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| Back to The Beginning |
| Back to June 1941 |
JOURNAL of DONALD ANDERSON, USN
JULY, 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. |  |
July 1, 1941 Tuesday
Unloaded ammunition at N.A.D. Moved over to yard at 0830 for repairs.
WAR NEWS BULLETIN:Eight Naval Coast Frontiers are established: Atlantic Northern, Atlantic Southern, Caribbean, Panama, Pacific Southern, Pacific Northern, Hawaiian, and Philippine.
July 2, 1941 Wednesday
Alongside of dock getting repairs. Checked secondary drainage today. Messenger 4 to 8 tonight.
WAR NEWS BULLETIN: Today Japan recalled her merchant ships from the Atlantic Ocean, and called up more than one million army conscripts.
July 3, 1941 Thursday
Watch - 4 to 8 this A.M. Stayed aboard tonight.
July 4, 1941 Friday
Tied up alongside of dock. Holiday routine - Dress ship. Went on liberty today. Each man got a free bottle of Pepsi-Cola
July 5, 1941 Saturday
Still alongside of repair dock - Had duty today. Holiday Routine.
July 6, 1941 Sunday
Holiday routine - stayed aboard and slept all day.
July 7, 1941 Monday
Still alongside. Back to work again today. Finished repairing drains.
July 8, 1941 Tuesday
Alongside of dock at Balboa. New Squadron Commander - came aboard today. Saw the moving picture "It's a Date"
July 9, 1941 Wednesday
At repair dock. The ship looks like it is being junked. Port holes aft have all been welded up. Movie tonight was "The Light That Failed".
July 10, 1941 Thursday
Chipped paint in shop today. Went ashore and saw the picture at the Balboa Club. The ship really looks like hell.
July 11, 1941 Friday
Chipped paint in shop today. Wrote to Doris and Rose tonight.
July 12, 1941 Saturday
All 4 stacks were taken off today. Had 8 to 12 this morning and tonight. Saw picture - "Buck Benny Rides Again".
July 13, 1941 Sunday
Holiday Routine today. Went to Old Panama and the interior today.
July 14, 1941 Monday
At repair dock. Back to work today. Chipping paint in shop today.
July 15, 1941 Tuesday
Chipping paint today. Had duty today - Payday.
July 16, 1941 Wednesday
Chipping paint today. Went ashore tonight to Balboa Club and Panama City to have pictures taken.
July 17, 1941 Thursday
Chipping paint again today. Wrote a letter to Rose tonight.
July 18, 1941 Friday
Still chipping paint again today - finished up and started wirebrushing. Had duty tonight - 12-4 Messenger.
July 19, 1941 Saturday
Holiday routine. Went out to Albrook Field to the movies.
WAR NEWS BULLETIN: Today the United States Naval Task Force was organized by CINCLANTFLT Admiral E. J. King to support the defense of Iceland and to escort convoys between the United States and Iceland.
July 20, 1941 Sunday
Holiday routine. Stayed aboard all day and wrote letters to Doris and Rose.
July 21, 1941 Monday
Took assignment test for Seaman 1st - Mark 3:33.
July 22, 1941 Tuesday
Took Main Test for Seaman 1st. Don't know whether I passed it or not.
July 23, 1941 Wednesday
Moved to barracks today. Found out that I passed Seaman Test - Mark 3:15.
July 24, 1941 Thursday
Passed A to N test. That means that I made Seaman 1st. Removing sheathing from compartments. Had duty today.
July 25, 1941 Friday
Removing sheathing from compartments. Finished the for'd compartment today.
July 26, 1941 Saturday
Working on Sheathing in after comp. Holiday routine this P.M. Went to the barracks and slept till 1700.
July 27, 1941 Sunday
Duty today, 4 to 8 After Deck watch. Stayed aboard ship - couldn't go to barracks.
July 28, 1941 Monday
Taking off sheathing in after compar. Went to barracks then back to ship for chow. Stayed at barracks all night.
July 29, 1941 Tuesday
Still working on sheathing. Slept at barracks tonight.
WAR NEWS BULLETIN: The Japanese occupied southern Indochina today, with French permission.
July 30, 1941 Wednesday
Working in compartments on sheathing. Fixed deck drain in Galley today. Had duty tonight.
WAR NEWS BULLETIN:The U.S. river gunboat TUTUILA (PR-4) was bombed today by Japanese planes at Chunking, China.
July 31, 1941 Thursday
Alongside of dock still working on sheathing. Head done now. Barracks tonight - wrote letters.
| Ahead to August 1941 |
| Ahead to the Latest Entry |
This page, and all contents, are Copyright (C) 1999 by Kenn Anderson,Sr., Scranton, PA. (USA)