Proudly Served and Still Serving

Steve Whynot, SK1, USNR-Ret

208 Cordaville Road

Southborough, Mass. 01772

sk1_Whynot@Hotmail.com

(508) 481-2359

25 May 2005

From : Stephen W. Whynot, Volunteer Coordinator (DD-850)

To: Jack Casey, Chief Operations Officer, Battleship Cove.

Cc: Volunteer Crew

Subj: Spring Field Day – May 17-22, 2005

This May Field Day was a memorable event. The weather definitely did not cooperate fully – with strong wind, temperatures well below normal and rain periodic throughout the weekend. Yet the Volunteers adapted, overcame and improvised to another successful Field Day aboard KENNEDY. The resilience is something special.

We had a fine turnout of former sailors from the USS CHARLES R. WARE (DD-865) as well as our usual strong contingent from the USS MYLES C. FOX (DD-829) and the USS STORMES (DD-780).

At best count, over forty ships were represented, as well at the Seabees and the Marine Corps. Our crew included those who have never served – but were willing to give their skills to our efforts and we had sons and grandsons who were able to spend time together aboard.

With a final count of over seventy attending, it should be noted that this was the largest crew aboard since ninety-nine were aboard in May of 1991. We also had twenty first timers attending the Field Day and all indications are they enjoyed themselves and plan to return in the future.

I’ve attempted to summarize as much of the work done as possible from the information available. Certainly, there was other work done that was not captured and to those who performed the work – my apologies for not being aware and/or capturing it.

A highlight for many of the crew was the visit of former KENNEDY Commanding Officer James Hayes who enjoyed having lunch with the crew. It was a pleasant and most enjoyable surprise and we extend our continued Best Wishes to the Captain.

We also had a visit Saturday afternoon, from the President of the Board of Directors John Brenner who saw first hand the dedication of the Volunteer crew and how valuable each member is to the efforts of maintaining, restoring and preserving KENNEDY. Truly it is a TEAM effort the required involvement of everyone that stepped foot across that brow.

I must note that the efforts of the Cove Staff to ensure we had all the materials and equipment staged made a great difference. Without their cooperation, our work could not have been accomplished. Yes - this was a successful evolution.

For the second time in the last six years - the Barber Shop opened and was doing actual real haircutting business.

On Saturday night – the Volunteers host six Scout groups – the most yet, for discussions and tours. The spaces that were shown included: IC Gyro, ASROC Control/DASH, Radio, Shipfitters Shop/After Steering, Bridge and CIC. Special THANKS to those Volunteers who spent a long day aboard and gave even more time to share their knowledge about the specific areas. Going above and beyond is common among the Volunteers – and who would expect less?

All in all, despite a few heavy rolls we took during the weekend, I cannot but conclude that this Field Day was highly successful. The list of what was accomplished is clearly indicative of the effort of the crew.

Also – as noted previously, I am proud to speak to for the crew and announce we collected nearly $350 on Saturday night to be used to purchase calling cards for serviceman/service women serving in Iraq. There is no political statement – simply a way for the crewmembers to THANK those serving in uniform today. The donation will be made on behalf of the Volunteer Crew.

As always – I apologize for those activities I did not capture. With the information available to me, I believe I’ve been able to capture most of it.

Here then, is the listing of what was accomplished over the weekend.

· Stripped spare parts from two IC Panels - containing circuit breakers and fuses and stored items in IC Room.

· Tested two exterior ship speakers from the aft storage room – each found to be good. (These were never used and were returned to storage)

· Confirmed speaker on port side near the hatch leading to the galley was functioning properly.

· Removed civilian speaker and rewired ships speaker with armored cable to junction in Wardoom.

· Removed unsightly commercial speaker wire and replace with armored cable on speaker on Port Side near Cross P-Way by Museum.

· Removed the commercial speaker in the passage way located near Weapons Office

· Troubleshoot numerous issues with outside speakers – Not completely successful. (Full report to be provided to Cove Staff).

· Began fabrication of new barriers in B4 to re-configure visitor access and allow better viewing of Throttle board.

· Removed current barrier with door between Throttle board and forward bulkhead which permits access to Port side of turbine.

· Barrier installed on walkway between air ejectors and reduction gear

· Barrier between air ejectors and throttle board area framed with angle iron (Needs expanded metal and plexi-glass). Temporarily roped off.

· Completed switchboard barriers in B4 to allow emergency access.

· Continued cataloging Manuals in Engineering Log Room

· Cleaned, prepped and painted Ship Fitters Shop

· Fabricated and installed storage brackets for spare Propeller blades – DASH Hanger.

· Energized Aft Diesel Engine (Need to establish notification procedures for start up)

· Cleaned and polished all Silver in Wardroom

· Continued work on Control Panel – ASROC Control Station

· Fabricated and installed repairs on cable box – behind Mast – Signal Bridge.

· Repaired Electrical Box bracket – Portside – Bow (Navy Inspection Finding)

· Secured all loose wires in overheard – Burke Museum (Navy Inspection Finding)

· Installed new computer/scanner in Ships Office

· Re-located existing computer to Mid-ships Storeroom and installed desk.

· Checked out LP Air to –01 level and bled system of air.

· Cleaned and polished ships bell.

· Cleaned, prepped and painted 85% of Ordance Office

· Painted Whip Antenna’s – ECM Deck (50% of units are complete).

· Troubleshot and replaced blown fuse for Red night lights – Engineering Berthing.

· Installed Plexi-glass to DASH Viewing Cubicle – Cubicle is now open to public.

· Cleaned and painted Exhaust pipe – Aft Diesel (Five years in the making)

· Polished all brass on Bridge

· Cleaned bridge of all trash, etc.

· Began repairs to Bridge Windows – Ongoing effort

· Repaired electrical boxes for Signal Lights – Signal Bridge.

· Fabricated hooks for all WTD’s along main deck.

· Cleaned, repaired, painted and secured Vent Cover – Main deck –Port Side outside Wardroom.

· Removed rusted section of stanchion at deck level and welded in fabricated new piece. – Main deck Port Side by Museum Cross Passageway.

· Replaced Surgical Light over Wardroom table – Light is now functional.

· Cleared drain – Chiefs Mess Scullery

· Replaced deck lamp – CO Stateroom

· Replace numerous light bulbs around ship

· Removed Blower Motor from Machine Shop to B4 location.

· Inspected, repaired and adjusted ladders throughout the entire ship. (Separate list covering all ladders will be provided.)

· Fabricated LP Air Manifolds

· Repaired lights in Mid-ships Storeroom.

· Covered all “holes” in bulkhead – Forward Head

· Covered all “holes” in bulkhead – Aft Head

· Replaced door stops on interior doors in Wardroom Pantry and Chartroom

· Cleared one section of Bilge in B4 of trash, rust and debri.

· Removed “Non” Navy trays from Scullery display.

· Cleaned all dishes, deep sinks and Plexi-glass in Scullery Display.

· Replace Sound Powered Phone Jackbox – on steam line

· Bolted Cal-Rod Heater near escape scuttle – ASROC Control

· Bolted Siren to ASROC Control Station

· Repaired section of WTD – ASROC Control Station

· Painted Main Panel Cabinet – ASROC Control Station

· Fabricated and installed brackets for Fanfare Units – Fantail

· Began tracking of Electrical Grounds – Found in Radio Central

· Continued prep work in Aux Radio.

· Began effort to replace First Aid Box – 02 – Starboard side.

If there is more – I’m quite certain I will be advised.

However, this is the best list I have available.

If there are any questions – Please contact me.

Stephen W. Whynot

SK1 – USNR-Ret

Volunteer Coordinator

USS Joseph P. KENNEDY Jr. (DD-850)