photos from Don Smith

Life on a US Navy ship isn't all work and drill. This page is dedicated to life aboard ship. It shows the naval tradition like honor guard, crew relaxing to break the at sea routine, Fishing, an equator crossing ceremony and even some on watch duty. Thanks to Don Smith for these pictures and memories.

MMC Reeves was an avid fisherman. He came on board in 65 and there are pictures of him and BTCS " Pappy " Chandler fishing on the 66 Red Sea cruise in the 66 Med cruise book. I understand Chief Reeves, retired now lives in Alabama and is no doubt still fishing.

Don Smith was STG3. Hard at work on watch in sonar. 1971 Med cruise. Sorry to wake you up Don but had to take the picture.
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Bareburg BMSN, RD3 Tortorise in foreground We stopped to paint and decided to go fishing. We had a big fish cookout. These were taken in Jan 1969 during deployment to the Red Sea/Persian Gulf

At left--Baker CS1,White ET2 and Hunt MM2 cleaning fish we caught. Long EM1 and
EMC Hughes in the background. Red Sea Jan 1969

Crossing the equator is a ritual that has been in the navy long before the American navy was formed for the Revolutionary War. Any sailor who has never crossed the 00000 degree lattitude is called a Pollywog. Once you have crossed and been thru the initiation you are a Shellback. For several days there are plans and preperations for this initiation on both sides. Of course with all the tricks played by both sides during the ensuing days the Shellbacks will eventually have thier day and thier way.

Running the gauntlet of paddles and shouts. Sore backside for anyone who a paddler thought was too slow, or too fast, or not fast enough, or any reason they can think of.