Stories of Officers and Up and Down Angles on Raton
Since 12-21-04
From: williamrice
To: Bill Decker
Sent: Sunday, December 19, 2004 11:52 AM
Subject: Re: King ???
This is the same LCDR Shea I was telling you about Bill. He wasn't the CO, he
was the XO on the WESTPAC trip in 1961. I remember the engine overhaul in Guam.
After leaving Guam we stopped at Chi Chi Shima. Upon making our approach we
sighted a fisherman in a small boat with a Johnson outboard motor. When we
surfased, we scared the hell out of him, he cranked up and headed in to port. At
Chi Chi Shima we had a beer ball game and everybody got smashed.
Bill Rice. Class of 61
----- Original Message -----
From: Bill Decker
To: Undisclosed-Recipient:; Sent: Tuesday, December 14, 2004 2:43 PM Subject: Fw:
King ???
Thanks Ken and good to hear from you again. Been a long time. Bill
----- Original Message -----
From: Ken Allum
To: Bill Decker
Sent: Tuesday, December 14, 2004 1:58 PM Subject:
RE: King ???
Bill: In regards to the stay in Guam. My recollection is that it was due to #4
main engine requiring overhaul. We were their a few days completing maintenance.
We departed Guam on December 3, 1961. The only reason I remember that, is that
day was my birthday.
Reading Charles King's comments about down angles, I wonder if he, or anyone
else remembers our trim dive over the Mariana trench, shortly after we left
Guam. Now that was a down angle!
About LCDR Shea, the XO, I remember him as a friendly and personable guy, who
helped make my tenure on the Raton an enjoyable one.
Ken Allum EN3(SS) -
----Original Message-----
From: Charles C King
To: bdecker@shentel.net
Cc: biffbaker@cox-internet.com
Sent: Sunday, December 12, 2004 3:48 PM
Subject: Re: King ???
Biff: You are right on. I was asst. eng. and comms in 59-62. Also had Supply
while in the yard at Mare. For all, the original Rat was made in Guam in 61 or
early 62. It may have been chromed later. Also, Paul Nelson was right. It was
the vertical fin that was painted pink, not the turtleback. Salmon had no
turtleback as such. Shows how my mind has calcified over forty years.
I did my underway quals in Salmon. Inspite of his big show, Bid Daddy Whitmire was a wimp. On my qual dive I ordered a fifteen down, which was normal on Raton. B.D. almost had a heart attack. Nothing more than a four down or up. I thought he was going to fail me on the spot.
We often did thirty degrees downs/ups in Raton. Just ask Chief Bennett. He would come into control and threaten no chow if we dumped the food on the deck once again. . Do any of you remember "painting" the Rock.
We were at Broadway Pier in S.D. Rock was outboard. When
she got underway, the after battery and sternroom hatches opened and light bulbs
filled with different colored paints were thrown against its sail. Never found
the culprits. Never looked. Great show.
Chuck King
----- Original Message -----
On Sun, 12 Dec 2004 14:22:51 -0500
"Bill Decker" <bdecker@shentel.net>
writes:
Sorry about that Biff. I know my eyes are bad but..... I read the whole thing
and I though it was from JR? Godd thing I looked again.
Bill
----- Original Message -----
From: Biff Baker
To: Bill Decker
Sent: Sunday, December 12, 2004 9:41 AM
Subject: King ???
Bill, Do you have "Chuck" Kings E-Mail address?
I have so damn many Kings in my address package, but I don't know if he is the one on the Raton with me or not. He was the comm. officer on there and I think the assist. Eng. at one time. I would like to write to him and run over a few things that we shared to-gether. There are two Charles C. Kings in my pack and I don't know which is which.
Thanks and Merry Christmas to you and Louise.
Your Shipmate " Biff "