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| Back to The Beginning |
| Back to March 1941 |
JOURNAL of DONALD ANDERSON, USN
APRIL, 1941
| Below is the journal my father kept during the pre-war years of 1941/42. I found it in his effects after his death in April of 1998, along with a series of photos that he took during that time period. I am publishing this account on the Web because it is a wonderful way to get to know the man who was my father, and the hundreds of men like him who manned the ships known as Four Stackers. Words in black type are transcribed directly from the journal. Where I deem it useful and appropriate I will include background data in other colors, and photos from his collection. |  |
April 1, 1941 Tues.
Took out stanchion and replaced with a new one. Went on working party this P.M. to bring Coca-Cola back. Didn't get done until 2000. Repainted sides today with boottopping.
April 2, 1941 Wed.
Got underway for Martinique this morning about 1000. Crew painted superstructure with Gray Boottopping today.
April 3, 1941 Thus.
Enroute to Martinique. Arrived there and relieved the Goff this afternoon. Proceeded to Gross Island. Anchored here tonight
Later in the war GOFF would operate with BARRY again, this time in the North Atlantic. Together with BORIE and the aircraft carrier CARD they made up a hunter-killer group that sank 8 German u-boats.
April 4, 1941 Fri.
Got underway this morning and went on patrol with Cond. III set. Underway all night. DANCING CO-ED was the picture.
April 5, 1941 Sat.
Went into Gross Inlet and anchored again. Mail came aboard. Got a letter from Dot Young. Marines have been stationed on the island here now.
April 6, 1941 Sun.
Got underway this morning. General drills and Battle problems today. On Patrol all night tonight.
WAR NEWS BULLETIN: Today German troops invaded Yugoslavia and Greece. Italy declared war on Yugoslavia.
April 7, 1941 Mon.
On Patrol today. General drills again today.
WAR NEWS BULLETIN: United States Naval Operating Base, Bermuda, is established.
April 8, 1941 Tues.
Went into Gross Inlet this morning. Gas attack lecture this A.M. Went swimming this afternoon.
April 9, 1941 Wed.
Got underway at 0800 today for patrol duty again. Had 8-12 messenger tonight. Mail left the ship this morning by plane to San Juan.
April 10, 1941 Thus.
On patrol all night last night and on until noon today. Mail came on today. Two letters from Doris today.
WAR NEWS BULLETIN: Off the coast of Iceland today the US destroyer NIBLACK (DD-424) depth charged a German submarine. NIBLACK was rescuing survivors of a previously torpedoed Netherlands freighter. This is believed to be the first action of the war between United States and German vessels.
April 11, 1941 Fri.
Good Friday. Got underway for Martinique to watch Oil tanker which was making trial speed runs. Went to Gross Island to get a doctor for MacEldowney - he went to hospital.
April 12, 1941 Sat.
Got back from hospital about 0200. Revellie at 0500. Captain's inspection. Underway at 1500, on patrol all night.
April 13, 1941 Sun.
EASTER. Went into Castrias today. Couldn't go ashore because I had the duty. At anchor all night.
April 14, 1941 Mon.
Underway today. Field day to prepare for Millitary Inspection. On patrol off of Martinique.
April 15, 1941 Tues.
Military inspection today at 0930 - lasted all day. Had all general drills. Underway for San Juan at 1700. Took Newcomb (Ship's Cook) to hospital - appendicitis.
April 16, 1941 Wed.
At sea underway for San Juan. Rained yesterday and last night, but it was clear today.
April 17, 1941 Thus.
Anchored in San Juan today. Moved to Fuel dock to take on Fuel and supplies.
WAR NEWS BULLETIN: Today the Egyptian steamship ZAMZAM was sunk by the German raider, ATLANTIS, in South Atlantic Area. About 150 Americans are included among the rescued passengers.
April 18, 1941 Fri.
Moved out and anchored again. Went on joint maneuvers with Army tonight. Searchlight practice for Army. Big fire in San Juan.
April 19, 1941 Sat.
Anchored in Harbor at San Juan. Plane Guard duty today. Went ashore tonight.
April 20, 1941 Sun.
Anchored in harbor. Plane Guard again today. Went ashore again tonight.
April 21, 1941 Monday.
Anchored in San Juan Harbor. Had duty today, didn't go ashore.
April 22, 1941 Tuesday.
Got underway for Martinique this morning.
WAR NEWS BULLETIN: Authorized enlisted strength of regular Navy is increased to 232,000.
April 23, 1941 Wed.
Arrived at Martinique and relieved the Goff. On patrol today and tonight. Found out today that MacEldowney had died.
April 24, 1941 Thus.
On patrol off of Martinique. Rainy weather today. Picture tonight "The Great Victor Herbert".
WAR NEWS BULLETIN: Neutrality Patrol today was extended eastward to 26 d. West Longitude.
April 25, 1941 Friday.
On patrol this morning. Went into Gross Inlet this afternoon. Field day for Captain's Inspection.
April 26, 1941 Saturday.
No inspection today because it rained. Holiday routine today. Wrote letters
April 27, 1941 Sunday
Received word we were going to Panama for overhaul between May 19 and June 30th. Anchored in Gros Inlet all day today - Had duty today.
WAR NEWS BULLETIN: Neutrality Patrol today was ordered to be extended southward to 20 d. South Latitude.
April 28, 1941 Monday.
Got underway and went on patrol off of Martinique. Patroled all night tonight.
April 29, 1941 Tuesday
Were relieved by the BRECKINBRIDGE this morning. Got underway for San Juan after being relieved.
April 30, 1941 Wednesday
Arrived in San Juan. Tied up to fuel and take on Supplies. Had duty tonight and couldn't go ashore. Underway tonight.
| Ahead to May 1941 |
| Ahead to the Latest Entry |
This page, and all contents, are Copyright (C) 1999 by Kenn Anderson,Sr., Scranton, PA. (USA)