Page 6

Text Box: (Continued From Page 5)

With only the nighttime red battle lantern illuminating, the shadowy Ops compartment began to resemble a Pacific ice storm in cave form. It was a scene from the Ancient Mariner.
The green recruits on watch and elsewhere assumed their natural color. Scuttlebutt had it that lookouts were passing out and that stretcher parties were carrying people below to the heads. Retching victims were deposited there and left hugging the porcelain gods. Some, it was said, had to be rescued from drowning by lifting up their heads. Others had simply given up on life and waited fate, sprawled on deck. The new ship's office seasick guy, anchored in his rack by seasickness from day one, went into a seasick coma.
The green boots weren't the only ones suffering. Through out out the ship there was a lot of heaving out, but it had nothing to do with line handling or reveille. Green around the gills was the color of the day. Trash cans at the ready were well served by the on deck watch. It was a long night.
By dawn, the storm eased off, the sun rose; the sky was fresh and blue. A brisk breeze replaced storm winds and the sea was falling. The ship looked like it was covered in a salt glaze. Anything that could come adrift, had. Desks were upside down in the ship's office. Books, directives, publications, and tons of paper was adrift. It was a disaster.
The ship's library in the crew lounge was two feet deep in books that had sailed from their bracketed shelve storage---another disaster. Ships service men were putting the galley back together. Pots, kettles, ladles, flour-- anything and everything there that could get adrift in a ship's galley got adrift.
The day continued with a kind of unofficial holiday routine. People were worn out, the decks were a mess, nobody was interested in food, including the cooks. People began to come back to life and a quietness seemed to settle over the ship as routines continued and the process of getting "squared away" began. The voyage continued undauntedly as new sea legs were exercised. STONE and her crew went on together to her final grand hour on the world stage, serving with characteristic distinction.
The storm of the century served WHETSTONE well and due note must be given to anew found post storm mettle in the ship's company. Besides initiating new sailors to the sea and reintroducing some older sailors, who in their tours had been absent from the sea, the storm created a bond as nothing else could. Everyone had shared a common experience of memorial significance. WHETSTONE was more ready than ever for the work ahead. It was a true shakedown experience for all aboard that formed a tighter all hands bond of teamwork. The ship's company was better for the experience---steeled harder for the forthcoming Wes Pac mission. There, on her last mission and last commissioned voyage abroad, WHETSTONE would create new records and earn more honors through the diligent and dedicated work of her crew, reinforced and strengthened though an act of nature. Such was the storm of the century.
That's no. ..!

Text Box: Letters to the Editor

Text Box: Dear John

Enclosed is a second batch of photos. I was disappointed to have found only a few slides dealing with Whetstone. Over the years the collection has succumbed to dust, moving, and a number of hurricanes. I count 16 photos and 8 slides hoping some will be suitable for the news letter. As you can see the quality of some is questionable. I have tried to present some type of caption as to the object of each.
I am also enclosing a new copy of the sea story .After I mailed the first, I was thinking about what I had said and realized that I had miss-located the supply department in regards to berthing. The mistake was on page five. So I have made a correction that is reflected in this copy. Sorry for the confusion.
I have read the history of Whetstone posted on the net. Harry Robinson has done a great job. He and I were shipmates. The Web site is also a work of love.
I wonder if this history was to be presented in installments in the "Rolling Stone" by decades or year groups that correspond to the way the ship' s roster is posted, that it might make interesting reading. Certainly, there is sufficient quantity there. There are three reasons I suggest this.
One, installments will apply specifically to crew members directly connected for that particular decade ( or year group) and will give notice about the next installment. Members affected by events occurring on their watch will be particularly interested. Installments would be anticipated in upcoming editions. "Rolling Stone" format would be more directly related to Whetstone.
Secondly, there are details of Whetstone activity that is unknown to most crewmembers with specific details to operations and the scale of the operations. I found this chronology to be very informative and satisfying in that questions developed over the years have gone unanswered until I read this history.
Thirdly, I am reasonably sure that not everyone has computer access, much less to this history. Publication in the "Rolling Stone" will open it to a wider reading audience.
Finally, if possible, I believe it would be beneficial to accompany each installment with a map or chart showing where activities took place. This would serve to refresh recollections as where operations and hard work associated with the operations took place. As an example where is China Beach? We went on two operations adjacent to China Beach, near Monkey Mountain, but where is Monkey Mountain? Where did the naval action take place for Operations Defiant Stand or Breezy Cove with regard to the geography of Viet Nam? Such points of operations will help members who served in each decade understand and appreciate Whetstone history better.
Enclosed is another fiver to help with postage. After all this you may want that beer. Thanks again for your correspondence and work for the Association. Sincerely,

Everett Ward
YN3 - ‘67-70’

The Rolling Stone Online Newsletter

Navigate by Page:
1 • 2 • 3 • 4 • 5 • 6 • 7 • 8 • 9 • 10 • 11 • 12

Page 6
Previous Page < > Next Page