Annoyed at thread drift

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kwselke said:
I slept all the way until my alarm went off at 4:05 this morning, so it was a late start to the day. I've got the post for the Yolo worked out, so here it is.



Comments of C. Homer Bast Commanding Officer USS Yolo docked in Yokohama, Japan.



September 18, 1945



A stack of storm warnings was handed me at dawn. A typhoon of extreme severity was predicted to hit at 1800. Every precaution was taken. Not only were all lines doubled but additional ones were secured to the bollards. As the pier was littered with debris, a salt water line was hooked up and a working party was sent ashore to clean up. In the early afternoon I slipped away to see for myself the damage done. Except for the dock area, the devastation was complete. In my vision nothing remains except charred embers with elderly women poking through the ruins. The only transportation was an occasional trolley packed with men hanging to the sides. Japanese walk to their destinations. Former officers ride bicycles. Bow legged, the men wear knickers with leggings and canvas shoes. All carry a knapsack. Many of the men have infectious smiles; women are dour, wear baggy, ill fitting slacks, dingy blouses and wooden clogs. Their black hair is pulled back in a knot. Babies are strapped to the backs of their mothers and are covered with sores due to poor nutrition and lack of medicine. Kids pick through garbage and have articles for trade.



The typhoon failed to materialize. This evening a moon rides high in a sky filled with stars. There is no wind and the water in the harbor is still and quiet.



September 19, 1945



This was a glorious, summer day. Following lunch, the Shore Patrol commander invited us to ride with him to the Imperial city. As far as the eye could see, on either side of the road from Yokohama to Tokyo, except for small sections, the devastation was complete. Nothing remained but rubble, an occasional concrete wall, a steel safe, twisted corrugated iron sitting like some monument to the past greatness of a nation. In Tokyo scarcely a block was untouched. The concrete and steel buildings remaining are gutted. Several department stores managed to repair some damage and are open. The emperor's palace stands still and silent. People kneel at the palace wall as American soldiers stand guard. Overhead planes wheel, circle and land, some 300 a day, at Atsugi. People are everywhere. They are in a hurry to go; I know not where. They are serious, seemingly unemotional as they purchase items from itinerant merchants. Hauling is done by individuals whose backs carry huge loads or by a cart pulled by a horse or cow. Homes that withstood the bombs are small wooden houses with almost bare interiors and glass fronts. Burned out and twisted trucks, cars, buses, trains and fire engines clutter parts of the streets and highways.



Returning to the ship, dinner was served and a double feature shown on the dock. At the movie army personnel and the Japanese sit in a semi-circle around the screen. Chairs from Yolo are set up for the officers. All stand at attention when I enter and ¬the movie opens on that note; the procedure is "heady stuff".



September 20, 1945



Mr. Davis and I accompanied the LCT Flotilla staff on a 15 mile ride to Yokosuka. For the first several miles out of Yokohama there is nothing but rubble. Some Japanese have built shelters of sorts. For cooking and warmth wood is gathered and stacked alongside the huts. Women make a fire out of the pungent wood and eat their sparse meal of a handful of rice per person, provided by the government, and their garden produce. People bathe in tubs or buckets in the yard. Women are more modest than men. Water is gathered from an open main and toilets are the streets. Bomb shelters were dug in caves.



At the former mighty Yokosuka naval base machine shops were built into the hills. Lined up at the seaplane ramp were huge four engine flying boats. The base was deserted and silent except for the American guards. No more do the factory stacks belch forth their smoke. The buildings are nothing more than a mass of charred wreckage. Large naval gun barrels and mines are stacked in piles. Midget subs in various stages of completion are in evidence. The usual cranes, dry-docks, piers, tugs and ships were present, most in a state of disrepair. Moored to a buoy off shore was the battleship Nagota with steam up but an American crew on board. Her superstructure is charred and wrecked. All her secondary batteries and AA were removed. Anchored nearby are two subs and an assortment of smaller vessels. Sheer cliffs rose 100 feet above and on the landward side. The cliff tops were level to make way for many AA guns placed so that all angles of approach were covered. The base is protected from the sea by a breakwater.



By mid morning some of the Yolo crew returned from liberty with an abandoned three wheel motorcycle which they eventually repaired. Late this afternoon a truck found several days ago and fixed by the en¬gineers roared up to our private dock. A second truck is needed for cannibalization. Yolo has needed land transportation for a long time. Now that we have the two vehicles the powers must be contacted in order to keep the Army from confiscating them.



September 21, 1945



This day broke rainy, cool and dreary, but by noon the clouds lifted, the blue sky hove into view, and the sun appeared. It was a great afternoon to take the duty boat, pick up the mail and head to Yokosuka. Mr. Selke has done a great job keeping our six LCVPs in running order and on time in the schedules he and Mr. Kinley work out. His lads have done an excellent job. Both sets of boats, the originals as well as these, have had hard usage.



En route to the base, row after row of warships were seen including the British force that protected the Sakishima flank at Okinawa. Around the American fleet were 100 destroyers and, reigning majestically over all, was the battleship New Jersey. Only transport Hansford, Teton, two LCI(FF)s, several beach masters unloading LSTs, and Yolo have a semi-permanent status. The occupation is an Army show, and MacArthur wants the Navy out.



We are back at our dock. Legal rights to the truck were acquired, and immediately, the boatswain stenciled USS YOLO on it. The Army agreed we might keep it, but when the ship departs they will claim ownership. It was quite a concession! Apparently the cycle did not interest them. Another double feature was shown on the dock beneath a slightly cloudy, but balmy and moon lit night.
Click to expand...



Glad the war is over but I will miss Homer Bast's log entries. Thank you for introducing him and the officers and men of USS Yolo to us.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
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Got this crew on standby if you need them ! :cool:
 
BigCityChief said:
We apparently suffer from the same chronic condition, sir!
Click to expand...

My son was just bemoaning the fact that the pretty young girls around here, addressed him as "Sir" during his visit last week. Like he crossed over some imaginary "stud" barrier and is suddenly over the hill. :confused:
I would have thought the invitations to join AARP would have been a dead giveaway. :p
Cheer up guy's, after a few years, those girls will find financial stability attractive. ;)
 
bigwheelzip said:
My son was just bemoaning the fact that the pretty young girls around here, addressed him as "Sir" during his visit last week. Like he crossed over some imaginary "stud" barrier and is suddenly over the hill. :confused:

I would have thought the invitations to join AARP would have been a dead giveaway. :p

Cheer up guy's, after a few years, those girls will find financial stability attractive. ;)
Click to expand...



I greet/refer to young men and women in my community as "Sir" and "Ma'am," respectively. The young men usually seem surprised by it, but appreciate it. The young women usually respond with an involuntary quizzical expression on their face.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
BigCityChief said:
I greet/refer to young men and women in my community as "Sir" and "Ma'am," respectively. The young men usually seem surprised by it, but appreciate it. The young women usually respond with an involuntary quizzical expression on their face.
Click to expand...

Here all but the youngest women accept "ma'am" as a matter of course. This isn't really a southern city, but some southern ways still seem to apply.

I was raised to say "sir" and "ma'am", but that was right after the Franco-Prussian War.
 
Home and in the A/C! Feels like temp of 105 really just 97! Tuesday that feels like Monday is the pits but at least hump day is almost here. Good night to rest up with no fireworks I hope,I don't sleep when it sounds like a firefight going on in the neighborhood,can't believe they haven't burned down someone's house? Got my scope mounted today and bore sighted now to get to the range and get some range report data. Have a number of ammo types to try so it may take a couple of trips. Drift on!
 
We're back. Had a good workout and now I'm sittin' in my cushy recliner with the mighty Samsung on my lap.
Weighed myself at the Y and I'm down to 181 pounds.
Hmm, wonder if I can get 11 more off?
I'd love to get down to my pre-neuropathy weight.
Tomorrow it's supposed to be hot, sunny and humid. Just the kinda weather I like for hiking.
 
We just got back from our favorite seafood eatery, took a side trip after dinner to a special ice cream palace. Now what is special about this ice cream is that it came from the Penn State Creamery. Now anyone that went to Penn State knows how good that ice cream is ! ;)
Me, I'll still stick with the local stuff! :cool:
CreameryCarton.jpg
 
Alright, it's decision time.
Made a deal with my wife. I wouldn't get another gun until I shot the .22 Pathfinder Target my sister got me for Christmas.
Well last range trip, I finally got it dirty.
Now I need to decide what kinda gun to get.
I'm thinkin' a single stack 9mm. Unfortunately, the Shield doesn't fit my hand right and it's difficult for me to pull the trigger.
The Ruger LC9s feels pretty good, nice trigger.
I'm even thinking of looking at a "G" word gun. If it fits my hand right...
Hmm, maybe a double stack like the 9c? The larger grip'd probably work better with my big hands.
It'll be for carry, so I want it concealable.
 
Last edited:
timn8er said:
Geoff, just what part of that post do you need technical help with? The first part, or the last part?:D
Click to expand...
Sigh, I am long retired from stud, and I'm married to a Sicilian.
The Pro has come and gone, 'fridge overheated and popped a breaker. Reset and a fan added temporarily to keep things cool in 100° plus temperatures.

Geoff
Who notes the house call cost $80 US, and was worth it.
 
Roadtrash said:
I just read on another site that National UFO Day was last Friday. I guess I missed another chance to party. I wonder if any aliens came down to party and celebrate? After that long trip they would probably enjoy a cold beer or two.
Click to expand...

The 5th of July is international Bikini day.
Party
Party
Party

Geoff
Who would not look good in one..
 
Snubbyfan,,,,
I'm even thinking of looking at a "G" word gun. If it fits my hand right...
Hmm, mabye a double stack like the 9c? The larger grip'd probably work better with my extra large hands.
It'll be for carry, so I want it concealable.
Click to expand...

If you're going to look at a "G" word gun then look at the 26 or 27, but they are double stack and the 27 is .40 cal. ;)
I have the 27 and love it, but I don't like their triggers! :rolleyes:
 
loknload said:
If you're going to look at a "G" word gun then look at the 26 or 27, but they are double stack and the 27 is .40 cal. ;)
I have the 27 and love it, but I don't like their triggers! :rolleyes:
Click to expand...
I tried a 19. Felt good in my hand, seemed concealable enough, just couldn't get over that staple gun feeling trigger.
I guess coming from revolvers, plastic triggers just feel "plasticy."
The LC9s had the nicest trigger.
 
snubbyfan said:
Alright, it's decision time.
Made a deal with my wife. I wouldn't get another gun until I shot the .22 Pathfinder Target my sister got me for Christmas.
Well last range trip, I finally got it dirty.
Now I need to decide what kinda gun to get.
I'm thinkin' a single stack 9mm. Unfortunately, the Shield doesn't fit my hand right and it's difficult for me to pull the trigger.
The Ruger LC9s feels pretty good, nice trigger.
I'm even thinking of looking at a "G" word gun. If it fits my hand right...
Hmm, mabye a double stack like the 9c? The larger grip'd probably work better with my extra large hands.
It'll be for carry, so I want it concealable.
Click to expand...

If you have a chance you might want to try a Springfield XDs. I am kind of partial to mine.
 
snubbyfan said:
Alright, it's decision time.
Made a deal with my wife. I wouldn't get another gun until I shot the .22 Pathfinder Target my sister got me for Christmas.
Well last range trip, I finally got it dirty.
Now I need to decide what kinda gun to get.
I'm thinkin' a single stack 9mm. Unfortunately, the Shield doesn't fit my hand right and it's difficult for me to pull the trigger.
The Ruger LC9s feels pretty good, nice trigger.
I'm even thinking of looking at a "G" word gun. If it fits my hand right...
Hmm, mabye a double stack like the 9c? The larger grip'd probably work better with my extra large hands.
It'll be for carry, so I want it concealable.
Click to expand...
The LC9S Pro (no magazine disconnect on the pro) has the nicest trigger of the single stacks I have fondled. My only gripe is that Ruger sells a semi-auto with ONE mag. Who in their right mind only wants one mag with a single stack low capacity 9mm? What genius thought this was a good idea? If you have...uh hmmm..."big hands" then you might consider the Springfield Mod2 subcompact. I liked mine but my thumb couldn't make it comfortably to the mag release. Just remember...I'm no expert.

Just pretend this is hwitty.
 
snubbyfan said:
Alright, it's decision time.
Made a deal with my wife. I wouldn't get another gun until I shot the .22 Pathfinder Target my sister got me for Christmas.
Well last range trip, I finally got it dirty.
Now I need to decide what kinda gun to get.
I'm thinkin' a single stack 9mm. Unfortunately, the Shield doesn't fit my hand right and it's difficult for me to pull the trigger.
The Ruger LC9s feels pretty good, nice trigger.
I'm even thinking of looking at a "G" word gun. If it fits my hand right...
Hmm, mabye a double stack like the 9c? The larger grip'd probably work better with my extra large hands.
It'll be for carry, so I want it concealable.
Click to expand...
And my EDC is a Shield...so I don't have the "big hand" problem.

Just pretend this is hwitty.
 
bigwheelzip said:
My son was just bemoaning the fact that the pretty young girls around here, addressed him as "Sir" during his visit last week. Like he crossed over some imaginary "stud" barrier and is suddenly over the hill. :confused:
I would have thought the invitations to join AARP would have been a dead giveaway. :p
Cheer up guy's, after a few years, those girls will find financial stability attractive. ;)
Click to expand...

That was it for me as well.
When the Hotties start calling you a "sir".

Kinda' ego deflating......haha

But on the bright side,...... it shows proper respect.:eek::eek:

Chuck
 
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