USS
Joseph P. KENNEDY (DD850)
Volunteer
Crewmember
Steve
Whynot, SK1, USNR-Ret
sk1_Whynot@Hotmail.com
23 October 02
cc:
Ken Preble
Tom Peltin
TCS Volunteers
Subj: Tin Can Sailor – October
2002 Field Day
Though at times a bit
windy, weather for our Tin Can Sailor Fall Field Day Weekend held the week of
Oct 18th turned out to be another positive sign of another
successful effort by the Volunteers.
With approximately 32
men aboard, a tremendous amount of progress was made in the restoration of the
Ships Office and the Shipfitters Shop.
The truck of salvaged
material and equipment was received on the pier Friday morning and was fully stored
by 0900 on Saturday morning. Already, some of that equipment has found it’s way
into restoration spaces, with more to certainly follow. Having the opportunity
to acquire this material is vital to the success of our restoration efforts and
we thank Battleship Cove for their support in bringing this material and
equipment to the ship.
In addition to the work
accomplished this past weekend, we also had several other key events:
1. Hosted
Susan-Linder Davis – a freelance reporter who is looking to develop a story
about the JPK Volunteers. After spending a day with the crew – she was
“energized” to get this project pulled together. We’re optimistic for her
success.
2. We
also hosted Bob Orleck and Ben Loder – USS ORLECK (DD-886) who sat with Rich
Angelini, to learn how successful Field Days are done and the progress of our
Restoration efforts.
3. After
many months of being absent – we welcomed back long time Volunteer Bob Sipos
who had been unable to attend our Mini Field Days while recovering from surgery
– Looks like he is back at full speed.
4. The
ship also hosted several members of the DD-850 Crew who were aboard during the
Cuban Missile Crisis and boarded the Russian Freighter Marcula. These veterans participated in the Oral
History program at Battleship Cove.
5. Two
First Time Volunteers – Bob Washburn and Gene Byers were welcomed into the
midst and indications are they’ll be coming back…we hope so.
However one of the most
exciting and emotional events was hosting a young man – Joshua, his brother and
his dad Brian for a tour of the DD-850.
Josh is a sight impaired young man and I can tell you from experience –
it was quite an afternoon with him touring the ship and surprising many of us
with his knowledge, bravery and poise. It was truly the pay off for us for the
weekend.
A BRAVO-ZULU to Ed Zajkowski
for arranging the tour for Josh and to ALL of the Volunteers that took the time
to stop, talk and explain what they were doing and allowing Josh to touch and
feel his way through the ship. It was quite emotional for some.
So – without further
comments – here is what the crew accomplished this past weekend:
Ø
Unloaded and stored salvaged equipment from PNSY
Ø
Secured loose drain pipes – Stbd side
Ø
Re-caulked area around Port side of forward stack
01 deck level
Ø
Cleaned, Prep and painting of metal blank for
Blower Vent - Port side – 01 Level near radio
Ø
Tack welded blower cover to deck – replaced cut
out section of vent cover.
Ø
Needle gunned, wire brushed and prepared circular
deck plate around ASROC Launcher and primed and painted area –01 level.
Ø
Removed remaining ceiling tile from Ships Office
Ø
Began restoration of Ships Office including:
o
Installed new ceiling tiles – requiring
pre-drilling of tile hold down screws
o
Measuring and cutting each individual tile to fit
o
Installation of bookshelf and prep work for
installing another three shelves
o
Re-routing and securing of junction box to
overhead
Ø
Removed former display from Ship Fitters Shop and
began restoration efforts including:
o
Installed lighting
o
Wired electrical outlets
o
Began fabrication of workbench area
o
Remove all unnecessary metal stubs around deck and
bulkheads in preparation for installation of equipment and workbench
o
Began to layout ventilation
o
Moved stored blower motor from ECM to Ship Fitters
Shop (tested winding and found to be in good shape.
Ø
Removed rusted section and repaired stanchion on
Torpedo deck – above ships bell – including prime and painting
Ø
Cleaned, prepared, primed and painted base of MK37
Director – Signal Bridge
Ø
Installed “Picture Window” on aft bulkhead of DASH
Hanger to allow visitors to view our newest restoration project.
Ø
Prepared, primed and painted railings on Signal
Bridge
Ø
Painted Davit and King Post support stored on
Torpedo Deck ( Salvaged from previous PNSY trip)
Ø
Repaired dogs on hatch leading from DASH Hanger to
–01 level forward
Ø
Cleaned and repaired Cargo lights for installation
on Flight Deck – One installed – one required fabrication of base for mounting
Ø
Began to reorganize TCS – Amidships Storeroom
Ø
Removed large Chain Fall – used to secure Blower Vent
on Port Side – 01 level and stored in Gas Bottle Storage Locker – Port Side –
Main deck
Ø
Our cooks prepared five meals over the weekend
Ø
Installed casualty power cable in IC room
Ø
Installed Brass alarm indicator at Mid-ships
Quarter Deck
Ø
Placed torpedo cart with DASH display
Ø
Restored 1MC through ship
Ø
Populated bookshelf in DASH Hanger with newly
acquired manuals from PNSY
Ø
Installed missing knobs and controls on SQS-23
Sonar console in CIC
Ø
Provide tour of Bridge and CIC to member of ships
reunion visiting BBCove.
Ø
Installed fire hose bracket and applicator in
steam line area.
Ø
Stored newly acquired ASROC test sets and manuals
in ASROC LCCS
Ø
Investigated leak into radio central
Ø
Installed drop down leaf on door for Ships Office
Ø
Rewired all overhead lighting in Ships Office
Ø
Welded several patches in sections of Bulwark –
Port side – Prepped, primed and painted.
Ø
Stored and covered WTD and frames on Fantail –
near winch .
Guess that just about
covers it….
It is truly astounding
just how much is done on these Field Days. My estimation is that our Volunteers
traveled nearly 9300 miles or the equivalent to 154 hours in travel time to be
aboard and contributed nearly 450 hours of time in Welding, Electrical,
Painting and general maintenance of DD-850. Not a bad week ends work.
Thanks to the Cove
employees that helped us over the weekend – without their support it makes our
jobs tougher. Showing us how to mix the paint – finding material and equipment
– helps us to be able to support the ship.
Thanks to all that were aboard
and I look forward with great anticipation to the Mini Field Days and the
Spring 2003 Field Day.
Respectfully
Stephen W.
Whynot
SK1, USNR-Ret
Volunteer Coordinator