jud

Gonna tell you a story, not very long that took place on a Fletcher Destroyer, (USS Ammen DD 527) chasing Soviet Submarines off the California Coast at Condition 2, all about a potato, a Captain and a kid not long out of boot, who found himself standing the Mid watch in the Main Battery Director manning the Pointers station and also trained the thing by reaching across into that unmanned station. At 17 and no midrats those midwatches are hungry affairs. Coming off a ranch and cooking for myself often , also snacking on raw spuds, the spud locker was my Idea of salvation, I swiped two nice ones. About 0130, one was consumed and it filled me, so the plan to consume all the evidence was foiled, what to do with that other spud? Then it hit me, I was on the top of the superstructure and no one was looking, had control of the training mechanism and manual movement made no noise. Trained her around to Starboard, opened the overhead hatch, climbed on the seat and let fly. falling off the seat as I let go, spud ricichead off the hatch and headed toward the bridge wing where sudden surprised talking commenced, the wheel on that hatch never turned so fast and the director was soon pointing forward. I assumed the attitude of a hiding mouse, hoping I would not be traced as the culprit. All was well until the next morning when I found out that spud had hit the Captain on the head, the Repair Party that was mustered near the spud locker were restricted to the ship until the guilty came forward and owned up to his eval deed. Could not let that stand so I told the Chief Boatswain Mate what had happened. No one suspected me and could have let it fade in to history but because I didn't and the Captain and the Chief Boatswain Mate had a sense of humor, I escaped without punishment,other than all aboard knew about my great potato caper. Took some photos of the director hatch, flight path and target area, this was 1960, 60 years ago, how time flies.
 

Gonna tell you a story, not very long that took place on a Fletcher Destroyer, (USS Ammen DD 527) chasing Soviet Submarines off the California Coast at Condition 2, all about a potato, a Captain and a kid not long out of boot, who found himself standing the Mid watch in the Main Battery Director manning the Pointers station and also trained the thing by reaching across into that unmanned station. At 17 and no midrats those midwatches are hungry affairs. Coming off a ranch and cooking for myself often , also snacking on raw spuds, the spud locker was my Idea of salvation, I swiped two nice ones. About 0130, one was consumed and it filled me, so the plan to consume all the evidence was foiled, what to do with that other spud? Then it hit me, I was on the top of the superstructure and no one was looking, had control of the training mechanism and manual movement made no noise. Trained her around to Starboard, opened the overhead hatch, climbed on the seat and let fly. falling off the seat as I let go, spud ricichead off the hatch and headed toward the bridge wing where sudden surprised talking commenced, the wheel on that hatch never turned so fast and the director was soon pointing forward. I assumed the attitude of a hiding mouse, hoping I would not be traced as the culprit. All was well until the next morning when I found out that spud had hit the Captain on the head, the Repair Party that was mustered near the spud locker were restricted to the ship until the guilty came forward and owned up to his eval deed. Could not let that stand so I told the Chief Boatswain Mate what had happened. No one suspected me and could have let it fade in to history but because I didn't and the Captain and the Chief Boatswain Mate had a sense of humor, I escaped without punishment,other than all aboard knew about my great potato caper. Took some photos of the director hatch, flight path and target area, this was 1960, 60 years ago, how time flies.
 

Gonna tell you a story, not very long that took place on a Fletcher Destroyer, (USS Ammen DD 527) chasing Soviet Submarines off the California Coast at Condition 2, all about a potato, a Captain and a kid not long out of boot, who found himself standing the Mid watch in the Main Battery Director manning the Pointers station and also trained the thing by reaching across into that unmanned station. At 17 and no midrats those midwatches are hungry affairs. Coming off a ranch and cooking for myself often , also snacking on raw spuds, the spud locker was my Idea of salvation, I swiped two nice ones. About 0130, one was consumed and it filled me, so the plan to consume all the evidence was foiled, what to do with that other spud? Then it hit me, I was on the top of the superstructure and no one was looking, had control of the training mechanism and manual movement made no noise. Trained her around to Starboard, opened the overhead hatch, climbed on the seat and let fly. falling off the seat as I let go, spud ricichead off the hatch and headed toward the bridge wing where sudden surprised talking commenced, the wheel on that hatch never turned so fast and the director was soon pointing forward. I assumed the attitude of a hiding mouse, hoping I would not be traced as the culprit. All was well until the next morning when I found out that spud had hit the Captain on the head, the Repair Party that was mustered near the spud locker were restricted to the ship until the guilty came forward and owned up to his eval deed. Could not let that stand so I told the Chief Boatswain Mate what had happened. No one suspected me and could have let it fade in to history but because I didn't and the Captain and the Chief Boatswain Mate had a sense of humor, I escaped without punishment,other than all aboard knew about my great potato caper. Took some photos of the director hatch, flight path and target area, this was 1960, 60 years ago, how time flies.
 

Gonna tell you a story, not very long that took place on a Fletcher Destroyer, (USS Ammen DD 527) chasing Soviet Submarines off the California Coast at Condition 2, all about a potato, a Captain and a kid not long out of boot, who found himself standing the Mid watch in the Main Battery Director manning the Pointers station and also trained the thing by reaching across into that unmanned station. At 17 and no midrats those midwatches are hungry affairs. Coming off a ranch and cooking for myself often , also snacking on raw spuds, the spud locker was my Idea of salvation, I swiped two nice ones. About 0130, one was consumed and it filled me, so the plan to consume all the evidence was foiled, what to do with that other spud? Then it hit me, I was on the top of the superstructure and no one was looking, had control of the training mechanism and manual movement made no noise. Trained her around to Starboard, opened the overhead hatch, climbed on the seat and let fly. falling off the seat as I let go, spud ricichead off the hatch and headed toward the bridge wing where sudden surprised talking commenced, the wheel on that hatch never turned so fast and the director was soon pointing forward. I assumed the attitude of a hiding mouse, hoping I would not be traced as the culprit. All was well until the next morning when I found out that spud had hit the Captain on the head, the Repair Party that was mustered near the spud locker were restricted to the ship until the guilty came forward and owned up to his eval deed. Could not let that stand so I told the Chief Boatswain Mate what had happened. No one suspected me and could have let it fade in to history but because I didn't and the Captain and the Chief Boatswain Mate had a sense of humor, I escaped without punishment,other than all aboard knew about my great potato caper. Took some photos of the director hatch, flight path and target area, this was 1960, 60 years ago, how time flies.
 

Gonna tell you a story, not very long that took place on a Fletcher Destroyer, (USS Ammen DD 527) chasing Soviet Submarines off the California Coast at Condition 2, all about a potato, a Captain and a kid not long out of boot, who found himself standing the Mid watch in the Main Battery Director manning the Pointers station and also trained the thing by reaching across into that unmanned station. At 17 and no midrats those midwatches are hungry affairs. Coming off a ranch and cooking for myself often , also snacking on raw spuds, the spud locker was my Idea of salvation, I swiped two nice ones. About 0130, one was consumed and it filled me, so the plan to consume all the evidence was foiled, what to do with that other spud? Then it hit me, I was on the top of the superstructure and no one was looking, had control of the training mechanism and manual movement made no noise. Trained her around to Starboard, opened the overhead hatch, climbed on the seat and let fly. falling off the seat as I let go, spud ricichead off the hatch and headed toward the bridge wing where sudden surprised talking commenced, the wheel on that hatch never turned so fast and the director was soon pointing forward. I assumed the attitude of a hiding mouse, hoping I would not be traced as the culprit. All was well until the next morning when I found out that spud had hit the Captain on the head, the Repair Party that was mustered near the spud locker were restricted to the ship until the guilty came forward and owned up to his eval deed. Could not let that stand so I told the Chief Boatswain Mate what had happened. No one suspected me and could have let it fade in to history but because I didn't and the Captain and the Chief Boatswain Mate had a sense of humor, I escaped without punishment,other than all aboard knew about my great potato caper. Took some photos of the director hatch, flight path and target area, this was 1960, 60 years ago, how time flies.
 

Gonna tell you a story, not very long that took place on a Fletcher Destroyer, (USS Ammen DD 527) chasing Soviet Submarines off the California Coast at Condition 2, all about a potato, a Captain and a kid not long out of boot, who found himself standing the Mid watch in the Main Battery Director manning the Pointers station and also trained the thing by reaching across into that unmanned station. At 17 and no midrats those midwatches are hungry affairs. Coming off a ranch and cooking for myself often , also snacking on raw spuds, the spud locker was my Idea of salvation, I swiped two nice ones. About 0130, one was consumed and it filled me, so the plan to consume all the evidence was foiled, what to do with that other spud? Then it hit me, I was on the top of the superstructure and no one was looking, had control of the training mechanism and manual movement made no noise. Trained her around to Starboard, opened the overhead hatch, climbed on the seat and let fly. falling off the seat as I let go, spud ricichead off the hatch and headed toward the bridge wing where sudden surprised talking commenced, the wheel on that hatch never turned so fast and the director was soon pointing forward. I assumed the attitude of a hiding mouse, hoping I would not be traced as the culprit. All was well until the next morning when I found out that spud had hit the Captain on the head, the Repair Party that was mustered near the spud locker were restricted to the ship until the guilty came forward and owned up to his eval deed. Could not let that stand so I told the Chief Boatswain Mate what had happened. No one suspected me and could have let it fade in to history but because I didn't and the Captain and the Chief Boatswain Mate had a sense of humor, I escaped without punishment,other than all aboard knew about my great potato caper. Took some photos of the director hatch, flight path and target area, this was 1960, 60 years ago, how time flies.
 

Fletchers were not available for that duty in 42, the first one built were not commissioned until well into 1941 and were sent to the Pacific where their long legs and weapons could be utilized. From other sites frequented by those who served on those ships, most were disappointed, to many errors and missing details in the computer renderings. Those looking for accuracy were disappointed, those who cared more for the action seemed to enjoy the film. I will not be signing up to watch. The One I rode was the USS Ammen DD 527, her teeth were cut in the Aleutians. 
 
 
 
 
 
 

The film doesn't begin to match the book, which I read many years ago.

Fletchers were not available for that duty in 42, the first one built were not commissioned until well into 1941 and were sent to the Pacific where their long legs and weapons could be utilized. From other sites frequented by those who served on those ships, most were disappointed, to many errors and missing details in the computer renderings. Those looking for accuracy were disappointed, those who cared more for the action seemed to enjoy the film. I will not be signing up to watch. The One I rode was the USS Ammen DD 527, her teeth were cut in the Aleutians. 
 
 
 
 
 
 

When I was kid in the 50's, my dad who was a Naval WWII and Korea Vet, acquired some anti-slip stick-on strips.  He used them on the cellar steps which were painted 2x10's.  They were a black color with what looked like glass beads imbeded.  At the right angle the had a sparkle effect.  These strips lasted 40 years that I know of.  He was one that always went to surplus sales at the Philly Navy Yard,  came home with all kinds of what my mom thought was junk.
 
BobW

While this method was used by RAN (and RN I think) ships, it may useful to know that even up to the very early 1970s, the RAN used strips of heavy duty sandpaper as deck tread until the introduction of two part epoxy based granular paint (some sort of sand or grit introduced to the mixture).  The sandpaper strips were reasonably large strips self-adhesive (sticky backed), and kept pretty by using a very thin (much diluted) flat black paint.  I do not know if the USN employed similar methods.
 

 
 
This older B+W photo of HMAS Vampire shows what I mean.  As you may also note, the forecastle was given a checker-plate and welded strip treatment to assist footing grip.  I hope this helps.
 
cheers
 
Pat
 
 

http://www.navsource.org/archives/05/527.htm
 

Photo 1960 USS Ammen DD 527, our main decks were painted with sand added to the walkways, non skid stick-ons were used in the superstructure and below decks, a the foot of ladders, both sides of watertight doors and around hatches and scuttles, etc. Photo is after a weeks cleanup after a collision at sea, 19 July 1960. Internet has lots about the wreck.
 

Fletchers were not available for that duty in 42, the first one built were not commissioned until well into 1941 and were sent to the Pacific where their long legs and weapons could be utilized. From other sites frequented by those who served on those ships, most were disappointed, to many errors and missing details in the computer renderings. Those looking for accuracy were disappointed, those who cared more for the action seemed to enjoy the film. I will not be signing up to watch. The One I rode was the USS Ammen DD 527, her teeth were cut in the Aleutians. 
 
 
 
 
 
 

http://www.navsource.org/archives/05/527.htm
 

You can see the Seamen with tools in hand doing what appears to be scraping and scrubbing the hull, granted, they may be just taking advantage of the situation. Did that once on the Cape Race, a King Salmon Troller in Alaska. We were short of full size charts and wanted to take a well used chanel as a shortcut, cautiously approached and entered, noticing the chanel had been dredged and the tailings were placed to our Starboard as we going, Skipper got too confident and opened the throttle, I was on the bow watching the water. About half way through, I spotted rocks in our path and let the Skipper know, he throttled down but it was to late, we bounced over a boulder, the heavy keel took the blow and the hull was sound but the hull fitting for the rudder shaft was broken and letting in water, we began a 3 day every two hour bilge pump out and the tailings were now to Port all the way out. Got to town and acquired a new fitting and found a sand beach with pilings used to hold grounded boats, beached her at high tide, secured to the pilings and waited for the tide to go out, one man job on the fitting, so the skipper did that, while I wiped down the hull and applied a new coat of antifouling paint. You may be correct that the careening was done to repair damage, but from what I read, ships on long voyages often careened themselves for cleaning and inspection, rudders were probably inspected and preventive maintenance done during those times.
 

Don't think the patena was removed, it acts as a sealer, marine growth was the problem, it created drag. Here is a photo of the Ammen DD 527 in 1960, she is steel but the color of the dried sea growth is there to see, no seaweed growing so her hull would be considered clean. Screws are damaged from a collision. The photo showing 20 feet of the Colletts bow in our after fire room was on sea trials, with a clean freshly painted bottom.

Fletchers were not available for that duty in 42, the first one built were not commissioned until well into 1941 and were sent to the Pacific where their long legs and weapons could be utilized. From other sites frequented by those who served on those ships, most were disappointed, to many errors and missing details in the computer renderings. Those looking for accuracy were disappointed, those who cared more for the action seemed to enjoy the film. I will not be signing up to watch. The One I rode was the USS Ammen DD 527, her teeth were cut in the Aleutians. 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Managed to see this film and thoroughly enjoyed the ride. CGI is a game changer. I suspected a Fletcher on Atlantic convoy duty at that time was iffy; thanks for confirming that, Jud. Whatever the detail faults, I felt it was a convincing fictional drama of a much neglected aspect of 'The longest battle'.

Photo 1960 USS Ammen DD 527, our main decks were painted with sand added to the walkways, non skid stick-ons were used in the superstructure and below decks, a the foot of ladders, both sides of watertight doors and around hatches and scuttles, etc. Photo is after a weeks cleanup after a collision at sea, 19 July 1960. Internet has lots about the wreck.
 

Photo 1960 USS Ammen DD 527, our main decks were painted with sand added to the walkways, non skid stick-ons were used in the superstructure and below decks, a the foot of ladders, both sides of watertight doors and around hatches and scuttles, etc. Photo is after a weeks cleanup after a collision at sea, 19 July 1960. Internet has lots about the wreck.
 

Photo 1960 USS Ammen DD 527, our main decks were painted with sand added to the walkways, non skid stick-ons were used in the superstructure and below decks, a the foot of ladders, both sides of watertight doors and around hatches and scuttles, etc. Photo is after a weeks cleanup after a collision at sea, 19 July 1960. Internet has lots about the wreck.
 

Fletchers were not available for that duty in 42, the first one built were not commissioned until well into 1941 and were sent to the Pacific where their long legs and weapons could be utilized. From other sites frequented by those who served on those ships, most were disappointed, to many errors and missing details in the computer renderings. Those looking for accuracy were disappointed, those who cared more for the action seemed to enjoy the film. I will not be signing up to watch. The One I rode was the USS Ammen DD 527, her teeth were cut in the Aleutians. 
 
 
 
 
 
 

You can see the Seamen with tools in hand doing what appears to be scraping and scrubbing the hull, granted, they may be just taking advantage of the situation. Did that once on the Cape Race, a King Salmon Troller in Alaska. We were short of full size charts and wanted to take a well used chanel as a shortcut, cautiously approached and entered, noticing the chanel had been dredged and the tailings were placed to our Starboard as we going, Skipper got too confident and opened the throttle, I was on the bow watching the water. About half way through, I spotted rocks in our path and let the Skipper know, he throttled down but it was to late, we bounced over a boulder, the heavy keel took the blow and the hull was sound but the hull fitting for the rudder shaft was broken and letting in water, we began a 3 day every two hour bilge pump out and the tailings were now to Port all the way out. Got to town and acquired a new fitting and found a sand beach with pilings used to hold grounded boats, beached her at high tide, secured to the pilings and waited for the tide to go out, one man job on the fitting, so the skipper did that, while I wiped down the hull and applied a new coat of antifouling paint. You may be correct that the careening was done to repair damage, but from what I read, ships on long voyages often careened themselves for cleaning and inspection, rudders were probably inspected and preventive maintenance done during those times.
 

Don't think the patena was removed, it acts as a sealer, marine growth was the problem, it created drag. Here is a photo of the Ammen DD 527 in 1960, she is steel but the color of the dried sea growth is there to see, no seaweed growing so her hull would be considered clean. Screws are damaged from a collision. The photo showing 20 feet of the Colletts bow in our after fire room was on sea trials, with a clean freshly painted bottom.