Posted on Dec 28, 2023
Down Through 7 Levels of the Battleship's Hull
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Posted in these groups: 
Naval/Maritime History
Naval/Maritime History
Posted 12 mo ago
Responses: 2
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel good day Brother William, always informational and of the most interesting. Thanks for sharing, have a blessed day!
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Did alot of welding work down in the shaft ally, most welders told me they didn't like a job there, but I enjoyed it.
Down there no body would go there to check you, due to it being so far down, and not easy going threw all the safety netting, at every deck level.
You always took everything you needed going there, it was to much of a hassle if you needed to go back up.
But, most of the time, you had to go back up, to adjust your welding amperage, due to it took about 12 to 16ea, 50 foot length welding cables to reach the shaft ally.
Set up, was a nightmare, and time consuming to start work. Oxygen and acetylene hoses had to be set up too, at the required length needed, as well as a air supply hose for your pneumatic tools.
At all that length, the amperage was unknown, depending on the machine. So, all good welders, just knew how to weld with what they had, and get the job done right.
You only came back up for lunch, but some of us brought something to eat and drink to avoid the climb up.
To tell you the truth, I never thought about eating or drinking while there, I was infantry in the army.
One day, I was surprised that the production officer came down to the shaft ally, he didn't stay to long, due to all the smoke and heat, but that one was a good officer, and we all knew it, always on the ball.
Word of advise, never have someone else going down above you, it was known, that the higher guy would sometimes accidently drop his hammer or other tool, and it was along drop from the top. Keep your hard hat on at all times.
Picture is of me closing up an access, that I cut to the shaft ally, to get the screw shafts out for balancing, and to change out the Babbitt bearings.
On the inside, you would have to go down to the shaft ally to weld up the other side, first I welded the outside, then had to go inside, the access cut was 30' by 10' cut.
In the picture is the outside of shaft ally, all the way down, 8 levels.
Down there no body would go there to check you, due to it being so far down, and not easy going threw all the safety netting, at every deck level.
You always took everything you needed going there, it was to much of a hassle if you needed to go back up.
But, most of the time, you had to go back up, to adjust your welding amperage, due to it took about 12 to 16ea, 50 foot length welding cables to reach the shaft ally.
Set up, was a nightmare, and time consuming to start work. Oxygen and acetylene hoses had to be set up too, at the required length needed, as well as a air supply hose for your pneumatic tools.
At all that length, the amperage was unknown, depending on the machine. So, all good welders, just knew how to weld with what they had, and get the job done right.
You only came back up for lunch, but some of us brought something to eat and drink to avoid the climb up.
To tell you the truth, I never thought about eating or drinking while there, I was infantry in the army.
One day, I was surprised that the production officer came down to the shaft ally, he didn't stay to long, due to all the smoke and heat, but that one was a good officer, and we all knew it, always on the ball.
Word of advise, never have someone else going down above you, it was known, that the higher guy would sometimes accidently drop his hammer or other tool, and it was along drop from the top. Keep your hard hat on at all times.
Picture is of me closing up an access, that I cut to the shaft ally, to get the screw shafts out for balancing, and to change out the Babbitt bearings.
On the inside, you would have to go down to the shaft ally to weld up the other side, first I welded the outside, then had to go inside, the access cut was 30' by 10' cut.
In the picture is the outside of shaft ally, all the way down, 8 levels.
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SGT (Join to see)
PO1 William "Chip" Nagel - I've seen the Boatswain sometimes had to persuade the firewatch do get down the shaft ally, and he don't ask, he yells. Lol
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
SGT (Join to see) - Yeah, I've Lived with 1st Division, They are Not Saints' They are Thugs, You Earn their Respect! I Earned It "Don't F**k with CT1 He is Nuts" When it came to Ringing Me Ashore, I was Lazy I Didn't Designate Which Boatswains Mate Would have that Honor it Broke Down to Common Thuggery, A Fight, The One that Took Care of "My Honors" He Wasn't what I'd Call "Smart" He Would Never Let Me Down! I Guess there is Something to be Said for Loyalty!
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SGT (Join to see)
PO1 William "Chip" Nagel - When I first saw on ship, ship force wiping down the bulkheads with a sponge and spray bottle, I wonder what in the hell they were doing.
I was told, see that guy yelling, he's the Boatswain, the meanest sailor on the ship, don't screw with him, fire comes out of his mouth. Lol
I was also told, that the Boatswains, know every hiding place on ship, and will fine you.
I was told, see that guy yelling, he's the Boatswain, the meanest sailor on the ship, don't screw with him, fire comes out of his mouth. Lol
I was also told, that the Boatswains, know every hiding place on ship, and will fine you.
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
SGT (Join to see) - They Knew Where CT1 Was and to Make Sure they Covered "My Ass" Watching Out for Me? That is always a Wise Decision!
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