"New Year 2021"

 

On the first night of the New Year, an unofficially endorsed Deck Log entry allows the sanctified shroud of regulation to be pierced, if only for a moment. During the mid-watch it is tolerated for the ship to record its first entry of the New Year in verse. In this yearly, passing, first entry of the year, the Deck Log bears witness to a suggestion of individuality and personality. However, Navy regulations remain ever unwavering, as the margin for creativeness comes with a caveat: all entries should still include the specified requirements noted in current Navy Regulations, and administered under OPNAV instruction issued by the CNO. Here are a few I hope you will all enjoy …

 

At 8kts, steaming with Hanson in stride,
Richmond K. Turner serves country with pride.
Dangerous waters are these on the coast,
Rimmed with Viet Cong who are hardly our host.
Nothing must daunt on this New Year’s night,
This year, as last, we must concentrate might,
Fighting aggression, and guarding our home,
Wary, lest Commies try farther to roam.

This ship is darkened as Hanson is too,
Hiding the fact we’re on 020 True.
SOPA and Officer in Tactical Command –
Captain of Turner is much in demand.
His is the judgement, on which we rely,
He calls the shots, and TE 77.0.1.2 does comply.
COMSEVENTH Fleet has positioned us here
Near North Vietnam, where our purpose is clear.

USS Richmond K. Turner (DLG 20)
1 January 1967

 

 

 

I’d like to say ‘Happy New Year to you’
And tell you our ship is moored starboard side to
Berths Mike and November, and here’s the location:
San Diego, California at North Island Air Station.
As an added precaution again any trouble,
Our mooring lines are, not singled, but doubled.

Our boilers are cold at the start of this year
So we must receive various services from the pier.
To list all ships present indeed would be hard
But Oklahoma City (CLG 5) and Bon Homme Richard (CVA 31)
Are two of the ships, one forward, on aft
The others are various yard and district craft.

SOPA Admin said tonight, and I quote,
‘COMFIRSTFLT is senior officer present afloat.’
He’s presently embarked in Oklahoma City,
But being aboard tonight, what a pity.
The night has been long, but would you believe,
That this watch is over – I stand relieved

USS Constellation (CVA 64)
1 January 1968

 

 

As OOD I greet with scorn
This wet and dreary New Year’s morn!
It seems to me as I shiver with cold
That the Year is nearly 100 days old

The New Year is greeted with much good cheer
As MAUNA KEA is moored to number 2 pier
At berth number 1 port side to is this craft
Standard lines are doubled with wires fore and aft

The PARICUTIN; the FIREDRAKE, and the MT KATMAI
Along with yard craft, are moored nearby
At NAD Concord our home port we wait
A long sea detail to the Golden Gate

Boiler #2 and generator #1 are in use this hour
To give to the ship the much-needed power
The pier provides services as they usually do
The brow, freshwater, and telephone too

The pertinent facts; I have told them all
While other this night have had a ball
0345 has come and I must not glance back
I look ahead to a siege in the sack

I must end this verse, I cannot go on
For very soon will break the dawn
To all the world, and to those near and dear
I wish a peaceful, prosperous, and HAPPY NEW YEAR

USS Mauna Kea (AE 22)
1 January 1963

God Bless and HOPE 2021 turns out better than 2020!!!