1977-78 USNS Dutton--Seattle
1978 USNS Bowditch--Bermuda
1979, 1980 USNS Hess--Hawaii, Japan, Guam
USNS Barlett--Cayman Islands

I arrived at NAVO in Bay St. Louis, MS a week before Thanksgiving in 1977. When I arrived the first thing they informed me was "you don't have a proper security clearance, so you need to out to sea." One day after Christmas I was headed to Seattle to catch the USNS Dutton. We spent several months in the North Pacific, much of the time was Hov2. On the second survops we had a rouge wave strike the vessel--that'll teach me to go for ice cream at 2 am.

After that, I quickly learned to stay on big vessels in southern waters!

Being a young pup, it was the time of my life!! Wouldn't trade those days in for all the tea in China. Years ago I heard this from an salt--he said, fairy tales begin, "Once upon a time . . .", yet sea stories begin "This is no bull!" (I'm being kind) He was right . . .

Just discovered your website while looking up information on the Bowditch. I spent a few years on the Bowditch. The normal tour of duty was a year but I spent additional time aboard as a trade for some schooling.

I travelled on the Bowditch from Craven Point, NJ to Baltimore and then to Bergen, Belfast, Athens, Naples, back to NJ. Then thru the Panama Canal to San Franciso and on to Japan where I was discharged from the Navy. Lots of memories of the ship.

spent 4 years onboard usns h h hess (tags 38). don't see much about her in here

I boarded the USNS Michelson in Bergen, Norway in March of 1963 and was assigned responsibility to maintain the Bendix G15D in addition to standing computer watches and other duties. We typically spent 30 days at sea and 3 days in port - initially Bergen, Norway and then Belfast, North Ireland. I shared a stateroom with 3 other sailors and have fond memories of playing cards in the rec room, volleyball in the forward hold while at sea, parties in our stateroom on the weekends at sea and liberties in port where we spent our time in the local bars with the local Irish young ladies. I remember the ocean stations where we dropped Nansen bottles and took core samples in rough seas and subzero weather as well as the brandy we were given to warm up when we came inside. I also remember the hairline crack on the deck, the fact that the ship was top heavy and could only take a maximum of a 39 degree roll and the Russian Trawlers that tried to get in our way and foil our mission.
In retrospect, my 14 months on the Michelson was a life changing experience that provided a foundation for my later career in maintaining computers and my lust for travel and adventure. I would not trade this experience, even the week of terrible seasickness before I got my sea legs, for anything.

Most days routine with watches, Nansen casts and rolling sunbeaten decks; highlighted by typhoons, a Panama passage and the rescue of Chinese merchant sailors. It was a great opportunity to learn Electronic Engineering from hands-on engineers... oh, liberty was fun too if we got it.

WOW. I what a great find. I have a grandson coming home from Iraq and the ELKS &VFW hooked me up with the Warrior Riders who support our returning troops with a parade. I needed to find some patches from the various ship I served on.
What great memories of the Micky Maru. Our own photo lab, Japan, Biking the island of Guam, "its just over the next hill" they said. Dry dock in Subic Bay. And mapping the typhoon belt off Japan. 7 typhoons. What a ride. And that court marshall thing. Now I need to dig up those old pictures I took. And I know I have 8mm movies.

Served as one of the enlisted USN members from 1983 to 1984 as Nav-ET. I was also the assistant postal clerk and provided a few Sunday services while onboard. Spent time in Las Palmas where it became a second home, and made friends with many of the other "sailors" onboard. God Bless them where ever they are now!.

I just found this web site and will try to scan some old slides for submission.

What a wonderful discovery, this site was. It revived memories of one of the most interesting period of my Navy time.

Quite a story of getting assigned to the Bowditch. The end of 1970, I got a call from a fellow in DC looking for an RM1 for a unique assignment. I was at NAS Beeville, TX having been there a little over a year.

"I know you will tell me to go to hell, but I really need 2314 (crypto repair)", he said. "Where?" I ask. He told me of OC unit on the Bowditch and rapidly went through thing about the great chow, fabulous port calls and unusually comfortable accommodations.

"I'll take it." I replied. A pregnant silence and he said "Are you sure? A lot of people will call you crazy to give up shore duty to go to sea." "Probably, but if you have ever been to Beeville, TX, you might understand". Then I added, "I'll take it if you can get me my next duty station after that."

"Well", re replied, "I can't make any promises, but I'll try. Where do you want to go?"

"Operation DeepFreeze."

Immediately, he started laughing. "Now I know you are crazy, but it just happens that I handle the DeeFreeze assignments. It's a voluntary assignment so consider it done!"

(DeepFreeze was Naval Support Group, Antarctica and I wintered-over in 72-73)

So, I had two wonderful adventures, one after the other. It is hard to qualify one as better than the other. But my year in the Bowditch stands out. 320 days of 365 days at sea would seem to confirm my insanity but for those fortunate enough to be aboard for the Falmouth drydock will agree that insanity sometimes is well rewarded.

To all that contributed to this site, a great gratitude is due. I never realized we had that much artistic talent until I read again the cruise book.

What wonderful memories. . .

I think I had a great time on board. Memory is a bit hazy.
Remember Charlie Brown, Tickets and Duek of Earl.
Pat Ryan doing more pullups at a time than I ever did in a lifetime.

Great times in " Bar Party" Scary times in " Bar Cave"