Welcome to the USS Plymouth Rock Newsletter

Seventeenth  Edition:  The USS Plymouth Rock Newsletter is a publication issued every four months by the USS Plymouth Rock Ships Association.  If you would like to contribute an article, a piece of Navy or Plymouth Rock history, photo, memory or anything that might be of interest to you or other shipmates, you can send it as an e-mail to:

Bill Provencal, Association  Secretary at:
billinp@metrocast.net

or regular mail at:
Bill Provencal
37 South Main Street
Pittsfield, NH   03263

If you change address or e-mail address be sure to let me (Bill Provencal) know so we can update our Crews List.   My e-mail is billinp@metrocast.net  Our ships website is found at www.ussplymouthrock.com

Paid Association Members for 2007-2008
As of August 30, 2007 we now have 138 paid members

POD Contributed by Richard N. Bergeron, BMSN

Thank You's

We would like to thank the following shipmates/friends for providing pictures, information and articles to the website, the Ships Association and newsletter.

Cover of a song sheet contributed by Ron Swearingen, DC3

TOKYO - The USS Kitty Hawk, the U.S. Navy's oldest ship in full active service, embarked on its last major maneuvers Wednesday before being decommissioned next year.

The 46-year-old vessel - the only American aircraft carrier permanently deployed abroad - eased out of its berth at the U.S. Navy base in Yokosuka, just south of Tokyo, escorted by a carrier strike group of cruisers and guided missile destroyers, Naval spokesman John Nylander said.

The voyage, to last several months in the western and central Pacific Ocean, was expected to be the last major mission for the ship before it is replaced next year by the USS George Washington and sent back to the United States for decommissioning, said Rear Adm. Richard B. Wren, commander of the Kitty Hawk Carrier Strike Group.

"This is the last trip for USS Kitty Hawk," Wren told reporters.

The Kitty Hawk, with a crew of more than 5,500, was commissioned in 1961 and has served in Vietnam and Iraq.

The steam-powered ship was deployed to Yokosuka in 1998, and will be replaced with the nuclear-powered George Washington as part of the U.S. military's effort to modernize its forces in East Asia - an area of potential flashpoints with North Korea or China.

But the vessel's replacement sparked a backlash in Japan, where critics oppose the basing of a nuclear-powered warship in domestic waters. Japan's government backed the idea, however, saying the George Washington would boost regional stability.

Nuclear-powered warships have visited Japanese ports hundreds of times since 1964, and the United States has provided firm commitments to Tokyo regarding the safe use of Japanese harbors by the nuclear-powered vessels.

Plymouth Rock (LSD-29) as she appeared circa late 1950s or early 1960s. Note "HUS" helicopter on her after deck US Navy photo # NH 97359, from the collections of the US Naval Historical Center.

Named after the site of the landing of the first permanent settlers in New England in 1620, the USS PLYMOUTH ROCK was the second THOMASTON - class dock landing ship and the first ship in the Navy to bear the name

Do any of your Boatswain Mates or deck types know what this symbol means?  Harry Andersen, BTC, informed me what it is and he's a snipe.  For the first person guessing what it is, we will give you a USS Plymouth Rock Association bumper sticker.  Either e-mail or slo mail Harry or myself Bill Provencal.  We will have the answer in the next newsletter.

HONOLULU - The federal government wants to extend by five years its rules allowing the Navy to use a new low-frequency sonar, despite objections from environmentalists that the technology may harm whales and dolphins. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said Tuesday that the low-frequency active sonar used to detect submarines at great distances would have a "negligible impact" on marine mammals species and stocks. The Navy, in requesting the five-year rule extension, asked for permission to use the sonar in the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian oceans, as well as in the Mediterranean Sea, NOAA said in a document submitted to the Federal Register.

Scientists say sonar may mask the echoes some whales and dolphins listen for when they use their own natural sonar to locate food. Navy sonar may also startle some species, in particular beaked whales, prompting them to rush to the surface with dangerous consequences. The current rules require sailors to shut down their sonar when marine mammals are nearby and adopt other measures to protect the animals. Low-frequency active sonar is operationally available on only two ships the Navy uses. Those vessels are in the Western Pacific, and they haven't been allowed to use such sonar near the Hawaiian Islands.

The low-frequency active sonar is a newer technology than mid-frequency active sonar, which the Navy has installed on many of its submarines and other vessels. In both cases, sailors pump sound into the water and listen for any objects the sound waves bounce off of. Low-frequency active sonar, however, travels greater distances than the other variety, and environmentalists say it poses a greater danger to marine mammals

Sally Ship?????

Sally Ship is not a ship but a method of loosening a vessel that ran aground from the mud holding her fast. In the days before sophisticated navigation equipment, ships ran aground much more often than today. A grounded ship could be freed with little or no hull damage if she could be rocked out of her muddy predicament. To free her, the order was given to "sally ship". The crew gathered in a line along one side and then ran from port to starboard and back and forth until the vessel began to roll. Often the rolling broke the mud's suction and she could be pulled free and gotten underway. 
Another tidbit of Naval lore. MMCM(SS) Greg Peterman USN Retired

St. Louis History
Jefferson Barracks Historic Park

DESCRIPTION: Jefferson Barracks County Park (often called JB for short in St. Louis) is a county park perched on a scenic bluff overlooking the Mississippi River with a past steeped in American military history. Jefferson Barracks was established in 1826 as the major military installation west of the Mississippi at a time when the frontier was being settled. Many famous American military figures, including several presidents, served at the Barracks. The country’s first “Infantry School of Practice” was established at Jefferson Barracks. Later, the Barracks was a major medical facility for the Union Army and a primary ordnance depot for Federal troops during the Civil War. During World Wars I and II, Jefferson Barracks was a major induction center for new Army recruits. It served as a major military installation until 1946. Near the county park, Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, established in 1866 and once a part of the military installation, is the final resting place for thousands of American veterans.

WEB SITE: www.stlouisco.com/parks/j-b.html

GETTING THERE: From Downtown St. Louis, take Broadway south several miles until ends. Jefferson Barracks is on the left.

SIGNIFICANCE: Jefferson Barracks played a significant role in U. S. history for 120 years. Built in 1826, the Barracks served as the primary training and gathering place for the Army of the West. Prior to the Civil War, troops gathered at the post to provide protection to emigrants and merchants heading west, escorting travelers on the western trails and establishing and garrisoning frontier posts. During this time, almost every regiment in the Army was stationed at least in part at Jefferson Barracks. Later, during the Civil War, Jefferson Barracks served as a major medical facility and a primary ordnance depot for the Union Army. Many famous Americans served here including Jefferson Davis, Robert E. Lee, William T. Sherman, Phillip Sheridan, Braxton Bragg, John J. Pershing and former presidents Zachary Taylor, Ulysses S. Grant and Dwight D. Eisenhower.

HISTORY: Jefferson Barracks was built in 1826 to replace Fort Belle Fontaine which had been built at the confluence of the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers north of St. Louis in 1805. When Fort Belle Fontaine suffered from the results of repeated flooding, the decision was made to establish another installation downriver which would also serve as the first Infantry School of Practice in the United States. Jefferson Barracks was also to be the primary training and gathering place of the Army of the West.

The 1,702-acre site for the Barracks was given to the federal government by the village of Carondelet (now part of St. Louis city) to use as a military installation. The land had been part of the village’s common fields but the residents decided a military post near their village would give them added protection and a ready market for their produce and other goods. During its first months, the Barracks was called “Cantonment Adams” in honor of President John Quincy Adams, “Camp Miller” for the governor of Missouri and “Camp Barbour” for the Secretary of War. In October of 1826, it was decided to name the Barracks in honor of President Thomas Jefferson who had died on the Fourth of July of that year.

In 1829, troops from Jefferson Barracks provided the first armed escort for a merchant caravan on the Santa Fe Trail. Three years later, troops from Jefferson Barracks captured the Indian leader Blackhawk during the Blackhawk War. Lt. Jefferson Davis, later to be the president of the Confederacy, escorted the chief to the Barracks where he was interviewed by writer Washington Irving, and his portrait was painted by artist George Catlin.

The 1st regiment of the U.S. Dragoons, a precursor of the Cavalry, was formed at Jefferson Barracks for frontier service in 1833, and in 1837, the Barracks served as a rendezvous point for U.S. regulars and Missouri volunteers for the Seminole War in Florida. By 1843, the Barracks was the largest military post in the country. During 1846-48, a regiment of Mounted Riflemen was organized to protect travelers on the Oregon Trail but the troops were sent instead to the Mexican War. The Barracks served as staging posts for campaigns in that war.

Jefferson Barracks played a pivotal role for the Union in the Civil War. Troops from the Barracks raided the pro-secessionist Camp Jackson in St. Louis in 1861 saving the St. Louis Arsenal for the Union. The following year, Jefferson Barracks became a major medical center for troops wounded on the battlefront and the largest and most important Union facility west of the Mississippi River. In 1864, it was the assembly point for St. Louis’ defense during Confederate General Sterling Price’s raid. After the war, the Barracks cemetery was designated as a National Cemetery for deceased servicemen and later servicewomen.

Reunion Update

Well it's now official, the reunion committee consisting of David Dortch, Roger LaMay and Richard Mathis have done the preliminary work for the St. Louis reunion.  These guys are to be thanked for all the effort they have put in up to this point.

Date:  Thursday, September 18-Sunday September 21, 2008.

Place:  The Doubletree Hotel St Louis at Westport.  Link to their website is  www.doubletreewestport.com.  Rates are $89.00 per day + local taxes.  This includes complimentary full breakfast for two per room, per day.  This rate is good for up to 3 days before and 3 days after the reserved reunion dates. 

Reservations:  Made by each individuals, need to be made by August 18, 2008.  Reservations can be made by calling their central reservations office toll free at 1-866-786-8088 or the hotel reservations dept. at 1-314-434-0100.  Personalized online group bookings of reservations cannot be made until after Sept 23,2007. Additional information will be made available in newsletter and website as received by webmaster.

Any further changes between Newsletters will be found in the ships website, under Reunions.

The Doubletree Hotel, St Louis at Westport

Picture contributed by our President of the Ships Association Tom Wagner (he's the fourth one from the left),  Guantanamo Bay, Cuba EM Club, 15 March, 1959.  Shakedown cruise after leaving Philadelphia Naval Ship Yards, l-r:   Clinton, McCoy, Reuben, Wagner, Medeiros, Hawley, Grasty, Root.

Navy Trivia

FLAT HATS - First authorized in 1852 the flat hat was eliminated on 1 April 1963 due to non-available materials. The original hats had unit names on the front, however, unit names were taken off in January 1941.

WHITE HAT - In 1852 a white cover was added to the soft visorless blue hat. In 1866 a white sennet straw hat was authorized as an additional item. During the 1880's the white "sailors hat" appeared as a low rolled brim high-domed item made of wedge shaped pieces of canvas to replace the straw hat. The canvas was eventually replaced by cotton as a cheaper more comfortable material. Many complaints on the quality and construction led to modifications ending in the currently used white hat.

RIGHT ARM RATES - Established in 1841 and disestablished 2 April 1949, originally signified men of the Seaman branch. During WW II these rates included Boatswains Mate, Turret Captain, Signalman, Gunners Mate, Fire Controlman, Quartermaster, Mineman, and Torpedomans Mate. Other ratings wore rates on the left sleeve.

MEN'S NECKERCHIEF - The black neckerchief or bandanna first appeared as early as the 16th century and was utilized as a sweat band and collar closure. Black was the predominant color as it was practical and did not readily show dirt. There is no truth to the myth that the black neckerchief was designed as a sign of mourning for Admiral Nelson's death.