Since 08-03-02
Since 08-03-02
What Duty Section?
By John clear
Some years back, in the early ‘60’s [April 1961], while stationed aboard the USS Diodon (SS349) in San Diego our crew had the privilege of spending a long weekend in Avalon Bay, Catalina Island for "Buccaneer Days". The city fathers were happy to have our submarine show up for this fun-filled weekend where thousands of tourists poured in by boat and plane from the mainland of southern California. We were to provide a focal point to some of the festivities.
Our boat arrived in port on an early Friday morning, dropped anchor in the middle of the bay and we prepared ourselves for well deserved liberty. Several water taxis showed up for transport, the bank opened early to cash our pay checks, we rented rooms, cars, bars and surf boards. Our "Shore Patrol" was established (on the request of the town constable) but this force quickly deteriorated into a "who was the most sober for this duty" basis. The arm band, club and uniform pieces were passed around quite a few times in several of the favorite watering holes.
By late afternoon the 20,000 or so visitors had swelled the bay and surrounding area to such a degree that our sub was encircled by a double ring of pleasure craft of various sizes and shapes tied up to our super structure (we had, of course, also raised the "Jolly Roger" flag on #1 scope). Our mess cooks had help by various young and extremely talented females in the potato peeling category within the mess decks. There were visitors in every compartment aboard from the forward to after torpedo room. There was even a loose shoe or two in a darkened "Hogan’s Alley" along with some very feminine giggling. We even had a beach party barbecue going on topside. The duty officer, chief and section leader tried their best to "control the crowd" but the popularity of this United States Submarine in the middle of so many fun seeking people was acting as a magnet.
Having lucked-out by having liberty the first day, Saturday morning meant "pay-back time to those who suffered so greatly by giving of themselves for the first horrendous day of visitors. I mustered with the oncoming duty section at 0800 and promptly found that I had several individuals who offered to "stand-by" for me for that day’s duty (without being paid no less). It seems that the duty section had had so much fun the previous day that many were having return visitors (or visions of same) and found that they could not remain aboard (without specific authorization) unless they were a member of the Saturday duty. Being in this strange situation for the first time in my early naval career I chose wisely on who would have the privilege of taking my duty for me, it was the one who made ME the best financial offer... The only time in my naval career that I was paid Not to take my duty!
John Clear EMC(SS) USN ret.