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Journal And Notebook Of A Sailor Serving Aboard The U. S. S. Chepachet During World War Ii ENSIGN ROBERT BARNARD HIRTH

Journal And Notebook Of A Sailor Serving Aboard The U. S. S. Chepachet During World War Ii

ENSIGN ROBERT BARNARD HIRTH

Other works by ENSIGN ROBERT BARNARD HIRTH

Publication: Written while serving in the U S Navy during World War II, 1944 - 1946, At Sea

14" x 8.25" clothbound ledger used as a diary and notebook by Ensign Robert Barnard Hirth (1921-2003) in 1944. The U.S.S. Chepachet was a Suamico-class fleet oiler launched in 1943. Between July 27, 1943, and June 19, 1944, the ship supported military and naval operations in North Africa and the Mediterranean, crossing the Atlantic as part of a convoy and carrying oil from West Indian and Gulf ports to Casablanca and Oran. In July, 1944, Chepachet traveled to Aruba to take on a load of Venezuelan oil, which was then transported to Humboldt Bay, New Guinea, to fuel combatant ships. A few months later, the ship played a key support role in the liberation of the Philippines, providing oil to more than 30 ships participating in the Battle for Leyte Gulf and also manning anti-aircraft guns. Hirth's 47-page journal begins on April 17, 1944. Short daily entries continue through Tuesday, August, 29th. There are no entries for September and only sporadic 1-2 line entries for October. The rank of Ensign is the entry-level commissioned officer's rank in the U.S. Navy, and is equivalent to the rank of Second Lieutenant in the other armed services. Ensigns generally serve on naval vessels as division officers, responsible for leading a crew of seamen and petty officers in a specific division like engineering or administration. As junior officers, Ensigns also engage in on-the-job training and receive mentoring and training from superior officers and experienced petty officers. Hirth appears to have been a diligent sailor, as his journal mainly records him making safety and cleanliness inspections, participating in drills, censoring mail, teaching fire class, studying manuals, and standing watch. In May, 1944, he reports witnessing a collision between a destroyer and a merchant ship that killed four men. He mentions supervising the connection of oil lines between the Chepachet and other ships. In an interesting contrast to the overall seriousness of the journal, the final entry records receiving ice cream from another ship. In addition to the journal, this book includes 21 pages of Hirth's notes on navigation and on the attributes of and equipment aboard the Chepachet. A simple sketch of the ship's plan is laid in. Both journal and the contents are in very good condition and very legible.

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