May
23rd Photos Page |
I
know it's been a while since I last posted any new photos here, and as
usual my only defense is that I've got too much going on for me to get
to it. As always though, just because there haven't been any new
photos that doesn't mean I'm not still making the trip to work.
I've been onboard the ship for five volunteer days since the last time I
posted photos, plus I made a trip to the former Philadelphia Navy
Shipyard for a raid on May 12th. We made a great haul on the raid,
the two ships that were open were the Cruiser USS Thomas Gates and the
Destroyer USS Radford. We grabbed a lot of brass items, lots of
fire hose, nozzles, some damage control pumps, but the biggest trophy
was a radar repeater that we hauled from the O5 level (Bridge) of the
Gates down to the pier. I'm guessing that unit weighed in at about
350 - 400 lbs and two of us carried it down all those ladders one step
at a time. It will soon be setup as a static display in it's new
home on the Battleship. My last two days onboard the ship have
been Armed Forces Day and the ships 66th Birthday, which this year fell
during Memorial Day weekend. There were ceremonies on the Forecastle on both days and on the ships birthday we had cake, what's
not to like? Below are a bunch of photos taken on visits since my
last posting, hope you enjoy them. Many of them were taken in
response to a question a former crewman posted in the Ships Log on April
14th regarding the generators in Engine Room #2, so I took a walk down
there to see if I could answer the questions. Pat, the generators
in Engine Room #2 are still named "Hoss" and "Heather".
I thought you indicated the
names were painted on but I found small brass plates on each one with
those names engraved on them. I couldn't find any of the other
"artwork" you mentioned, if you respond with more specifics
maybe I can look again, or better yet, you should come see for yourself,
we'd love to have you back for a visit. I did see an American Flag
painted on a locker next to a workbench on the lower level, but no
duck. That's it for this trip, I'm planning on going down to the
WWII memorial on the National Mall on D-Day. I'll be taking the
camera so maybe my next posting will feature photos from a trip to D.C.
on June 6th. In my absence I would really appreciate it if all of
you reading this would go to the ship and volunteer that day to make up
for my slack! Thanks!
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You
may recall seeing a few photos in recent months showing the restoration
of the face plate for this Engine Order Telegraph box up on the O5
level. One
of the glass panes had been broken allowing water to get into the box
and it
was in pretty bad shape. It actually sat covered up with a green
trash bag for
months until Dave took on the task of restoring it and now it looks
awesome!
He made the new bezels that surround the dials from scratch, painted and
detailed everything and put it all back together. Looks like a
proud papa here
doesn't he, great job Dave! When are we going for a ride in that
new boat? |
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OK
Pat, these next 8 photos are for you. This brass plate has "Hoss"
engraved on it. I know it's hard to see that in this photo, but
trust
me, that's what it says. It is mounted on one of the Generators
in
Engine Room #2, I believe it's designation is EOP40 EOSS 41. |
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This
is a side shot of "Hoss"
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This
plate is on the other generator, it has "Heather" engraved on
it.
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This
is an instrument cluster, I believe it was on "Heather".
All the black labels on the gauges start out with "EM02".
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This
is a shot of the other side of "Heather", any of this look
familiar? |
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Not
sure which one this is, just a final shot of the generators. |
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This
piece of art is above Engine #4, which is pictured below. |
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Final
shot of Engine #4 before I head up the ladder to Broadway.
Hope you liked the photos Pat and hope you have the opportunity
to comeback and visit Engine Room #2 for yourself sometime soon. |
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On
Armed Forces Day two of the Brass Team's members
played Echo Taps on the Forecastle. They did a great job,
and then went back to work polishing brass! Bravo Zulu! |
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I
spent the Saturday morning of Memorial Day weekend scrubbing bird
droppings off the 19 granite memorials that line the ships pier.
Each one
caries an inscription describing an action for which the ship was
awarded
a Battle Star. For some reason the birds love to perch on top of
them and
they make quite a mess. It was a dirty job, but one that needed to
be done,
so we took care of it. We're the guys in charge of sparkle, that's
what we do! |
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At 11:00
there was a ceremony on the
Forecastle to mark the ships 66th Birthday.
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These
three gentleman were all Original Plankholders
who served on the ship during World War II. |
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Following
remarks by several speakers the former crewman tossed
this wreath into the Delaware River to conclude the birthday ceremony. |
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Then
it was off to the wardroom to sing Happy Birthday and indulge in
some cake, quite tasty too if I might add. The Captain hooked me
up
with a nice end slice with plenty of icing, just what the doctor
ordered!
It seemed a little strange though to be served cake by a Captain in
the
Battleship's Wardroom, after all I'm just a lowly enlisted Army guy,
but I enjoyed every bite! Happy Birthday Big J!! |
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A
shot of the Starboard Side Flag Bridge where the new teak decking
is in place. Some of the gang worked up here today detailing
the
brass and putting a shine on flag box canvas cover.
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This
looks like a new ribbon board up on the port side on the bridge
level. Just happened to notice it and so I snapped the shot. |
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