#1094 p 56 destroyer TOUCEY 1921 Jack Barrett Regular Navy Lieutenant
T-O-U-C-E-Y (1921) & 1923 San Luis Obispo grounding Edit CHAPTER- REGULAR NAVY COMMISSION & SERVICE ON DESTROYER TOUCEY:- Jack had been decommissioned in July 1919 after three trips to Brest, France on cruiser SEATTLE bringing troops home from World War I.On one of these trips he was Navigator of this heavy large troopship. After investigating employment opportunities he accepted two positions as a Merchant Marine officer - briefly on WEST CORUM and then a cruise December 1919-May 1920 around the world as First officer of SS WESTERNER under his friend Mal Richardson from the ANNISTON (MONTGOMERY) during the war. He then obtained active duty December, 1920 as a Naval Reserve Officer and took exams in 1921 leading to his permanent commission in Regular Navy. His first year's duty was aboard destroyer TOUCEY based at Charleston, South Carolina,although the ship visited New England in the autumn,and there is a photograph of his sisters Mollie and Kate visiting on board October 1921 at Newport Rhode Island. He saw his mother's brother John J.Buckley of Melrose at the Charlestown Navy Yard, where his uncle John worked many years as a ship's patternmaker. The TOUCEY went as far north as Bar Harbor, Maine, where Jack repeated in letters the joke, "Bar Harbor sure lived up to its name." In January 1921 Jack traveled to Charleston aboard the USS STRINGHAM as a Lieutenant USNRF and received his orders in a message January 27 from the Bureau of Navigation:"You will regard yourself detached from your present station,will proceed and report for duty in accordance with following instructions: when directed by the Commander, Destroyer Force,Alantic Fleet detached from the STRINGHAM, proceed to the port in which the USS TOUCEY may be and report to the Commanding Officer for such duty as may be assigned you aboard that vessel." On 9 June l97l D.C. Alard, the head of the Operational Archives Branch of the Naval History division, Washington D.C. wrote, "Dear Mrs Barrett, This replies to your letter of 13 May concerning the TOUCEY. Enclosed are copies of TOUCEY's log for 19-20 March l921 when the TOUCEY was aground. TOUCEY was scrapped in l930. The attached extracts from the Navy Directory for February and April l921 list the oficers on board at that time. We believe that the only one of these individuals who is still alive is Captain Edwin D. Gibb, USN Retired.His address is General Post Office Box 9l3 New York, New York 10001. Enclosed: Log of TOUCEY for l9-20 March l921 Extracts from Navy Directory for February and April 1921." Ships Roster of Officers February 1, l921 Lieutenant Commander P.L. Carroll, commanding-- Lieutenat E.D. Gibb, engineer Ensign J.T. Acres Lieutenat jg E. F. Carr, supply officer. -- April 1, l921 Lieutenant Commander P.L. Carroll commanding Lieutenant J. E. Kenmore Lieutenant J. B. Barrett, N.R.F. (Executive officer and Navigator Lieutenant jg Straits gunnery Ensign J. T. Acres Lieutenant jg Ellery F. Carr Supply Officer. EDWIN D. GIBB LETTERS-Correspondence with Captain Gibb:#50 T-O-U-C-E-Y l92l (first letter)July l, l97l Dear Mrs Barrett I am pleased to receive your thoughtful letter of June seventh.Your reference to days on the TOUCEY take me back many,many years ago,over fifty,when the spirit of youth pervaded the very atmosphere. I do remember our delightful shipmate of long ago, your husband John.His ever pleasant smile & cheerful outlook on life will always live in my memory.A few days before the TOUCEY's departure from 236 Charleston,South Carolina on that ill-fated trip to Savannah (where she ran aground) I was detached & ordered to command the CONVERSE.In the general changeover of personnel at that time John became executive officer & navigator of the TOUCEY under the command of Carroll.Our squadron commander at the time was Captain Harry Yarnell & the Fleet commander was Rear Admiral Ashley Robertson. Upon retirement Penn Carroll taught in the University at Monterey,where he died.Carroll was a competent engineer & was engineer of the first capital ship having electric drive. Carroll's daughter is married to Rear Admiral Kenneth Wallace now on duty I believe in Washington.Oscar Holtman was a classmate of mine & died many years ago- a brilliant young officer. My memory of Foster & Sciano is vague.I was born in Roxbury on Blue Hill Avenue just below Grove Hall. Congressman Curley appointed me to the Naval Academy.I received a master's degree in engineering from Harvard during my first shore duty.I don't remember what happened to Ellery Carr,the paymaster on the TOUCEY. I'm fearful he no longer answers to muster.He was a great chap.Perhaps a specific question would jolt my memory.Believe me it is a pleasure to help you, with my best wishes-from Edwin D. Gibb." Edwin D. Gibb of San Antonio Texas (second letter) July 27,l97l:"Dear Mrs. Barrett,My impression is that you command a lot more information of the l92l TOUCEY period than I can possibly muster.I do however remember Jim TomAcree(sp?) He served as my engineer oficer when I had the destroyer CONVERSE. He was transferred from a destroyer to the CONVERSE because he was not happy.He was on the TOUCEY with me too. I lost all track of my East Coast destroyer attachments in l922 when I went to post graduate work.The last I saw of MARTIN DERX was when he was attached to the office of ship movements (Port Director) at Pearl Harbor at the time of the Blitz.I was then Division Commander of destroyers then engaged in high speed mine sweeping operations with the Pacific Fleet based in Pearl Harbor. In fact my division of destroyers had patrol duty at the entrance of Pearl Harbor at the time of the Japanese Blitz.Fortunately none of my craft was hit.I didn't know that Feddie Holmes had died (Captain Gibb & Fred Holmes were classmates in l9l8 as was Martin Derx).(SMB note)-Your letter gave me the news. The last time I had contact with him was when he was living near Jupiter Inlet,Florida.My class is getting thinned out in number.He was not only a skilled golf player but an expert at cards,& often I am told was engaged in stakes involving huge sums of money.This of course is all hearsay because I hadn't ever played with him.Those destroyer days in Charleston were very trying.There were about one hundred ten of them moored in that harbor of fast moving current.We were operating on a very reduced schedule, because our crews were reduced about fifty per cent.Even maintenance with this reduction of personnel presented serious problems. We nested six destroyers together with one craft steaming for all six. The fresh water situation was always a problem because the one steaming destroyer had to furnish all the power & water for the others.Thus the daily cry of the working ship was that the others were draining the working boat dry.However, we survived it & when we again got personnel the sky got blue.(TOUCEY was one of these Charleston destroyers-SMB note) Every year for 25 years I passed thru Charleston Harbor on my yacht en route north & again south.Each year I had vivid memories reminder of the tough old days trying to keep our heads above water with reduced crews at this very same port.With very good wishes,I am Edwin D.Gibb". TOUCEY March 19, 1921- LOG OF GROUNDING USS TOUCEY (282) 19 March l921 Log Remarks: Until 4 am Steaming as before on course 215 psc 216 true leading column standard speed twelve knots followed by DALLAS, BRECK, DALE and REID in order named. At 3:02 moon set At 3:15 vibration, called Captain and at once ordered "Left rudder." Felt slight lurch as if grazing bottom. - Slowed. 1/3 speed then STOP and "Breakdown" Light Stopped engines- ship's head swinging to port and losing way till at 3:19, after touching lightly two or three times - GROUNDED resting easily on heading 209 degrees psc. Had meanwhile signalled other ships in formation that we were aground, instructing them to stand out to deep water on easterly courses.At 3:19 began to list to port.Called all officers and chief petty officers and had them inspect ship to ascertain if any damage had been done.Called "All Hands" and had life belts handy about decks. Chief Carpenter's Mate and Chief Water Tender inspected compartments and reported no apparent damage.At 3:25 finding efforts to move ship astern or ahead by engines unsuccessful, - began discharging fuel oil overboard to lighten ship. Lowered motor sailer and whaleboat to take soundings round ship - meanwhile sounding from deck showed two fathoms.USS DALLAS standing by in deep water to the eastward.Average steam 245. Average revolutions 150. Signed -J.B.Barrett, Lieutenant N.R. F. - 4:00 to 8:00 Am Aground onshoal as before at 4:30. USS REID radioed bearing of Sapello Light as 35l degrees true. At 4:41 at high water resumed attempt to back off shoal. Starboard engine "two thirds astern" -at 4:55 stopped engine.At 5:06 both engines "Two thirds astern." At 5:10 both engines stopped. Gradually assumed a ten degree list on falling tide. Examined all watertight doors to see if they were closed and battened down all hatches.Placed life preservers and Kapok matresses conveniently on deck.Shifted port life raft to starboard - higher - side. Ship's position first approximately located about 4:30 by radio bearing from REID on Sapello Island Light and from Saint Simon after Range Light,which had shown up from the haze. Position positively located at about 5:30 when Sapello Light bore 356 degrees true and Saint Simon after Range Light 231 degrees true, showing ship to be on a shoal at the mouth of Hampton River, Little Simon Island.Latitude 31-12-30 N.Longitude 81-16-00 W - At 5:45 motor sailer from DALLAS in charge of Ensign Bricker USN transferred the following passengers to the DALLAS (The list of passengers is given in the Log remarks They were sailors from the USS HOPEWELL, USS O'BRIEN,USS COLE, USS J.F. TALBOTT, USS TAYLOR, and USS BELL. Forty-four sailors from these ships were passengers on the TOUCEY and were transferred to DALLAS by motor sailer in charge of Ensign Bricker of DALLAS.) Began rigging towing gear aft - At 7:00 tug approached DALLAS and anchored, and whaleboat was sent to direct tug towards ship's position. At 7:10 began pumping out four starboard tanks to compensate for that which had been pumped out upon grounding. At 7:25 secured number four boiler, leaving number three boiler in use for auxiliary purposes. Took soundings regularly and found all compartments dry. Up to 8:00 discharged ten thousand gallons of oil to lighten ship. Signed - C.H. Foster USN Examined by J. B.Barrett USN, Navigator approved by P.L. Carroll, captain. - 8:AM to Meridian Aground as before - ten degrees list to port. At 9:00 took soundings off all compartments, and all found dry. Sent whaleboat out with Ensign Schiano and Thompson R.R. CQM USN to take soundings in the body of water astern, which by reason of no breakers indicated depth- with the idea of delineating possible channel for getting clear of the shoal. At 11:00 took soundings in all compartments and found them dry.Made preparations with life rafts and boats in case of emergency. At 11:30 knocked off all work and served dinner and rebattened down all hatches. At ll:45 made same soundings of all compartments and found all of them dry. Signed C. H. Foster Lieutenant USN - Meridian to 4:00 pm -Aground as before. USS DALLAS standing by in deeper water in an easterly direction. At low water soundings around ship showed greatest depth of eight feet aft.Listed nine degrees to port. Boats engaged in sounding to develop water in vicinity available for working off.Planted three buoys and prepared range and bearing data on soundings referred to ship's position to delineate best chance. At 2:20 prepared to get under way and at 2:35 began working engines astern in attempt to work aft into deeper water. Worked out about fifty feet toward first buoy swinging hard to left and having three degrees list. At 3:25 began discharging fuel oil to lighten ship.Took soundings of all compartments hourly during watch, and all found dry. signed - J. B. Barrett, Lieutenant N.R. F. - 4:00 to 8:00 pm Aground as before. At 4:20 USS B tug BALDROCK anchored at mouth of apparent channel two miles eastward of ship's position. At 4:50 whaleboat returned to ship. - 6:00 whaleboat returned to ship with sixty fathoms six-inch hauser for tug BALDROCK. -7:50 whaleboat returned and secured astern after having left R.R. Thompson CQM USN from the USS TAYLOR on board tug. Soundings of all compartments and magazines made hourly during watch, and all found dry. Signed C. B. Schiano, Ensign, U. S.Navy" 8:00 to midnight Aground as before. Drift lead over the side. Resting easily with a three degree list to Port. on heading 96-30 psc. - At 8:30 tug UMPQUA stood in and anchored near Dallas. Hourly soundings taken in all compartments, and all of them found dry.All hatches except engine room battened down, and men sleeping on deck. At l0:30 low water, took soundings around ship. - At 11:15 JAMISCRAW (YANISCRAW?) stood in and anchored near DALLAS.Sea moderate. Light southeasterly wind. Breakers ahead and on either bow. Sand bar above water on starboard quarter.Sapelo Light bearing 357 degrees true.Shipping board tug BALDROCK got under way and again anchored, bearing 120 degrees psc distance three miles. Simon after Range Light bore 231 degrees true. Signed - Oscar Holtman, Lieutenant USN Examined J. B Barrett N.R.F. Lieutenant, Navigator - approved P.L.Carroll, Lieutenant Commander USN 20 March l921 Commence and until 4:00 AM Aground as before in Latitude 31-12-30 N. Longitude 81-16 W. Sapelo Light bearing 231 degrees true. USS DALLAS, USCG tug YAMACRAW and USS B tug BALDROCK standing by anchored in company three miles to the southeast. BALDROCK bearing 121 degrees psc. Boiler number three in use for auxiliary purposes. Drift lead over the side.All hatches except those of the engine room battened down, and men sleeping on the deck.Resting easily with three degree list to port.Soundings dry. Sea moderate, light southeasterly wind.Breakers ahead and on each bow. Sand bar above water on starboard quarter. Tide running to flood. At 3:10 lit off number four boiler and made preparations for getting under way.Soundings about ship increasing, and at 3:45 slid astern off shoal and backed out, anchoring with port anchor. Standing by for daylight to get under way and try to pass through channel sounded out previous day.- At 4:30 got under way and backed out toward buoy previously laid using searchlight to locate same and sounding rapidly so as to determine depth. Anchored several times when uncertain. Finally anchored at 5:04 in fifteen and a half feet of water with short scope of chain.At daybreak boats from the DALLAS and YAMSACROW reported alongside in obedience to signal and received buoys for continued laying of channel. At 6:15 got under way - backed out following DALLAS's motor sailer. Anchored several times when in doubt until 6:50,when touched ground in passing too close to one of the buoys laid.At 7:00 commenced pumping oil out of after tanks and using engines to get clear of shoal, but without avail. Total amount of oil pumped five thousand gallons. The ship again became fully grounded off the channel in a position about two hundred yards northeasterly of the point of first grounding.Took soundings during watch and found compartments dry. All compartments battened down, and crew required to remain on deck.In attempting to back off, port propeller block damaged.Signed C.H. Foster, Lieutenant, USN - 8:00 AM to Meridian Aground as before,heading 180 psc five feet of water at low tide. All compartments closed except engine room. At 8:02 UMPQUA and BALDROCK stood near DALLAS.Ship assumed a nine degree list to port. At 9:45 DALLAS motor dory and UMPQUA's motor sailer came alongside to confer with Commanding Officer as to plans. At 10:05 DALLAS's dory left the ship,running a line in direction of DALLAS. INCA stood in from sea and anchored near DALLAS at 10:30. At 11:15 low water slack- listed to port nine degrees, resting easily. No damage to Hull sustained.All compartments dry. Least depth of water five feet at number one tube,starboard side.- O.H. Holtman,Lieutenant U.SN Examined by J. B. Barrett, N.R.F. Navigator - Approved P. L. Carroll Meridian to 4:00 pm 113 TOUCEY (p. 243) Aground as before in Lat 3l-13-15 N Long 81-16 W All available boats from rescuing vessels were directed to sound around ship and to continue laying buoys in channel. Sounding compartments regularly. At 1:45 SHIP BEGAN TO BUMP SLIGHTLY on rising tide inclining at varous angles up to twenty-six degrees. All hatches and watertight door inspected. Began making preparations for getting under way at 1:00 and reported ready at 1:30. At 2:03 "General Alarm" sign sounded accidentally due to short circuit.At 2:05 "Right Rudder" and at 2:06 "1/3 astern port." At 2:07 "1/3 astern both engines." At 2:15 "stop both engines." At 2:27 anchored to port anchor and about fifteen fathoms of chain. Buoy dropped marking its position Lat. 31-13-15 N. Long. 81-16 W. At 3:10 "1/3 astern port, l/3 ahead starboard" Working off to leeward of shoal. At 3:18 afloat.Anchored to starboard anchor in seventeen feet of water. approximately three hundred yards west of previous position. All boats called alongside and given direction as to procedure in sounding out channel and in assisting ship to pass out.- J. B. Barrett Lieutenant USNRF 4:00 to 8:00 pm as before Sent out TOUCEY's whaleboat and DALLAS's motor sailer to act as guards to channel; YAMACRAW's two whaleboats used to mark limits of shoals bordering channel. At 4:20 began heaving starboard anchor using left rudder in order to swing head towards channel. At 4:25 under way using engines slowly and headed for channel on course approximately 83 psc following whaleboat which continuously took soundings at slow speed.Passed whaleboat at fifteen hundred yards previous position and then followed motor sailer. At 5:03 clear of shoals. INCA saluted with three blasts, which was answered. USS B tug BROCK, USCG Yamacrow and YUSS UMPQUA saluted and were answered. At 5:05 sighted USS CONVERSE, at 5:06 anchored starboard anchor, thirty fathoms of chain, twenty-nine feet ofwater lat 31-13 N, Long 81-14 W At 5:25 USS COVERSE anchored 350 yards to eastward. At 5:30 all ships except USS CONVERSE anchored 350 yards to eastward.At 5:30 all ships except USS CONVERSE under way. At 7:22 (TOUCEY) under way. At 7:25 CONVERSE under way. Followed CONVERSE on course 42 degrees true. Standard speed ten knots. Soundings of magazines and compartments taken during watch, and all found dry.- C. B. Schiano, Ensign USNavy. 8:00 pm to midnight Steaming as before on course 49 degrees 30' psc conforming to CONVERSE. Speed l07 revolutions, nine knots. Number three and four boilers in operation. At 8:35 standard speed eight knots to prevent excessive vibration of hull due to damaged propellor.At 9:22 Sapello Light base in port quarter distance about nine miles.At 11:45 reduced speed owing to excessive vibration, and found going comfortable. Took regular soundings of all compartments during watch and found all dry. Average steam 250 average revolution 102.- C.H.Foster, Lieutenant, U.S. Navy. Examined J. B. Barrett, NRF USN Washington - approved P.L. Carroll,Lieutenant Commander. This grounding of the TOUCEY on a shoal at the mouth of the Hampton River,Little Simon Island, Georgia, was a serious matter, necessitating Jack's staying on duty for forty-eight hours. Lieutenant Commander P.L. Carroll, the commanding officer of theTOUCEY, was very pleased with the work Jack did to get the TOUCEY off the shoal. For years after Commander Carroll wrote to Jack on the anniversary of the grounding to express his appreciation for Jack's work in getting the ship off the shoal.While on the TOUCEY on 18 November 1921 at Charleston, South Carolina Jack then in the United States Naval Reserve Force was designated as SeniorMember of a Summary Court Martial, which was convened on the USS ISHERWOOD. On January 13, l922 the TOUCEY received the message from the Bureau of Navigation:" Prior departure COLUMBUIA from Charleston Lieutenant John B. Barrett detached TOUCEY, report COLUMBIA. Upon falling in with WYOMING detached COLUMBIA- Report duty WYOMING. You will regard yourself detached from present duty- report to Commanding officer USS COLUMBIA for duty.- JB. Abbott."He was detached from the TOUCEY 13 January l922 at the Navy Yard ChaRLESTON DETACHED USS COLUMBIA 19 JANUARY 1922 GUANCANAYABO Cuba Reported USS WYOMING 19 January l922 Gulf of Guancanoyabo,Cuba to Captain H. B. Price. In l921 while on the TOUCEY Jack took the examinations for Lieutenant n the regular Navy.On the TOUCEY on 25 November l921 Jack signed:" I hereby acknowledge receipt of discharge from the U.S. Naval Reserve Force, to be effective 25 November l921, the day preceding acceptance and execution of oath of office for appointment in the Navy. On 26 November 1921 Jack wrote the Bureau of Navigation, "I hereby respectfully acknowledge receipt of a commission as Lieutenant in the Navy. I return herewith acceptance and oath of office executed this date." While on the TOUCEY the Bureau of Navigation sent a message to Jack: "The President of the United States by and with the consent of the Senate having appointed you as Lieutenant in the Navy from the third day of August l920, I have the pleasure to transmit your commission dated 7 November l921. - H.H. Crosby, November 14, l921" In May 1921 Jack sent a message to the Secretary of the Navy, "It is reported that I have this date relieved Lieutenant Commander Carroll as Commanding Officer of the USS TOUCEY. No general drills were held. inasmuch as as Executive officer I am familiar with the organization of this vessel.Signed -J.B. Barrett,Lieutenant USNRF" And on May 31, l921 Jack wrote to the Captain , P.L. Carroll "I hereby take over the general mess of the USS TOUCEY on this date. At this time there is an unusual allowance of $408.34, and stores by inventory to the amount of $1396.37. " Some papers showed that Jack had to replace a lost or stolen pair of binoculars which had been in his custody. The written professional examination for Lieutenant USN was held on16 May 1921,while Jack was on the TOUCEY. The physical exam was on May 10, l921.When Jack was made a full Lieutenant in the United States Navy in August l921 Commander Carroll wrote him a congratulatory letter saying he knew Jack would pass the examination and was delighted at how well he did. Whe Jack boarded the TOUCEY her home port was Charleston, South Carolina, At a ship's open house,he met Marie Nelson and Rolfe Druen - two very attractive girls who lived and worked in Charleston,and after that Rolfe often saw Lieutenant Oscar Holtman of the TOUCEY,and Jack saw Marie Nelson.He had a lot of Shore Patrol duty while on the TOUCEY, and when it was over he ws hungry and would go to the Nelson home where he got"the best food in Charleston" and received hospitality in a delightful home. Marie had sisters- Irene,Stella, Lucile, and a younger brother Harold, about fourteen in 1921. Mrs.Nelson liked Jack, and her husband did too. A lifelong friendship developed between Jack and the Nelson family of Charleston, South Carolina. Mr. Nelson enjoyed poker games with his friend, and they all enjoyed the sandwiches and coffee served at their games. Although Mr.Nelson let Jack watch the games and take refreshments, he would not allow him to play because the stakes were too high for the pocketbook of a young Naval officer. Jack left the TOUCEY in January l922 about the time Marie Nelson married Charles Harman Rowe of Philadelphia.When the MARBLEHEAD was being put in commission in Philadelphia in l924, Jack saw Marie Nelson Rowe in Philadelphia and also saw her later in New York City in August of l928 when she was visiting her friend Anne Taylor McCormack at whose apartment I was living. Marie had some excellent pictures of Jack in uniform during his MARBLEHEAD days.She kindly sent them to us for our research. Her sister Lucile Nelson studied voice seriously, taking lessons in France with Madame Calve.In l928 she sang in Sigmund Romburg's "Blossom Time" - a fictionalized treatment of the life of composer Franz Schubert. As Jack's guest she sang aboard a Japanese ship in New York Harbor when Jack took her aboard with him as his guest about l928. She sang in Japanese and pleased Jack when she was given a tremendous ovation on the big ship. During this period there were some genuine friendships between American and Japanese naval officers, and for a number of years Jack received remarkable letters from a Japanese Naval Officer named Toshitani Takata. In a fitness report written by Commander Carroll in l921 he wrote: "Lieutenant Barrett is a well trained seagoing oficer especially prepared in navigational subjects and seamanship. He shows close attention to duty with painstaking care in the exercise of his duties.On the occasion of the grounding of this vessel on Shoal, Georgia,March l9, l921 he showed excellent officer qualities.For a period of thirty=six consecutive hours he worked with ability and tireless energy toward getting the vessel off the shoals into safety and it is considered that his work helped directly in the safe outcome of a dangerous situation." On the twentieth of March l922 Commander P. L. Carroll wrote to Jack: "My dear Barrett: Just a line to let you know that today I have been thinking over the experience (of the TOUCEY on the shoal off Georgia) of a year ago. My thoughts are concentrated on the group of loyal officers whose courage and ability enabled us to come with some honor out of an almost hopeless situation.Your own steadfastness and loyalty were no small part in saving the ship. There is much to remember over our association.on the TOUCEY, - always we should look back with pleasure over our association with the ship. I can assure you that I will never forget our days together when we were fighting for the ship. No wreck has come to my career or reputation, - but if we had been pulled off by the aid of others, the story would have been a different one for me.So I owe much to your faith and help. So I greet you - Sincerely, Your friend -P.L. Carroll." Jack used to say, "The first hundred years are the hardest." ."Shipwrecks of the Pacific Coast" pp 263-5 and two photos between pages 167-7 tells of seven destroyers beached near Honda Point 75 miles northwest of Santa Barbara, California September 9, 1923 with loss of twenty-two lives in fog. They had been "following the leader" as orders required, and at high speed [check 20? 30?? knots]. Four hours earlier commercial steamer had grounded, leading to unusual radio traffic, which disrupted navy operations. Text says this was U.S. Navy's worst peacetime disaster.Hundreds of personnel had to be resued in vicinity of Point Arguello mid California coast not far from San Luis Obispo. They were part of eighteen destroyer squadron, and other eleven ships offshore could not assist. This demonstrates the imperfect hydrography, charting, radio and fog navigation as of early 1920s.Many of Jack Barrett's Revenue Cutter School classmates and friends and contemporaries were involved in developing LORAN and other navigational aids for Fog, Ice, high wind conditions, particularly Commodore E.M. Webster, head of Coast Guard Communications some years and later an FCC Federal Communications Commissioner. The TOUCEY's March 1921 grounding near Savannah illustrates the problems but fortunately occurred at low speed in soft shoal inshore in protected area without extreme weather. When I was living with Anne and Ivan McCormack at 27 Commerce Street, Greenwich Village 1927-1930, I knew Marie and Lucile Nelson and met their father and their younger brother Harold then twenty to twenty-two years of age.One time when the senior Mr. Nelson was up visiting from the south, Harold told him he was engaged to be married -probably a daydream. Mr. Nelson answered, "You made your bed, - now lie in it." Harold visited Anne and Ivan McCormack at their farm in Salem, New York in the nineteen seventies - we did not see Harold, but Ivan said Harold told a story that Jack Barrett sometimes put his watch on a shoestring when he did not have a regular watchchain.We knew Marie and Lucile better. Anne first knew Marie in social work, which gave the three of us a common interest. Marie corresponded from Dungan Road, Philadelphia, where she and Harman lived in the 1970s. A group of Lucile's letters in 1928 to Jack from Harrison, Maine turned up in Mollie Barrett's attic in South Boston in 1967. Lucile was hostess in the 1950s and 1960s at the famous Waldorf Towers hotel in Manhattan, where General Douglas MacArthur and Herbert Hoover resided many years. She retired to Carmel, California, and corresponded extensively with both Ivan and the Barretts in the 1970s after Anne Taylor passed away in November 1971.
T-O-U-C-E-Y (1921) & 1923 San Luis Obispo grounding Edit CHAPTER- REGULAR NAVY COMMISSION & SERVICE ON DESTROYER TOUCEY:- Jack had been decommissioned in July 1919 after three trips to Brest, France on cruiser SEATTLE bringing troops home from World War I.On one of these trips he was Navigator of this heavy large troopship. After investigating employment opportunities he accepted two positions as a Merchant Marine officer - briefly on WEST CORUM and then a cruise December 1919-May 1920 around the world as First officer of SS WESTERNER under his friend Mal Richardson from the ANNISTON (MONTGOMERY) during the war. He then obtained active duty December, 1920 as a Naval Reserve Officer and took exams in 1921 leading to his permanent commission in Regular Navy. His first year's duty was aboard destroyer TOUCEY based at Charleston, South Carolina,although the ship visited New England in the autumn,and there is a photograph of his sisters Mollie and Kate visiting on board October 1921 at Newport Rhode Island. He saw his mother's brother John J.Buckley of Melrose at the Charlestown Navy Yard, where his uncle John worked many years as a ship's patternmaker. The TOUCEY went as far north as Bar Harbor, Maine, where Jack repeated in letters the joke, "Bar Harbor sure lived up to its name." In January 1921 Jack traveled to Charleston aboard the USS STRINGHAM as a Lieutenant USNRF and received his orders in a message January 27 from the Bureau of Navigation:"You will regard yourself detached from your present station,will proceed and report for duty in accordance with following instructions: when directed by the Commander, Destroyer Force,Alantic Fleet detached from the STRINGHAM, proceed to the port in which the USS TOUCEY may be and report to the Commanding Officer for such duty as may be assigned you aboard that vessel." On 9 June l97l D.C. Alard, the head of the Operational Archives Branch of the Naval History division, Washington D.C. wrote, "Dear Mrs Barrett, This replies to your letter of 13 May concerning the TOUCEY. Enclosed are copies of TOUCEY's log for 19-20 March l921 when the TOUCEY was aground. TOUCEY was scrapped in l930. The attached extracts from the Navy Directory for February and April l921 list the oficers on board at that time. We believe that the only one of these individuals who is still alive is Captain Edwin D. Gibb, USN Retired.His address is General Post Office Box 9l3 New York, New York 10001. Enclosed: Log of TOUCEY for l9-20 March l921 Extracts from Navy Directory for February and April 1921." Ships Roster of Officers February 1, l921 Lieutenant Commander P.L. Carroll, commanding-- Lieutenat E.D. Gibb, engineer Ensign J.T. Acres Lieutenat jg E. F. Carr, supply officer. -- April 1, l921 Lieutenant Commander P.L. Carroll commanding Lieutenant J. E. Kenmore Lieutenant J. B. Barrett, N.R.F. (Executive officer and Navigator Lieutenant jg Straits gunnery Ensign J. T. Acres Lieutenant jg Ellery F. Carr Supply Officer. EDWIN D. GIBB LETTERS-Correspondence with Captain Gibb:#50 T-O-U-C-E-Y l92l (first letter)July l, l97l Dear Mrs Barrett I am pleased to receive your thoughtful letter of June seventh.Your reference to days on the TOUCEY take me back many,many years ago,over fifty,when the spirit of youth pervaded the very atmosphere. I do remember our delightful shipmate of long ago, your husband John.His ever pleasant smile & cheerful outlook on life will always live in my memory.A few days before the TOUCEY's departure from 236 Charleston,South Carolina on that ill-fated trip to Savannah (where she ran aground) I was detached & ordered to command the CONVERSE.In the general changeover of personnel at that time John became executive officer & navigator of the TOUCEY under the command of Carroll.Our squadron commander at the time was Captain Harry Yarnell & the Fleet commander was Rear Admiral Ashley Robertson. Upon retirement Penn Carroll taught in the University at Monterey,where he died.Carroll was a competent engineer & was engineer of the first capital ship having electric drive. Carroll's daughter is married to Rear Admiral Kenneth Wallace now on duty I believe in Washington.Oscar Holtman was a classmate of mine & died many years ago- a brilliant young officer. My memory of Foster & Sciano is vague.I was born in Roxbury on Blue Hill Avenue just below Grove Hall. Congressman Curley appointed me to the Naval Academy.I received a master's degree in engineering from Harvard during my first shore duty.I don't remember what happened to Ellery Carr,the paymaster on the TOUCEY. I'm fearful he no longer answers to muster.He was a great chap.Perhaps a specific question would jolt my memory.Believe me it is a pleasure to help you, with my best wishes-from Edwin D. Gibb." Edwin D. Gibb of San Antonio Texas (second letter) July 27,l97l:"Dear Mrs. Barrett,My impression is that you command a lot more information of the l92l TOUCEY period than I can possibly muster.I do however remember Jim TomAcree(sp?) He served as my engineer oficer when I had the destroyer CONVERSE. He was transferred from a destroyer to the CONVERSE because he was not happy.He was on the TOUCEY with me too. I lost all track of my East Coast destroyer attachments in l922 when I went to post graduate work.The last I saw of MARTIN DERX was when he was attached to the office of ship movements (Port Director) at Pearl Harbor at the time of the Blitz.I was then Division Commander of destroyers then engaged in high speed mine sweeping operations with the Pacific Fleet based in Pearl Harbor. In fact my division of destroyers had patrol duty at the entrance of Pearl Harbor at the time of the Japanese Blitz.Fortunately none of my craft was hit.I didn't know that Feddie Holmes had died (Captain Gibb & Fred Holmes were classmates in l9l8 as was Martin Derx).(SMB note)-Your letter gave me the news. The last time I had contact with him was when he was living near Jupiter Inlet,Florida.My class is getting thinned out in number.He was not only a skilled golf player but an expert at cards,& often I am told was engaged in stakes involving huge sums of money.This of course is all hearsay because I hadn't ever played with him.Those destroyer days in Charleston were very trying.There were about one hundred ten of them moored in that harbor of fast moving current.We were operating on a very reduced schedule, because our crews were reduced about fifty per cent.Even maintenance with this reduction of personnel presented serious problems. We nested six destroyers together with one craft steaming for all six. The fresh water situation was always a problem because the one steaming destroyer had to furnish all the power & water for the others.Thus the daily cry of the working ship was that the others were draining the working boat dry.However, we survived it & when we again got personnel the sky got blue.(TOUCEY was one of these Charleston destroyers-SMB note) Every year for 25 years I passed thru Charleston Harbor on my yacht en route north & again south.Each year I had vivid memories reminder of the tough old days trying to keep our heads above water with reduced crews at this very same port.With very good wishes,I am Edwin D.Gibb". TOUCEY March 19, 1921- LOG OF GROUNDING USS TOUCEY (282) 19 March l921 Log Remarks: Until 4 am Steaming as before on course 215 psc 216 true leading column standard speed twelve knots followed by DALLAS, BRECK, DALE and REID in order named. At 3:02 moon set At 3:15 vibration, called Captain and at once ordered "Left rudder." Felt slight lurch as if grazing bottom. - Slowed. 1/3 speed then STOP and "Breakdown" Light Stopped engines- ship's head swinging to port and losing way till at 3:19, after touching lightly two or three times - GROUNDED resting easily on heading 209 degrees psc. Had meanwhile signalled other ships in formation that we were aground, instructing them to stand out to deep water on easterly courses.At 3:19 began to list to port.Called all officers and chief petty officers and had them inspect ship to ascertain if any damage had been done.Called "All Hands" and had life belts handy about decks. Chief Carpenter's Mate and Chief Water Tender inspected compartments and reported no apparent damage.At 3:25 finding efforts to move ship astern or ahead by engines unsuccessful, - began discharging fuel oil overboard to lighten ship. Lowered motor sailer and whaleboat to take soundings round ship - meanwhile sounding from deck showed two fathoms.USS DALLAS standing by in deep water to the eastward.Average steam 245. Average revolutions 150. Signed -J.B.Barrett, Lieutenant N.R. F. - 4:00 to 8:00 Am Aground onshoal as before at 4:30. USS REID radioed bearing of Sapello Light as 35l degrees true. At 4:41 at high water resumed attempt to back off shoal. Starboard engine "two thirds astern" -at 4:55 stopped engine.At 5:06 both engines "Two thirds astern." At 5:10 both engines stopped. Gradually assumed a ten degree list on falling tide. Examined all watertight doors to see if they were closed and battened down all hatches.Placed life preservers and Kapok matresses conveniently on deck.Shifted port life raft to starboard - higher - side. Ship's position first approximately located about 4:30 by radio bearing from REID on Sapello Island Light and from Saint Simon after Range Light,which had shown up from the haze. Position positively located at about 5:30 when Sapello Light bore 356 degrees true and Saint Simon after Range Light 231 degrees true, showing ship to be on a shoal at the mouth of Hampton River, Little Simon Island.Latitude 31-12-30 N.Longitude 81-16-00 W - At 5:45 motor sailer from DALLAS in charge of Ensign Bricker USN transferred the following passengers to the DALLAS (The list of passengers is given in the Log remarks They were sailors from the USS HOPEWELL, USS O'BRIEN,USS COLE, USS J.F. TALBOTT, USS TAYLOR, and USS BELL. Forty-four sailors from these ships were passengers on the TOUCEY and were transferred to DALLAS by motor sailer in charge of Ensign Bricker of DALLAS.) Began rigging towing gear aft - At 7:00 tug approached DALLAS and anchored, and whaleboat was sent to direct tug towards ship's position. At 7:10 began pumping out four starboard tanks to compensate for that which had been pumped out upon grounding. At 7:25 secured number four boiler, leaving number three boiler in use for auxiliary purposes. Took soundings regularly and found all compartments dry. Up to 8:00 discharged ten thousand gallons of oil to lighten ship. Signed - C.H. Foster USN Examined by J. B.Barrett USN, Navigator approved by P.L. Carroll, captain. - 8:AM to Meridian Aground as before - ten degrees list to port. At 9:00 took soundings off all compartments, and all found dry. Sent whaleboat out with Ensign Schiano and Thompson R.R. CQM USN to take soundings in the body of water astern, which by reason of no breakers indicated depth- with the idea of delineating possible channel for getting clear of the shoal. At 11:00 took soundings in all compartments and found them dry.Made preparations with life rafts and boats in case of emergency. At 11:30 knocked off all work and served dinner and rebattened down all hatches. At ll:45 made same soundings of all compartments and found all of them dry. Signed C. H. Foster Lieutenant USN - Meridian to 4:00 pm -Aground as before. USS DALLAS standing by in deeper water in an easterly direction. At low water soundings around ship showed greatest depth of eight feet aft.Listed nine degrees to port. Boats engaged in sounding to develop water in vicinity available for working off.Planted three buoys and prepared range and bearing data on soundings referred to ship's position to delineate best chance. At 2:20 prepared to get under way and at 2:35 began working engines astern in attempt to work aft into deeper water. Worked out about fifty feet toward first buoy swinging hard to left and having three degrees list. At 3:25 began discharging fuel oil to lighten ship.Took soundings of all compartments hourly during watch, and all found dry. signed - J. B. Barrett, Lieutenant N.R. F. - 4:00 to 8:00 pm Aground as before. At 4:20 USS B tug BALDROCK anchored at mouth of apparent channel two miles eastward of ship's position. At 4:50 whaleboat returned to ship. - 6:00 whaleboat returned to ship with sixty fathoms six-inch hauser for tug BALDROCK. -7:50 whaleboat returned and secured astern after having left R.R. Thompson CQM USN from the USS TAYLOR on board tug. Soundings of all compartments and magazines made hourly during watch, and all found dry. Signed C. B. Schiano, Ensign, U. S.Navy" 8:00 to midnight Aground as before. Drift lead over the side. Resting easily with a three degree list to Port. on heading 96-30 psc. - At 8:30 tug UMPQUA stood in and anchored near Dallas. Hourly soundings taken in all compartments, and all of them found dry.All hatches except engine room battened down, and men sleeping on deck. At l0:30 low water, took soundings around ship. - At 11:15 JAMISCRAW (YANISCRAW?) stood in and anchored near DALLAS.Sea moderate. Light southeasterly wind. Breakers ahead and on either bow. Sand bar above water on starboard quarter.Sapelo Light bearing 357 degrees true.Shipping board tug BALDROCK got under way and again anchored, bearing 120 degrees psc distance three miles. Simon after Range Light bore 231 degrees true. Signed - Oscar Holtman, Lieutenant USN Examined J. B Barrett N.R.F. Lieutenant, Navigator - approved P.L.Carroll, Lieutenant Commander USN 20 March l921 Commence and until 4:00 AM Aground as before in Latitude 31-12-30 N. Longitude 81-16 W. Sapelo Light bearing 231 degrees true. USS DALLAS, USCG tug YAMACRAW and USS B tug BALDROCK standing by anchored in company three miles to the southeast. BALDROCK bearing 121 degrees psc. Boiler number three in use for auxiliary purposes. Drift lead over the side.All hatches except those of the engine room battened down, and men sleeping on the deck.Resting easily with three degree list to port.Soundings dry. Sea moderate, light southeasterly wind.Breakers ahead and on each bow. Sand bar above water on starboard quarter. Tide running to flood. At 3:10 lit off number four boiler and made preparations for getting under way.Soundings about ship increasing, and at 3:45 slid astern off shoal and backed out, anchoring with port anchor. Standing by for daylight to get under way and try to pass through channel sounded out previous day.- At 4:30 got under way and backed out toward buoy previously laid using searchlight to locate same and sounding rapidly so as to determine depth. Anchored several times when uncertain. Finally anchored at 5:04 in fifteen and a half feet of water with short scope of chain.At daybreak boats from the DALLAS and YAMSACROW reported alongside in obedience to signal and received buoys for continued laying of channel. At 6:15 got under way - backed out following DALLAS's motor sailer. Anchored several times when in doubt until 6:50,when touched ground in passing too close to one of the buoys laid.At 7:00 commenced pumping oil out of after tanks and using engines to get clear of shoal, but without avail. Total amount of oil pumped five thousand gallons. The ship again became fully grounded off the channel in a position about two hundred yards northeasterly of the point of first grounding.Took soundings during watch and found compartments dry. All compartments battened down, and crew required to remain on deck.In attempting to back off, port propeller block damaged.Signed C.H. Foster, Lieutenant, USN - 8:00 AM to Meridian Aground as before,heading 180 psc five feet of water at low tide. All compartments closed except engine room. At 8:02 UMPQUA and BALDROCK stood near DALLAS.Ship assumed a nine degree list to port. At 9:45 DALLAS motor dory and UMPQUA's motor sailer came alongside to confer with Commanding Officer as to plans. At 10:05 DALLAS's dory left the ship,running a line in direction of DALLAS. INCA stood in from sea and anchored near DALLAS at 10:30. At 11:15 low water slack- listed to port nine degrees, resting easily. No damage to Hull sustained.All compartments dry. Least depth of water five feet at number one tube,starboard side.- O.H. Holtman,Lieutenant U.SN Examined by J. B. Barrett, N.R.F. Navigator - Approved P. L. Carroll Meridian to 4:00 pm 113 TOUCEY (p. 243) Aground as before in Lat 3l-13-15 N Long 81-16 W All available boats from rescuing vessels were directed to sound around ship and to continue laying buoys in channel. Sounding compartments regularly. At 1:45 SHIP BEGAN TO BUMP SLIGHTLY on rising tide inclining at varous angles up to twenty-six degrees. All hatches and watertight door inspected. Began making preparations for getting under way at 1:00 and reported ready at 1:30. At 2:03 "General Alarm" sign sounded accidentally due to short circuit.At 2:05 "Right Rudder" and at 2:06 "1/3 astern port." At 2:07 "1/3 astern both engines." At 2:15 "stop both engines." At 2:27 anchored to port anchor and about fifteen fathoms of chain. Buoy dropped marking its position Lat. 31-13-15 N. Long. 81-16 W. At 3:10 "1/3 astern port, l/3 ahead starboard" Working off to leeward of shoal. At 3:18 afloat.Anchored to starboard anchor in seventeen feet of water. approximately three hundred yards west of previous position. All boats called alongside and given direction as to procedure in sounding out channel and in assisting ship to pass out.- J. B. Barrett Lieutenant USNRF 4:00 to 8:00 pm as before Sent out TOUCEY's whaleboat and DALLAS's motor sailer to act as guards to channel; YAMACRAW's two whaleboats used to mark limits of shoals bordering channel. At 4:20 began heaving starboard anchor using left rudder in order to swing head towards channel. At 4:25 under way using engines slowly and headed for channel on course approximately 83 psc following whaleboat which continuously took soundings at slow speed.Passed whaleboat at fifteen hundred yards previous position and then followed motor sailer. At 5:03 clear of shoals. INCA saluted with three blasts, which was answered. USS B tug BROCK, USCG Yamacrow and YUSS UMPQUA saluted and were answered. At 5:05 sighted USS CONVERSE, at 5:06 anchored starboard anchor, thirty fathoms of chain, twenty-nine feet ofwater lat 31-13 N, Long 81-14 W At 5:25 USS COVERSE anchored 350 yards to eastward. At 5:30 all ships except USS CONVERSE anchored 350 yards to eastward.At 5:30 all ships except USS CONVERSE under way. At 7:22 (TOUCEY) under way. At 7:25 CONVERSE under way. Followed CONVERSE on course 42 degrees true. Standard speed ten knots. Soundings of magazines and compartments taken during watch, and all found dry.- C. B. Schiano, Ensign USNavy. 8:00 pm to midnight Steaming as before on course 49 degrees 30' psc conforming to CONVERSE. Speed l07 revolutions, nine knots. Number three and four boilers in operation. At 8:35 standard speed eight knots to prevent excessive vibration of hull due to damaged propellor.At 9:22 Sapello Light base in port quarter distance about nine miles.At 11:45 reduced speed owing to excessive vibration, and found going comfortable. Took regular soundings of all compartments during watch and found all dry. Average steam 250 average revolution 102.- C.H.Foster, Lieutenant, U.S. Navy. Examined J. B. Barrett, NRF USN Washington - approved P.L. Carroll,Lieutenant Commander. This grounding of the TOUCEY on a shoal at the mouth of the Hampton River,Little Simon Island, Georgia, was a serious matter, necessitating Jack's staying on duty for forty-eight hours. Lieutenant Commander P.L. Carroll, the commanding officer of theTOUCEY, was very pleased with the work Jack did to get the TOUCEY off the shoal. For years after Commander Carroll wrote to Jack on the anniversary of the grounding to express his appreciation for Jack's work in getting the ship off the shoal.While on the TOUCEY on 18 November 1921 at Charleston, South Carolina Jack then in the United States Naval Reserve Force was designated as SeniorMember of a Summary Court Martial, which was convened on the USS ISHERWOOD. On January 13, l922 the TOUCEY received the message from the Bureau of Navigation:" Prior departure COLUMBUIA from Charleston Lieutenant John B. Barrett detached TOUCEY, report COLUMBIA. Upon falling in with WYOMING detached COLUMBIA- Report duty WYOMING. You will regard yourself detached from present duty- report to Commanding officer USS COLUMBIA for duty.- JB. Abbott."He was detached from the TOUCEY 13 January l922 at the Navy Yard ChaRLESTON DETACHED USS COLUMBIA 19 JANUARY 1922 GUANCANAYABO Cuba Reported USS WYOMING 19 January l922 Gulf of Guancanoyabo,Cuba to Captain H. B. Price. In l921 while on the TOUCEY Jack took the examinations for Lieutenant n the regular Navy.On the TOUCEY on 25 November l921 Jack signed:" I hereby acknowledge receipt of discharge from the U.S. Naval Reserve Force, to be effective 25 November l921, the day preceding acceptance and execution of oath of office for appointment in the Navy. On 26 November 1921 Jack wrote the Bureau of Navigation, "I hereby respectfully acknowledge receipt of a commission as Lieutenant in the Navy. I return herewith acceptance and oath of office executed this date." While on the TOUCEY the Bureau of Navigation sent a message to Jack: "The President of the United States by and with the consent of the Senate having appointed you as Lieutenant in the Navy from the third day of August l920, I have the pleasure to transmit your commission dated 7 November l921. - H.H. Crosby, November 14, l921" In May 1921 Jack sent a message to the Secretary of the Navy, "It is reported that I have this date relieved Lieutenant Commander Carroll as Commanding Officer of the USS TOUCEY. No general drills were held. inasmuch as as Executive officer I am familiar with the organization of this vessel.Signed -J.B. Barrett,Lieutenant USNRF" And on May 31, l921 Jack wrote to the Captain , P.L. Carroll "I hereby take over the general mess of the USS TOUCEY on this date. At this time there is an unusual allowance of $408.34, and stores by inventory to the amount of $1396.37. " Some papers showed that Jack had to replace a lost or stolen pair of binoculars which had been in his custody. The written professional examination for Lieutenant USN was held on16 May 1921,while Jack was on the TOUCEY. The physical exam was on May 10, l921.When Jack was made a full Lieutenant in the United States Navy in August l921 Commander Carroll wrote him a congratulatory letter saying he knew Jack would pass the examination and was delighted at how well he did. Whe Jack boarded the TOUCEY her home port was Charleston, South Carolina, At a ship's open house,he met Marie Nelson and Rolfe Druen - two very attractive girls who lived and worked in Charleston,and after that Rolfe often saw Lieutenant Oscar Holtman of the TOUCEY,and Jack saw Marie Nelson.He had a lot of Shore Patrol duty while on the TOUCEY, and when it was over he ws hungry and would go to the Nelson home where he got"the best food in Charleston" and received hospitality in a delightful home. Marie had sisters- Irene,Stella, Lucile, and a younger brother Harold, about fourteen in 1921. Mrs.Nelson liked Jack, and her husband did too. A lifelong friendship developed between Jack and the Nelson family of Charleston, South Carolina. Mr. Nelson enjoyed poker games with his friend, and they all enjoyed the sandwiches and coffee served at their games. Although Mr.Nelson let Jack watch the games and take refreshments, he would not allow him to play because the stakes were too high for the pocketbook of a young Naval officer. Jack left the TOUCEY in January l922 about the time Marie Nelson married Charles Harman Rowe of Philadelphia.When the MARBLEHEAD was being put in commission in Philadelphia in l924, Jack saw Marie Nelson Rowe in Philadelphia and also saw her later in New York City in August of l928 when she was visiting her friend Anne Taylor McCormack at whose apartment I was living. Marie had some excellent pictures of Jack in uniform during his MARBLEHEAD days.She kindly sent them to us for our research. Her sister Lucile Nelson studied voice seriously, taking lessons in France with Madame Calve.In l928 she sang in Sigmund Romburg's "Blossom Time" - a fictionalized treatment of the life of composer Franz Schubert. As Jack's guest she sang aboard a Japanese ship in New York Harbor when Jack took her aboard with him as his guest about l928. She sang in Japanese and pleased Jack when she was given a tremendous ovation on the big ship. During this period there were some genuine friendships between American and Japanese naval officers, and for a number of years Jack received remarkable letters from a Japanese Naval Officer named Toshitani Takata. In a fitness report written by Commander Carroll in l921 he wrote: "Lieutenant Barrett is a well trained seagoing oficer especially prepared in navigational subjects and seamanship. He shows close attention to duty with painstaking care in the exercise of his duties.On the occasion of the grounding of this vessel on Shoal, Georgia,March l9, l921 he showed excellent officer qualities.For a period of thirty=six consecutive hours he worked with ability and tireless energy toward getting the vessel off the shoals into safety and it is considered that his work helped directly in the safe outcome of a dangerous situation." On the twentieth of March l922 Commander P. L. Carroll wrote to Jack: "My dear Barrett: Just a line to let you know that today I have been thinking over the experience (of the TOUCEY on the shoal off Georgia) of a year ago. My thoughts are concentrated on the group of loyal officers whose courage and ability enabled us to come with some honor out of an almost hopeless situation.Your own steadfastness and loyalty were no small part in saving the ship. There is much to remember over our association.on the TOUCEY, - always we should look back with pleasure over our association with the ship. I can assure you that I will never forget our days together when we were fighting for the ship. No wreck has come to my career or reputation, - but if we had been pulled off by the aid of others, the story would have been a different one for me.So I owe much to your faith and help. So I greet you - Sincerely, Your friend -P.L. Carroll." Jack used to say, "The first hundred years are the hardest." ."Shipwrecks of the Pacific Coast" pp 263-5 and two photos between pages 167-7 tells of seven destroyers beached near Honda Point 75 miles northwest of Santa Barbara, California September 9, 1923 with loss of twenty-two lives in fog. They had been "following the leader" as orders required, and at high speed [check 20? 30?? knots]. Four hours earlier commercial steamer had grounded, leading to unusual radio traffic, which disrupted navy operations. Text says this was U.S. Navy's worst peacetime disaster.Hundreds of personnel had to be resued in vicinity of Point Arguello mid California coast not far from San Luis Obispo. They were part of eighteen destroyer squadron, and other eleven ships offshore could not assist. This demonstrates the imperfect hydrography, charting, radio and fog navigation as of early 1920s.Many of Jack Barrett's Revenue Cutter School classmates and friends and contemporaries were involved in developing LORAN and other navigational aids for Fog, Ice, high wind conditions, particularly Commodore E.M. Webster, head of Coast Guard Communications some years and later an FCC Federal Communications Commissioner. The TOUCEY's March 1921 grounding near Savannah illustrates the problems but fortunately occurred at low speed in soft shoal inshore in protected area without extreme weather. When I was living with Anne and Ivan McCormack at 27 Commerce Street, Greenwich Village 1927-1930, I knew Marie and Lucile Nelson and met their father and their younger brother Harold then twenty to twenty-two years of age.One time when the senior Mr. Nelson was up visiting from the south, Harold told him he was engaged to be married -probably a daydream. Mr. Nelson answered, "You made your bed, - now lie in it." Harold visited Anne and Ivan McCormack at their farm in Salem, New York in the nineteen seventies - we did not see Harold, but Ivan said Harold told a story that Jack Barrett sometimes put his watch on a shoestring when he did not have a regular watchchain.We knew Marie and Lucile better. Anne first knew Marie in social work, which gave the three of us a common interest. Marie corresponded from Dungan Road, Philadelphia, where she and Harman lived in the 1970s. A group of Lucile's letters in 1928 to Jack from Harrison, Maine turned up in Mollie Barrett's attic in South Boston in 1967. Lucile was hostess in the 1950s and 1960s at the famous Waldorf Towers hotel in Manhattan, where General Douglas MacArthur and Herbert Hoover resided many years. She retired to Carmel, California, and corresponded extensively with both Ivan and the Barretts in the 1970s after Anne Taylor passed away in November 1971.
No comments:
Post a Comment