Many 20 mm guns were along and below the flight deck . On the fan tail was two 5 inch guns . One quad 40 mm guns. My battle station was sighting the quad 40s . A steel pipe affair several feet in diameter and about 8 feet tall with head phones and a controller similar to something you might see in an arcade. Two arm rests and a sight glass that moved the four guns as I moved the controller. Some General Quarters (G Q) would last for house if enemy planes or ships were detected . A life vest, helmet and in that steel pipe was a scorcher . Took 14 men to operate these guns. Plus there was men down in the magazine sending up shells. There was also two five inch guns on each side of the fantail. The Vella Gulf was built by Todd Pacific ship yard ay Tacoma Washington. The Captain was Captain Morris. After the commission supplies were loaded and the ship left Tacoma for a shack down cruise in Puget Sound. At one point the ship started shaking and shuddering. I made a lunge for my life jacket thinking my sea faring was about to come to a short close. And would have to apply my swimming lessons I learned at Farragut. Was told gust part of the trials . From full speed ahead to full speed astern. We then returned to the shipyard for minor repairs. Then left for San Diego to take on ammunition. After we left San Diego and at sea our Pilots flew the planes aboard.31 in all. We were now a combat ready ship. The planes were fighters, and torpedo bombers, F4U Corsairs, TBF Avengers , And E6E Hellcats. Part four We were on our way to Hawaii. Pearl Harbor. Some of the crew was Regular Navy. I was Reserve. Signed up for duration plus six months. Some of the regular were old men. All of 30 years old. They told us they had urinated more salt water than we had ever seen. The day started with reveille at six A.M. Shave and brush our teeth then to the chow line . Breakfast could be hot cereal , Powdered eggs , corn beef hash , baked beans Wednesday and Saturday mornings.
Posted on: Mon, 29 Jul 2013 11:17:42 +0000
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