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JOURNAL of DONALD ANDERSON, USN
JANUARY, 1941
THE BEGINNING
| 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. |  |
January 1, 1941
Saw the New Year in at Doris' home. Left there at 2:30. Got up this morning at 10:00 & went after Doris with Clarke & Rose. Went to 30th St. Station from Armory & left for Baltimore by train. Boarded at 6:00.
Note: Doris was Donald's girlfriend, later to become his wife and my mother. Rose was Donald's older sister, Clarke was her husband. Donald lived with them after his parent's death.
January 2, 1941
Arrived at Old Point Comfort 5:30 AM. Boarded a barge & went to N.O.B. Norfolk & boarded the U.S.S. NITRO which is an ammunition carrier. Stowed away our gear & looked for a place to sleep.
January 3, 1941
Left Norfolk about 1100, underway for Guantanamo Bay.
January 4, 1941
On board NITRO at sea. Had to sleep on deck because there wasn't any bunks or room to swing my hammock.
January 5, 1941
Arrived in Guantanamo Bay and anchored there for the night.
January 6, 1941
Underway at 0600. Regular crew fired guns in the Bay & after we left for San Juan.
January 7, 1941
Arrived in San Juan - no liberty there. We anchored for 2 hrs. & Capt. went ashore. When he returned we got underway for St. Thomas & arrived there at 0500. Liberty for 2 hours.
January 8, 1941
Anchored off of St. Thomas Isle. After the days work of unloading ammunition there was a 2-1/2 hr. Liberty Party. Stayed aboard & saw the show "Tin Pan Alley"
January 9, 1941
Got underway for Coco Solo, C.Z. Have been sleeping on deck every night except when it rained.
January 10, 1941
On board NITRO bound for Coco Solo, Canal Zone. Rained today.
January 11, 1941
On board the NITRO at sea. Spent the day writing letters.
January 12, 1941
On board NITRO at sea, until about 0300. Docked at Coco Solo. Reserves were discharged & went to C.P.O. quarters to bunk for the night. Walked around the sub base this evening. Turned in at 2200.
January 13, 1941
Boarded the U.S.S. Barry this afternoon. I didn't get any bunk or locker on here either. Went over to the canteen & brought ice cream back for some of the fellows who had the duty.
January 14, 1941
Tues. Spent the day getting organized. Scrubbed hammocks & seabags this morning. Had the duty tonight & stayed aboard. Slept under the torpedo tubes. Went swimming in the P.M.
January 15, 1941
Wed. Underway for passage through the Panama Canal. Passed through Gatun Locks at 1100. Anchored - Gatun Lake - 1110.
January 16, 1941
Thus. Moored to Buoy D in Balboa Harbor. No liberty party. Yesterday was pay-day but no pay.
January 17, 1941
Moored to buoy in Harbor. Went to Balboa & Panama City. Saw lots of things I wanted but I couldn't get them because we didn't get paid.
January 18, 1941
Moored to buoy in Harbor. Stayed aboard tonight.
January 19, 1941
Moored to buoy in harbor. Holiday routine today. Went swimming this afternoon & got sunburned. The water was fine.
January 20, 1941
Mon. Left Balboa & steamed to Pedro Gonzales, Perlas Islands. Anchored off shore at night. Swimming party in afternoon but I had duty & couldn't go.
January 21, 1941
Got underway & went on Patrol Duty in vicinity of the Islands. Had general drills today. Anchored in same place as last night.
January 22, 1941
Same procedure as yesterday. Anchored in same spot as before.
January 23, 1941
Thus. Underway at 0600. Had submarine practice today. Anchored about 0300 and went on swimming party. Anti-aircraft drills today also.
January 24, 1941
Got underway for Balboa after more sub maneuvers. Arrived in Balboa at 4:15 & moored in same spot as before. Had after-deck watch from 12-4 tonight.
January 25, 1941
Went ashore about 0400 & went into Panama City. Came back early as I was tired.
January 26, 1941
Anchored in same spot. Made preparatons in the afternoon for getting underway tomorrow morning.
January 27, 1941
Got underway at 0630 and left for maneuvers with submarines. Anchored at Pedro Gonzales Island tonight.
January 28, 1941
Maneuvers with Subs & Destroyers, & gun practice. Anchored in same spot as last night. Anti-aircraft & 4 inch gun drills today.
January 29, 1941
More maneuvers. Anti-aircraft & 4 inch gun drills. Anchored in same spot as before. Had 6-8 & 4 to 6 after-deck watch.
January 30, 1941
Got Underway at 0600 to look for unidentified sub which was reported to be hanging around canal waters. Steamed all night looking for sub.
WAR NEWS BULLETIN Germany announces that ships of any nationality bringing aid to Great Britain will be torpedoed.
January 31, 1941
Gave up sub chase & cruised around looking for it at our leisure. Anchored tonight in same spot off of Perlas Islands. Mail came on today.
| Ahead to February 1941 |
| Ahead to the Latest Entry |
This page, and all contents, are Copyright (C) 1999 by Kenn Anderson,Sr., Scranton, PA. (USA)