COUGAR SCREAM

VOL 1	24 May 1941	NO. 1

Dedication and Best wishes from the Secretary of the Navy
Telegrams from ships sponsor Virginia Marshall and the USS North Carolina BB55
Commissioning Guests
Pre-Commissioning Ball Events
Don't Whistle
How to Handle a Woman
Ode to a Bo's'n's Mate

NAVY DEPARTMENT OFFICE OF NAVAL OPERATIONS WASHINGTON, D. C. May 9, 1941 My dear Captain Benson: Today, for the second time in nearly eighteen years, the United States Navy is commissioning a fine new battleship, the U. S. S. Washington. This splendid ship which you have been ordered to command is a fitting tribute to the vigorous young state for which she was named. Washington stands high in the military and naval history of our country. Today, with its major naval facilities, its great shipbuilding and aircraft industries, and its vast natural resources, the state of Washington is destined to play a most important part in the accomplishment of the country's defense program. Only a few weeks ago the NORTH CAROLINA, a sister ship of the WASHINGTON, was placed in commission, thus bringing to an end our country's long capital shipbuilding holiday. I need hardly point out to you that the careers of these two ships will be inevitably linked in friendly rivalry in the service of their country. Our naval history is replete with instances of traditional ship rivalry, and I venture to predict that the service will watch with interest and keenly appraise the careers of the WASHINGTON and NORTH CAROLINA. The people of the United States have decreed that this country shall have a navy second to none. To this end, they are providing the finest ships that can be built. You, your officers, and men are now charged with the responsibility of making this latest addition to our country's battle line an effective, well-organized unit of the navy. I am confident that all of you gladly and eagerly accept this important duty. May good fortune and good luck always go with the WASHINGTON! May she be ready, in the very shortest possible time, to take on single handed anything that floats on the seven seas! And may she always uphold the highest traditions of our Naval Service. Sincerely yours, s/ H. R. STARK. Captain H. H. J. Benson, U. S. Navy, Prospective Commanding Officer, U.S.S. WASHINGTON, Navy Yard, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Return to Top

The following congratulatory telegram was received from the sponsor of the Washington. Miss Marshall, of Spokane, Washington, is a direct descendant of John Marshall, Chief Justice of the U. S. Supreme Court 1801-1835,

WUT17 63 NT

WUX SPOKANE WASH MAY 14 1941

CAPTAIN H. II. J. BENSON

U. S. S. WASHINGTON

CONGRATULATIONS BEST WISHES AND GOOD LUCK TO YOU THE OFFICERS AND CREW OF THE U S S WASHINGTON AM DEEPLY SORRY NOT TO BE WITH YOU ON THIS GREAT OCCASION PLEASE GIVE MY LOVE TO ADMIRAL AND MRS WATSON AND ALL THE MEN AND WOMEN OF THE NAVY YARD WHO MADE MY PARTICIPATION AS SPONSOR THE HAPPIEST AND PROUDEST DAY OF MY LIFE

VIRGINIA MARSHALL

The following from our sister-ship ... we deeply appreciate its fine spirit and wholeheartedly subscribe to its content:

FROM: U. S. S. NORTH CAROLINA

TO: U. S. S. WASHINGTON

THE COMDG. OFFICER, OFFICERS AND CREW EXTEND HEARTIEST CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR SISTER SHIP X MAY THE TWO TOGETHER JUSTIFY THE HOPES AND EXPECTATIONS OF THE SERVICE: THEY HAVE ENTERED.

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How to Handle a Woman
by Electricity
If she talks too long	Interrupter.
If she wants to be an angel	Transformer.
If she's picking your pockets	Detector.
If she will meet you half-way	Receiver.
If she goes up in the air	Condenser.
If she wants chocolates	Feeder.
If she sings off-key	Tuner.
If she's out of town	Telegrapher.
If she's a poor cook	Discharger.
If she's too fat	Reducer.
If she's wrong	Rectifier.
If she gossips too much	Regulator.
If she becomes upset	Reverser.

GUESTS One of the more pleasant memories associated with Commissioning Day was the presence aboard of the lovely wives of the enlisted men. Admiral Watson, Commandant of the Navy Yard, most thoughtfully provided a reserved section from which these gaily bedecked gals might view the impressive ceremony by which ".... my husband's ship ...." became a ship-of-the-line. Special identification cards admitted them over the side to greet their respective spouse aboard the WASHINGTON. Introductions were in order and yet but few had to be introduced--most having met at the ship's Pre-Commissioning Ball. It had more the flavor of a family reunion with varied groups chatting--at times in an excited pitch--and laughing at the good natured expense of one another. Refreshments were provided by the Ship's Service which prided itself that it was Johnnie-on-the-spot and would tolerate no delays when "seconds" were requested. However, the fateful blast of the bugle rudely awakened our guests from their reverie--and it was Home Sweet Home and make way for the chow-hounds. Yes, indeed, the WASHINGTON felt proud in having these charming girls even for so short a time. We sincerely trust when things calm down, they'll cash-in on the rain checks and again add grace and personality to "my husband's ship, the WASHINGTON." Return to Top U.S.S. WASHINGTON PRE-COMMISSIONING BALL The main ballroom of Philadelphia's BROADWOOD HOTEL reflected every color of the spectrum on the night of May eighth. Men of the ship's company in spic-and-span Dress Blues and their entrancing ladies in bewitching a la mode evening gowns blended into a scene long to be remembered. The Commanding Officer and Mrs. Benson, the Executive Officer and Mrs. Clarke, the Wardroom Officers, the Warrant Officers, all joined into the pleasantry of a most enjoyable evening. Upon arrival, each lady received a corsage of fragrant gardenias which were thoughtfully provided by the Committee. The music and vocal arrangements of Joe Frassetto's WIP Broadcasting Orchestra forbade anyone sitting-out a dance. The "Golden Girl of Song," Gloria French, thrilled all with her clarity of tone and cleverness of presentation. The Sophisticated Dance-Stylists, Adam and Jane Digitano, were rivaled only by our belaboring and bewildered jitterbugs. Estelle Stone displayed not only charm and beauty but also terpsichorean adeptness-especially when toe-tapping out "Who" on an oversized xylophone. The Stanley Brothers with their comedy knock-about eccentricities produced roars of laughter and rounds of applause. "Sparks" Russell, our Master of Ceremonies, crowded into the upper bracket of ace-high announcers. Two beautiful arranged baskets of flowers were brought out from hiding. Mrs. Benson graciously accepted the one and Mrs. Clarke charmingly the other. Both presentations were in the name or the ship's company with CPPO Scarborough, Chairman of the Dance Committee, doing the honors and doing them well. It was all-in-all a grand affair. The Committee are to be heartily congratulated on their every thoughtful. anticipation and resultant arrangement. AND--BEST OF ALL--THE REFRESHMENTS WERE APLENTY! Return to Top Don't Whistle "Only Fools and Boatswain's Mates whistle aboard Ship," is an old saying in the Navy. And here is a fairly recent one of the many good reasons: In 1922 the U.S.S. Savannah was taking on ammunition at Norfolk. The cargo net was loaded, hoisted clear of the dock and was beeing swung inboard when a man came bounding topside from below decks whistling a lively tune. The crane operator handling the whip just caught a few bars of the tune and mistaking it for the boatswain pipe "up behind" let with a run. Result: Four men in the sick bay, two with broken legs, one with a crushed hand, and one with a fractured skull. What price whistling? Return to Top How to Handle a Woman by Electricity If she talks too long Interrupter. If she wants to be an angel Transformer. If she's picking your pockets Detector. If she will meet you half-way Receiver. If she goes up in the air Condenser. If she wants chocolates Feeder. If she sings off-key Tuner. If she's out of town Telegrapher. If she's a poor cook Discharger. If she's too fat Reducer. If she's wrong Rectifier. If she gossips too much Regulator. If she becomes upset Reverser. Return to Top Ode to a Bo's'n's Mate I think that I shall never see A man more typical of the sea, A man who questions not his fate, --Resigned to be a Bo's'n's Mate. A Bo's'n's Mate whose worried brow Furrows the answer to '"'where" and "how." A man come from the earth and sod. A Bo's'n's Mate by grace of God, Who in the end lays down the sword And looks to Heaven for his reward; For the Bureau makes the other rates But only God makes Bo's'n's Mates!