Vol. V, No. 13 U. S. Naval Operating Base, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba Saturday, 20 May 1950 GIANT FLOATING CRANE A PROCLAMATION SEABEES ARRIVE TO ARRIVES AT BASE YD-113 Whereas the Armed Forces, as REPAIR LOCAL PIERS team, are currently per- with the a unified Almost simultaneous forming, at home and across the U.S. Naval Mobile Construction arrival of LST 1144 with Mobile Battalion No. 1, perhaps better CB #1, there arrived the giant known under the name "Seabees" floating crane YD-113. This crane. arrived in Guantanamo Bay, early of 100-ton capacity, is to be used Thursday morning, 11 May, aboard by the Seabees in the demolitipn the LST 1144 from Little Creek. of Pier "M" during the next few Virginia. Expected to remain in months. Manufactured by the Dravo Guantanamo Bay for approximately Company, it is one of the Navy's five months, the Seabees are to put and was towed here all largest, one pier back in operation and the way from Long Beach, Cali- denfolish a second. fornia, where it was formerly as- signed to the Naval Shipyard. The The two piers with which the tow commenced at 1710, 17 April, Seabees are concerned are Repair and proceeded via the Panama Piers 1 and 2. Repair Pier 1, or Canal to arrive here at 1930, 10 Pier "M" as it is known officially May, USS CREE (ATF-84) and is to be completely demolished. Pier USS RECOVERY (ARS-43) were 2, known officially as "L" will be the respective West and East Coast rehabilitated for future use. towing craft. Piers "L" and "M" were con- The timely arrival of the crane structed during World War II. The was achieved through joint co- shortage of steel at that time ordination of activity by the West precluded the use of steel piling, ern and Eastern Sea Frontiers. and in lieu thereof creosoted timber YD-113 comprises a formidable piling was used. Teredo (Marine addition to the extensive array of 1'resiaent harry . Truman borers) have attacked the creosoted floating cranes which have recently seas, tasks vital to the Security piling at the waterline to the extent been assigned to the Base, either of the Nation and to the establish- that collapse of the piers was im- to replace obsolete equipment, or ment of a durable place; and minent. Both piers were condemned primarily for the current pier re- Whereas it is fitting and proper and their use discontinued in habilitation program. that we devote one day each year January 1950. to paying tribute to the Armed An intricate operation is that VISITORS DAY ABOARD Forces as the servants and pro- of the demolishment of Pier 1. USS CORAL SEA TODAY tectors of our nation: The Seabees are at work at present Now, I therefore, Harry S. Tru- cutting the pier into sections. After This afternoon, in connection man, President of the United a section is cut out, the YD-113, a with the nationwide observance of States of America, do hereby pro- floating crane sent here from Long Armed Forces Day, from 1300 claim that Saturday, May 20, 1950, Island, California will move into through 1600, the heavy aircraft shall be known as Armed Forces position and lift the section cut carrier, USS Coral Sea (CVB-43) Day; . out out of the way. Because of the will hold Visitor's Day for military As Commander in Chief of the unsound condition of the piers, the personnel and their dependents. Armed Forces of the United States, second section cannot be cut until Boats will depart from the Flee. I direct the Secretary of Defense the first is safely out of the way. Boat Pool pier at 1300, 1400 and and the Secretaries of Army, Navy Each section will weigh approxi- 1500. Boats returning from the and Air Force to mark the day mately 50 tons which is just about Coral Sea will leave the Carrier at with appropriate ceremonies . half of the crane's lifting capacity 1400, 1500, and 1600 or as ordered I call upon my fellow citizens On Pier 2 a mobile core boring by the Officer of the Deck. Persons to display the flag of the United device will bore the holes needed making the trip out to the carrier States at their homes . and to to insert the steel pilings. Steel may leave their automobiles in the participate in exercises expressive cross braces will also be installer parking lot adjacent to the Fleet of our recognition of the skill, to further steady the pier. Boat Pool pier. gallantry, and uncompromising de- Mobile Construction Battalion votion to duty characteristic of the No. 1 is the only battallion of its Naval and Coast Guard person- Armed Forces . kind in existence. An off spring of nel applying for the metal pendant . In witness whereof, I have here- the famous wartime "Seabees" it authorized for wear with the Navy unto set my hand and caused the is completely mobile, as the name Commendation Ribbon have been. Seal of the United States to be implies, carrying all its equipment advised that the pendant is not affixed. to each job it goes to. As a result yet available for distribution. Signed: Harry S. Truman (Continued on Page Seven) Page Two THE INDIAN Saturday, 20 May 1950 Page wo TE INIAN aturay, 0 Ma 195 AN OPEN LETTER FROM THE BASE COMMANDER An open letter from the Base Commander to All Base Commands and all residents of the Naval Sunday, 21 May 1950 Editorial Office, NOB Administration Bldg., Operating Base. Room 205 -Phone 254 Catholic Masses I consider that the Spanish Main 0700-Naval Base Chapel Saturday, 20 May 1950 Carnival conducted on 21 and 22 0900-Naval Base Chapel April was an outstanding success. 1745-Naval Base Chapel U. S. NAVAL OPERATING BASE Daily Mass - 0630 Guantanamo Bay, Cuba The mission of "Operation Car- Confessions before all Masses Rear Admiral W. K. Phillips, USN nival" was to provide recreation Protestant Services Commander for Base residents and to raise 0930-Sunday School at Schoolhouse Allen Collier, JO------------------ Editor funds for donation to charity. The 1100-Naval Base Chapel P. H. Teeter, LCDR---------- Staff Advisor fulfillment of Protestant Choir rehearsal each Thursday the mission is certi- at 1930 THE INDIAN is published weekly, fin- fied in the recreation enjoyed .anced by appropriated funds, printed on by Chaplains at this Activity government equipment, for free distri- everybody and by the carnival CDR R. W. FAULK, USN bution on the U. S. Naval Operating Base, profits that amounted to eighteen (Protestant) Bay, Cuba, by order of the -Guantanamo LT P. J. MARRON, USNR Base Commander. thousand eighty-five dollars and THE INDIAN is published in compliance forty one cents ($18,085.41). (Catholic) with the provisions of NAVEXOS-P-35 The exemplary conduct displayed (Rev) 1945. at the carnival is particularly THE INDIAN uses Armed Forces Press HOSPITAL NOTES Service material which may be reprinted gratifying to me. There were no with the credit line: AFPS. accidents and no injuries. It is Heirport indeed a real News: Due to conditions pleasure to have an over which we have no control, the affair such as the carnival EDITORIAL come stork bypassed us this week so through with a "Safe - Sane - Sober" record. there were no new arrivals in this Today is Armed Forces Day. department. Success of the carnival was due I Elsewhere in today's edition you Notice has been received of ad- find stories of each branch of to the combined efforts of all hands, will and all can vancement in rating for J. F. the Armed Forces with accompany- take pride in the achievement. Many Brannon to HM2, D. Abrams, R. E. We would like to divert individuals and ing photos. several groups Fogle and L. B. Meyerdirk, all to attention from that for a few contributed to the your success of the carnival HM3. Congratulations! minutes to the 1950 Savings Bond in an out- In case strange noises were Monday. standing manner. I would like to Drive which opened last take this noticed emanating from the Med- and will continue through opportunity to publicly May 15 commend ical Library during the last few 4. and congratulate: July Each Base Comman d, for days, that was the great gnashing With the Liberty Bell as the of teeth of Drs. Moschella and its splendid effort and whole-hearted symbol, the 1950 Drive has as cooperation. Thorn and Miss Worthy who slogan: "Save For Your Independ- The U. S. Civil Service Em- sweated out examinations for pro- ence-Buy U. S. Savings Bonds". ployees, motion. We're wishing them good A national goal has been set at for their large share in the success of the luck. $650,000,000 for Series E Bonds carnival. The Boy Scout Troop, for their LTJG 0. E. Smith, Maintenance :alone. efficient Officer, has received transfer orders To drive home the slogan as manner in handling the parking of to Bethesda and will be detached well as their goal, replicas of the cars; and for the Float which they entered in the about 1 June. L. L. Elton, HMI, famous Liberty Bell will be shown parade. has received orders to ComSIX for cities. 52 The Fleet Reserve Association in over 2,000 American (Branch further transfer within the district. donated to the 100) and the Ladies' Au- replicas were xiliary, for outstanding CDR Forte leaves today for by six leading contribu- Savings Bond cause tion to several thirty days Stateside leave. CWO American companies of the copper phases of the carni- val, actually too numerous to Slack is enjoying ten days leave, industry (bell metal being an alloy mention.