Gitmo Breathes Sigh of Relief As Eloise Skirts Naval Base Two Born As Eloise Threatens
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Vol. 30, No. 157 U.S. Nival Base, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba Friday, September 19, 1975 Gitmo breathes sigh of relief as Eloise skirts Naval Base Hurricane Eloise, an unladylike 10 miles per hour. Indications at apparition whose journey left death that time were that the hurricane and destruction at two tropical would pass between 20 and 40 miles islands, became little more than north of the base, with winds of 45 an unwanted soggy visitor by the to 55 knots. time she reached Gitmo. Shielded by its protective moun- Torrential rain began to fall tains, Gitmo tensely watched and after midnight Thursday, and a waited Thursday morning as the brutal electrical storm sent bolts hurricane advanced toward the base of lightning flashing through the in what appeared to be a collision sky. course. But as military personnel, Despite the apparent approach civilians and non-U.S. residents of the hurricane many base resi- of the base remained inside hurri- dents maintained what seemed al- cane proof quarters and hurricane most a nonchalant attitude, pro- shelters, the potentially-deadly bably because of the extensive weather system began to dissipate advance preparations made to in- early yesterday morning. sure the safety of residents and The base remained in hurricane property. condition one while weather watch- At least two of the base's ers kept a wary eye on a cloud high-ranking officers injected mass which settled south of the somber notes into the situation, base. though. But Eloise wasn't able to un- Capt. Frank T. Watkins, command- leash her full fury on the base. ing officer of the Naval Station, She sent one intense lightning noted, "This is no fancy party. storm that knocked out power to It's a life saving drill." about half the base for more than And Capt. George Barton, chief an hour, and she dumped almost staff officer for ComNavBase, four inches of rain here, but at announced "Tomorrow will not be 12:47 p.m. yesterday, base offi- business as usual. Schools will cials decided that conditions remain closed. Ferries will pro- ELOISE RUMBLES - Hurricane Eloise never did get to roar its full fury merited downgrading the situation bably not run, and personnel will at the Naval Base, but it did rumble. The ocean at Windmill Beach to hurricane condition two. At remain in shelters until the all churned violently against the shore as Eloise passed harmlessly past 6 p.m., condition four, the nor- clear is sounded." He further in- the base. This was the scene late yesterday afternoon. (Photo by PH2 William Chesterfield) mal readiness posture for this dicated that the all clear would time of the year, was re-set. not be sounded until there had The drama began to unfold early been a check for safety and it this week when it became obvious had been determined that it was that Eloise was moving in a dir- safe for personnel to leave the Interview feature starts today ection that could bring it close shelters. to Gitmo. The hurricane struck When the sun rose shortly before How does the average Citmo resi- had a chance to be ComNavBase, Puerto Rico Tuesday and moved to 7 a.m. yesterday, the skies re- dent really feel about the various what changes would you make, or the Dominican Republic and Haiti mained dark and foreboding, but it issues and policies that affect attempt to make, in the base?" Wednesday, causing deaths, injur- was beginning to look as if Eloise is or her life while serving here? Since the series makes its debut ies and property damage. might not hit the base after all. "Gitmo's Pulse," the Gazette's today, the responses of 12 per- Wednesday, indications were that The weather system remained sta- newest community input feature, sons were selected to appear in Eloise was not going to veer to tionary to the south of the base, will attempt to see how a cross- print. the north, but was going to con- but was gaining in intensity, section of Gitmo residents feels tinue in the direction of Gitmo. and winds at the time were from about various aspects of life Base residents were alerted to the the east-southeast at 20 miles here. "Gitmo's Pulse" starts on possibility of going into hurri- per hour. The weather service was page 3 of today's Gazette. cane condition one. having problems locating the PH2 Dave Clarke each week will be No Entertainer Condition one was set at 10:30 eye of the hurricane. asking a number of persons a ques- Wednesday night. Families who did At 12:55 p.m., AFRTS radio and tion which could come from today's not live in hurricane proof quar- television announced that the Because the movie schedule was news headlines, or could be gene- ters either went to stay with threat of the hurricane had passed not available this week, The En- rated by a local issue of general friends who occupied hurricane and base residents began leaving tertainer was not published. interest. About six of the most proof housing, or they went to the shelters and returning to their Next week's TV schedule is on representative responses will be hurricane shelters. Transportation normal routine. page 4 of today's Gazette. The published eacr week. was provided for those who need- Eloise had skirted the base, movie schedule will be printed Tody's euestinr was: "If you ed it. bringing heavy local rains, but as soon as it becomes available. At 9:40 p.m. Wednesday, the wea- no damage was reported. ther service here reported that The hurricane was downgraded Eloise was located 92 miles east to a tropical storm, and Gitmo of Gitmo and was moving west at breathed a sigh of relief. GOING HOME - When hurricane condition two was set yesterday afternoon, the base residents who had spent the night in the hurricane shelters were glad to be able to go home. And they were especially glad be- cause Eloise had not hit the base. (Photo by PH2 Dave Clarke) Two born as Eloise threatens As Gitmo tensely watched the Robin Lynn Avery, the new daughter forces of Mother Nature at work of Janet and Gary Avery, weighing during Hurricane Eloise, as wind 7 pounds, 13 1/2 ounces and 20 and rain lashed the base, Mother inches long, greeted the overcast, Nature also revealed her gentle more brutal side of nature. She side. was born on her mother's birthday. Two examples of her gentler But while these tender dramas naturewere observed at the U.S. unfolded inside the hospital, Mother Naval Hospital here yesterday Nature also worked outisde. Clouds morning. massed above the Naval Base and Matthew Jacob Faulkner, 19 inches rain pelted Gitmo's normally dry tall and 6 pounds, 14 1/2 ounces soil. THE CALM DURING THE STORM - Oblivious to the forces of nature at work heavy, was born at 2:55 p.m. Wed- And Mother Nature stood apart from outside, these two babies were born here during the hurricane watch. nesday to Maria and -r. F l'ner. the proceedings, watching disinter- At top is Matthew Jacob Faulkner. Below is Robin Lynn Avery. (Photos As dawn was breaking yesterday, estedly as man wondered. by PH2 Dave Clarke) Page 2 Guantanamo Gazette Friday, September 19, 1975 Page 2 Cuantanamo Gazette Friday, September 19, 1975 Everyone worked together to prepare for Eloise, but it was a no-show r 21) I, 4 I I I 9 I I S. The whole base worked together to prepare to face Eloise. While the 2,i full force of the hurricane did 0 not hit, PH2 William Chesterfield's photo of Windmill Beach, top left, WE shows some of the storm's fury. Dave Clarke took the other photos of the base preparing for the N hurricane. Palm trees along Sher- E man show the wind gradually gain- S ing in intensity, top right. At left, AG3 Martha Brumley of the U weather service monitors the equip- ment keeping tabs on Eloise. The hospital brought five cars into the lobby for protection. Two young- sters, Mike and Cheryl Cummings, Imbo age 5 and 9, listen to 1340 radio '10 for the latest weather information. Below, left, PHAN Mark Lowe and PH2 Tom Sargent pick up material around the photo lab. And Owen Scott, center, checks "mud hog" to be sure they are working. Persons who used the Windjammer for a shelter wait for developments, below right. A dam was built behind Turnkey by PWD, bottom left, and two Seabees feed on C-rations, bottom right. Local ForecastA -ATER STATUSa)_.8 Cloudy to mostly cloudy, Y1 The broken line in the graph 1,380,000 gallons allowed becoming mostly clear to- shows the amount of fuel al- 0jolznte night. Winds SE 12 knots, looted for September, which - gusting to 22 knots, re- also represents the projected turning to N after sun- P 5 per cent fuel reduction. set. High 88, low 75. Bay TNSOAE:71600U at o~as.Watertideiatres: z conditionss7nr i s p~t oP RO D U.C 2-4E D, :5 feet. 4.12,00 7 97 ,0 00se the actual amount of fuel 131,000 used through Sept. 14. inches -of rainC.A fell-_ _ __-1yes- CONSUMED:IWATERLOSS: I-928II000 terday. Sunset tonight at5 , g s 'M=y I- g-m- at 6:49. High tide at 9:26 I - SEPTEMBER - 30 tonight, low tide at 3:08 p.m. tomorrow. Friday, , September 19, 1975 Guantanamo Gazette Page 3 JO2 DEB GALLOWAY, Public Affairs Office: "The change that I would make on this base is that if there are two military personnel on this base 1*A and they are married, let them have some kind of Gitmo's pulse housing together, whether it's in the barracks or wherever." Compiled by PH2 Dave Clarke This week's question: ETR3 LORNA HUNTER, AAWC: "I would have open bar- racks so you could have any visitors to your room that you want." 'If you could be ComNavBase, what changes would you make LT.