USS BUSHNELL
(AS-15)
THE DECK DEPARTMENT |
The Deck Department, composed of the
FIRST, SECOND, and FOXTROT divisions, has as its mission the proper execution of
all seamanship and gunnery evolutions at sea and in port. Examples of seagoing
evolutions include replenishment of submarines from BUSHNELL with fresh
provisions, stores, fuel and pyrotechnics and assistance of any type, including
towing of disabled submarines at sea. Operation of the anchors is also a deck
department function. Crane service to submarines alongside and boat transport of
ordnance items are two in-port functions of the Deck Department.
The Deck Department is headed by the First Lieutenant,
LTJG C.L. SNYDER, USN, assisted by the Gunnery Officer, LTJG J.W. SCOTT, USN.
The FIRST Division of 44 men is headed by FARROW, D. (n),
BM1, USN. Spaces assigned include the exterior 01 deck, the ground tackle, the
exterior main deck, including the quarterdeck, ship's sides, anchor windlass
room, and the Bos'n locker. All ship's life jackets and the inflatable life
boats mounted on the 01 deck are carefully tended and inspected by the FIRST
division. The Sound Boat is also manned bt FIRST Division personnel.
Thirty eight men, led by Chief Boatswain's Mate C.B.
COUNCIL, USN compose the SECOND Division. Division spaces include the ship's
boats (6 of them, counting the fishing boat), the large airplane cranes, the
paint locker and the entire boat deck area, including the movie screen. All
periscope lifting work is accomplished by the use of airplane cranes, as is the
loading of most heavy supply items, such as bottled gases for welding. There
have been times when injured personnel have been lifted from the ship in a
stretcher hoisted out by the crane.
Special Sea and Anchor Detail is an especially busy time
for the Deck Department. A casual observer starting at the bow and working aft
would witness the readying of the bower anchors for letting go should the ship
suffer a casualty to steering or propulsion machinery in restricted waters. He
would see the mooring lines carefully laid out and free for running with manila
messengers and heaving lines ready.The two red-helmeted men standing well
forward would be Gunner's Mates from the FOXTROT Division with a line throwing
gun should it be needed to put a line over out of range of a heaving line.
Amidships on the main deck there would be considerable
activity rigging the forward accomodation ladder. The rig is basic but each part
is heavy and is suspended over the side, calling for the utmost in caution and
good seamanship.
Aft, there would be more mooring lines with messengers,
and the heaving lines and the stern anchor would also be ready for letting go.
LTJG J.W. SCOTT, USN is the Gunnery Officer and as such is
also the FOXTROT Division Officer. He is assisted by Chief Gunner's Mate C.S.
GARRETT, USN, 8 Gunner's Mates and 7 Fire Control Technicians, all of whom
maintain and repair the ship's armament. The collective term "armament" includes
4-5"/38 gun mounts with associated directors, magazines, control stations,
plotting room, computer and ready supply of ammunition. Also under the
cognizance of the Gunnery Officer is the ship's armory and the ship's allowance
of small arms. The use of weapons entails training, and this too is supplied by
the FOXTROT Division. Ammunition in its ready-for-use condition is not simply
stored and forgotten. The storage conditions must be carefully regulated; the
temperature watched and recorded daily; and the magazine sprinkler system tested
weekly.
When firing is scheduled, the guns require a very thorough
check-out and test. This too is ably accomplished by our Gunner's Mates and Fire
Control Technicians. The gun crews who actually load, aim and fire the guns are
a team combination of the FIRST, SECOND, and FOXTROT Divisions backed up from
below by men from the parent team BUSHNELL.
WHO NEEDS A DECK DEPARTMENT? Can you imagine: Liberty with
no boats! Admirals with no side boys or Bos's Call! A ship mooring with no lines
or anchors! A ship without a Boatswain's Mate or cannon cocker! No gangways
lowered and ready! No paint to chip! Or worst of all no one to display that
which is as old as any Navy, GOOD SEAMANSHIP!
