The Wilmington morning star., 1947-02-24
SERVICE DIVISION
FINISHES CRUISE
CONTINUED From Page One)

"ASO44 SNAN
it was doubtful if the rough
weather void favor a swing sea-
ward.
So, when the ship arrived at
Southport at about 4 o'clock, she
anchored in the harbor for the
night.
During the evening storm warn
ings were received and these,
coupled with reports from South
port pilots, resulted in a decision
to curtail the cruise and return to
Wilmington.
Among the radio reports indicat-
ing the severity Of the weather was
one picked up from a troop trans
port, off Ambrose light, asking per-
mission to come into shelter dur
ing maneuvers.
With a goodly crowd Of friends
and relatives of the crew looking
on, the patrol craft cleared Will
mington harbor Saturday under
cold, clear skies and with a brisk
north wind sweeping her decks.
Makes 1875 Knots
Plotted by B. M. Burriss, veteran
Southport pilot, who has also seen
considerable service in the Phila-
delphia Navy yard, and with SM 1-c
A. P. Bland as quartermaster, the
ship made the run to Southport in
about two hours, reaching a speed
of 1875 knots during a good part of
the stretch down the broad, wind
swept Cape Fear. Her maximum
speed is 81 knots. On the way down,
she passed the tanker, w. H. Fer
guson, coming into Wilmington.
Scores Of seagulls, hopeful of
snatching up scraps thrown from
the ship, hung over her stern, They
fell back only when the exhaust
from the two powerful diesel mo-
tors roared as they were opened to-
ward their full, combined $500
horsepower.
During the trip they consumed
40 gallons Of fuel oil. The ship
used 1890 gallons of fresh water.
After the ship anchored off the
county town, watches
were assigned and the company
settled down for the evening. A
bridge game in the wardroom and
general shooting Of the breeze"
occupied most hands, except those
in the galley, until supper, when
excellent chow was served by S.
A. Wells and E. R. Marshburn,
both ship cooks third class.
Supper included steak, country
style, creamed potatoes, green
peas, salad, coffee. bread and
olueberry pie.
Movies Are Shown
After the meal, movies, including
two short subjects and THE Blue
Dahlia,' were shown in the mems
mess room by T. D. Noe, EN- &c,
a Wilmingtonian and member of
the PC TICS shipkeepers.
Earlier in the evening, the wealth
er showed some signs Of quieting
down but before midnight the wind
picked up again.
Seldom was the river rough, how.
ever, and the slight roll of the ship
was hardly noticeable. No sea-
sickness was reported during the
entire trip.
Most hands, with the exception of
the watches arranged by Lieut..
Henry Bost, acting executive Off
Ger, turned in early, although a few
stayed up late to continue to "shoot
the breeze" and for some more
bridge.
Breakfast was served at about 2
o'clock and, after further study of
the weather, anchor was pulled up
and the ship began the return,
again with Pilot Burriss aboard. to
Wilmington at 800 am.
AS IN the way down the river,
the trip was made without incident
and the PC IT'S was tied up at her
Customhouse berth in good style.
Dinner Aboard Ship
Because arrangements had been
made beforehand, dinner was sery-
ed aboard and featured turkey and
all the trimmings. During the
cruise, the men and officers con-
sumed 65 gallons of coffee. Is
pounds of steak, two 25-pound tur-
keys, Is pounds of peas and large
amounts Of potatoes and other
vegetables.
The galley, despite being short
handed, was operated in fine style
and all aboard agreed that the
chow was fully as good as that
served aboard regular naval YES
sells.
1t was easy to observe that the
spirit Of the men was unusually
high: Although many were not fully
familiar with their duties, they fell
TO With eagerness and it was not
unusual to see a specialist in one
job taking up another and follow.
ing through.
In addition to Commander Wilson
and Lieutenant Bost, other officers
aboard were 1t. esp C. R. Nc
Donald, supply; 1t. dg) A. E. Glib
son, gunnery; Ensign r. C. Whitak-
er, communications, and Chief
Electrician G.. w. Graves, en-
cheering officer.
Chief petty officers were w. A.
Wood, D. W. Collins and James P.
Wheeler.
The radio detail consisted of C.
q. Hughes, ARM 1-c, and J. C. Re.
vile, RIM &c.
In Good Condition
The ship showed she is being
kept in coed condition by the ship.
keepers, in command of Chief Gun.
ner's Mate A. E. Glenn, a native