The following is a record of the history and work performed by the electrical shop aboard the United States Ship Denebola AF-56
The log begins:
September 17, 1971
Departing from Naples enroute to Malaga, Spain
Held PMS for the week
Secured Spaces for heavy seas
Cleaned shop and made preparations for getting underway
Repaired stern light
Holiday routine from 1300
September 18, 1971
Holiday routine
September 19, 1971
Holiday routine
September 20, 1971 to September 23, 1971
Ported Malaga Spain
Liberty port section only aboard and performed weekly and daily routine
September 24, 1971
Sail and ported Rota, Spain
September 25, 1971
Field day all electrical spaces and enroute Norva
Repaired forward boson locker lights
Replaced S&P caps throughout the ship
September 26, 1971
Holiday routine
September 27, 1971
Repaired S&R circuit in reefer shop
Repaired lighting circuits in engine room
Checked out both P and S DC engine room vents
Started this weeks PMS
September 28, 1971
PMS for the week
Cleaned capstan storage space
Held field day in the shop
Hooked up new lights in the carpenter shop
September 29, 1971
Shop was warshed down
Repaired shaft alley lights
September 30, 1971
Pay-day
Ready spaces for inspection
October 1, 1971
Inspection of the troops
Repaired oven in galley
October 2, 1971
Fixed short on #14 unit winch
Arrived Norva 7 day 20 hours to cross
October 2, 1971
Holiday routine
October 4, 1971
Shore power rigged
Repaired hand electric
October 5, 1971
Worked on PMS
Checked and repaired the aircraft warning lights
Repair dryer in laundry
Went to shore power
October 6, 1971 to October 11, 1971
96’s were given to the crew
Duty section aboard only
Normal and routine repair was held for the week
October 11, 1971
Repaired engine room lighting
Repaired Movie projector
Holiday routine
October 12, 1971
Set plant off
Held PMS for the week
Worked on circuits for all four holds
October 13, 1971
PMS for the week
Worked on lighting circuits in all four holds
October 14, 1971
No entry
October 15, 1971
Underway for a 7 day cruise
October 16, 1971
Break out replenishment
PMS for the week
October 17, 1971
Holiday routine
October 18, 1971
Replenishment all day
October 19, 1971
Repaired #6 and #4 unit winches
Installed last of bunk lights
General Quarters in the afternoon
October 20, 1971
Damage control lectures on the mess decks
PMS for the week
Cleaned spaces for entering Port
*During this cruise all Electricians are standing "BT" and "MM" watches as break ins by order. No cooperation by EM’s at all!
October 21, 1971
PMS for the next two weeks
Worked on Dc gear
Worked in holes
Movie call on boilers
Cleaned shop for entering port
Installed light in Pilot house
Entered port; rigged shore power went cold iron.
October 22, 1971
Fixed juice dispenser on mess decks
Made movie run
Worked on shaft alley lights
Fixed telephones
October 23, 1971
Worked on ground in sound powered telephone system& voice tube bell circuits
Fixed Mr. (LTJG) Mazza’s desk light
October 24, 1971
Holiday routine
October 25, 1971
Holiday routine
Answered trouble calls
October 26, 1971
Made Servmart run
Mounted light on bridge for navigator
Worked on sander
Repaired lights in the engine room
Phase fuse blown
October 27, 1971 Wednesday
Duty electrician calls answered by IC electrician
October 28, 1971 Thursday
Worked on Emergency AC Generator starter (unit was grounded)
Answered duty elect calls
October 29, 1971 Friday
Repaired crews projector
October 30, 1971 Saturday
Refused circuits in lower level of No. 3 Hold
October 31, 1971 Sunday
Holiday routine
November 1, 1971 Monday
Held field day
Fixed limit switch on stbd boat davit
Started PMS on controllers A4
Worked on PMS
Sent 1 man (Glenn Train EMFN) to unload CO2 bottles from ship
November 2, 1971 Tuesday
Worked on PMS
Made new PMS schedule
Made out work request for 03-87-0 vent
Cleaned shop
November 3, 1971 Wednesday
Worked on controllers
Worked on lighting panel in engine room
Cleaned shop
November 4, 1971 Thursday
Repaired bunk lights
Repaired lighting circuit in Store room
Continued PMS on controllers
Ran AC Diesel for 1 hour
November 5, 1971 Friday
Cross rate training for us
Made up weekly PMS schedule
Installed kick pipe for welder in passageway outside engine room
Furnished 1 man for a 10 man working party. (Kyle Purvis EMFN)
November 6, 1971 Saturday
Full working day
Cleaned shop
Held PMS
November 7, 1971 Sunday
Holiday routine
November 8, 1971 Monday
Wired up new DC welder
Removed main condensate motor breaker
Continued PMS on controllers
November 9, 1971 Tuesday
PMS
Started working in Chiefs quarters
Took breaker to Comservlant
Dryer needed belt
November 10, 1971 Wednesday
PMS for the week
#13 unit winch fan motor to tender
Washing Machine needed adjust
Lube oil purifier needed repair
November 11, 1971 Thursday
Held PMS
Relamped engine room
November 12, 1971 Friday
Held PMS ended this weeks and started next weeks
Cleaned shop and repaired deck crawlers and surveyed 3 of them
Repair Movie Projector (Viewlex)
November 13, 1971 Saturday
Saturday routine and duty
November 11, 1971 Sunday
Sunday holiday routine
November 15, 1971 Monday
Held PMS for the week
Cleaned shop and cleaned out drawers on shops tool bench
Rewrote PMS for us by schedule
Cleaned Battery shop
Got ready for surprise admin inspection
One man for ships working party (Dasalla)
November 16, 1971 Tuesday
Removed light fixture forward main deck
Fixed Mr. Mazza’s desk light of which nothing was wrong
Held PMS
Held extra sensitive shop clean up with emphasis on deck and mat
Mail call 0945
November 17, 1971 Wednesday
Hook up 440 3phase AC up for new radar
Held PMS on AC generators (Dasalla)
Repaired switch panel for new lights in Pilot house
Replaced wiring diagrams in unit winches
One man at fire fighting school (Roberts)
November 18, 1971 Thursday
Replace bad coil in no. 1 topping winch and placed back in commission (Dasalla)
Repaired lids on fuse panels (Ferguson)
Replaced bad brush on ships laundry (S.T.R.)
Worked on vent set 03-88-1 (Ferguson)
Repaired wiring in GSK’s G&H store room (Ferguson)
Repaired cable in sail locker (Purvis)
November 19, 1971 Friday
Pulled and worked on motor whaleboat engine starter
Answered trouble calls on unit winches and blown fuse on Quarterdeck
Hooked up power for radar repeaters
Cleaned up shop and brought down next weeks PMS
November 20, 1971 Saturday J. Baker EM1 Duty Elect
Modified duty day for Saturday
November 21, 1971 Sunday J. Cox ICFN Duty Elect
Holiday routine
November 22, 1971 Monday G. Scott EM2 Duty Elect
Kennedy assassinated 8 years ago
Replaced starter in motor whale boat
Fixed ½" drill for signalmen and quartermasters
November 23, 1971 Tuesday K. Purvis EMFN Duty Elect
Cleaned shop-worked on PMS
Answered trouble calls
November 24, 1971 Wednesday G. Train EMFN Duty Elect
Worked on Mr. Conners Desk light
Sent one man to Todd electric for unit winch vent fan brushes
Cleaned up shop
Commenced holiday weekend for Thanksgiving
November 25, 1971 Thursday Duty Section only Holiday routine
November 26, 1971 Friday Duty Section only Holiday routine
November 27, 1971 Saturday Duty Section only Holiday routine
November 28, 1971 Sunday Duty Section only Holiday routine
November 29, 1971 Monday
Replaced circuit breaker in Ship Service DC switchboard
Held PMS
Went back to Todd Electric for brush holders for #13 unit winch
Made a new Flashlight for Scott EM2
November 30, 1971 Tuesday
Worked on bunk lights in CPO berthing
Replaced receptacle on Quarterdeck
Fixed broken leads on No. 2 Dryer in the laundry
Started work on unit winch controller contacts
Sent Purvis EMFN on a working party
December 1, 1971 Wednesday
Order a work request for new battery chargers
Work on #13 unit winch fan motor
Work on No. 14 unit winch broken movement arm
Man worked in Chiefs Quarters
Worked on floor buffer
Placed no. 13 unit winch back in commission
Replaced No. 14 unit winch 3M coil movement arm (BIC)
Removed leads from ships Career Counseling office
Air cond. Transformer for brick cutter
December 2, 1971 Thursday
Worked on weekly PMS
Megger machinery in engine room
Check out uptakes lights
Worked on lights in Chiefs quarters
Removed fan in aft steering
Made run to Public works (Scott EM2)
Sent one man over to Two day fire fighting school (G. Train EMFN)
December 3, 1971 Friday
Lit off DC generators
Replaced connection on Batt chargers
PMS for the week
Grounded Boswains Coffee pot
Has anyone seen the "Texas Pig" today
He brought down next weeks PMS
He spent two hours in the post office (??????)
He went to GSK and ????? the rest of the day
He may put new contacts in a unit winch
December 4, 1971 Saturday
Normal Saturday only Duty section aboard
Repaired antenna to shop
December 5, 1971 Sunday
Holiday routine
December 6, 1971 Monday
Held a fast cruise, updated watch, quarter and station bill
Un-rig Shore bill (Shore Power)
Installed new coil in main circulate
Repaired controllers on circulate VAPs.
Installed bunk lights in Chiefs quarters
December 7, 1971 Tuesday
Cruise the Bay
December 8, 1971 Wednesday
Work on chiefs Bunk lights
Work on washing machine
Relamp "Friendship lights" for Christmas
Repaired Chiefs hot plate
December 9, 1971 Thursday
Rig Christmas lights for the season
Remove electric valve for the washing machine
#13 unit winch fan motor came lose replace with # 3 unit winch fan
December 10, 1971 Friday
Repaired #3 unit winch with #13 fan motor
Repaired lighting circuit in bilge.
Clean Chiefs quarters
Worked on Christmas lights.
Had trouble with #5 unit winch.
Trouble with washing machine.
Clean shop for the weekend.
December 11, 1971 Saturday
Worked on Mess Deck Amp for IC.
Worked on frozen limit switch on starboard boat davit.
Aux Circuit crapped out-couldn’t repair-burnt out m-coil.
December 12, 1971 Sunday
Holiday Routine
December 13, 1971 Monday
Sent Train FN on 10 man Commissary Working party
Relamped friendship lights and checked them out.
Tried to find M-1 for auxiliary circulate controller
Repaired lighting in engine room.
Started PMS for the week.
Cleared ground from Engineer room lighting
Worked on Captains MG Fuel line.
Energized Friendship lights 0700 Denergized.
Friendship lights (XO ordered latter) not to be energized till 16 Dec 71.
December 14, 1971 Tuesday
Payday for the crew tomorrow 15 Dec 71
Train J. EM3 went home @ liberty call
Manufacturing code TB-16-1 for M-Coil for auxiliary circuit controller.
Repaired limit switch on starboard boat davit.
Field day shop for commander.
Held PMS for today.
Tried to fix BM lights (ground cleared)
Installed M-1 coil in auxiliary circulate controller
Repaired evaporator’s salt water circulating pump.
December 15, 1971, Wednesday
Payday for the crew.
Ordered coil for controller (auxiliary circulate).
Minor repair on two unit winches.
Answered trouble calls.
Clean shop I think.
December 16, 1971, Thursday
Repair shop’s movie projector
Tiny worked on Christmas decorations
One man on line handling party
Worked on lighting circuit #3 hole
PMS for the week.
December 17, 1971, Friday
Repaired lights in #3 hold 2nd level.
Train GW EMFN took military leadership and passed. (at least he did)
Repaired lights N0 #3 hole N0 Level
Secured for sea storm
Cleaned shop for the week
Repaired Captains buffer
Repaired ½" drill.
Set three battery chargers in #4, #3, & #2 holds.
Repaired Christmas Lights on gun mounts, for EM2 Mazza.
"No rest for the wicked"
"Ask what you can do for your country" JFK
December 18, 1971, Saturday
Worked on battery chargers.
Answered trouble calls.
December 19, 1971, Sunday
Rest for all of God’s people
December 20, 1971, Monday
Replaced "M" coil in auxiliary circuit (BIC)
Made unnecessary check on all of the AC Generators circuit breakers.
Answered Trouble calls.
December 21, 1971, Tuesday
Worked on washing machine. Drain cap bent.
Lubricated brake coil plunger on #2 Unit Winch
Trouble shot #12 unit winch for L.V. Coil problem.
Figured out operation of cargo passage handling space.
Picked supplies, pot cable to lugs.
December 22, 1971, Wednesday
Repaired Christmas lights
December 23, 1971, Thursday
Lit off Mark 14 and Mark 23 gyros
Went to Todd Electric in search of 3 microphones for 1 MC on bridge
Worked on 1 MC
Started cleaning #1 S/S DC generator but had to re-assemble due to engineering problems
Checked Christmas lights and replaced bulb in candle on gun mount #31
Worked on I MC some more.
Worked on #3 cargo reefer compartment controller until midnite, resumed working on same @3am (0300) and repaired (WFS pressure switch fouled).
December 24, 1971, Friday
Christmas Eve
Holiday Routine
Played #1 DC S/S Generator (put on line and then took it off.)
December 25, 1971, Saturday
Holiday Routine
December 26, 1971, Monday
Holiday Routine
December 27, 1971, Tuesday
Unrig "med lights"
unrig Shore power.
Police shop and all electrical spaces.
December 28. 1971 Wednesday
burn shore power cable up (did repair it some).
Disconnect shore power.
Repaired starboard mercury searchlight.
Worked on No. 1 and No. 3 unit winch.
Left Norfolk, Virginia for med cruise.
29 December 1971
general quarters for one hour this morning.
Repaired unit winch No. 7.
Worked most of the day on searchlight's.
Worked on replenishment lights.
Worked on No. 3 unit winch.
Started whale boat.
Repaired degaussing.
30 December 1971
Ran cable run to No. 2 battery charger.
01 Jan. 1972
Changed cable and circuit breaker for battery charger's.
02 Jan. 1972
finish cable run to No. 3 and No. 4 hold battery charger.
Replace missing cover plate on Freon in diffuser room second level No. 4 hold.
Clean No. 1 DC generator (maximum effort) Purvis, Train Glenn.
03 Jan. 1972
worked on chief quarters bunk lights.
Worked on renewing contacts unit winches.
Repaired several small appliances.
Changed polarity on battery charger forward.
Replace the battery.
Washed down the floor in the shop.
04 Jan. 1972
repaired chiefs Grill.
Finish chiefs bunk lights.
Answered trouble calls during replenishment.
05 Jan. 1972
palette Jack repair, at least 100 of them things.
Work on 3-- 3 -- H vent relay and solenoid.
06 Jan. 1972 transit Gibraltar
Pallet Jack repair and fork truck.
Unit winch repair.
Repaired soda cooler in Gee-dunk.
Worked on Mercury Zenon searchlight's.
08 Jan. 1972
hit 1 with Concorde SF 5.
Burn out a1 coil in No. 2 unit winch
repair or truck on No. 3 level No. 4 hold.
Repaired electrical interlock mechanical on No. 6 unit winch.
Engine room watch is on 6 and 6.
09 Jan. 1972 Sunday
repaired fork trucks and pallet Jack's all-day.
10 Jan. 1972 Monday
alongside replenishment two hits.
11 Jan. 1972 Tuesday
alongside to replenishment.
Finish relamping friendship lights
12 Jan. 1972 Wednesday
worked on forward welder brushes required.
Half-day holiday routine.
Wrote up next quarters of PMS schedule.
13 Jan. 1972 Thursday
Anchored off Mount Romano inrep L. S. T.'s.
Answered trouble calls.
14 Jan. 1972 Friday
Pulled into Naples.
Liberty called by department heads.
15 Jan. 1972 Saturday
Rewound officers movie.
Slept most of the day away.
16 Jan. 1972 Sunday
holiday routine.
17 Jan. 1972 Monday
IC changed movies at NMPX Naples.
Repaired welder in the shipfitters shop.
Worked on lights No. 4 hold lower-level.
Picked up one or more from Concord AFS-2.
18 Jan. 1972 Tuesday
06 00 moved over to PIER to offload transit whale boat onloaded fleet cargo.
Adjusted No. 2 AC circulating pump motor.
Repaired boat boom (lights broken on the end of it.).
19 January 1972 Wednesday
At 06 00 set 6 and 6 replenishment watch.
Worked on PMS.
Installed drill press motor.
Repaired No. 7 cargo compressor motor controller.
Fixed shops movie projector.
20 Jan. 1972 Thursday
replenishment U.S. S. Seattle.
Repaired No. 11 controller handle (2 hours).
Repaired to fork trucks 1 and No. 4 hold and one in No. 3 (4 hours).
21 Jan. 1972 Friday
replenishment.
Half-day holiday routine.
Weak limit switch in No. 8 unit winch.
22 Jan. 1972 Saturday
changed oil pump motor's around (two different units).
Half-day holiday routine.
23 Jan. 1972 Sunday
last day of replenishment.
24 Jan. 1972 Monday (in transit, Palma Spain)
finished last week's PMS, brought down this week's PMS.
Rigged Med lights around the sides.
Repaired lighting circuit No. 3 hold bottom level.
Repaired lights in berthing and head.
25 Jan. 1972 Tuesday
arrived Palma (RIG MED lights).
Duty section only.
26 Jan. 1972 Wednesday
duty section only.
Hooked up phone.
27 Jan. 1972 Thursday
duty section only.
28 Jan. 1972 Friday
leave for Rota, Spain.
Unrig Med lights.
29 Jan. 1972 Saturday
clean and restored gear in cable lockers.
PMS for the week.
Payday, TB shots, ordered liquor and general nice day.
30 Jan. 1972 Sunday
fixed passageway lights.
Installed two new fluorescent lights Mess decks and second passageway.
PMS for next two weeks.
Ported Rota Spain.
31 Jan. 1972 Monday
headed for Continental United States. (EM2 John Train age 22)
1 February 1972 Tuesday
repair boatswain locker lights.
Repaired boatswain locker outlets.
Did weekly PMS.
Clean shop for return's zone inspection.
February 2nd 1972 Wednesday
continued shop cleanup.
worked on next week's PMS.
replaced 115 volt AC coil for ship service refrigerator.
Checked DCC kits and ordered what was needed.
February 3rd 1972 Thursday
Heavy seas.
Daily routine.
February 4th 1972 Friday
Heavy seas.
Daily routine.
February 5th 1972 Saturday
Light seas.
Daily routine.
February 6 1972 Sunday
Holiday routine.
February 7th 1972 Monday
Held general quarters.
Repair PMS bullshit.
Normal routine.
February 8th 1972 Tuesday
Repaired lights sockets in shaft alley.
Repaired ship service reefer box controls.
Clean space behind lamp locker.
Ordered new lights for log room.
Worked on lights in resister room forward.
February 9th 1972 Wednesday
New guide lists for battle lanterns.
Check out mean ventilation motors in STACKS.
Clean shop.
Weekly PMS.
February 10th 1972 Thursday
Entered NorVa.
F__k it.
February 11th 1972 Friday
Everyone is home except me! (Glenn Train).
Spent the day answering trouble calls and switching from ship power to shore power.
Also had the watch.
A woe is me.
February 12 1972 Saturday
Fixed the forward aircraft warning lights. (Man was it ever cold up their).
Not really that cold but scary. (But you didn't know what that son of a bitch Cox did).
February 13 1972 Sunday
Replaced cable on aft anchor light.
Worked on ground in main condensate motor.
Showed movies and answered trouble calls.
But then the United States Navy called it "Holiday routine."
February 14th 1972 Monday
Pulled main condensate pump motor.
February 15th 1972 Tuesday
Repaired main condensate to motor.
February 16th 1972 Wednesday
Worked on this week's PMS.
A new nut for the main condensate pump motor must be found before repairs can be made.
February 17th 1972 Thursday
Worked on PMS.
The main condensate armature to U.S. S. Vulcan.
Test ran on main condensate commencing at 15:00.
Repaired popcorn popper.
February 18th 1972 Friday
Normal routine.
February 19, 1972 Saturday
Another workday.
Had visitors aboard all-day.
It snowed today, yes that's right it snowed.
Fixed lights in B division corner of lower berth.
Had a real liferistic fire drill also.
February 20th 1972 Sunday (EM2 Scott duty electrician).
Holly routine.
Secured main condensate motor and checked for ground read 30 meg. (Approximately) Amen.
February 21st 1972 Monday (Purvis EMFN duty electrician)
Holiday routine.
Check out main housing pump motor for ground 30 meg. is recorded.
February 22nd 1972 Tuesday Kem ski brought down to the shop (Train EMFN duty electrician).
Clean the mats AC switchboard front and back.
Worked on PMS.
Repaired plugs receptacle and radio Central.
Tagged out vent 03-87-02 exhaust vent also A/C 4 radio Central.
Disconnect evaporator saltwater circulating pump.
Relamp port running light.
"Watch for more in the near future"
Submitted by John Train EM2