A Blast From the Distant Past

One benefit of saving old papers is that you may someday find them. Below is a letter I wrote for the signature of the Captain of the USS Hammerberg (DE-1015). My primary job on that ship was Anti Submarine Warfare Officer; but all the officers had secondary assignments as well. One of mine was PR man for the Captain (and the Navy in general). I must admit I rather enjoyed the task.  Rereading this letter, dated more than 45 years ago, both its content and style may remind you of the postings to this blog these last two years. In those days it was typed by a Yeoman (secretary), mimeographed and sent out in envelopes that every man (there were no women serving aboard in those days) had addressed to those of his friends and family who he wanted to receive such letters. This posting covered the last part of UNITAS VII, a good will tour through the Panama Canal and around South America during the fall (up here) of 1966. 

Hammerberg was (past tense because she was scrapped in the early 70's) 314.5 feet long with a beam of 36.9 feet and drew 18 feet. She had  a single screw, powered by either or both of two boilers.

“Dear Families and Friends of HAMMERBERG,

“Much has happened since my last letter. I am glad to have time this afternoon to sit down and write to you about what we have been doing, and plan to do in the near future.

“The remainder of UNITAS was much like the first part described in my last letter. Rio de Janeiro, our last major liberty port, marked a midpoint between two weeks of operations with the Brazilian Navy. As the most modern and richest city we visited, Rio had a lot to offer. We tied up at the tourist piers with the Uruguayan Navy, and were also joined by the French Cruiser-Helicopter Carrier, Jeann De Arc which was escorted by a destroyer. Most of us went swimming at Copacabana or Ipanema beaches. Others went on an excellent bus tour all around the city, or purchased souvenirs such as trays made of butterfly wings under glass.   Our second Brazilian city, Recife, was a short stop of only two days. There was little organized activity there.

“Enroute from Recife to our last port, Trinidad, we conducted exercises with the Venezuelan Navy. During our final two day stop in Trinidad, we were detached from UNITAS VII operations and steamed back for Newport [RI – our home port] with the USS Van Voorhis (DE-1028). Stopping only in St. Thomas Virgin Islands for a few hours, we arrived in Newport on the 15^th of December and commenced a well deserved leave period.  Almost every man who wanted it was sent on leave either over Christmas or New Years. I was very happy that your friends and loved ones could be home with you this year, and not, like some of our friends on other ships, patrolling off the coast of Viet Nam.

“The second week in January we started a much needed tender [repair ship] availability. During the next two weeks extensive work beyond the capacity of the crew was accomplished with the assistance of the technicians on the … USS Yosemite (AD-19).

“On January 23 we departed on “Springboard ‘67”, our first exercise of the year. It was conducted in the waters around the eastern end of Puerto Rico. The first two weekends were spent in San Juan, the last in St. Thomas VI. During each week we had a full schedule of operations culminating in an operational readiness inspection the last week. 

“I wonder how many of you realize how hard your friends and loved ones really work. On one typical Wednesday morning Reveille went at 0500 in order that everyone could be up and have breakfast by 0600, at which time the Refueling Detail was stationed. Refueling is really an amazing operation. Every man is required either to control the ship and carry on all of its normal functions, or to pull the heavy fuel hose over to the ship from the oiler, control its insertion in the ship's fueling trunk, or control the flow of fuel into the ship's tanks. This operation was completed by 0800. While cleaning up from refueling, we made a top speed transit to another operations area for an anti-submarine exercise. The rest of the morning was consumed in the pursuit of the elusive submarine.  Attacks were made with exercise torpedoes from the DASH helicopter as well as from the ship's torpedo tubes.

"After a hasty lunch the ship again went to General Quarters, this time for a surface to air gunnery shoot. Our target was a 15 foot long nylon sleeve towed by an airplane at the end of a mile long wire. Those not involved in the shooting were busy as members of repair parties. They constantly practice during General Quarters to increase their efficiency. In the event of war damage their job is to shore up the holes, put out the fires and maintain communications throughout the ship. Others practice how to keep the ship moving and the electrical power flowing when simulated casualties to the boilers, turbines, generators or associated equipments are imposed. 

"General Quarters was secured at 1630 (4:30 pm), just in time to conduct a small boat transfer of personnel, official mail and repair parts with other ships in our Squadron. After the boat transfer we took part in a maneuvering drill. This drill really taxes our watch standers. They must figure out where we are ordered to maneuver and then quickly and precisely answer all ordered course and speed changes, monitoring the ships progress as we proceed to the assigned station. Sometimes we have other general exercises such as ASW in the evening. This particular day we had only a radio frequency shifting drill which did not require the whole crew. At the end of such a day almost every man on the ship can look forward to a four hour watch sometime during the night. So if your sponsor seems tired when he comes home, you now know why.

[skipping some paragraphs about plans and how to write to the Captain]

" Finally I want to say how proud and pleased I am to be serving with your friend or loved one. My crew is one of the finest in the fleet; they are proud of their ship and its accomplishments. Their skills and leadership coupled with your encouragement and understanding, will safely and successfully see your HAMMERBERG man through his present tour of duty. .... If you are in Newport please come and visit the ship. You will be given a grand tour.

"Sincerely yours,      [Lt. Cdr.] S. D. Browning"