World War II Navy Documents
Diary of the Armed Guard Gunnery Officer on the S.S. Lewis Luckenbach
Wednesday, December 8, 1943 Wednesday, December 8, 1943
S.S. Lewis Luckenbach McCarthy, Charles G. Ens I-V(S)
Type of vessel: Cargo Roberts, Donald E. Cox USN
Type of cargo: General Bowerman, Thomas R. GM2c USNR
Owner: Luckenbach Steamship Co. Inc Newstad, Theodore M. GM3c USNR
Chartered to: United States Army Brzozowski, James A. S1c USNR
Harper, Louis C. S1c USNR
Lesesne, David M. S1c USNR
Strominger, Harry C. S1c USNR
Talaska, Edmund J. S1c USNR
Vaughn, Elwood E. S1c USNR
Volzer, Ted W. S1c USNR
Wilderman, Robert I. S1c USNR
Williams, Richard H. S1c USNR
Wilson, William H. S1c USNR
Wilson, Frank L. S1c USNR
Wright, John C. S1c USNR
Williams, Joseph R. S1c USNR
Wade, William D. S1c USNR
Ward, Keith A. S1c USNR
Watkins, David L. S1c USNR
West, Ralph M. S1c USNR
Westbrook, Estel W. S1c USNR
White, Robert L. S1c USNR
Young, Ralph J. S1c USNR
Zielinski, Robert M. S1c USNR
Kirksey, Oliver C. SM3c USNR
Lewis, Jack D. SM3c USNR
Smith, Richard P. RM3c USNR
Note: West, Ralph M. and
Smith, R.P. and Zielinski,
R.M. hospitalized in Cardiff,
Wales.
Butler, Thomas George, RM3c,
USN, assigned on duty in
Cardiff, Wales, in substitut-
ion for Smith, R.P.
Zielinski returned to ship
just hours before departure.
West had returned earlier.
Diary of the Armed Guard Gunnery Officer on the S.S. Lewis Luckenbach
Thursday, December 9, 1943 Mag Temp.: Fwd: 45 Aft: 47
EWT 1900 Friday, December 10, 1943
Smith, R.P., R.M. 3/c complained EWT 0600
of pain and running in his left Undocked from Pier 4, Army Base,
ear. Ship had already been Brooklyn, N.Y. and got under way.
restricted prior to sailing. With Sea Watch (Cond. III) had previously
the aid of Chief Gunner Vasburgh been set.
of the P.D.O. Army Base, took Smith EWT 0930
to the Armed Guard Center where he Muster for all hands except watch.
was examined by Lt.Comdr. Nolan, Watches and how to stand them
who finally, though a little explained again. Lifebelt equipment
reluctantly said it would be all distributed. Cigarettes (5 packs per
right for Smith to sail. man) distributed. Short talk on
routine matters given, e.g.
seriousness of job, sharp lookouts,
prompt reporting, etc.
Convoy HX270 - 10 KTS. - N.Y. to
U.K. 56 ships. This ship is # 131,
starboard wing, column leader.
Escort: 3 HMCS. Weather: Cloudy
(low-hanging), visability good.
EWT: 1830
General Quarters until 1905.
Broadside guns trained, elevated-
depressed (barrels and sight drums).
Switches tested - all satisfactory.
Weather: Clear. Broken clouds,
occasional bright moonlight - full
moon.
Diary of the Armed Guard Gunnery Officer on the S.S. Lewis Luckenbach
Mag Temp: Fwd: 44 Aft: 45 Mag Temp: Fwd: 42 Aft: 43
Saturday, December 11, 1943 Sunday, December 12, 1943
EWT 0630-0705 - General Quarters EWT 0400 - Seas somewhat less rough
held - all guns OK. Weather - cloudy - visability poor. Ship
partially cloudy; occasional bright apparently proceeding alone. No
moonlight; visability fair. other ships in sight. Running
EWT 0800 - Driving rain, sleet, lights on. Spoke to Chief Mate on
snow; visibility materially cut watch about them. Extinguished.
down. EWT 0645-0730 - General Quarters.
EWT 0945 - Muster for enlisted crew Guns all all right. Seas calming.
EWT 1200 - Sea becoming very rough. Picked up convoy again.
EWT 1204 - SOS received from KGGN, EWT 1200 - Crew all feeling better
71.58W, 40.43N - foundering. again. Guns 1-2-4-6-9 cleaned and
EWT 1300 - High waves occasionally greased.
breaking over bow and stern. Ralph M. West, Sea 1C reported that
EWT 1400 - Bow watch moved aft to during an attack of severe seasick-
promenade deck. 50 gas masks ness he lost a three-tooth partial
issued to Chief Mate McCann for denture from the upper front of his
distribution to merchant crew. mouth, over the side.
EWT 1500 - Great majority of
enlisted men very seasick.
EWT 1600 - Apparently lost convoy
except for two or three ships and
an escort. Seas very rough, wind
exceedingly strong with driving
rain and snow. Waves breaking over
stern. Stern watch moved from gun
position to deck. Broadside guns
trained and pointed periodically
throughout day - found okay.
Diary of the Armed Guard Gunnery Officer on the S.S. Lewis Luckenbach
Mag Temp: Fwd: 46 Aft: 45 Mag Temp: Fwd: 49 Aft: 48
Monday, December 13, 1943 Tuesday, December 14, 1943
EWT - 0400 - Weather clear. EWT + 1 Hr - 1300 - Boat Drill
EWT - 1200 - Picked up 17 addition- EWT + 1 Hr - 1330 - Battle Station
al ships at Halifax, N.S. Escort Drill
apparently increased also, akthough
exact number not known.
Guns 8 and 10 cleaned and greased.
EWT - 1750 - General Quarters to
1830.
EWT + 1 Hr - 2000 - Finally secured
merchant crew list from Purser
Roberts showing boat and battle
stations. Will correlate it with
Navy crew list battle stations.
EWT + 1 Hr - 2400 - Time advanced
one hour as of 0200, 12/14/43.
Watches' time of duty advanced 20
minutes for each of them starting
at 2000 today.
Diary of the Armed Guard Gunnery Officer on the S.S. Lewis Luckenbach
Mag Temp: Fwd: 47 Aft: 47 Mag Temp: Fwd: 42 Aft: 44
Wednesday, December 15, 1943 Thursday, December 16, 1943
EWT + 1 Hr - 0600 - Rain, sleet, EWT + 1 Hr - 0115 - Distress message
snow, high wind. Barometer falling. received from KCTG to the effect
EWT + 1 Hr - 1200 - Position 45-02N that she is under submarine attack
50-24W; course 076. at 48.47N - 22.01W.
EWT + 1 Hr - 1400 - Heavy seas EWT + 1 Hr - 0645 - General Quarters
breaking over bow. Bow watch to 0710. Guns all ok.
secured and moved to promenade deck EWT + 1 Hr - 1200 - Position of
forward. vessel: 44-38N, 47-20W. Course 098.
Battle helmets have been British-type battle helmets given
distributed to Chief Mate McCann, to Chief Mate McCann for distribut-
2nd Mate Roberts, 3rd Mate McPhee ion to the seven members of his
and to Captain Olsson. emergency party.
Diary of the Armed Guard Gunnery Officer on the S.S. Lewis Luckenbach
Mag Temp: Fwd: 44 Aft: 46 Mag Temp: Fwd 40 Aft: 42
Friday, December 17, 1943 Saturday, December 18, 1943
EWT + 1 Hr - 0620-0720 - General EWT + 1 Hr - 0615-0715 - General
Quarters stood. Guns all fully Quarters. All guns trained and
trained and elevated - all OK. elevated fully - all OK.
EWT + 1 Hr - 0715 - Biplane - EWT + 1 Hr - 2000 - Time advanced
probably Albacore from convoy one hour as of 0200, December 19,
escort carrier - circled convoy 1943. Watches time of starting duty
twice. advanced 20 minutes for each of
Capt. Olsson given gas mask, them starting at 2000 today.
bringing votal distributed to 51.
Guns 3,5 and 7 cleaned and
lubricated.
Diary of the Armed Guard Gunnery Officer on the S.S. Lewis Luckenbach
Mag Temp: Fwd: 47 Aft: 49 Mag Temp: Fwd: 47 Aft: 49
Sunday, December 19, 1943 Monday, December 20, 1943
EWT + 2 Hrs - 0640-0720 - General EWT + 2 Hrs - 0600-0720 - General
Quarters. All guns fully trained Quarters. All guns fully trained and
and elevated. All OK. elevated. All OK.
EWT + 2 Hrs - 0715 - Two explosions EWT + 2 Hrs - 1230 - Message
heard. Presumed to be depth charges received from Commodore "Mines
Location and distance or cause not reported in vicinity." T. Bowerman,
determined. GM2c stationed on bridge with .30
EWT + 2 Hrs - 0810 - Message caliber rifle, and lookouts warned.
received from Commodore to effect Both .30 cal. Remington Rifles test
there are submarines in vicinity. fired today.
Lookouts and all Navy crew warned EWT + 2 Hrs - 1535 - Message
to keep especially sharp watch. received from Commodore:"Submarines
EWT + 2 Hrs - 0930 - Commodore known to be at position indicated."
signalled emergency turn 45 degrees However, no position was specified.
to starboard. Navy watch and rest of Navy crew
EWT + 2 Hrs - 1130 - Message informed and again warned to keep
received from Commodore to effect sharp watch.
we are now in submarine zone and EWT + 2 Hrs - 1620-1730 - General
column leaders should keep better Quarters.
position.
EWT + 2 Hrs - 1645-1735 - General
Quarters and gun drill. 5"51 gun
cleaned and lubricated today.
Diary of the Armed Guard Gunnery Officer on the S.S. Lewis Luckenbach
Mag Temp: Fwd: 46 Aft: 46 Continued from previous page
Tuesday, December 21, 1943 Tuesday, December 21, 1943
EWT + 2 Hrs - 0600-0720 - General duty advanced 20 minutes for each
Quarters. All guns fully trained of the three watches starting at
and elevated. All OK. 2000 today.
EWT + 2 Hrs - 0815 - Commodore Guns #1,6 and 8 cleaned and
signalled emergency turn 45 lubricated today. 3"50 cleaned,
degrees starboard. lubricated and bore gauged.
EWT + 2 Hrs - 0820 - Commodore
signalled emergency turn 45
degrees starboard.
EWT + 2 Hrs - 0945 - Commodore
signalled "Unidentified aircraft
approaching." General Quarters
called.
EWT + 2 Hrs - 1000 - Signal of
Commodore of 0945 hauled down.
General Quarters continued until
1100. Gun drills, tracking, etc.,
on all guns in that hour.
EWT + 2 Hrs - 1055 - Commodore
signalled emergency turn 45
degrees port.
EWT + 2 Hrs - 1230 - Message
received from Commodore to effect
that we might fire our machine
guns and "two-pounders" in a safe
direction at 1330.
EWT + 2 Hrs - 1300 - Fire, boat,
and battle-station drills to 1330.
EWT + 2 Hrs - 1330 - Fired guns
#2,3,4,5,6,7,8 (20 MM's) for an
approximate total expenditure of
240 rounds. Fired #1 gun (3"50)
with 2 anti aircraft shells (2
second setting on fuze) and 3
common rounds. Merchant crew were
instructed and participated as
loaders on the 20 MM guns during
firing. Secured at 1400. No
structural defects noted except an
observed recoil on the 3"50 fire
which was possibly a little too
violent. Recoil cylinder on this
gun will be checked.
EWT + 2 Hrs - 1615 - General
Quarters until 1705.
EWT + 2 Hrs - 2000 - Time advanced
one hour as of 0200, December 22,
1943. Watches' time of starting
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