U.S.S.
Severn
AO-61
The Call to
Final
Muster
|
Memories of a USS Severn AO-61 Crewmember
April 1946 – November 1947
After completing Boot Camp in San Diego in Company 46-50 I was assigned to the
USS Severn AO-61 in San Pedro,18 April 1946.
We departed San Pedro in May 1946 for Pearl Harbor. I remember going on watch at 2400 hrs
and looking out and seeing lights asked the OD what was that and he said that’s Honolulu.
For a 17-year-old sailor, sailing into Pearl Harbor was an experience to remember.
Liberty was going to the YMCA, the Pali and that was about it.
We subsequently sailed for the Marshal Islands. We crossed the International Date Line an
I missed having my 18th birthday on May 21st 1946.
The skipper Capt Melvyn McCoy (Author of 10 escaped from Tojo) had beautiful Blond meet the ship in Pearl.
Sailing into Bikini Atoll was a sight to remember, with all the ships that had been assembled
for the two bomb tests. We made 5 trips to Pearl for fresh water and even with all that water in
our tanks we were taking salt water showers.
On one our return trips to Bikini, we swam in Bikini Lagoon after the first bomb test.
We were present for the second bomb test and were about 10 miles from the blast. I was looking through the range finder. What a sight.
We made water deliveries to Kwajalien, Enwitok, Rongelap, and Majuro.On our return to Pearl and heading home we transported a bunch of Officers returning to the States. You should see
how well they chipped paint. The skipper put them to work.Speaking of chipping paint. I credit
the Navy on teaching me how to paint. Boy did we ever paint….
On out return to the States, and converted to an Oiler, we visited Long Beach, San Pedro, Point
Molate, Oleum and Avon. Speaking of Oleum, My mother was living in Vallejo and I took liberty to
see her. Came back the next morning and the Ship had broken loose from the dock and floated
out into the channel. They forgot to loosen the lines tying the ship to the dock They had to drop the anchor.˝ the ship was on liberty.What a day.
We sailed for Yokosuka and on 1 Jan 1947, we were l947 miles from Japan. Arriving in Japan,
was another experience for a young sailor. I remember going on liberty with a couple of shipmates. On the train to Yokohama, One shipmate gave the conductor $5.00 for 75 yen (exchange rate 15 to 1) As soon as that transaction was completed the other shipmate gave the
Conductor a pack of Lucky Strike Cigarettes for the $5.00 bill, He paid 5 cents for the Luckies.
Talk about being taken..
Our trip to Pusan Korea was certainly interesting. Aside from the smell two of our shipmates stole
a MP Jeep and crashed in front of MP headquarters They were left behind and later put on a DD
During their absence from our ship the DD made port calls that we never saw in China ,and got time served as their punishment.
We then headed for Ras Tanuras, via Singapore and Columbo Ceylon
We made three trips to Ras Tanuras and every time we attempted to dock, we hit the dock hard.
We were supposed to have returned to Norfolk VA on our last trip but orders were changed and we returned to Bremerton WA. on that trip we had solid fog for about ten days.
Our stay in Bremerton was interesting. Liberty in Seattle was lot of fun.
I calculate we carried about 31,500.000 gallons of water and 36.750.000 gallons of oil on all of our cruises.
My Navy experiences will never be forgotten. Although I traveled a lot in the Air Force
and had many interesting assignments in Command & Control I fondly remember my Navy
experience. When you leave home 4 days after graduating from High School at the age of 17
you have fond memories of where you went and what you did. It’s been almost 55 years since
I was discharged from the Navy and with my Air Force
experiences--- What a Life….
Lou Cabana S2C USN
MSgt USAF Ret
