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Text Box: The Amphibious Fleet
(the Navy Different)
By: CWO C.R. (Bart) Bartholomew, USN (Ret)
I reported aboard the STONE in 1952 while she was undergoing over haul at the Bremerton, WA Navy Shipyard. The usual Navy Yard mess was in full progress with workmen in different colored hard hats coming and going. I was a Chief Gunners Mate with 12 years of service on submarines and destroyers. The usual getting acquainted with ship's company started with many of the crew on leave. The Amphibian Navy was new to me.
The CMAA was on leave so I was asked to fill in until he returned. I had taken a course in Naval Law while at the Navy Gun Factory in Washington DC so I was familiar with Navy Regulations and Courts-Martial. I did have a problem with the first mast case, as I knew the proper procedures were not followed. I was happy to turn the duty back to the CMAA when he returned. I was familiar with the guns aboard so I concentrated on helping my men get the STONE ready for sea. After loading ammunition at Bangor, the Stone headed for San Diego. I was detailed to stand CIC watches because I had been to a CIC school. Five days after the STONE left San Diego my second son was born in Montana.
In the Korean area CIC became very active trying to get track of all the fishing boats and other craft in the sea. While in Japan I was ordered to Shore Patrol on a duty day. Reporting to the Shore Patrol Headquarters I was told I would be on patrol with a Second Class Boatswain Mate and he was in Charge because he was stationed ashore. I objected because I was senior. That got me in front of the Commander and he told me that was the way things were run there. I told him if I went on patrol with a second class I was in charge being a Chief. He ordered me back to the STONE. Captain Zinn backed me up and told the Commander if he did not use his Chief's according to the Navy tradition and regulations he would only send over junior petty officers for Shore Patrol Duty. I went back on Shore Patrol Duty a couple more times but it was not a pleasant experience and the Commander made sure I got the worse patrol areas.
The Stone returned to San Diego in December 1953. I went on leave and brought my family to San Diego. We lived in temporary housing, Quonset Huts, at National City while looking for a place to live. I then received orders to Kodiak Alaska and left the Stone right after Christmas 1953.
My tour on the Stone was short but a learning experience in how the Amphibian Navy did many things different from what I learned in submarines and destroyers.
CWO C.R. (Bart) Bartholomew, USN (Ret)

(Vince from Page 11 - Go There)

Earlier in the year (1953) in late winter or early spring, I came back from weekend liberty in Sasebo. Naturally, with a hangover, and I saw what I thought was a well deck loaded with mines. Since we were with the minesweepers. If they blew up, pieces would be flying till Christmas. It turned out they were only the ballast for a submarine net that the loaded on Saturday and we had to deliver to Pusan, Korea.