Ship's Bell

Casco Bay, Maine

Argentia, Newfoundland

Prior to the availability (late 1943/early 1944) of proximity fuses that would burst when they sensed metal of an aircraft, 5” anti aircraft shells had fuses that could be set through the ship’s fire control system and cause a fired shell to burst after a specified elapsed travel time. A standard gun loading time was essential for the shell to burst near an enemy aircraft.  Fuse setting mechanisms were part of each shell hoist. At sea, mount gun crews would perform multiple loading drills, daily, to maintain team coordination and timing. Each loading drill would be of multiple minute duration and timed by the battery chief gunner’s mate. Thru August 1944, for sure, our objective was a recurring ten second load. With the advent of proximity fuses, (at least initially,) one of the mount’s guns would fire fused shells and the other would fire proximity fused shells.

The loading machine replicated the loading mechanisms of the left and right guns of a 5”38 gun mount. Each, left or right replica, composed of the loading tray, hydraulic rammer, and breechblock configured as in the mounts. After execution of a load process, upper handling room personnel would pass the dummy shells to be placed in the dummy shell hoists. The dummy powder cases would be ejected by the breech mechanism in a manner similar to the hot brass of an actual firing. 

Man Overboard

Radio Shack

Chaplain Markle visits Nolin in sick bay

Inspection

Liberty Party Goes To Reykjavik

Dance at Scapa Flow, Orkney Islands (north of Scotland).