RECOLLECTION

Roy E. Traylor 1988

“OVER YONDER!”

Many of the young sailors who reported on board for commissioning of the USS Swanson, had never been to sea before and for many it was their first time away from home. Of course many came from rural areas and knew about farming but standing a watch on board a ship at sea was something else again !

After being commissioned , the Swanson went to sea for sea trials. After clearing the sea buoy, the OOD went to each look out to brief them on their duties and proper reporting procedures.

After 47 years I do not recall the proper reporting procedure at that time, whether we were using relative degrees or points on the bow to report objects. But I do recall one of those lookouts and his report, which went something like this:

Lookout – “Ship out there!”

OOD - “Where away ?”

Lookout - “Over yonder !” Pointing with his arm.

OOD - “What size ship?”

Lookout - “It’s a itta bitty ship!”

It gave all of us a laugh and even brought a smile to the face of an exasperated OOD !