On 23 September 1945, the BLESSMAN entered the harbor at Walanoura Wan, Honshu, and the port for the steel city of Wakayama. Her team charted the landing beaches for the Army, which was to occupy the Kobe-Osaka area. Her job done, the BLESSMAN lay at anchor on 25 September 1945 and watched the occupation troops go ashore. For the man aboard heard that fateful night at Iwo Jima, there was no small portion of satisfaction in this impressive sight.
Showing posts with label Log of the USS BLESSMAN. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Log of the USS BLESSMAN. Show all posts
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Log of the USS BLESSMAN 23 September 1945
Log of the USS BLESSMAN 23 April 1945
LOG:
The BLESSMAN arrived at Mare Island on 23 April 1945. While the ship was being repaired, her crew took a well-deserved leave. During this period on 21 July 1945, Lieut. LeBoutillier, USNR, was relieved as commanding officer by Lieut. Cmdr. Clement O. Davidson, USNR.
MY COMMENTS:
Because the BLESSMAN was due for a long period of repair work at Mare Island, I applied for housing for Ronnie and I . We were granted a housing which consisted of a quanset hut divided into two units. I met Ronnie at the train station and we set up housekeeping. This was the honeymoon we didn't have time for at our wedding. It was nice ,because we could take public transportation to San Fransisco and go to a movie in Valayo. Our neighbors were all young sailors so we had much in common. We would get together to play cards or have a barbeque. When the BLESSMAN was ready to depart for the war zone, Ronnie took the train back to Cleveland and I returned to my duties aboard ship.
LOG:
the repair work was being completed. It was decided that the BLESSMAN was to be the flagship for Underwater Demolition Squadron One of the Pacific Fleet. As such, she departed San Francisco on 11 August 1945 for Oceanside, California, where she was to take aboard the Squadron Commander, Capt. Roy, D. Williams, USN. Here again the handwriting was on the wall. The men of the BLESSMAN knew that soon she would be steaming for Japan and the final invasion of the war. She arrived at Oceanside on 14 August 1945, at which time Underwater Demolition Team Number 17 was embarked. The following day, Capt. Williams hoisted his command pennant aboard the new flagship. This was on 15 August 1945, the day hostilities ceased in the Pacific. To the BLESSMAN it was a day of preparation for the cruise to Japan. Despite the wars' end, landing still had to be made on the Japanese islands. The next day, she departed the United States for a fast run to Japan. Stops were made in row at Pearl Harbor, Eniwetok, Ulithi, Manila, Subic Bay, Lingayen, Okinawa, and then Japan-- the end of the long road to victory for all ships of the US Navy.
Log of the USS BLESSMAN 19 Febrary 1945
LOG:
The next morning, as the Marines began their bloody but victory is battle for Iwo Jima, the men of the BLESSMAN held burial-at-sea services for those shipmates who were never to sail again.
Log of the USS BLESSMAN 19 February 1945
As she steamed away to join her group, tragedy struck quickly. A low flying Jap bomber appeared out of the black night and dropped two bombs on the speeding ship. One dropped harmlessly over her side, but the other turned her into a flaming holocaust. Ironically, it exploded on the mess hall, where her tired men were crowded writing letters home
In that instant, the 40 men stopped writing, never to write again. Twenty-one men of the BLESSMAN’s crew and 19 men of the UDP Number 15 were killed. Twenty-three were wounded, one seriously.
For 100 endless minutes, the stricken ship lay dead in the water. Flames poured fiercely from the gaping hole in her superstructure. Water poured into her riddled hull. All power was lost. Emergency pumps had been destroyed. Only bucket brigades were able to be thrown into the battle against the flames, obviously a losing fight. Ammunition began to explode as the fire raced towards the magazines. With enemy planes in the vicinity this look like the end of the BLESSMAN.
Just as destruction had come out of the night before, help appeared just as suddenly. Fighting hearts on the BLESSMAN were relieved to see the USS Gilmer (APD) come along side, without regard for her own safety, and provide firefighting men and equipment. After a two-hour battle by the men of both ships, the BLESSMAN was saved to fight again.In that instant, the 40 men stopped writing, never to write again. Twenty-one men of the BLESSMAN’s crew and 19 men of the UDP Number 15 were killed. Twenty-three were wounded, one seriously.
For 100 endless minutes, the stricken ship lay dead in the water. Flames poured fiercely from the gaping hole in her superstructure. Water poured into her riddled hull. All power was lost. Emergency pumps had been destroyed. Only bucket brigades were able to be thrown into the battle against the flames, obviously a losing fight. Ammunition began to explode as the fire raced towards the magazines. With enemy planes in the vicinity this look like the end of the BLESSMAN.
MY COMMENTS
When the bomb hit, I was off duty sitting on my bunk writing a letter. The entire ship shook and all hands headed for top side where we could see the flames from the area over the aft engine room. All power had been knocked out so we lay helpless in the water. A bucket brigade was formed to try to put out the fire but did little to help. It wasn't until the USS GILMAN pulled along side, tied up to us and fed water hoses to our waiting crew that we had any chance of keeping our ship afloat. After an hour of frantic work, the flames were hot and we were able to assess the damage.At daylight the dead were prepared for burial at sea. As each body was dropped into the water the proper words were said . The American flag that draped the body was not dropped with the body but was used over and over again.
We were towed into Saipan by a sea-going tug boat. With no power we did the best we could by cooking our meals on the fantail. My refrigerated rooms had to be kept closed as much as possible to keep the food from spoiling.Earlier I had requested a transfer to another ship. This was before we were bombed . Transfers were not given out easily so when the BLESSMAN returned to Mare island , I was still a member of the crew. At Pearl Harbor I received my transfer and was assigned to a cargo ship. My new ship was an older type direct steam drive propulsion system. I was unfamiliar with this and had to learn fast. The third class Machinist mates aboard knew more about keeping steam up than I did. I survived and was in charge of the engine room when we rode out a typhoon off the island of Okinawa.
The war was over so it wasn't long after that I transferred to a transfer camp and put aboard a Liberty transport ship for return to Great Lakes training station for my discharge from the service.
Log of the USS BLESSMAN 10 February 1945
The next step was to be Iwo Jima, one of the best defended islands in the world. On 10 February 1945, the BLESSMAN departed Ulithi on what your proved to be an ill-fated cruise. With other units of the bombarding forces, she arrived at Iwo Jima on 16 February and Underwater Demolition Team Number 15 conducted a preliminary reconnaissance, while the heavy ships subjected the Japs to a terrific bombardment. The next day, Team Number 15 went into action again. As the BLESSMAN approached the island, the Japs, believing her movements to be an indication of the landing of troops, took her under fire. Fortunately, she was unharmed, and the swimmers were able to complete their job at the cost of one casualty. The next day, 18 February 1945, the process was repeated with no casualties. Her job was finished; she was ordered to withdraw for the night to wait the arrival of Marines who were to land the next day.
Log of the USS BLESSMAN 11 December 1944
LOG:
At Pearl Harbor, Underwater Demolition Team Number 15 reported above aboard the BLESSMAN. These were the men whose job it was to discover and remove underwater obstacles to and amphibious landings. The Navy realized the need for pre-landing information and preparation during the early island hopping campaign. This job had to be done by men on the spot. Therefore, the Navy organized and trained the underwater demolition teams.
My Comments:
It was about this time when I put in for a transfer to another ship. The reason I wanted a transfer was that I wanted to see what the rest of the Navy was like. I wasn't intending to make the navy my life's work but I was certain the life of a sailor was more than duty on a DE or an APD. It was a bad time to ask for a tranfer but I did it anyway.At Pearl Harbor, Underwater Demolition Team Number 15 reported above aboard the BLESSMAN. These were the men whose job it was to discover and remove underwater obstacles to and amphibious landings. The Navy realized the need for pre-landing information and preparation during the early island hopping campaign. This job had to be done by men on the spot. Therefore, the Navy organized and trained the underwater demolition teams.
My Comments:
The members of the underwater demolition crew were, for the most part, young men in good shape. Their officers were the same. They would board motorized rubber rafts, about six or eight men to the raft, and head for the beach. They all wore wet suits and were good swimmers. Close to the beach they would search underwater for objects that would hang up the landing craft trying to land men on the beach. When found, their job was to blow up these objects.
LOG:
On 11 December 1944, the BLESSMAN departed Pearl on the cruise, which was to have as its objective the landing in Lingayen Gulf, Luzon. Brief stops the Eniwetok, Saipan, Ulithi, and the Palau Islands were made before the assault force was formed for the invasion. in the powerful force which left Kossol Roads, Palau on New Year's Day 1944 were battleships, cruisers, carriers, destroyers, destroyer escorts, and destroyer-transports.
As the task force entered Lingayon Gulf on 6 January 1945, they were met by a large group of Japanese Kamikaze planes attacking from all directions. When the smoke of the two-hour battle had cleared, several ships had been hit and 21 enemy planes were destroyed. The BLESSMAN had been credited with assisting in the destruction of two of them. The next day, the task force returned to the Gulf again, this time, unmolested. The demolition team went to work under cover of intense bombardment provided by the heavy ships. The BLESSMAN herself covered her swimmers by making the beaches too hot for any enemy bent on bothering the team in its work. So successfully was the job completed that the Army suffered not a single casualty when they went ashore on 9 January 1945.
The next day. The BLESSMAN was detached to escort the now empty transports back to Ulithi via Leyte Gulf. Here she rested, reprovisioned, and trained for the next operation, which was to take us a step closer to Japan.
As the task force entered Lingayon Gulf on 6 January 1945, they were met by a large group of Japanese Kamikaze planes attacking from all directions. When the smoke of the two-hour battle had cleared, several ships had been hit and 21 enemy planes were destroyed. The BLESSMAN had been credited with assisting in the destruction of two of them. The next day, the task force returned to the Gulf again, this time, unmolested. The demolition team went to work under cover of intense bombardment provided by the heavy ships. The BLESSMAN herself covered her swimmers by making the beaches too hot for any enemy bent on bothering the team in its work. So successfully was the job completed that the Army suffered not a single casualty when they went ashore on 9 January 1945.
The next day. The BLESSMAN was detached to escort the now empty transports back to Ulithi via Leyte Gulf. Here she rested, reprovisioned, and trained for the next operation, which was to take us a step closer to Japan.
Log of the USS BLESSMAN 28 July 1944
LOG:
On 28 July 1944, the BLESSMAN entered the Sullivan Drydock Repair Corporporation Yard, Brooklyn, New York, where work was commenced on the conversion job. No longer was the BLESSMAN'S mission to be an anti-submarine escort. She was to transport small groups of assault specialists to enemy beaches. For this she was equipped with four landing boats, her armament was increased, and her living compartments enlarged.
On 28 July 1944, the BLESSMAN entered the Sullivan Drydock Repair Corporporation Yard, Brooklyn, New York, where work was commenced on the conversion job. No longer was the BLESSMAN'S mission to be an anti-submarine escort. She was to transport small groups of assault specialists to enemy beaches. For this she was equipped with four landing boats, her armament was increased, and her living compartments enlarged.
My comments:
At this time I had been writing letters and talking to Ronnie over the phone, and because my ship would be getting an overhaul, we decided that , if I could get leave, I would come home and we would get married. I requested and was given a ten day leave. I boarded a train at Grand Central Station and Ronnie and her family began preparing for the wedding. They talked to the priest at our parish, St.Ignatious church. We didn't plan on a large reception because of the shortage of time and because most of my brothers were in uniform stationed all over the world. Ronnie's sister, Helen was bridesmaid and Tommy Mitch, a friend of mine from civilian Days, was best man. The reception was small at Ronnie's parents house. Ronnie and I did go to a downtown hotel and went to a live play at a down town live play and had drinks afterwords. The ten days went quickly and I was soon back on duty in New York.
BACK TO THE LOG.
On 6 August 1944, while this work was in progress, Lieut. Philip LeBoutrillier, Junior., USNR, the ship's executive officer, relieved Lieut. Cammander Gillis, USN, as Commanding Officer. At the same time, Lieut. Thomas H. McCutcheon, USNR., became the Executive Officer.
On 25 October 1944, with the conversion job completed, the BLESSMAN departed New York and headed for the war in the Pacific. After a brief shakedown in Norfolk, she passed through the Panama Canal, stocked in San Diego, and San Francisco, and reported at Pearl Harbor for duty with the Pacific Fleet and 27 November 1944.
On 25 October 1944, with the conversion job completed, the BLESSMAN departed New York and headed for the war in the Pacific. After a brief shakedown in Norfolk, she passed through the Panama Canal, stocked in San Diego, and San Francisco, and reported at Pearl Harbor for duty with the Pacific Fleet and 27 November 1944.
Log of the USS BLESSMAN 21 June 1944
The next day she was under way again for New York, arriving there 21 June 1944. On 2 July 1944, the BLESSMAN commenced her sixth and last Atlantic cruise. Again she escorted a troop convoy to the British Isles, arriving in Londonderry, on 11 July 1944. She departed for New York on 17 July with a returning convoy of transports loaded with men wounded in the fighting in Normandy. Enroute home, the BLESSMAN received word that she was to be converted to a destroyer-transport. This spelled the end of her Atlantic duty.
Log of the USS BLESSMAN 7 June 1944
While the Army was struggling for a foothold, the Navy so completely dominated the English Channel, that the BLESSMAN's task was comparatively easy. Only the vast German-laid mine fields presented any real hazard, and considerable, it was too, for the BLESSMAN's sister ship USS RICH was mined and sunk. The BLESSMAN herself on 7 June 1944 came alongside the USS SUSAN B. ANTHONY, mined and on fire. Although the ANTHONY was sinking rapidly, The BLESSMAN stayed along side and removed six Officers and thirty eight enlisted men. As the sinking transport became engulfed in flames, the ANTHONY's commanding officer ordered the BLESSMAN away, the last ship to leave as the stricken ANTHONY sank below the surface.
Coments:
The SUSAN B ANTHONY had her cargo nets over the side so the wounded who could still use their arms and legs could climb down into our waiting boats. Many had to be lowered on streachers. The evacuation had to be done quickly because she was sinking fast.
In less than sixty minutes the BLESSMAN was on another errand of mercy. This time she cam alongside another transport, the USS FRANCIS C. HARRINGTON, which had also struck a mine. The crippled ship, which was in danger of sinking, had twenty six seriously wounded men in desperate need of medical attention. The BLESSMAN quickly effected their transfer and delivered them to a hospital LST for treatment. this ended her active participation in the invasion. Several days and several enemy air attach and E-boat attacks later, the BLESSMAN was detached and returned to Plymouth on 12 June 1944.
Comments:
The streacher bound wounded from the USS FRANCES C. HARRINGTON were lined up on the deck of the BLESSMAN and lowered into our life boats and transfered to the hospital LST for treatment.
Log of the USS BLESSMAN 3 June 1944
ON 3 June 1944, the BLESSMAN departed Belfast for Bale de la Seine, France, as escort for the Bombardment group of the European Assault Force. As the task force entered the English Channel, it was met by the heavy weather which turned them back and postponed D-Day. Twelve hours latter, however, General Eisenhower gave the "go ahead signal" and all ships again turned their bows towards France. Off Portsmith, the BLESSMAN was assigned to screen the USS ANCON on which were embarked the commanding generals and admirals who were directing the invasion, and proceeded to the Normandy beaches. The surrounding channel waters swarmed with the thousands of ships, large and small, which were carrying the men who were to liberate Nazi dominated Europe. Off Portsmouth, the BLESSMAN was assigned to screen the USS ANCON on which were embarked the commanding generals and admirals who where directing the invasions, and proceeded to the Normandy beaches. The surrounding channel waters swarmed with the thousands of ships, large and small, which were carrying the men who where to liberate Nazi dominated Europe. Overhead droned flight after flight of bombers on there way to soften to up the enemy for the foot soldier. The dawn of D-Day, 6 June 1944, found the invasion successfully begun and the BLESSMAN assigned to the anti-submarine, E -Boat screen to seaward.
Log of the USS BLESSMAN 12 May 1944
The 5th Atlantic c
ruise of the BLESSMAN was her longest and most eventful. She departed New York, 12 May 1944, on what appeared to be another routine escort assignment and arrived at the other end of the "milk run", Londonderry, on May 23, 1944. On 27, May she arrived in Belfast Harbor with her sister ships, RICH, BATES and AMESBURY. Here, at anchor, was the major part of the United Nations naval power available in the Atlantic. Ships of all types from the United States, Great Britain, France, Norway and the Netherlands were present. When the BLESSMAN joined this armada, all hands knew that they were to take part in the invasion of Western
We were used to looking out and seeing open water and maybe a ship or twoThe Harbor was full of ships all manned and ready to sail. We were in the mddle of the largest navel operation in the history of warfare at sea. It was an exciting occasion.
ruise of the BLESSMAN was her longest and most eventful. She departed New York, 12 May 1944, on what appeared to be another routine escort assignment and arrived at the other end of the "milk run", Londonderry, on May 23, 1944. On 27, May she arrived in Belfast Harbor with her sister ships, RICH, BATES and AMESBURY. Here, at anchor, was the major part of the United Nations naval power available in the Atlantic. Ships of all types from the United States, Great Britain, France, Norway and the Netherlands were present. When the BLESSMAN joined this armada, all hands knew that they were to take part in the invasion of WesternWe were used to looking out and seeing open water and maybe a ship or twoThe Harbor was full of ships all manned and ready to sail. We were in the mddle of the largest navel operation in the history of warfare at sea. It was an exciting occasion.
Log of the USS BLESSMAN 9 January 1944
LOG:
There followed three more such trips during which no BLESSMAN convoy ship was molested by the German U-Boat packs which were then out in full force in the Atlantic.
A chronological summary of these cruises follows:
The second cruise departed New York, 9 January 1944, arrived Belfast, Northern Ireland, 19 January, departed Belfast 27 January 1944, and arrived in New York, 8 February 1944.
The third cruise departed New York, 28 January 1944, arrived Swanson Wales, 9 March 1944, departed Swanson, March, 13 March 1944, and arrived New York, 26 March 1944.
The fourth cruise departed New York, 6 April 1944, arrived Londonderry, Northern Ireland, 15 April 1944, departing Londonderry 22 April 1944, arrived New York 26 April , arrived New York, 1, May 1944.
MY COMMENTS:
We were seasoned sailors by now and always looked forward to tying up at some port for liberty ashore. Londonderry was a friendly place with lots of girls, lots of whiskey and a dance on Saturday evenings. The houses were small with no central heating. The houses I was invited into were neat and clean. In the evening the open fireplaces were the part of the house everyone gathered, because the rest of the house was cold.
At the Londonderry dock, where six of seven DEs were tied one to the other each ship had a deck watch, where upon returning to our ship, we would be required to salute and request permission to board, cross the deck of that ship and repeat the salute and request at the next ship. Eventually we found our ship and our bunk where we could dream of our next liberty and the Londonderry girls we left behind.
On one cruise we were lucky enough to be the first ship tied to the Londonderry Dock. One of my shipmates, George, seaman first class, had bought an unopened bottle of vodka that he hoped to smuggle past the desk watch. He asked me for my help. The plan was for me to go aboard first, walk to a part of the deck where we would be out of sight of the watch and he would throw me the bottle from the dock. He threw short and the bottle smashed into many pieces against the side of the ship. We cried over the loss of the Vodka. We climbed into our bunks complaining that war was hell.
There followed three more such trips during which no BLESSMAN convoy ship was molested by the German U-Boat packs which were then out in full force in the Atlantic.
A chronological summary of these cruises follows:
The second cruise departed New York, 9 January 1944, arrived Belfast, Northern Ireland, 19 January, departed Belfast 27 January 1944, and arrived in New York, 8 February 1944.
The third cruise departed New York, 28 January 1944, arrived Swanson Wales, 9 March 1944, departed Swanson, March, 13 March 1944, and arrived New York, 26 March 1944.
The fourth cruise departed New York, 6 April 1944, arrived Londonderry, Northern Ireland, 15 April 1944, departing Londonderry 22 April 1944, arrived New York 26 April , arrived New York, 1, May 1944.
MY COMMENTS:
We were seasoned sailors by now and always looked forward to tying up at some port for liberty ashore. Londonderry was a friendly place with lots of girls, lots of whiskey and a dance on Saturday evenings. The houses were small with no central heating. The houses I was invited into were neat and clean. In the evening the open fireplaces were the part of the house everyone gathered, because the rest of the house was cold.
At the Londonderry dock, where six of seven DEs were tied one to the other each ship had a deck watch, where upon returning to our ship, we would be required to salute and request permission to board, cross the deck of that ship and repeat the salute and request at the next ship. Eventually we found our ship and our bunk where we could dream of our next liberty and the Londonderry girls we left behind.
On one cruise we were lucky enough to be the first ship tied to the Londonderry Dock. One of my shipmates, George, seaman first class, had bought an unopened bottle of vodka that he hoped to smuggle past the desk watch. He asked me for my help. The plan was for me to go aboard first, walk to a part of the deck where we would be out of sight of the watch and he would throw me the bottle from the dock. He threw short and the bottle smashed into many pieces against the side of the ship. We cried over the loss of the Vodka. We climbed into our bunks complaining that war was hell.
Log of the USS BLESSMAN 8 November 1943
LOG:
On 8 November the BLESSMAN returned to the Boston Navy Yard for post shakedown repairs which were completed on 15 November when she departed for New York. She arrived in the New York Navy Yard the next day to await her first assignment. On 20 November 1943, she sailed from New York as part of Escort Division 19, to escort a fast troop convoy to the United Kingdom. Ten days later after having guided the Convoy to the Irish Sea, the BLESSMAN tied up at the USS Naval operating Base, Londonderry, Northern Ireland. On 8 December she departed Londoner to escort another fast transport group to the United States, arriving in New York 20 December 1943.
MY COMMENTS:
We were really in rough seas during our shake down cruise in the north Atlantic. After we set sail from Bermuda, most of the green crew was sea sick. There was no way all the sick sailors could be excused from duty because the ship had to be manned one way of another. After a couple of days at sea we began to feel a little bit better. However, one of the 3rd class firemen didn't get over his sea sickness. He stood his watch carrying a coffee can to puke in and when he wasn't moving, he sat on the can. As long as he was at sea, he was miserably sick. They made him take one more trip to make sure he wasn't faking and then gave him a job on dry land for the duration. Even our chief Machinist Mate was sick for a couple of days, but his problem could have been a hang over. As the ship was put through its maneuvers, the crew gradually began to work together as a unit and there was much less shouting. We had come aboard as land lubbers and were now genuine sailors. We began to take pride in being a sailor of our ship, the USS BLESSMAN.
On 8 November the BLESSMAN returned to the Boston Navy Yard for post shakedown repairs which were completed on 15 November when she departed for New York. She arrived in the New York Navy Yard the next day to await her first assignment. On 20 November 1943, she sailed from New York as part of Escort Division 19, to escort a fast troop convoy to the United Kingdom. Ten days later after having guided the Convoy to the Irish Sea, the BLESSMAN tied up at the USS Naval operating Base, Londonderry, Northern Ireland. On 8 December she departed Londoner to escort another fast transport group to the United States, arriving in New York 20 December 1943.
MY COMMENTS:
We were really in rough seas during our shake down cruise in the north Atlantic. After we set sail from Bermuda, most of the green crew was sea sick. There was no way all the sick sailors could be excused from duty because the ship had to be manned one way of another. After a couple of days at sea we began to feel a little bit better. However, one of the 3rd class firemen didn't get over his sea sickness. He stood his watch carrying a coffee can to puke in and when he wasn't moving, he sat on the can. As long as he was at sea, he was miserably sick. They made him take one more trip to make sure he wasn't faking and then gave him a job on dry land for the duration. Even our chief Machinist Mate was sick for a couple of days, but his problem could have been a hang over. As the ship was put through its maneuvers, the crew gradually began to work together as a unit and there was much less shouting. We had come aboard as land lubbers and were now genuine sailors. We began to take pride in being a sailor of our ship, the USS BLESSMAN.
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Log of the USS BLESSMAN 19 September 1943
LOG:
The USS Blessman [DE 69-APD 48], Destroyer transport, was built and commissioned as a destroyer escort, DE 69, at the Bethlehem Shipbuilding Yards in Hingham, Massachusetts at 1500 on 19 September 1943. The ship was placed in commission by Admiral H T Smith, USN, and delivered to Lieutenant Commander Joseph A. Gillis, USNR, the ships first commanding officer, who had as his executive officer, Lt,[jg] Philip Leboutillier, Jr. USNR.
Lieutenant Edward Martin Blessman USN, class of 1931, gave his life to his country and his name to the vessel. Lieutenant Blessman was serving aboard the USS Marblehead as naval aviator when he was killed in action during the battle of the Java Sea in action against Japanese forces. His wife, Helen Malloy Blessman, was the sponsor for the ship which bears his name.
After fitting out at the Boston Navy Yard and successfully completing her acceptance trials in Massachusetts Bay, the BLESSMAN was ready for her shakedown cruise. On 9 October 1943, the BLESSMAN departed Boston for Bermuda and arrived 11 October. Then began the intensive shakedown training which was to whip the ship into fighting shape. Days of gunnery, anti-submarine, engineering and seamanship exercises were necessary to transform the eighty percent green crew into an efficient operating unit. This period ended when the BLESSMAN successfully passed a departure inspection and shoved off for Boston on 5 November.
MY COMMENTS:
The BLESSMAN was still under construction still on her skids when I was assigned to her. In the shipyards she was lined up with several DEs in various stages of completion. I had just completed refrigeration school at Syracuse, New York, and with my new rating of Machinist Mate 1st class, I would be in charge of the refrigeration system on the BLESSMAN after she was commissioned. I was a dry land sailor who had never been on an ocean going boat. My training so far had been boot camp at the Great Lakes Training Station and machinist mate school in Lawrence Kansas. I didn't have any idea if I would be sea sick on a rolling ship at sea.
Boston in the summertime is a beautiful city with many historic sights. I bunked in a building in Boston and reported to the BLESSMAN every morning to stand my watch. There wasn't much to do but stand fire watch for the welders and watch how the craftsmen did their work. I stood by while the refrigeration equipment was installed and the two meat and vegetable rooms were lined with metal sheathing. All the joints of the metal sheathing were soldered to prevent leakage of cold air. The motors and compressors were tested and any problems taken care of. The craftsmen were competent and did their work well. As the time for completion of the work neared, the sense of urgency increased and the ship was crawling with workmen. Finally we were ready for inspection and were slid off the skids into Boston Harbor. Most of the crew, including myself, had never been to sea before. I was in charge of #1 engine room with 4 of 5 men under me. We were all green seamen and had to learn what we were doing by trial and error. We steamed around in the harbor, got used to the rolling decks and gradually learned to keep our balance.
The USS Blessman [DE 69-APD 48], Destroyer transport, was built and commissioned as a destroyer escort, DE 69, at the Bethlehem Shipbuilding Yards in Hingham, Massachusetts at 1500 on 19 September 1943. The ship was placed in commission by Admiral H T Smith, USN, and delivered to Lieutenant Commander Joseph A. Gillis, USNR, the ships first commanding officer, who had as his executive officer, Lt,[jg] Philip Leboutillier, Jr. USNR.
Lieutenant Edward Martin Blessman USN, class of 1931, gave his life to his country and his name to the vessel. Lieutenant Blessman was serving aboard the USS Marblehead as naval aviator when he was killed in action during the battle of the Java Sea in action against Japanese forces. His wife, Helen Malloy Blessman, was the sponsor for the ship which bears his name.
After fitting out at the Boston Navy Yard and successfully completing her acceptance trials in Massachusetts Bay, the BLESSMAN was ready for her shakedown cruise. On 9 October 1943, the BLESSMAN departed Boston for Bermuda and arrived 11 October. Then began the intensive shakedown training which was to whip the ship into fighting shape. Days of gunnery, anti-submarine, engineering and seamanship exercises were necessary to transform the eighty percent green crew into an efficient operating unit. This period ended when the BLESSMAN successfully passed a departure inspection and shoved off for Boston on 5 November.
MY COMMENTS:
The BLESSMAN was still under construction still on her skids when I was assigned to her. In the shipyards she was lined up with several DEs in various stages of completion. I had just completed refrigeration school at Syracuse, New York, and with my new rating of Machinist Mate 1st class, I would be in charge of the refrigeration system on the BLESSMAN after she was commissioned. I was a dry land sailor who had never been on an ocean going boat. My training so far had been boot camp at the Great Lakes Training Station and machinist mate school in Lawrence Kansas. I didn't have any idea if I would be sea sick on a rolling ship at sea.
Boston in the summertime is a beautiful city with many historic sights. I bunked in a building in Boston and reported to the BLESSMAN every morning to stand my watch. There wasn't much to do but stand fire watch for the welders and watch how the craftsmen did their work. I stood by while the refrigeration equipment was installed and the two meat and vegetable rooms were lined with metal sheathing. All the joints of the metal sheathing were soldered to prevent leakage of cold air. The motors and compressors were tested and any problems taken care of. The craftsmen were competent and did their work well. As the time for completion of the work neared, the sense of urgency increased and the ship was crawling with workmen. Finally we were ready for inspection and were slid off the skids into Boston Harbor. Most of the crew, including myself, had never been to sea before. I was in charge of #1 engine room with 4 of 5 men under me. We were all green seamen and had to learn what we were doing by trial and error. We steamed around in the harbor, got used to the rolling decks and gradually learned to keep our balance.
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