladder then went to their stations in silence and began setting the plant up for starting. Although nothing was said, every man’s mind was full of questions, and the beginnings of a hatred of anything Japanese.
“AHOOGA,” the phone sounded extra loud in the quiet of the secured engine room. Jake answered it, and seconds later replied to an unheard order, “Yes sir, everyone is here that should be. Aye sir. Continue preparing the plant to be lit off.” Jake yelled to be heard.
Fireman Charlie Evans asked, “Are we getting underway?”
“Not yet, but we’re making preparations.”
Four hours later the plant was ready to go. Jake called Main Control and reported their status. The quarterdeck was still open and manned; therefore, the report went there. On the bridge and all throughout the ship, the crew had everything prepared for getting underway, all the officers had to do was order the change of control to the bridge. The crew stood at their stations, all wearing the tin pots left over from World War I. The only busy place was the radio shack, they had two crews fighting to keep up with the traffic flow and watch for any messages for the squadron.
Then it came and when it hit the quarterdeck, it was organized pandemonium. As soon as the OOD arrived at the bridge, the Captain was right behind him. “OOD Have Main Control secure the jacking gear and they are free to spin the main engines as needed.”
“Aye sir,” as he turned to the talker, he saw the astute sailor was already passing the word. It was quiet for a couple of minutes and the OOD moved to the talker. “Take care that you don’t short circuit the commands. I’m not chewing you out, but you need to understand the need to follow the commands and prepare yourself to obey the chain of command. The Captain gave the order to the OOD, who in this situation happens to be me. But no matter who is OOD, don’t take it upon yourself to give any order until you are commanded. There are sever reasons why, but the short of it is, say for instance, something causes the Captain to require the order he gave needs to be belayed. He is expecting a delay in the order getting to the destination, and that gives him just enough time to stop an action in an unexpected emergency. A second problem, by jumping the chain of command, you took a legal order given to the OOD, and turned it into an illegal action on your part. I know the explanation is a bit long, but the legal implications are even longer. The short of it is not to transmit an order until you are directed to do it. Okay?”
“Aye sir, I just got excited about all the action and sense of urgency.”
“Having a sense of urgency is proper, just temper it with proper judgement.”
“Yes sir.”
“Problem OOD?” the Captain asked.
“No sir, just a bit of a spot adjustment sir.”
Captain Jackman smiled, he heard every bit of the conversation, and approved of the way the OOD handled it. The Captain went to the starboard wing and began the process of getting underway.
“Shift colors.” The 1MC called out. The ships horn sounded, and she was under way. A pilot guided the four ships out of the harbor, where they formed up to begin a war patrol to Darwin and back to Brisbane.
About a half hour out of port, the 1MC came alive again.
“Men, this is the Captain. I have the latest intercepts, and here is what we know. Pearl took a heavy attack by Japanese naval aircraft, estimated over three hundred. That translates into at least five or six fleet size aircraft carriers. They hit at zero-seven-five-five-hundred, the planes sank or heavily damaged eight battleships, three cruisers, three destroyers, a seaplane tender and a repair ship. Pearl’s yard and navy base was hit and damaged, as wells as NAS Ford Island, Navy Patrol Plane base at Kaneohe, Marine Air Base at Ewa, Army fields at Hickam, Wheeler and Bellows. Between the Army and our aircraft losses, the total is about a hundred and eighty. Casualties are listed only as heavy. That’s all I have, but there is no doubt we are now on a war patrol. Any, I repeat, any aircraft and surface contact are to be considered the enemy. We’re going to train even harder, the officers and senior petty offices are going to make you a force to be reckoned with. Captain out.”
“I never heard the Captain speak with such bitterness,” said Evermyer.
“That wasn’t so much bitterness as it was downright anger. He no doubt lost some friends at Pearl. Come to think about it, we all may have lost friends in the attack.” Holderman said. “We better get this place squared away for combat. Ray (Evermyer), get everyone to work on securing any loose gear. All tools are to be returned to the tool chests, and I want the hasp secured so it can’t jump open under shock. All, and I mean all, paint cans go to the paint locker or over the side. Make sure all angle irons are clear. Have a man check the DC bag, and get it replenished as needed. Then I want every man cleaning up all oil and adjusting packing glands on the oil pumps if needed. Check every shaft seal on the reductions gears for any signs of leakage, report any to me. Find a way to make the coffee mess more secure and get the unused cups secured in a small locker, maybe with the coffee supply. Install hooks or some securing method so they won’t fly about.”
“I’ll get right on it.” the petty officer said.
On the bridge, Captain Jackman and Lieutenant Masterson were discussing the latest reports on the attacks of the previous day. After reading the several flimsies from radio, the XO shoved his hat back, showing a troubled face.
“Sir, this is way beyond serious. The Japanese and the Axis have launched an all-out war with the English, Aussies, New Zealand, us, and a dozen or more other nations. It’s a truly world war, I would say we’re in the middle of World War II.”
“You hit it right on the head XO. Better sharpen your ship handling skills, I want you to be commanding this ship at every opportunity, both day and night. You’re going to need it.”
“I’m sure the watch and you can benefit from an extra OOD.”
“That’s not what I mean. Think about it. You know there has been an aggressive move to renew our fleet, especially the destroyers. And now the need will be greater than ever. The fleet is destined to get a hundred and seventy-five brand new Fletcher class destroyers. Hell, some are possibly in the Pacific already. They will need ready-to-go-captains. You have mastered all the requirements. I’ve recommended you for early advancement to Lieutenant Commander, and Captains school at the earliest slot. I want to see you commanding a new Fletcher, Dave.”
“You caught me off guard Captain, I’m at a loss for words.”
“Keep doing the 4.0 job you’ve been doing your actions are words enough.”
Turning to the Bo’sun, the Captain motioned for the 1MC. “This is the Captain, I have an update on yesterday’s events. In addition to the attack on Pearl Harbor, the Japanese also carried out air attacks on Guam, Wake Island, Hong Kong and The Philippines, with Clark Army Air Base being extensively damaged. We just missed being in an air attack on Singapore. Japan’s forces have landed on Bataan in the Philippines, and the Malayan Peninsula. The USS Penguin AM-33 was lost at Guam. The last item for the eighth of December is, the United States has declared war on Japan. Captain out.”
CHAPTER TEN
Although the skies were clear and blue, the wind was at a brisk twenty knots from the northeast. The flush deck destroyers were riding the seas with some rolling and yawing on their base course of three-two-zero degrees. The temperatures were crawling toward the mid-eighties with moderate humidity. It would get worse, there was a low-pressure wave to the northeast and it promised some heavy rains and possibly lower temperatures. Only the blowers made life in the holes tolerable.
The Division Officer, LTjg Myron Crossfield, dropped down the ladder, his shoes clanging on the deck plates. Being a Snipe at heart, he found the extra cups, and filled one with the hot liquid, then grabbed a seat next to Holderman.
“How are things going down here?”
“The guys expected the attack, some said, “Not at Pearl.” Others offered, “The Philippines. Three believed the attack would occur at Darwin, Australia. It was the huge scope of the attack that blew everyone away. It certainly sobered everyone up. Now that both Pearl and Cavite have been bombed, as well as other well-known locations, where does that leave us?”
“Good question, I would guess we’ll do some work out of Brisbane for the time being, patrols and probably escort duty. But, you know how the military changes direction at the drop of a hat. How’s the plant holding up?”
“Doing good, vacuum’s up a little.
“Yeah, that’s normal for where we’re at.”
“For sure. One thing sir.” Holderman said.
“What’s that?”
“I know I asked a lot of things, and you being an honest man always tell me the truth. But, can I make a suggestion, sir?”
“Sure, being an officer doesn’t make us gods.”
“Don’t let the men know you don’t know more than they. All the officers, no matter what the rank, always know what’s going on. To the men, you must always seem to be working an angle, even if you’re not at least act as though you do. It’s that belief the men have that you, as the leader, are there because you know. Remember, knowledge, even if it’s not very good, is power and you must always control the power. Without that division, doubt and possible chaos can take control.”
The young officer chuckled, “ I never saw it that way, but you’re right, I see I need to change the air about me. Thanks, I trust your experience and support.”
“Believe it or not, that’s part of my job.” He went on to fill the young officer in on the steps they took to prepare the space for combat. Mister Crossfield made some notes in his pocket note book for taking steps to make all the spaces better prepared.
The 1MC got everyone’s attention as a familiar voice sounded crisp and clear. “This is the Captain, I have an update on Japanese movements. Enemy units have occupied Bangkok and landed on the islands of Tarawa and Makin. China has declared war on Japan. On Wednesday, our time, Cavite was heavily bombed again, with a lot of damage being done to the yard. In that attack the Japanese damaged the Peary DD-226, two submarines and a minesweeper. Guam surrendered while Japanese elements continue to land on Philippine islands. Our British counterparts lost the battleships Repulse and Prince of Wales off Malaya. Our forces did manage to sink one of their subs, and a couple of minesweepers in the Philippines. That is all.”
“Jeez,” said Mark Overton, “The Japanese are wiping us up all over the place.”
“Don’t worry, there will be plenty of them for us to sink when we finish nursing transports about.” Replied Larry Taggard in his Tennessee drawl.
The four destroyers continued heading northeast from Brisbane to Vanuatu, where they would assume escort duties for vital shipping. Upon arrival three days later, they tied up to a buoy near newly assigned DesRon twenty-seven cans; the USS ISAAC with Alford ‘Al’ Thompson, USS MONTANER with Michael O. Asner, and the USS KIMBARK with Joel Nordstrom in command. Now they were seven. Both plants remained lit off with one boiler and the other in standby. The engine rooms remained warmed up for immediate steaming. The Guarding valves were closed while the jacking gear slowly turned the engines over.
The mail was brought out by the motor whale boat, it was a smaller amount due to their last-minute reassignments, and lack of a home base to return to between sorties. The fuel tanks were topped off, and dry provisions brought aboard from a barge that had been brought alongside.
The Captain’s gig came alongside, and the boat was immediately hoisted from the water and “I’ll bet we’ll be underway this afternoon.”
“How do you know that? Asked Newman.
“The Skipper just returned, I watched while the ‘Deck Apes,’ stowed his gig for sea. They don’t do that if we’re stowed. Mark overman dropped into the hole after lunch, gonna hang around.”
“Marks right,” offered Holderman. “We better check everything for getting underway.” That started a flurry of activity, with everyone picking things up, and checking machinery. Half an hour later the last man checked in with Holderman.
“The area behind the reduction gears is clean and ready to go.” Reported MM3 Bob Kiefer.
He no sooner finished his report and the phone blared out for its attention to a call.
“After engine room, Petty Officer Holderman speaking, sir.”
“Jake this is Chief Halverson, are you ready for getting underway.”
“All cleaned and checked out Chief, we’re on the jacking gear, but ready to answer all bells.
“Sometimes I wonder why I even call,” he said laughing. “Let us know when you’re ready to spin the engines.”
“Will do Chief, request permission to disengage the Jacking gear and spin main engines.”
“Stand by.”
Five minutes later the Chief called again. “The bridge wasn’t quite ready so fast, permission granted.”
Holderman and Morgan disengaged the Jacking gear and secured the motor. Crown opened the guarding valve and began spinning the main engines as needed.
A quarter of an hour later the HAMMER was underway with one other squadron mate. At the large mouth to the bay on the north side of the islands, the two destroyers worked together to insure it was submarine free, no easy task with no sonar installed aboard. Soon the other five destroyers joined up to assist.
A heavily laden convoy steamed out of the huge bay at ten knots, with the remaining five DesRon twenty-seven destroyers for the twelve-hundred-seventy-mile run back to Brisbane. Even though the escorts sweated the sea to find or destroy submarines, they didn’t let up. The ships safely entered the busy harbor as the cans were relieved at the bay.
