Merchant mariners -- United States -- Interviews

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 NA4290 Arrie W. "Artie" Grissom (1927-2010), interviewed by Morgiana Halley, November 1989, in his motorhome near Berth 177, Wilmington, California. Arrie "Artie" Wade Grissom, originally from Arkansas. Topics include: WWII convoys; jinxed cargo; human casualties; unloading cargo at Tacloban airstrip in the Philippines; the Pacific theater; becoming ill with a lung condition that saw him medically surveyed out of the Navy; getting papers to serve in the Merchant Marine in 1945; Merchant...

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NA4295 Capt. Frank Clayton Waters, interviewed by Morgiana Halley, January 15, 1990, at Barnett Road, Medford, OR. Topics discussed: His first convoy; shipping in the Atlantic; weather; went to see in 1906; being drafted into the Army in WWI; Army food; recreation aboard ship; initiation of Greenhorns; life after retirement. Audiofile: c753, 1 hr. Interview summary. Text: 3 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 NA4289 Capt. Emerson E. Chodzko (1921-2008), interviewed by Morgiana Halley, November 24, 1989, Pacific Ave., Long Beach, California. Went to sea at age 16. Highest rank: Unlimited Master's, post-WWII. Rank during WWII: Chief Officer. Received probationary book after sailing on tankers for a year. Registered for draft on tankers. Shipped on the Mormac Gull, the Benjamin Rush, the George Ross, and the Carlos Carrillo. Topics include: training; diesel vs. steam turbine engines; traveling...

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...

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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 NA4304 Jim Cunningham and Robert Leach, interviewed by Morgiana Halley, January 26, 1990, in Sailors Union of the Pacific Dispatch Hall, Harrison St., San Francisco, CA. Topics include: experience with convoy; running convoys from Dutch Harbor to Adak Island, in the Aleutians; Japanese torpedo boats at New Britain; cargo; "hard luck ships;" nicknames; "Fool's errands;" initiation of Greenhorns; deaths; the Murmansk Run; and social relationships. Audiofile: c762, 1 hr. Interview summary....

Abstract NA4291 John Marshall "Marsh" Dallas and Capt. Fred Anderson Steele (1913-2002), interviewed by Morgiana Halley, November 1989, in the home of husband and wife Fred and Madeleine J. (Beyrle) Steele (1918-1990), Arroyo Grande, California. Also present, Madeline "Pat" Dallas, wife of John Marshall Dallas. J.M. and Fred were schoolmates. Topics include: Dallas going to sea at age 14; shipping guano (nitrate) from South America; a gold strike in Chile causing the crew to desert the ship; breaking...

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 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...

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NA4296 William H. Aguilar, interviewed by Morgiana Halley, January 17, 1990, Napa, CA. Topics include: anecdote about apple pie; experiencing a torpedo attack in the North Atlantic; classmate Gordon Pollard found among prisoners in the South Pacific; social relationships, bickering, rivalry; race relations aboard ship; superstitions; initiation of Greenhorns; night bombings; and Seabees transported into Tarawa. Audiofile: c754, 1 hr. Interview summary. Text: 2 pp.

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...