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| Back to January 1941 |
JOURNAL of DONALD ANDERSON, USN
FEBRUARY, 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. |  |
February 1, 1941
Sat. Half holiday, swimming party on Pedro Gonzales Island. Had the 8-12 after deck watch.
WAR NEWS BULLETIN Navy announces reorganization of United States Fleet: old names Atlantic Fleet and Pacific Fleet revived; Asiatic Fleet remains unchanged.
February 2, 1941
Sunday. Anchored all day off of Pedro Gonzales, Holiday routine, swimming party. Caught two sharks today.
February 3, 1941
Mon. Cruised around making practice runs for firing 4 in. guns & anti-aircraft practice. Anchored off of Pedro Gonzales.
February 4, 1941
Tues. All hands over the side to scrub and paint sides. Gun practice later on in the day. Anchored late in afternoon at same place as before.
February 5, 1941
Wed. Barry was used as a target for subs today. We would have been hit with torpedoes 3 times if in actual battle. Anchored as before in same spot.
February 6, 1941
Thurs. Fired guns today. Gun crews made 6 shots apiece. Out of 18 shots, 18 were hits for deflection, 14 scored as actual hits. Returned and anchored as before.
February 7, 1941
Fri. Barry towed target as she did yesterday for the Blakely, which was the last one to fire. After the Blakely fired we steamed for Balboa & tied up to the Breckinridge.
(USS BLAKELY was DD-150, USS BRECKINRIDGE was DD-148)
February 8, 1941
Sat. Liberty today, went to Panama City in the afternoon and stayed all evening. Today was pay day. Sent $15.00 home to Rose. Doris' birthday.
February 9, 1941
Sun. Liberty. Went to Balboa Club for a swim. Stayed in the pool for about 4 hours, then had dinner at the Club. Went into Panama City at night.
February 10, 1941
Mon. Went into Balboa to Post Office & then went into Panama City. Spent the early part of the evening in Kelley's & then went shopping & came back to Kelley's again. Rained this afternoon.
February 11, 1941
Tues. Still tied to dock in Balboa. Had a blood test taken today. Had 4-8 messenger watch today.
February 12, 1941
Wed. Drew small stores today. Washed clothes tonight. "Tugboat Annie Returns" played tonight, but I saw it before so I didn't see it tonight.
February 13, 1941
Thursday. Still tied to dock. Finished red-leading the sides today, have been three days doing it. Movies tonight was "Bad Little Angel". Didn't see the picture tonight because I had too much to do.
February 14, 1941
Friday. At dock yet. Was told this morning that we would leave on the 24th. Painted all day today. Had duty today, couldn't go ashore.
February 15, 1941
Sat. Capt. Reynolds came aboard. Tied to dock at Balboa. Went on liberty at 10 o'clock after Capt's inspection & pay day. Went into the City of Panama then came back to Balboa Club for supper.
February 16, 1941
Sun. Breckinbridge & Barney left the dock this A.M. We had to move so they could get out. The Talbott pulled alongside the pier & we fell in next to her. Went to ancient Panama this P.M.
BRECKINRIDGE DD-148 ; BARNEY DD-149 ; J. FRED TALBOTT DD-156
February 17, 1941
Mon. Still tied up at the dock alongside the J. Fred Talbott. Touched up red lead spots with war color all day today. Duty today - no liberty.
February 18, 1941
Tuesday. Over the side again today, finished doing that & started painting the deck on the foc'sle. Went on liberty today. Went into the city after my whites but they weren't done yet.
February 19, 1941
Wed. Painted deck again today. Stayed aboard tonight. Wajbel went into town & brought back ice cream for us.
February 20, 1941
Thurs. Finished painting deck today. Painted No. 2 stack also. Had the gate watch from 0800 to 1200 & 1600 to 2400.
February 21, 1941
Fri. Scrubbed paintwork on the well deck this A.M. Went ashore tonight and made the rounds. Got my whites from the tailor tonight.
February 22, 1941
Sat. Washington's birthday. Liberty at 1000. Went ashore about 1100 and went out to ancient Panama again. Came back to town and took pictures. Carnival started today.
February 23, 1941
Sun. Stayed aboard today because had the duty. Had the 6-8 & 4-6 after deck watch tonight. Wrote postcards this afternoon. Saw "Bringing Up Baby" aboard ship tonight.
February 24, 1941
Mon. Scrubbed fire hose & canvas shile ship was moving to oil dock. After ship was fueled I went in M.W.B. after the hose & went out to the buoy where ship was tied up. Stayed aboard tonight.
February 25, 1941
Tues. Went back to old procedure of turn to morning watch before chow. Layed at anchor all day. Underway tomorrow. Took awnings down preparing for battle practice & firing.
Jack Schafer, one of dad's shipmates wrote to me to say that BARRY was known as
"USS BARRY DD 248 - Turn To Early and Knock Off Late"
February 26, 1941
Wed. Cruised around all day at 24 knots. Battle Practice all morning. Had 8 to 12 after deck watch tonight. Anchored at Pedro Gonzales.
February 27, 1941
Thurs. Cruised around today as we did yesterday. Battle Practice again today. Fired 50 cal. Anti-aircraft guns at balloons. Anchored at Pedro Gonzales.
February 28, 1941
Fri. Cruised around today. Battle Practice & Prep for firing in the morning. Anchored at Pedro Gonzales again. Pay day at 1800.
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This page, and all contents, are Copyright (C) 1999 by Kenn Anderson,Sr., Scranton, PA. (USA)