RECOLLECTION

E. L. Robertson 1988

“Will the real Captain please stand up?”

In early December 1943, while enroute North Africa to United States escorting a convoy the Swanson was ordered to enter Ponta Delgado. The purpose of our visit was to test the actual Portuguese acceptance of a treaty recently signed by Portugal, Britain and the United States which declared among other things, that the United States and Portugal were partners in the war effort against Germany.

Thus far Portuguese assistance had neither been rendered to the United States nor asked for by the United States. The Swanson visit therefore on the pretext we fuel (which we really did not) was to cause the Portuguese to give us tangible assistance.

We entered Ponta Delgado and moored alongside another ship to receive fuel. After leaving the bridge, I remember getting into my blue uniform and meeting the American Consul but do not recall what Portuguese dignitary we then called upon.

I recall returning to the ship changing into khaki uniform, omitting in my haste the wearing of a cap or the silver leaves on my shirt collar signifying my rank, and hurrying to the bridge.

Because of this 2 Portuguese pilots who spoke no English refused to believe I was in fact the Captain and that the ship should be gotten underway at my order. Bedlam ensued and it was only when everyone on the bridge assured that I really was the Captain that we were able to proceed. I recall how angry I was over this incident but in retrospect I assume that the 2 Portuguese pilots finally understood the situation and that the Swanson’s mission was accomplished and we sailed to rejoin our convoy.