SS Jeremiah O'Brien. (Liberty Ship)

Abstract

NA4300 Al Rynberg, interviewed by Morgiana Halley, January 22, 1990, in the Chief Engineer quarters aboard the S.S. Jeremiah O'Brien, Fort Mason, San Francisco, CA. Topics include: experience on convoys; being under attack in the South Pacific; recreation aboard ship; ethnic relations aboard ship; crossing the Equator ceremonies; initiation of Greenhorns and "Fool's errands"; Mitsubishi bombers; rough weather; and lifeboat drills. Audiofile: c758, 1 hr. Interview summary. Text: 1 pp.

Abstract NA4297 David H. Grover, interviewed by Morgiana Halley, January 17, 1990, Napa, CA. Grover served as a deck cadet for nine months, 1943-1944. Topics include: convoys and bad weather; ship-to-ship signal methods; witnessing wartime England; visiting various ports; superstitions; shakedown cruise out of Houston; initiation of Greenhorns and "Fool's errands" involving left-handed monkey wrench and golden rivet; social relationships aboard ship; race relations aboard ship; liquor and fighting;...

Abstract NA4292 Retired Rear Admiral George William Jahn (1915-1999), interviewed by Morgiana Halley, December 13, 1989, aboard the S.S. Jeremiah O'Brien, Fort Mason, San Francisco, CA. Topics include: the S.S. Jeremiah O'Brien; the Murmansk Run; German night attacks lighting up the sky; heavy weather; surviving the Japanese torpedo attack on and sinking of the American Merchant vessel Manini; race relations aboard ship; and draft dodgers. Audiofile: c751, side A, 1 hr. Interview and obituary...

Abstract

NA4303 James E. Moore, interviewed by Morgiana Halley, January 21, 1990, aboard the S.S. Jeremiah O'Brien, Fort Mason, San Francisco, CA. Served as a chief machinist's mate in the Navy during World War II. Topics include: story about a destroyer in Alaska; recreational activities aboard the destroyer; "Fool's errands;" variety of stories. Audiofile: c761, 1 hr. Interview summary. Text: 2 pp.

Abstract NA4302 John Pottinger, interviewed by Morgiana Halley, January 21, 1990, aboard the S.S. Jeremiah O'Brien, Fort Mason, San Francisco, CA. Topics include: experience on convoys; no one liked traveling in convoys--safer but more difficult; losses in East coast convoys; story of a torpedoed ship; story of employee of marine insurance company sending cargo manifests to Germany; humorous stories; recreation aboard ship; crossing the Equator ceremonies; initiation of Greenhorns and "Fool's...

Abstract NA4299 Joseph J. Milcic, interviewed by Morgiana Halley, January 20, 1990, aboard the S.S. Jeremiah O'Brien, Fort Mason, San Francisco, CA. Topics include: joined the Merchant Marine between age 15-16, lied about his age; speed of convoys in the North Atlantic; cargo carried; loss of human lives; rescuing torpedo attack survivors; rough weather; recreation aboard ship; initiation of Greenhorns and "Fool's errands," keys to the locks of the Panama Canal; crossing the Equator; ethnic relations...

Abstract NA4293 Robert Edward Imbeau, (1923-2008), and John M. Lappin, interviewed by Morgiana Halley, December 13, 1989, in the Purser's Office aboard the S.S. Jeremiah O'Brien, Fort Mason, San Francisco, CA. Topics include: convoy; German sub raiders; carrying troops aboard U.S. Army Transport ships; "eerie" things running at night; French sailors; age when went to sea; Matson Navigation; convoy lights; paravanes; superstitions; engineering; and recreation aboard ship. Audiofiles: c0751, side B, 1...

Abstract

NA4294 Robert Hiller, interviewed by Morgiana Halley, December 14, 1989, aboard the S.S. Jeremiah O'Brien, Fort Mason, San Francisco, CA. Topics include: age going to sea; Pacific convoys; recreation aboard ship; cargo; mutiny and court martial of a ship's gun crew near New Guinea; anecdotes about shipmates; initiation of Greenhorns; race relations aboard ship; jinx and superstitions; kamikaze attacks. Audiofile: c752, 1 hr. Interview summary. Text: 2 pp.

Abstract NA4298 Rudy Jasen and Tony Abela, interviewed by Morgiana Halley, January 20, 1990, aboard the S.S. Jeremiah O'Brien, Fort Mason, San Francisco, CA. Topics include: descriptions of convoys in which Jasen sailed; carrying Seabees to the invation of Kwajalein; reacting to submarine attack; recreation aboard ship; Tokyo Rose; mail buoy "Fool's errand" and initiation of Greenhorns; crossing the Equator initiations; race relations aboard ship; and rough weather. Audiofile: c756, 1 hr. Interview...

Abstract NA4301 William Krasnosky, interviewed by Morgiana Halley, January 21, 1990, aboard the S.S. Jeremiah O'Brien, Fort Mason, San Francisco, CA. Topics include: the Murmansk Run; anecdotes about humorous shipboard newspaper with far-fetched stories, divorce by 'pigeon post,' men wearing beards because the Navy couldn't afford mops; breaking down 2 days out from Scotland; being attacked off Norway; initiation of Greenhorns and "Fool's errands"; and superstition. Audiofile: c759, 1 hr. Interview...