CHAPTER 10:
USS DALY DD519
DEPLOYMENT
BRITISH ISLES, NORTHERN EUROPE, DENMARK, FINLAND
28 JUNE - 20 AUGUST 1955

NATO
NORTH SEA OPERATIONS
AUGUST 1955

GERMANY, SPAIN
22 AUGUST - 25 SEPTEMBER 1955

US NAVY SIXTH FLEET
OPERATIONS IN THE MEDITERRANEAN
SEPTEMBER - NOVEMBER 1955

DESDIV 302 in formation, 28 June 1955, as we steam eastward on our way to Northern Europe and the Mediterranean Sea, for deployment with other units of the Sixth Fleet operating there.

The Smalley DD 565, the Bronson DD 668, and the Cotten DD 669, follow in the Daly’s wake, as we settle down for a long voyage across the North Atlantic. 29 June 1955.

DEPLOYMENT

The Daly as scheduled to operate with ships and Submarines of the United Kingdom, Denmark, Greece and Italy. Ports of call in England, Germany, Denmark, Finland, Spain, France, Turkey and Greece were to be visited. Since the Daly was the Flagship (meaning we carried an officer of "Flag Rank "aboard), we had Captain Gideon M. Boyd on board the Daly. Captain Boyd broke his pennant ( Took Command ) aboard the Daly in July 1955 as Commodore in charge of Destroyer Division ( DESDIV ) 302.

The benefits of being the flagship were numerous, we often were able to tie up alongside a pier or other ships tied up to a pier while the other destroyers had to tie up to a buoy or anchor in the Harbour / Bay. There were times the DALY traveled to ports of call that the rest of the Division DDs (destroyers) did not. The only negative thing to being aboard the "Flagship," as far as the enlisted crew were concerned, was that there were times when the crews of the other three "TIN CANS" were running around in dungarees (utility work uniform) while we had to be in undress "Blues or Whites," when "Topside "and we had to be more "Squared Away" (Sharp looking), even when we were out at sea. The "Blues and Whites," were much more difficult to keep clean.

We usually had three-section "Cinderella liberty" while in foreign ports. "Cinderella liberty" means that we had to be back aboard the ship by Midnight, 2400 and "three-section" means that 1/3 of the crew was always on duty, so if an emergency arose they could get the ship underway on short notice.

GETTING UNDERWAY

It was a clear, bright, sunny morning, as the USS DALY and company pulled away from Destroyer Pier 1 at the Naval Base and steamed out of Narragansett Bay and away from our "Home Port" ( Newport, Rhode Island ) on 28 June 1955. We cleared the breakwater and the "Special Sea Detail" was secured, as we headed into the vast North Atlantic Ocean on a course heading for the British Isles, Scandinavia and Europe.

The crossing was relatively smooth, since we did not encounter any storms or heavy sea conditions, and on the 12th day of steady steaming, we sighted our first landfall, that of the British Isles. It was a bright sunny warm day as the USS Daly and the three sister Destroyers of DESDIV 302 steamed up the English Channel to our first port of call, Picturesque Portsmouth England. Portsmouth, is the home port of the Royal Navy and was bustling with activity, commercial vessels from many different countries and Royal Navy ships.

We refueled, took on freshwater and fresh food items. The Daly’s Refers (cold storage locker) could only hold enough fresh milk and eggs to last an active crew of 250 "Chow Hounds" (Hungry Sailors) about ten days to two weeks when underway ( At Sea ), after that it was powdered milk and eggs.

We were in Portsmouth for five days, enough time to allow everyone on board an opportunity to go ashore at least once. The Daly, tied up to a pier across from the British Aircraft Carrier HMS EAGLE. We made friends with some English Sailors off the Eagle and they invited us over for a "Look See." It was very interesting to see how other seamen live. We saw the famous "Cask Of Rum" (that I had heard about, but never seen) that is aboard every British Naval MAN- OF-WAR (Fighting Ship). Each man onboard receives a daily ration of two fingers of rum.

There are no alcoholic beverages of any kind allowed on any American Naval ships, except perhaps on a HOSPITAL SHIP. One British sailor wanted to swap hats with me and I said sure, so I now am the proud owner of a genuine English sailors "White- Hat."

Life is a bit different aboard a British Man-Of- War, they still utilize Hammocks to sleep in. The positive side of hammocks, is that they swing and sway as the ship rolls from side to side and pitches up and down. The English sailors really like them. I would gladly trade my bunk in for a British style hammock. Another plus, is the fact that it is much harder for you to be thrown out of your bed during violent sea conditions. Sleeping on your stomach is very difficult though. After Reveille, all hands roll up their bedding in a smart military manner, and stow it in a large bin. This process, frees up a great deal of space and allows unobstructed and quick access anywhere in or around the compartment. This is a BIG PLUS, especially during GQ (General Quarters / Battle Stations). They are not allowed to hang up their hammocks during the work day, unless by special permission ( if you are sick / injured ).

Onboard US NAVY ships, we have bunks, instead of hammocks, and they are stacked in tears, one on top another (about 18 inches apart) three to five high. In my living compartment, I had a top rack ( bunk ) in a tear of three high, so I had a little more room, but there was ships plumbing and electrical cables running overhead. My head made painful contact with the steel support structure on more than one occasion.

I can tell you that I forgot to try and sit up only a few times, and I was rudely awaken by a sharp (painful) blow to the old noggin ( head ). If a fellow in one of the lower bunks wanted to turn over, he had to slide out and go back in the different position, if he was a big fellow. It was a definite plus, to be on the thin side.

Sometimes, the bunks would be shaken loose during very rough sea conditions. You also had to hold on, even while you were lying in your rack, because if you didn’t, there was a good chance you would get tossed out, and the steel deck is not a very soft place to land. Our bunks are suspended with two lengths of chain about 18 inches in length each with "J – Hooks "attached at each end. The bunk frame rail rest on the J part of the hook.

Our bunks are triced up (put up) during working hours, but unlike the British Seamen, we were allowed to lower our racks during the noon hour. American sailors, love their sack time, and many would take a nap during the mid day meal break and try to catch some ZZZZZZ ( sleep ). I tried it several times, but I felt worst afterward, so I stopped doing it. Instead, I would go top side, during good weather and write letters.

During inclement weather, I would go up on the 01 deck (the 1st deck above the main deck) and go to one of several Engine Room exhaust air vents located at the base of NO 1 and NO 2 ship’s smoke stack, because they were always blowing warm air from the Engine Rooms and Fire Rooms. The Torpedo Tube Mount was my favorite place to sit and write letters, or just sit and take in the view.

Sometimes during very heavy sea conditions, I would get my trusty ARGUS C-4 35 MM camera and make my way up to the Main Battery Director, (GUN CONTROL) which is situated on the deck above the Bridge and it was the highest point on the ship, not including the ships mast and radar antenna support structure. This was a great place to view the entire bow of the ship, as it plowed through the waves. It was also a very wet place, whenever we would plunge the bow into a gigantic wave.

I would hold the camera lens against my body, (until the right moment) then I would quickly snap the picture, and turn my back to the on coming water and shield the camera with my body as water came splashing down , drenching me. Salt water is not good for a camera, especially a camera like my ARGUS. I got some great pictures though, that no one else got.

Being on a Destroyer in rough seas, can be great fun, provided you are not prone to motion or sea sickness. The passage ways (deck), were worn smooth by all of the foot traffic and the deck surface was much like that found on a slide in a children’s playground. We would sit on one side of the compartment, and when the ship took a heavy roll, the deck would be at such a steep angle, that it was just like a slide, and we would go sliding for several feet.

As we arrive at our first port of call in the British Isle, Portsmouth England. A Royal Navy motor boat overtakes us and her crew signal a greeting. we are standing at our "Special Sea Detail" station for entering port. July 1955.

The skipper navigates the Daly slowly through the busy harbour, toward our assigned mooring, a Royal Navy Aircraft Carrier appears ahead of us. Portsmouth England, July 1955.

Go back to to Chapter 9: TIINA’S AND VIENO’S SUMMER HOLIDAY IN BEAUTIFUL ITALY 18 MAY – 13 JUNE 1955

Continue to Chapter 11: LIBERTY CALL, LONDON, ENGLAND JULY 1955