Liberty ships -- United States

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 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...

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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 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...