| PRINTERS | ||
|---|---|---|
| Noble. C.W., Chief Printer | Dennis. W. W.. Prtr.2c | Schoemaker. E. K., Sea. 1c |
| Rollins, J. W., Jr., Prtr. 1c | Doeppe. L. F., Prtr. 3c | Miller. A. J.. Sea. 1c |
| Giele, J. H.. Prtr.2c | Hartmann, A.G. Sea. 1c | Atteridge, R. H., Sea. 2c |
| VOL. I | Sunday, 3 May, 1942 | NO. XLV |
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With a rush of acey duceys and doubles, which he modestly termed "just luck," F. W. Luther, CSK of the Supply Department, during the week, was the victor in a C. P. O. Acey Ducey Tournament that started with a field of forty players and eventually was reduced to three--Chief Luther, S. G. Siniard, CSF, and G. M. Mongar, CRM.
Mongar lost three straight to Luther and also was defeated by Siniard leaving the latter and Luther as contestants in the finals. In a two out of three game playoff Luther used some of his best shots to win the third and deciding game. The hecklers and experts who already had been defeated were very much in evidence throughout the final stages of the tournament which held the interest of the entire C. P. 0. Mess. There was a lot of fun and serio--comic joshing throughout all the contests.
Chief Luther, when interviewed after he had won the C.P.O. Championship showed no ill effects of the strenuous ordeal to which he had been subjected. Regular exercise, alertness, proper diet and a deep interest in one's work evidently contribute to the making of a champion. Seated at his battle station in the Plotting Room, and surrounded by an impressive array of calculators and gadgets that are considered by some to be among the world's most intricate and complicated mechanical devices, Luther deprecated his victories, and showed deep respect for his defeated opponents.
"My victories" he said "were just luck, especially since the C.P.O.s have some crack (yes, I said crack) acey ducey artists. I felt fortunate in winning from Siniard and Mongar. They are great players and I have deep admiration for the able manner in which they practice the theories of choice and chance as applied to acey ducey".
Asked to explain, Luther remarked casually in his best Plotting Room manner: "I admire Siniard's technique and also Monger's finesse. The two theories of choice and chance which they demonstrate so well in their playing are closely bound together. Choice is made up of two branches, those problems that deal with the arrangement of the markers on the acey ducey board and those of the various combinations of the dice. A problem of the first type is to determine the most expeditious manner in which the markers may be moved forward on the board. It is a principle that if one move may be made in "a" way and another in "b" way the two together may be done in "a" and "b" ways;
"Take the other question of chance" he continued. "If an acey ducey turns up "a" times and fails "b" times, the probability of the event happening is .A over a plus b and the probability of it failing is B over a plus b. This demonstrates simply, without using all these calculating machines, that, since the dice each are numbered 1 to 6, the chances in favor of throwing acey ducey, or three, on the first roll, using "fair" dice, and without wind drift from the side-lines, are 1 in 18. In the last game Chief Siniard merely failed to throw enough acey duceys."
Chief Siniard, when informed of Luther's comments, said "Luther is a great champion and I have no alibis to offer for my defeat." "In the splendid system Luther follows" he said the chances of throwing at one roll of two dice all the possible combinations are as follows:
| 11 is 1 in 18 | 8 is in 71/5 |
| 4 is 1 in 12 | 5 is 1 in 9 |
| 10 is 1 in 12 | 9 is 1 in 9 |
| 6 is 1 in 71/5 | Acey Ducey or |
| 7 is 1 in 6 | 3 is 1 in 18 |
Luther's victories have set the stage for an effort to find the Acey Ducey Champion of the Washington. Many divisions have outstanding players, and the editor of your ship's paper would like to have their names and divisions, and also the records of inter-divisional contests.
If desired, officials may be selected for match contests. The honor system prevailing in all these matches, the officials merely may weigh and caliper the dice, test them for slick edges, cut edge work, corner work, raised spot and edge trip work, razor edge convexes, capping, special fills, amalgam work, paste, beveling, beveling suction, and mis-spots. Officials, of course, will not permit the use of tap dice and substitute dice. Match rules prohibit the use of magnets, special dice cloth or side line pushing of markers. All holds that "control" dice are barred, including the Soft or Pad roll, the Hudson Shot, the Dump Shot, the Navy twist or spin shot, the Army or Blanket roll and the Pique or Peekay shot.
It is requested that all personnel who have books overdue at the library, return them as soon as possible. Many books have been kept out of circulation due to failure to bring them back to the library within the allotted time of one week. If you desire to keep the book longer than a week, return it and have it stamped again. Otherwise your name will appear on a list of men with overdue books. If you check out a book you are responsible for it until it is returned.
Dr. C.J. Canty (MC) U. S. Navy, unanimously was elected Wardroom Mess Treasurer, succeeding Lt. Cdr. C.I,. Carpenter who had held that elective office for the past two months.
A vote of thanks was extended the retiring Mess Treasurer.
Ensign R. C. Gooding, whose home is in the state of Virginia, is one of those individuals who finds interest in many phases of life. After attending a business school in Washington, D.C., he entered night school and worked for a railroad company, where he was employed in the office force. He later decided upon the Navy as a career, and after going to a prep school, entered the Naval Academy at Annapolis.
While at the Academy, along with his regular activities, he participated in his favorite sport - fencing - and was captain of the academy fencing team. His strong weapon is the saber, although he is familiar with both foil and epee (duelling sword). We also likes to swim and play tennis.
Mr. Gooding is fond of reading and music, especially the music of the Masters such as Bach and Mozart. His tastes run along the line of the classics and symphonies. He likes to listen to recordings. However, he does occasionally "latch on to a bit of jive."
His hobby is photography in which he has won several prizes, and has had his photographs used as illustrations in books. He says that one of his most interesting jobs along the photographic line was a series of publicity shots -which he made for a play in which he was able to produce some rather dramatic effects.
Chief Radio Electrician W. S. Mackay in two sessions, defeated Lieut. Comdr. Carpenter, Wardroom Champion, three games out of five. The series of games, however, has not ended and Mr. Carpenter states he will show his best form in future contests. Lieut. Comdr. Hull, in one session, has beaten Mr. Mackay and Lt. E. B. Hooper has not yet started to do serious rolling.
Mr. Mackay merely is filling in as "acting" champion for the informal contests as there will be no Warrant Officer Champion for some time to come. The choice has narrowed down to Mr. Mackay and Chief Electrician Brinkley, who are playing off for the championship of the Warrant Officers' country in-a series of games that started the first part of March. Mr. Mackay and Mr. Brinkley so far have played 570 games, running about even in victories.
They are so closely matched that they have decided the winner will be determined after they have played 1500 games.
Mr. Mackay states that he has a "sure fire" method of winning a tournament. "Play," he says "an opponent younger than yourself. This is not difficult for me," he said, "since I have close to 32 years of service in the Navy and am 50 years of age. Make the contest the best two out of three games. Then add to the total of games won, the player's age and the length of his service in the Navy. The one with the higher total is to be declared the winner."
All personnel are reminded that Sunday, 10 May is Mother's Day. If we are fortunate enough to have our mothers still on earth, we should write to them before that date.
Civilization has filled the world with books. They can be divided into two classes--fiction and non-fiction. Under the head of non-fiction we group science, military science, religion, history, biography, philosophy, etc. A few years ago it was estimated that from 3,000 to 5,000 books were produced annually in the United States. The percentage of fiction is large. The demand for novels is insatiable.
Many novels appear every year. But few survive. The reason is not hard to find. They lack interest that endures. They are what publishers cell "run-of-the-mill" or "tripe". "In the course of five years," said one publisher, "we issued 300 books. Of them only five survive."
In general, the people of our day do not study. In the schools, the teachers have to do most of the work. The pupils listen and absorb what pleases or interests them. They do not study what they dislike. One effect of this is to be seen in our low national Intelligence Quotient. The Psychologists tell us that the mass I.Q. of the United States is that of a twelve year old child.
Perhaps they are wrong. But if we measure the intelligence by the papers and books, bound and unbound, the estimate is not too low.
The essential value of a novel is found in the way the character develops, either in growth forward, or in degeneration. When an author gives you life as it is and boasts about it, you may be sure he is unable to put any higher or nobler thing in his work. We ought to choose our books as we choose our friends. Why spend time with an author who presents useless characters? We are subject to a higher morality that must consider sins against justice. Literature must be concerned with solving problems by additional ingredients. It must reveal more sacrifice, more immolation. It must contain denial of self.
Books like "Three Weeks" have been forgotten. Others like "Grapes of Wrath" will soon be tossed into the discard. But books like Dr. Cronin's 'The Keys of the Kingdom" endure. Of the novels that recently appeared few have the quality of Willa Cather and Edna Ferber. Books by these and many other good authors may be had in the Crew's Library.
Generalizations about books are always unfair. But it is known that there are authors whose books are always dangerous and authors whose work is always safe. The development of a taste for good reading is a fruitful source of help and inspiration for everyone in the Navy.
A communication's yeoman was given a haircut the other day while sleeping. It certainly would be great if we all could get that kind of service. However, said yeoman had to "hippity-hop" to the Ship's Barber Shop to get the final trimmings after he awoke and looked in a mirror.
Edge of the 3rd Division jumped out of his bunk the other morning and was half-way to his battle station before his shipmates stopped him and informed him that it was only reveille - - - anyway, that's one way to get out in a hurry. Better learn the calls, Mac.
7th Division says that "Shoulder-Pat" Pendergasle and "Muscles" Harris seem to be training for a big bout.
The Moose of "G" Division has slipped again. Two weeks ago he promised his mates that he would give up midnight rations for a month. However, he is again stuffing the old bread basket seven times a day instead of six like he promised.
On Thursday, our Chief Master-at-Arms Gravgaard had one half of a haircut when quarters were sounded. Supposing it had been one of the animated reproductions of the Smith Brothers being shorn of his whiskers. That would be a sight for sore eyes!
A special Holy Communion Sunday will be held at the Masses on board next Sunday, May 10, when Catholic personnel are requested to receive Holy Communion in honor of their living or dead mothers.
In the presence of all the Wardroom officers, a large plaque beautifully painted and suitably inscribed was hung with a three inch safety pin by Commander T.M. Dell on the chest of Lt. Comdr. C. L. Carpenter on Tuesday. The plaque was inscribed "People's Choice, Acey Ducey Champ, Wardroom U.S.S. Washington, April 15, 1942." Lt. E.B. Hooper, received a bar of salt water soap as consolation prize for runner-up in an Acey Ducey Tournament in which twenty eight officers participated. Prolonged applause and side-line comments accompanied the presentation of the prizes.
It is small wonder some of our Petty Officers receive such scant respect for themselves. They frequently do not deserve any. It is an ever increasing occurance for non-rated men to use deck petty officers head and washroom. If the deck petty officers can't keep their allotted head and washroom free of unauthorized persons, they have no one but themselves to blame. And one or two petty officers can't do this job alone. Nor should they be expected to. It is up to ALL petty officers to see this is enforced. It appears the engineer petty officers are more petty officer like in this regard. Never let a non-P.O. get caught in THEIR washroom! And any petty officer who does not enforce even the most elementary ship's regulations, such as non-wasting of fresh water and directing traffic the proper way at emergency drills isn't worthy of being called a good seaman second class! If the shoe fits, wear it!
STUFF: Well, if we ever attempt to put a race boat crew in the water we have a good start in at least one respect dozens of men already have a crew hair cut!..."Mike Gesondi, the Pittsburgh demon triple tongued trumpeteer, isn't keeping up with his daily practice of late. Tra-la... We notice the Esquire-minded signalmen are first with the latest navy spring style. Their coats have dots, with a dash!...C.P.O.s Gravgaard, Newton and Miller now arise at the dawn to toss around that old medicine ball. Self defense?? ?..."Sails" Seely is a man who believes in being prepared, no matter what. So whenever he goes on the beach, duty or otherwise, he takes all his spare change - - -in case he should run into a beer joint, no matter how desolate the spots may be!...Any old coxswain can make a mistake once-in-a-while. Still, they aren't expected to make two in a row! ...What C.P.O. sports those eye dazzling pajamas with the loud prints??? ...Understand the engineers now put strings on their pencils to keep them from going adrift! Good idea...Ask "Noisy" Morrison who is the fastest shaver on the ship...If a party by the name of King will identify himself to the S.S. Cashier he will receive the thirty cents that's been due him for almost a fortnight.
Good news: The pay office hopes to pay the remainder of the crew their back twenty percent next pay day.
Regarding one's associates recalls to mind that old saying, "show me your friends and I'll tell you what you are." Who are your friends? If any.
In Australia the telephone operator says, "you're through", even before you begin talking!
The new specialist rate is not exactly new. Every bluejacket is a specialist. Or supposed to be!
Can you burn toast? Can you undercook a porkchop? The cooks watch, port, guarantees to beat the cooks watch, starboard, at baseball if they can get reliefs at the same time.
Aside to the storekeeper who wants to know about a little liberty: Aren't you getting little enough as it is???
ONE MINUTE PLAY:
Scene: Ship's Service Soda Fountain.
Time: Just after breakfast.
Characters: Joe Blow, hard heaving apprentice seaman, U.S.N.R.
Jerk Moore, dapper, demon dipper, U.S.N.
above suggested by "Mouse'' Egan, musician in charge of damage control. Incidently, Egan's home townsmen are thinking of naming a street after him. It's one way!
QUIZZ: Why is reveille at four in the morning like a pig's tail? It's TWIRLY. (Ugh!)
Personal item for the future Mrs. "Mexican" Royce. "Your future husband is coin hoarder! To the tune of $79.00- - -net...Ship's Cook Ellis rates an extra point for that delicate meat pie he put out for dinner last Thursday. Horn and Hardart could do no better..."Red" Yanaway, U.S.M.C., is almost as big as a horse, but he suddenly found out he can't sleep like one!!!
Several years ago, when the Fleet was in tropical waters for a long period and many were finding the long weeks of maneuvers a trying ordeal, an unnamed officer wrote this poem which was posted on the bulletin boards of many ships and which was as good as a cheerful letter from home in chasing away the blues:
When you feel on the bum, an' the
outlook is glum,
An' you're wonderin' what"s comin'
next,
When everything's drear, and life loses
its cheer,
And the Skipper and First Luff are
vexed--
If this Tropical South puts you down
in the mouth,
'Til your shipmates they ain't even
speaking,
Just don't rock the boat-keep a turn
'round your goat;
It's a great life---If you don't
weaken.
If the Admiral's boat refuses to mote,
And the cat spoils your clean quarterdeck
During Captain's inspection, don't
show your dejection --
Though your feelings may hurt
something horrid;
Getting low ain't worth while, so force
out a smile,
Take your hat in your hand and go
forward.
If you should lose sight of the Flagship
by night
An' get lost alone on the ocean,
And you go under hack, just smile,
smile and "Come Back,"
Don't fume and stir up a commotion.
When we're running around if you put
her aground
By mistaking a star for a beacon;
Why there's no greater sport than a
General Court--
It's a great life, my son, but don't
weaken.
When we're darkened at night and
there aren't any lights,
An' you beat it on deck to your
Station
And you flatten your face on a
stanchion or brace,
Remember it's all for the Nation.
If you fall down a hatch, Surge will
put on a patch,
To bind up your holes and stop
leakin'
Don't get sore like a pill, for it's part
of the drill--
It's a great life, my boy, but don't
weaken.
The last sailor of the liberty party came dashing down the dock just as the last motor sailor returning to his ship had cast off from the pier. It was three or four yards from the dock, but the Sailor decided to chance making it, and leaped. He landed in the boat, all right, but, so hard that he slipped and struck the back of his head. For a minute he lay there stunned. When he came to again, the motor sailor was at least a hundred yards from shore. The sailor looked back, blinked, and exulted: "Boy, was that a jump!"
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