|
Tiger in the Tank |
|
|
|
||
| USS Haynsworth DD700 |
| * Scuttlebut & Memories * |
|
|
Tiger in the Tank |
|
|
|
||
|
While on a Med cruise in 1958, the Haynsworth was steaming in company with the USS Randolph, an Essex class aircraft carrier for whom we would frequently plane guard and from whom we would refuel underway.
On one such refueling occasion as we were in waiting station with ROMEO at the dip, Randolph signaled us by flashing light that they had a personnel transfer for us and so we rigged the boatswain’s chair on our port side. Captain Weed ordered ROMEO two-blocked and the engines cranked up as we began our approach to the starboard side of Randolph. As we slipped into refueling station, it was pleasant to see the Randolph Band assembled on the starboard side of the hanger deck and serenading us as we refueled. Wow, nice touch! The boatswain’s chair was sent over to the Randolph but the transferee who was being strapped in looked like anything but a sailor. He was dressed in what looked like a pair of light blue coveralls with a light blue engineer’s type cap. He came aboard and, as soon as he was released from the chair, he scampered up one outboard ladder then another until he was at the bridge level but outboard of the open bridge bulwark hanging onto the outboard handrail. Seeing him up close, it was obvious that he was adorned in a complete Esso serviceman’s outfit with blue and white pinstripes and the oval red, white and blue Esso logo on his cap. He pulled a squirt bottle and rag from his pocket and proceeded to wipe the ship’s windshields even as the band played! It turned out that Cdr.Archie Lupia, who had been our XO and who was now the Gunnery Officer on Randolph, had arranged this splendid display of gas station customer super service for the Haynsworth. David J. Oberholzer LT(jg) 57-59 |