Has anyone else served/sailed on a WWII era ship?

2013-11-26T20:15:50-05:00

I did a cadet cruise in 1990 on the USCGC Eagle (WIX-327) which was a war reparation from Germany after WWII, originally the Horst Wessel, commissioned in 1936, and re-commissioned as USCGC Eagle on 15 May 1946.

Additionally served for 3 years on the USCGC Ingham (WHEC-35) 1983-1986 which was commissioned on June 3rd, 1936 and received her Gold numbers in 1986 as the oldest ship in the fleet. She was also the most decorated vessel in the Coast Guard fleet and was the only cutter to ever be awarded two Presidential Unit Citations.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 26 at 2013 8:55 PM

2013-11-26T20:55:37-05:00

Does repairing a radar on board an old T-2 tanker count? :)

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 26 at 2013 8:57 PM

2013-11-26T20:57:10-05:00

Interesting story about the Cutter Ingham!

Response by CMC Robert Young made Nov 26 at 2013 9:25 PM

2013-11-26T21:25:06-05:00

When I was a PO1, I roomed with a guy who had done a tour on the Ingham right out of boot camp in the mid 80s. The first time he had seen the cutter since PCS was when he transferred to Charleston, SC where the Ingham was home ported at Patriots' Point Maritime Museum.

I was fortunate enough to advance to CPO while we were stationed in Charleston. As a result, a group of us (all PCPOs completing CCTI) did some maintenance for the museum onboard the cutter as one of our public service projects. The Ingham's caretaker took a photo of us sitting in the Chiefs' Mess. Three weeks later, I was pinned as a CPO on the fantail along with my six fellow PCPOs. It remains a highlight of my career.

Response by CMDCM Gene Treants made Nov 27 at 2013 8:45 PM

2013-11-27T20:45:50-05:00

My very first ship was USS Cambria (APA-36). Keel Date: 1 JUL 1942 / Launched 10 Nov 1942 (I went on Active Duty exactly 24 years later to the day), and was on her first WestPac Deployment Jan 1944 to Nov 1945 (Yes, 1 year 11 months - and we bitch about being extended one or two months.) When I reported on board, Cambria had saltwater trenches that served as commodes with wooden slats above for seats. and yes, poop does flow downhill. The First Class Head (E-6) was uphill from ours (E-5 and Below) and we sometimes had flaming TP come floating down the trench to get us moving. Wash tables - flat marble slabs with saltwater hoses for washing clothes were still in troop spaces. And we still washed our swabs by tying them to ropes and dragging them in the wake of the ship.

I had some of the worst meals and best times on her. A real lady, capable of doing up to 10 knots if being chased by torpedos, otherwise about 8 knots was normal.

APA-36
GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS

Class: Bayfield-class attack transport

Complement: 51 Officers and 524 Enlisted

Displacement: 8100 tons

Length: 492 feet 6 inches

Beam: 69 feet 6 inches

Draft: 26 feet 6 in

Final Disposition: Scrapped 7 September 1972

Response by CDR Gwen Keenan made Mar 12 at 2014 3:47 PM

2014-03-12T15:47:15-04:00

I served on Eagle (Horst Vessel) as a cadet and on USCGC Clover (WMEC-292) from 87-89. Clover sailed the Aleutians during WWII.

Response by Sgt Dennis Sabe made Dec 27 at 2014 2:18 PM

2014-12-27T14:18:00-05:00

Yes....I was stationed aboard the U.S.S. Coral Sea CV43 from Jan. 1979 to Jan. 1981. Her keel was laid in 1943 and was commissioned in 1946 if I recall correctly. I was part of the Marine Detachment aboard.

Response by CPO Lionel Pinn made May 18 at 2020 2:33 AM

2020-05-18T02:33:01-04:00

USCGC Taney 72-75. Pearl Harbor war ship.