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Text Box: FIRST DAY By Tom “Charley” Walkinshaw MM (1962-65) I went aboard the “Stone” in Seattle in 1962.  A cab let me out at the pier and left.  It took a minute to see there really was a ship there.  It was covered with a cloud of smoke and dust.  Noise, confusion and yard birds everywhere.  Not exactly what I had expected.  My sea bag and duffle bag, which probably weighed more than I did, somehow helped me deal with the disappointment. On the quarter deck I dropped my sea bag in a small cloud of dust.  The messenger pointed to a hatch and said, that is B&M Divisions compartment.  Inside the compartment were a bunch of guys, standing around the compartment table, that had a cardboard box on it.  They were laughing and swearing but seemed to be having a good time.  One guy had a knife and was moving it around inside the box.  I later found out he was an MR they called Harpoon Harry because he was always trying to harpoon sharks.  I believe his last name was Caldwell.  

Text Box: Curiosity got to me and I went to take a quick look in the box.  There were two crabs inside that Harry was forcing to fight.  After a while, one of the crabs lost.  Harry stabbed it, swore a couple of times, picked up the box and left.  Disappointment on the pier, now this.  What the hell had I gotten myself into! The next day I was assigned to work in the starboard engine room where I was soon asked if I had a pair of bilge divers.  I said I didn’t know.  They laughed and assured me I did.  Cleaning bilges is nasty!  The idea is to remove anything that doesn’t belong - rags, tools, paper, etc.  It’s dirty, it stinks from oil, it’s wet and claustrophobic the first time you get stuck. After crawling in the bilges in the morning, I went to chow.  Since I wasn’t quite sure how to get to the mess decks, I wondered all around for awhile.  During this time, a 3rd Class Petty Officer stopped me and told me immediately after chow I was to start chipping paint in a gun mount he showed me.  I finally found the chow line, hurried through chow and went to work, chipping paint in the gun mount.

Text Box: At the end of working hours, I went back to the compartment where I was quickly and crudely asked where I was all afternoon.  I explained what happened.  They seemed a little mad at first, but said, I hadn’t done anything wrong because I had followed the orders of the Petty Officer. After this, they seemed very amused and took me to see Dahlenburg MM1 who was in charge of the engine room.  He wasn’t amused at all but told me I wasn’t in trouble and left to have a talk with the 3rd Class Petty Officer.  I have always wondered what was said, but then I was too new and scared to ask. So ended my first day on the “Stone.”   After awhile I settled in and though every day wasn’t fun, I liked being a machinist mate on the “Stone.” It is strange how time twists memories.  That first day was terrible then...now it is really kind of funny.                                             Charley    

Text Box: IS IT ART OR NOT?? A controversy is brewing in Sarasota, Florida.  This 25 ft. statue standing in the downtown marina area, along with impression art sculptors, is getting bad reviews.  Many say this doesn’t belong with the contemporary sculptures and want it removed.  When Don and Rose Smith, Pat Heitz, Kay and I were in Sarasota in March, we noticed that of all the numerous pieces of art displayed, this was the only one that had a group of people milling around, appreciating the statute.  Couples from World War II thru the Vietnam era were taking turns standing at the base of the statute, sharing a kiss and remembering how great it was to come back and be welcomed home by that special someone after many days of being so many miles away serving this great country of ours!  We hope Sarasota decides to keep the statue for all to enjoy.  It is quite a site!

Text Box: We recently received some pictures from Paul Brillon (MM3 - 1956-59) taken in 1958.  Space keeps us from printing many at this time but here are a couple for your enjoyment.  Hopefully, we can add some to the June 2006 newsletter. Remainder will be on display at reunion.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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