A True Love Story - Chapter 6: TORPEDO SCHOOL, CLASS A, NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND 4 October 1954

CHAPTER 6:
TORPEDO SCHOOL, CLASS A
NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND
4 Oct 1954 - 13 May 1955

Pre-WWII vintage Torpedo School Barracks, Newport, Rhode Island. My second "home away from home: for 32 weeks, from 4 October 1954 to 13 May 1955.

TMSA Granados, up on the 2nd deck. Leaning on the railing above the Torpedo School Barracks Sign, April 1955. Newport, RI.

A group photo taken behind the Torpedo School Barracks, looking out toward Narragansett Bay. Granados TMSA top row left. April 1955, Newport, RI.

Torpedo School Barracks, Newport, Rhode Island April 1955. A classmate snapped this candid photo of fellow classmate Jack Poski on the right, wearing a duty belt, because he was on barracks Fire Watch and me, playing a quick game of chess.

Newport, Rhode Island April 1955. Behind Torpedo School Barracks. TMSA Granados, out on the end of the telephone pole, classmate TMSA Holland at the other end of the pole, Jumping up and down making the pole bounce like a spring board, trying to throw me off. He succeeded, just after this photo was taken. BOYS WILL BE BOYS, we were still young at heart.

Flying Home on Christmas Leave from TMA School 23 December 1954. The propeller on the right outboard engine appears not to be rotating. It is just an illusion, because of my relative position

A view from my window, of an American Airline DC 6, as we approach a snow covered mountain range, somewhere high over the Eastern United States. Flying home to El Paso, Texas from Torpedo School in Newport, Rhode Island on Christmas leave, 23 Dec. 1954,

Home again, this time on 10 days Christmas leave from TMA (Torpedoman’s Class A) School, 23 December 1954 to 1 January 1955. The two white strips on my left arm, indicate my rank ( pay grade ), Seaman Apprentice ( SA), pay grade E-2, about $ 79.00 a month, the insignia ( A Torpedo ) above the two strips, indicate my rating. TM ( Torpedoman ), so my rate, was TMSA, because I was a designated TM Striker ( going to TMA School to become a TM ). This is a special picture, because it shows me wearing my "Flat- Hat," which was primarily worn in cold areas, like Newport, Rhode Island. It was issued as part of our winter uniform. I am sad to say that it is no longer a part of the "Blue Jackets." (Enlisted) uniform. Another part of the old Navy Tradition gone. I for one, am very glad I had the opportunity to be serving in a time still full of Naval Traditions. It was my favorite hat, because it was a lot warmer than the white-hat, it does not show dirt, and it also identifies what Navy you are in, for every one to see. I still have my flat hat, as of this writing, Fall 2010

TMSA Granados, Torpedo School Barracks, 2nd deck(2nd floor) Newport, R. I. April 1955. My mother sent me my Fencing Equipment.

TMA School Barracks, April 1955. TMSA Granados, standing by my locker in my Bell-bottom Dungaree (work) trousers. Bell-bottoms, were not just for looks, they were made with a purpose in mind. The enlisted mans trousers were designed to allow easy removal while in the water. They could also be used as flotation, in the event you were not wearing a life vest when you went into the water -- As has happened many times, when sailors have been swept overboard during heavy sea conditions, or when you have to abandon ship in a hurry. The 21-inch diameter Escape Hatchs on US Navy ships will not allow passage if you are wearing a life vest. Bell-bottoms also made it easy to roll up your pant legs to keep them from getting wet, when washing and swabbing down the decks.

A 72 hour liberty, Easter weekend, from Torpedo School, April 1955.It was my first time in New York City.
A view of the New York City sky line from our Tour Boat.

A great view of Lady Liberty herself, from the Tour Boat. A truly great gift from France. Easter weekend April 1955.

Yours truly, foot loose and fancy free. In New York’s famous Central Park. Easter weekend, April 1955.

We encountered a couple of young women while strolling in the park and being the chow hounds all sailors are, we stopped to get something to eat. L-R, TMSN Granados, a young lady, TMSA Jack Poski, another young lady and TMSN John Hooson.

TMSN Granados on the steps of the famous Saint Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City, Easter weekend April 1955. { 185 }

A view of a famous land mark in New York City, the Radio City Music Hall. We attended a great performance there. We saw the famous "Rockettes," we also saw and heard the beautiful "Andrews Sisters." Easter weekend April 1955.

Inside Radio City Music Hall, I had my trusty Argus 35mm camera and I managed to capture this image of the Andrew Sisters on stage. April 1955. Hand held and I guessed at the exposure setting.

A night on the town, and another famous New York City land mark, the movie theater "Roxy," another hand held exposure. Easter weekend April 1955.

A view of (at that time) the 2nd tallest building in the country, the Chrysler Building in New York City. You can see exactly where I was when I snapped the photo, on my last day of liberty in New York City.

The William Sloane House YMCA, 356 West 34th Street, New York City, where I stayed while on a 72 hour liberty weekend from Torpedo School. Easter weekend April 1955.

Since we didn’t have a lot of money, we were always on the lookout for a good place to chow down at a price we could afford. Hector’s Cafeteria, New York’s most fabulous Self-Service Restaurant, fit our needs nicely. Easter week end 1955.

Class photo, Torpedo School, 28 Feb. 1955. A MK 13 Aircraft dropped steam fishes. Shorter and lighter than the ship, launched MK 15 and the submarine launched MK14 Torpedoes.

Torpedo School, Newport, Rhode Island. Torpedo Tube Mount class room, 28 February 1955 TMSN Granados, standing 3rd from left. TMSA Poski kneeling directly in front, TMSN Hooson, next to Poski‘s left.

Certificate of completion, TMA School. Newport, RI, 13 May 1955.

COMPLETING TORPEDO SCHOOL
GRADUATION DAY 13 MAY 1955

I applied myself and managed to finish 3rd in my class. After all the testing was completed, we had a day to relax and watch some actual naval combat films, while we waited for the List of Billets (list of Duty Stations) to arrive. I was thinking about putting in for Sub School in New London Connecticut, but after viewing the combat films and knowing what I had learned about Anti-Submarine Warfare, and the new ASW Weapon Systems ( Anti-Submarine, Active Acoustic Homing Torpedoes etc.), I decided against it.

I thought about the pros and cons of duty aboard a surface MAN-OF-WAR, like a Destroyer, versus duty aboard a Submarine and decided I would rather serve aboard a Destroyer on the surface of the sea than on a Submarine down below. I would rather have to jump into the water, if my ship was sinking, than to be forced to try to escape from a submerged submarine deep beneath the surface. A sub, will dive deep to evade Destroyers that are looking for it. The deeper a submarine is, the more difficult it is to effect a safe escape, especially under ASW conditions in deep waters.

A list of Duty Stations was presented, after all the final exams had been evaluated and scores were known. The CPO (Chief Petty Officer ) ( CLASS INSTRUCTOR ) walked into the class room and gave a little talk about our training and the different Duty Billets available to our Graduating Class. He read the final scores and class standings. He then asked each sailor to go up to his desk and select a Duty Station, as he called out our name according to the class standing. The list of Shipboard Billets included, Destroyers, Destroyer Escorts, Aircraft Carriers, Destroyer Tenders, including Sub School. For anyone who wanted to go into the "SILENT SERVICE," duty aboard US Navy Submarine’s. Classmate and good friend Jack Poski, elected to continue on to Sub School at New London, Connecticut.

I reviewed the list, and since I wanted to go to sea on a surface ship, I also wanted to be on a small Man-Of -War, I selected a Destroyer. There were many destroyers on the list, I knew nothing about any of them. I selected the USS DALY DD 519, as my first Sea Duty Assignment. I had no special reason, except that the Daly’s Home Port was also Newport, Rhode Island, only a short walk from the Torpedo School. Little did I know, that the "WHEELS OF FATE" that were set into motion the day I enlisted in the US NAVY, were slowly turning, guiding my actions. First, my choosing to strike (elect) to become a TORPEDOMAN. Now, selecting the oldest Fletcher Class Destroyer in the ATLANTIC FLEET, The USS DALY,DD 519, as my first Sea Duty Assignment. What next ?

Torpedo School was over, and we were all waiting to get our orders to our next Duty Station. Two of our classmates, Jack Poski 2nd from left and John Hooson 3rd from left are both in their Dress Blues and they have their orders and are waiting for transportation, 14 May 1955. I took the photo.

Go back to to Chapter 5: THE BEGINNING OF LIFE AS A SAILOR IN THE US NAVY, 4 JUNE 1954

Continue to Chapter 7: REPORTING TO MY FIRST SEA DUTY ASSIGNMENT THE USS DALY DD-519, NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND 15 MAY 1955