| VOL 1 | 21 February 1942 | NO. XXXVI |
PUBLISHED WEEKLY ABOARD THE U. S. S. WASHINGTON
FOR THE GOOD OF THE SHIP AND THE SERVICE
PRINTERS
John Rollins - - - John Giele - - - Al Hartmann - - - E.K. Schoemaker - - - James Miller - - - Bob Atteridge
Article Index
BLABBERMOUTH
ARE YOU A BLABBERMOUTH?
A BLABBERMOUTH IS A BLITHERING IDIOT --
who can't seem to understand that any statement, direct or implied, outright or hinted, INTENDED OR UNINTENTIONAL, which may lead, through careful analysis by experts, to a correct guess as to the present, future or past location, or employment of the Washington, may be the statement which is intercepted and which directs a wolf pack of German or Jap. submarines to a rendezvous with our ship.
A BLABBERMOUTH IS AN IGNORAMUS --
who just can't resist the urge to tell the folks back home that we are "steaming serenely through calm blue water" but "maybe I'll get to see you sooner than we expected."
A BLABBERMOUTH IS A NITWIT-
who just can't keep from saying "if we get out to the ______. That "IF" means we are NOT THERE!
A BLABBERMOUTH IS AN IMBECILE --
who hasn't got sense enough to know that saying "pity the poor boys on.. (this or that patrol duty) .." means " the U.S.S. Washington is not on that patrol or duty."
A BLABBERMOUTH IS A CARELESS FOOL --
who refers to the folks back home as being "up" in Squeedunk or "down" in Jerktown.
A BLABBERMOUTH IS A SMART ALEC --
who thinks it's fun to pull a fast one on the censor through the use of hidden meaning phrases, abbreviations, and other subtleties. Such ruses may succeed in getting by our censors but they wont fool the trained analytical experts whom the enemies have at work.
To lead people in revolution wisely and successfully, without ambition and without crime, demands indeed lofty genius and unbending virtue. But to build their State amid the angry conflict of passion and prejudice, to peacefully inaugurate a complete and satisfactory government--this is the very greatest service that a man can render to mankind. But this also is the glory of Washington.
With the sure sagacity of a leader of men, he selected at once for the three highest stations the three chief Americans. Hamilton was the head, Jefferson was the heart, and John Jay the conscience of his administration. Washington's just and serene ascendency was the Iambent flame in which these beneficent owers were fused; and nothing else than that ascendency could have ridden the whirlwind and directed the storm that burst around him. Party spirit blazed into fury. John Jay was hung in effigy; Hamilton was stoned; insurrection raised its head in the West; Washington himself was denounced. But the great soul was undismayed. Without a beacon, without a chart, but with unwavering eye and steady hand, he guided his country safe through darkness and through storm. He held his steadfast way, like the sun across the firmament, giving life and health and strength to the new nation; and upon a searching survey of his administration, there is no great act which his country would annul; no word spoken, no line written no deed done by him, which justice would reverse or wisdom deplore.
---------------------George William Curtis
THE NAVY RELIEF SOCIETY
The formation of a national Citizens Committee, headed by Clarence Dillon of New York, for the purpose of raising a fund of $5,000,000 to be used by the Navy Relief Society for emergency needs was announced today by the Chief of Naval Operations and President of the Navy Relief Society, who made the following statement in connection with the drive:
"The Navy Relief Society is confronting a relief problem which the Board of Managers feels will undoubtedly strain the funds that are available to the Society. The uncertainty of war calls for a greater reserve of cash than is now insight. There have been so many requests from the citizens of the country to help the Navy Relief Society that the Board of Managers feels that these friends of the Navy would be glad to contribute to such a cause.
"The Board of Managers of the Society has therefore authorized the formation of a Citizens Committee to give all of the American people an opportunity to contribute to the fund. All of the contributions obtained will go to the long-established Navy Relief Society with its headquarters in the Navy Department in Washington. Allotments of funds for relief will be made as required to the established auxiliaries of the Society in all Naval Districts.
"On behalf of the entire personnel of the Navy, I wish to express our appreciation to Mr. Dillon and the many men and women who will be associated with him in this work.
"The fighting spirit of the Navy men everywhere will be aided by the welcome news that their families back home will be better cared for, as he need may arise, because of this help through the Navy Relief Society."
Upon accepting the chairmanship of the newly formed committee, Mr. Dilion commented as follows:
"All Americans are anxious to know how they can become a part of the great Navy organization. The appeal of the Navy Relief Society provides a concrete way in which they can help. It is our hope that every American will join in this tribute to our Navy men and their families to shield them, so far as we can, against the hardships of their service."
NOTRE DAME
Designated New Training Center
Secretary of the Navy Frank Knox has announced the University of Notre Dame as an indoctrination training center of apprentice seamen who are candidates for Naval Reserve Midshipmen in Class V-7. The University has agreed to provide accommodations and facilities for approximately 1,000 apprentice seamen per month, which will include housing, messing, instruction, recreation and medical facilities. Effective April 15, 1942, all apprentice seamen in Class V-7 will receive approximately one month of prelirninary training at the University of Notre Dame before-reporting to a Reserve Midshipmen's school for a three month course of instruction. The Reserve Midshipmen's Schools are at Northwestern University (Abbot Hall), and the Prairie State, New York. The preliminary training at Notre Dame will include instruction in the fundamentals of military discipline, Naval customs and usage. The apprentice seamen will be under critical observation by Naval officers for indication of those basic mental and moral qualities considered necessary in candidates for commissions in the Naval Reserve.
FORT WINSLOW
NOW FORT CUSTIS
Fort Winslow, at Cape Charles, Va., has been renamed Fort Custis, in honor of Capt. John Parke Custis, a stepson of George Washington and his aide-de-camp, who served with the Continental Army at the siege of Yorktown.
"A LAST PRAYER" |
FATHER, I scarcely dare to pray, So clear, I see that things I thought So clear I see that I have hurt In outskirts of thy kingdom vast, |
The man who has not anything to boast of but his illustrious ancestors is like a potato--the only good belonging to him is underground.
A man without mirth is like a wagon without springs, in which one is caused disagreeably to jolt by every pebble over which it runs.
R.H.I.P.
The above letters are oft spoken among Navy men. They stand for "Rank Has Its Privileges". Who is senior to whom? Who takes precedence-a storekeeper or a quartermaster, a seaman or a fireman? We are indebted to the West Virginia "Mountaineer" for the interesting and informative below list. Our own Jack Jordan had it tucked away in his scrapbook. Not a bad idea, eh?
| PRECEDENCE OF RATINGS |
Sergeant major, U.S.M.C. First sergeant, U.S.M.C. Carpenter's mate, first class. Platoon sergeant, U.S.M.C. Sergeant, U.S.M.C. |
Reference: Article D-5102, Bureau of Navigation Manual. Article 1-21, Marine Corp Manual.
---- BE YOUR OWN CENSOR ----
---- KEEP YOUR TRAP SHUT ----
---- YOUR LIFE DEPENDS ON IT ----
