Oh to go to sea again!
Most people have never had the experience of going to sea on a U.S. Naval vessel.
It's really an exhilarating experience. On the day the ship is scheduled to leave port, there's an extra buzz about as last minute preparations are made. You never know exactly how long you will be at sea so you had better be prepared for a long cruise.
The over the ship's loudspeaker system (1MC), the shrill of the Boatswain's pipe is heard calling for the attention of all the crew. Then a voice comes on the speaker saying, "Now hear this. Attention sea and anchor detail. Report to your stations."
The sea and anchor detail is a group of sailors assigned the duty of raising the anchor or hauling in the lines if leaving from port. It's backbreaking hard work and requires the precision of a ballet.
When a Navy ship leaves port, all hands are expected to be on deck manning the rails. While the sea and anchor details works in their dress uniforms, all others are standing in a line from bow to stern in their dress uniforms. If you are on shore, it's quite a sight to watch as the ship is tugged into the harbor and gets underway under it's own steam.
About ten minutes after leaving port, all hands are expected to go below on the double, change into work uniforms (dungarees and baseball style caps) and report to their normal duty station. The Navy has the most comfortable work uniform of all the services.
The dress uniforms are put away until time to enter port again somewhere in the world. Then the procedure is repeated again as the ship looks extra sharp entering port.
As the ship proceeds out to sea, the water starts to change color. The first thing you notice is the dirty water suddenly looks clear with a light to greenish blue color. Then after about two hours out to sea, the water begins to turn dark blue and gets even clearer.
The ship settles into a rhythm of heaves and yawls as it locks in on cruising speed. Depending on the height of the seas, the ship will point somewhat downward and lean to one side then raise upward and lean to the other side. Up and lean, down and lean, up and lean, down and lean, the rhythm is mesmerizing.
Then there's the first glorious sunset at sea, and a meal that always tastes good because the sea air aids the appetite. Afterward we settle into our "racks" for a good night's rest.
Early the next morning the shrill of the boatswains pipe seems to blow right at your ear as you hear the 1MC crackle and the words, "Now hear this. Reveille, reveille, turn to. Swab down all topside weather decks, polish all topside bright work, sweepers man your brooms." There's work to be done before breakfast. But breakfast is a hearty meal eagerly downed by a famished crew. Oh what the sea air does for your appetite.
After about a day and a half, all sign of the earth is gone. There are no more birds in the air, usually no trash in the water, and only schools of dolphins from time-to-time. For those with allergies and sinus problems, their heads clear and life becomes good again. The smell of land is completely gone.
The sailors settle into a normal routine doing whatever it takes to get the job done. In times of trouble that means lots of extra hours, otherwise, life is good. They watch movies at night, under the stars, projected onto the side of a gun turret. There's the occasional sing along where those with guitars gather.
There are the constant drills practicing for emergencies, combat, or whatever you might face. Sometimes you might sail with an armada and sometimes you might be the only ship on the ocean.
But it's an experience like no other. Navy ships are built to handle the seas both calm and raging. They are equipped for peace and war. There are no frills like on a cruise ship, and quarters are exceptionally tight. But everybody pitches in and does whatever it takes.
When you finally do get to shore again, you walk differently. On board you plant every step solidly against the metal deck to help compensate for the constant motion. And you do it without thinking about it. Once back on shore, you have the tendency to stomp a bit until you get your shore stride back.
Oh to go to sea again. It's an experience like no other!
Most people have never had the experience of going to sea on a U.S. Naval vessel.
It's really an exhilarating experience. On the day the ship is scheduled to leave port, there's an extra buzz about as last minute preparations are made. You never know exactly how long you will be at sea so you had better be prepared for a long cruise.
The over the ship's loudspeaker system (1MC), the shrill of the Boatswain's pipe is heard calling for the attention of all the crew. Then a voice comes on the speaker saying, "Now hear this. Attention sea and anchor detail. Report to your stations."
The sea and anchor detail is a group of sailors assigned the duty of raising the anchor or hauling in the lines if leaving from port. It's backbreaking hard work and requires the precision of a ballet.
When a Navy ship leaves port, all hands are expected to be on deck manning the rails. While the sea and anchor details works in their dress uniforms, all others are standing in a line from bow to stern in their dress uniforms. If you are on shore, it's quite a sight to watch as the ship is tugged into the harbor and gets underway under it's own steam.
About ten minutes after leaving port, all hands are expected to go below on the double, change into work uniforms (dungarees and baseball style caps) and report to their normal duty station. The Navy has the most comfortable work uniform of all the services.
The dress uniforms are put away until time to enter port again somewhere in the world. Then the procedure is repeated again as the ship looks extra sharp entering port.
As the ship proceeds out to sea, the water starts to change color. The first thing you notice is the dirty water suddenly looks clear with a light to greenish blue color. Then after about two hours out to sea, the water begins to turn dark blue and gets even clearer.
The ship settles into a rhythm of heaves and yawls as it locks in on cruising speed. Depending on the height of the seas, the ship will point somewhat downward and lean to one side then raise upward and lean to the other side. Up and lean, down and lean, up and lean, down and lean, the rhythm is mesmerizing.
Then there's the first glorious sunset at sea, and a meal that always tastes good because the sea air aids the appetite. Afterward we settle into our "racks" for a good night's rest.
Early the next morning the shrill of the boatswains pipe seems to blow right at your ear as you hear the 1MC crackle and the words, "Now hear this. Reveille, reveille, turn to. Swab down all topside weather decks, polish all topside bright work, sweepers man your brooms." There's work to be done before breakfast. But breakfast is a hearty meal eagerly downed by a famished crew. Oh what the sea air does for your appetite.
After about a day and a half, all sign of the earth is gone. There are no more birds in the air, usually no trash in the water, and only schools of dolphins from time-to-time. For those with allergies and sinus problems, their heads clear and life becomes good again. The smell of land is completely gone.
The sailors settle into a normal routine doing whatever it takes to get the job done. In times of trouble that means lots of extra hours, otherwise, life is good. They watch movies at night, under the stars, projected onto the side of a gun turret. There's the occasional sing along where those with guitars gather.
There are the constant drills practicing for emergencies, combat, or whatever you might face. Sometimes you might sail with an armada and sometimes you might be the only ship on the ocean.
But it's an experience like no other. Navy ships are built to handle the seas both calm and raging. They are equipped for peace and war. There are no frills like on a cruise ship, and quarters are exceptionally tight. But everybody pitches in and does whatever it takes.
When you finally do get to shore again, you walk differently. On board you plant every step solidly against the metal deck to help compensate for the constant motion. And you do it without thinking about it. Once back on shore, you have the tendency to stomp a bit until you get your shore stride back.
Oh to go to sea again. It's an experience like no other!
1 comment:
Good job! I see you got some music.
Mr. H's dad was a Navy diver before scuba. We found some pictures of him taken back in the 50's. You can see them on my CL site (photo tab) or on the first post that comes up in the January archive here on blogger.
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