USS Haynsworth DD700
* Scuttlebut & Memories *

Caught in the Act
Submitted by: David J. Oberholzer LT(jg) 57-59
I had the duty one Sunday night while Haynsworth was moored at the Destroyer-Submarine Piers in Norfolk. At about 1030 the duty Machinists Mate informed me that we had a leak in the stop valve in the main steam line near the after engine room.

As we were scheduled to get underway at 0800 Monday, this required immediate repair. The valve in the 8 inch diameter steam line was sealed to the flanges of the steam line by ¼ inch thick copper seals, one of which had the leak. We did not have the required copper on board to make a replacement seal, so I headed several piers over to the USS Sierra (AD-18), (a destroyer tender or repair ship) to get some. In talking with the OOD, A Warrant Carpenter, I explained our plight. As luck would have it, he was in charge of the sheet metal shop on Sierra, and would oblige us.

The messenger of the watch escorted me down to the shop where the crewmen were asleep on mattresses on the steel deck (it was a hot night). We woke one of the men sleeping by the sheet metal shear and engaged him to slide out a 4 foot by 4 foot slab of ¼ inch thick copper plate from the supply rack. By now, a few others had awaken and helped him load the copper onto the shear and start the machine. When the piece I wanted (1 foot by 2 feet) was sheared by the blade, it went crashing down on the steel deck plates – now everyone in the shop was awake!

As I made my way back to the Quarterdeck, I thanked the OOD profusely and went down the gangway and over to my car. I opened the trunk and as I was putting the copper in, a man in a bathrobe with a leashed dog in tow approached me and said, “What are you doing, son?”

I explained myself to the gentleman who then introduced himself. He was Rear Admiral Claude V. Ricketts, COMDESFLOTFOUR (Commander Destroyer Flotilla Four). His flagship was Sierra and was walking his dog.

He wished me and the Haynsworth well! WHEEW!!!

P.S. We were ready to “answer all bells” at 0800!

David J. Oberholzer LT(jg) 57-59