When we visit a foreign port which necessitates
anchorage, we would not get ashore if the boat shop wasn't constantly on
the job. It should not be overlooked that the boat shop also maintains the
ships trucks and emergency diesel generator. Whether the anchor needs
moving, a steering engine casualty arises, or a laundry press is stuck,
the men of the Auxiliary Shop are on the job.
We not only serve the BUSHNELL but stand ready to keep the
ships of SubRon TWELVE in a state of operational readiness, with fuel,
lube oil, fresh water, and battery water any hour of the day or night. The
M&A Division has futher vital responsibilities in the operation of our
ship. These operations include auxiliary machinery for high and low
pressure air which is used on chipping and spraying paint as well as
supply air for use in the work of other divisions in the ship. All fire
and flushing water used onboard originates from our pumping
systems.
During Hurricane Donna in 1960 the
BUSHNELL produced over a half a million gallons of fresh water for the
populace of the South Florida Keys. Any ships force work requests,
planning, and blueprint requirements are processed in our Log Room. Even
thiugh you seldom see us, we are always deep in the hull of our ship, at
the bottom of everything.
We do not
maintain that we can do all of these jobs singlehandedly. Our division
works on the basis of team work, which is one of the basic motivations of
our Navy. We are ready and willing to help any division, submarine, or
surface craft, which needs a helping hand.
It might be said that the Main Propulsion and Auxiliary
Division is at the bottom of everything that takes place on this ship,
such a statement would not be far from the truth. Our most vital job is
maintanence of the twelve diesel generator engines, which are the prime
movers of all the ship's electricity and propulsion power. This work is
carried out by thirty cheerful enginmen in the forward and after
enginrooms. With this service and only this service can all of the other
divisions in the ship carry out their assigned duties.
It would be impossible to consume the variety of food we do
without our refrigeration plant for preservation, and the steam from our
fire room for preparation of our meals. The water which you drink is our
responsibility inport and at sea. The dozen men of the fireroom, store
fresh water and maintain the water pumping systems. Those luxurious fresh
water showers taken at sea would be an impossibility if the men of our
fireroom were not standing around the clock watches in 100 degree plus
temperatures of the distilling plant. Whether your drink is water, coke,
or an occasional milk shake, the machine for cooling your chosen beverage
is maintained by the "ice machine gang" which also has a sideline of 150
tpns of airconditioning throughout the ship.
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