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| Back to The Beginning |
| Back to April 1941 |
JOURNAL of DONALD ANDERSON, USN
MAY, 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. |  |
May 1, 1941 Thursday
Underway to pick up "American Legion" and escort her to her destination. Weather was nice all day but the sea was rough.
May 2, 1941 Friday
Rained 4 hours last night - 12-4 all during my watch. Haven't found the "American Legion" yet.
May 3, 1941 Saturday
At sea in search of "American Legion". Have been doing 20 knots all afternoon. Speeded up to 25 knots in the evening.
May 4, 1941 Sunday
Picked up the "American Legion" last night about 0200. Escorted her all day today. Rained nearly all day today.
May 5, 1941 Monday
Were relieved of escort duty this afternoon. Went into San Juan today. Payday and liberty - Wrote Doris.
May 6, 1941 Tuesday
Anchored in San Juan harbor. duty today. Rained all day. Wrote Doris, Rose and Aunt Lidie today.
May 7, 1941 Wednesday
Got underway for St. Lucia at 0800. Weather has been fine today but water was rough.
May 8, 1941 Thursday
Arrived at St. Lucia this morning and relieved BRECKINRIDGE. Anchored in Gros Inlet at 1730.
May 9, 1941 Friday
Anchored in Gros Inlet. Had duty today - 12-4 messenger.
May 10, 1941 Saturday
At anchor in Gros Inlet. Captain's inspection of personnel. Went swimming this afternoon.
May 11, 1941 Sunday
At anchor in Gros inlet. Went swimming today.
May 12, 1941 Monday
Got underway this morning to take Lt. Barnes on an inspection trip around St. Lucia. Anchored at 1600.
May 13, 1941 Tuesday
At anchor all day today. Rained nearly all day and tonight.
May 14, 1941 Wednesday
Underway this morning. Fired .50 cal. anti-aircraft - came back in and anchored about 1800. Went on Swimming Party today.
May 15, 1941 Thursday
At anchor all day today. Went swimming today. Rained again tonight.
May 16, 1941 Friday
Got underway this morning and went past Martinique. Made practice depth charge runs today. Anchored in Gros Inlet at 1530.
May 17, 1941 Saturday
At anchor in Gros Inlet. Captain's inspection this morning.
May 18, 1941 Sunday
At anchor in Gros Inlet. Were relieved today by the USS DICKERSON and got underway for Trinidad immediately.
May 19, 1941 Monday
At sea enroute to Trinidad. Sea is rough but it is fairly cool. Arrived at Trinidad late afternoon - took on fuel and got underway for Canal Zone.
May 20, 1941 Tuesday
Enroute to C.Z. Had full power run today - 34 knots.
May 21, 1941 Wednesday
Enroute to C.Z. - Dropped 2 depth charges today. Expect to arrive in Coco Solo by 0800.
WAR NEWS BULLETIN: Today the United States freighter ROBIN MOOR, en route to South Africa, was sunk in the South Atlantic Ocean by a German submarine.
May 22, 1941 Thursday
Arrived in C.Z. this A.M. Went to Christobal to fuel and then went ot Coco Solo. Got underway tonight about 2230.
May 23, 1941 Friday
Operated with Submarines today. Tied up in Coco Solo this afternoon - pay day today. Went to Colon on liberty.
May 24, 1941 Saturday
Captain's inspection. Went swimming this afternoon. Duty tonight - 4-8 After Deck. Tied up to dock all day.
WAR NEWS BULLETIN:Construction or acquisition of 550,000 tons of auxiliary shipping for the Navy is authorized. British battle cruiser HOOD is sunk by German battleship BISMARCK in Denmark Straits.
May 25, 1941 Sunday
Tied up to dock at Coco Solo all day today. Went swimming this afternoon.
May 26, 1941 Monday
Underway to operate with subs today. Anchored in harbor at Coco Solo this afternoon at 3:00 O'Clock.
May 27, 1941 Tuesday
Operated with subs again today. Had duty tonight - 8-12 A.D. Tied up about 1400.
WAR NEWS BULLETIN: President Roosevelt today declared a state of unlimited national emergency, in which he announced that the Atlantic Neutrality Patrol had been extended (see above) that Pacific Fleet units have been transferred to the Atlantic. German battleship BISMARCK was sunk today by the British Navy in the North Atlantic Ocean.
May 28, 1941 Wednesday
Operated with subs again. Dropped 4 cans on subs 500 yards away. Tied up about 1500.
May 29, 1941 Thursday
Tied up to pier in Coco Solo - Holiday routine. Went swimming.
May 30, 1941 Friday
Memorial Day. 5 subs left base with homeward bound pennants. Subs haven't been home for 10 years. Went swimming this afternoon.
May 31, 1941 Saturday
Tied up to pier in Coco Solo. Holiday routine - went swimming.
| Ahead to June 1941 |
| Ahead to the Latest Entry |
This page, and all contents, are Copyright (C) 1999 by Kenn Anderson,Sr., Scranton, PA. (USA)