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| Back to The Beginning |
| Back to September 1941 |
JOURNAL of DONALD ANDERSON, USN
OCTOBER, 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. |  |
October 1, 1941 Wednesday
Underway at 0700 for battle practice as yesterday. Anchored at 1300. Swimming party - had duty today.
October 2, 1941 Thursday
Underway at 0500. TRENTON fired today. Anchored at Tobago Island about 1600.
October 3, 1941 Friday
Picked up observers and went to Firing Range. Fired at 1000 and went to Balboa alongside of BORIE.
October 4, 1941 Saturday
Alongside of BORIE. 9 seamen and 3 firemen transferred to BORIE today. Went ashore this afternoon.
October 5, 1941 Sunday
Had duty today 12-4 watch - Had fight getting ******** in his sack tonight when he came back drunk.
October 6, 1941 Monday
Alongside of dock. GOFF came inboard of us today. Took five extinguishers and oxygen bottles to be refilled today.
October 7, 1941 Tuesday
At dock at Balboa for repairs.
October 8, 1941 Wednesday
At Balboa Yard for repairs. Had duty today.
October 9, 1941 Thursday
At Balboa Yard for repairs. Panama City restricted because of Revolution. Arias skipped town with 7 million dollars.
October 10, 1941 Friday
At Balboa repair dock for upkeep and repairs.
October 11, 1941 Saturday
At repair dock at Balboa. 9 men from GOFF transferred to BARRY today.
October 12, 1941 Sunday
Alongside of dock at Balboa. Were supposed to set sail but didn't. Stayed aboard all day.
October 13, 1941 Monday
Got underway this morning at 0730. On patrol at 7 knots heading North ~ 270 deg.
October 14, 1941 Tuesday
On patrol off coast of Central America. Off of Costa Rica at 1900. General Quarters every night and morning. Condition III and darken ship at night.
October 15, 1941 Wednesday
On patrol, still heading north.
October 16, 1941 Thursday
On patrol of Central America coast. Still heading north.
October 17, 1941 Friday
On patrol, heading south now.
WAR NEWS BULLETIN: Today the USN Destroyer KEARNY (DD-432)was torpedoed and damaged southwest of Iceland. The Navy ordered all United States merchantmen in Asiatic waters to put into friendly ports.
October 18, 1941 Saturday
Holiday routine this PM. Captain inspection today. Studying for exams all afternoon.
October 19, 1941 Sunday
Holiday routine. On patrol yet. Studying for exams.
WAR NEWS BULLETIN: Today the United States merchant ship LEHIGH was torpedoed and sunk by a German submarine off West Africa.
October 20, 1941 Monday
On patrol, heading south. Saw several ships today.
WAR NEWS BULLETIN: Today the Carrier HORNET (CV-8) was commissioned at Norfolk, Va.It is amazing to note that this carrier, the participant in several key battles in the Pacific, including the launch of the first bombing raid on Tokyo and the battle of Midway, had an actual life of only 53 weeks before being lost in the Battle of Santa Cruz Island.
October 21, 1941 Tuesday
Took A to N exam today. Heading back toward Balboa.
October 22, 1941 Wednesday
Took Shipfitter exam today. Still heading south.
October 23, 1941 Thursday
Changed course and headed west all day and came back to old course at night.
October 24, 1941 Friday
Passed Cape Malo at 12:30 last night. On our way to Balboa. Arrived in Balboa at 3 o'clock and fueled, moved to Pier 18. Went ashore tonight.
October 25, 1941 Saturday
Alongside of BORIE at Pier 18, Balboa. Went ashore tonight again.
October 26, 1941 Sunday
Alongside of BORIE at Balboa. Had duty today - 8-10 gate watch.
October 27, 1941 Monday
Got underway this morning and are off Pedro Gonzales at anchor tonight.
October 28, 1941 Tuesday
Got underway this AM, anchor engine broke down and had to use Capstan bars to heave the chain in. Anchored again at 1600.
October 29, 1941 Wednesday
At anchor all day today to scrub sides. Observing party went with ERIE to observe firing L.R.B.P.(Long Range Battle Practice)
October 30, 1941 Thursday
Got underway this morning to observe ERIE firing at L.R.B.P. Anchored at 1800 at Pedros Gonzales Island.
WAR NEWS BULLETIN: Today the USN Oiler SALINAS (AO-19) was torpedoed about 700 miles east of Newfoundland. There were no personnel casualties and the ship made it to port.
October 31, 1941 Friday
Got underway this morning to make full power run and return to Balboa. Arrived in Balboa at 1500.
WAR NEWS BULLETIN: The USN Destroyer REUBEN JAMES (DD-245) was torpedoed today and sank off the western coast of Iceland with the loss of about 100 lives. This is the first United States naval vessel to be lost by enemy action in World War II.
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This page, and all contents, are Copyright (C) 1999 by Kenn Anderson,Sr., Scranton, PA. (USA)