October, 1943 – May, 1944

USS Melville

http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/sh-usn/usnsh-m/ad2.htm

After seven months in Recife, Brazil, Adrian’s dates on his log were not nearly as accurate as before. Events occurred that caused the ship to vary its plans. Upon returning from Recife, Brazil, the Melville docked at Norfolk, Virginia on October 6, 1943.

On November 16, 1943, the Melville left the Norfolk Navy Yard for Newport, Rhode Island.

Before leaving the waters of Virginia, the ship went through a series of degaussing tests. (Electromagnetic coils were installed in ship to prevent the magnetic mines developed by the Germans from detecting the ships passing over them.) At 8:04 p.m. the ship ran aground in sight of the Cape Henry Lighthouse. Various tugs came to help. They finally resorted to off loading some of the fuel oil and ammunition.

Note: All subsequent War Diary entries will have the declassified label removed to save space for images.

At 12:13 on November 18, 1943, the ship finally floated free. Late that day the ship anchored back at the Norfolk Yard. On November 19 a Board of Investigation was convened to “inquire into and report upon the circumstances attending the grounding of the USS Melville.” Divers were sent into the water to inspect the hull for damages.

There are actually two lighthouses at Cape Henry. The black and white one was built in 1881. The older one in the background was built in 1792 and was the first lighthouse ever commissioned by the US government.

Finally, on November 21, 1943 at 7:58 the Melville once again left Norfolk in route to Newport, Rhode Island where they arrived on November 23. While there, the crew had extensive drills. After a week, the Melville set sail for New London, Connecticut.

http://www.uscg.mil/history/weblighthouses

There is very little information about the USS Bass. Every entry on the internet for this ship states that during the month of December, 1943, the USS Bass was off Block Island near New London, Connecticut completing “secret experiments.” These experiments are never explained.

As noted in the War Diary above for December 2, 1943, the USS Melville and the USS Bass, a Barracuda class submarine, were involved in maneuvers off Block Island. At some point the Bass collided with the Melville.

More strange problems for the Melville!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Bass_(SS-164)

After the accident of December 2, the Melville stayed in port at New London, Connecticut to pump out the chambers that had been flooded. Divers were sent to inspect the underside of the ship. Once it was considered seaworthy, they made their way back south to the New York Navy Yard. Once in New York, it was determined that the repairs would need to be made at the Bethlehem Steel Yard in New Jersey.

The ship was placed in dry dock from December 9 until December 21. At this point, probably much to Adrian’s joy, the ship returned to New York and remained there until December 30. This meant that Adrian probably did not eat Christmas dinner on board the ship but most likely enjoyed some Polish cooking for the holidays.

Though the picture to the right has an unknown date, this was probably an image of Wanda that Adrian treasured. She is wearing her pearls from Pearl Harbor.

As the ship was making it’s way to New York, Adrian had his 25th birthday.

Adrian is shown above with the 700 member crew listed in the 1943 Christmas menu. It is not likely he was on board since they were docked in New York a couple of miles from the Werbicki household.

As can be seen from Adrian’s log entries for the first half of 1944, the USS Melville, with Adrian on board, spent a lot of time on the move. No known photographs exist during the months the ship was moving around England and Scotland, but an idea of his experiences can be gleaned from official Navy records.

On December 30, 1943, the Melville sailed once again for Newport, RI. They remained there until February 7, 1944.

This article appeared in a wartime publication called the Clarkston Clarion. As mentioned, all three brothers had the same December 7th birthday. When the article appeared in the January, 1944 edition, Adrian had just turned 25, Jack was 23, and Don was 19.

Because three brothers served in the military, a flag with three stars could be seen in Ferman and Mae Fortenberry’s front window.

Once arriving in Newport , Rhode Island, the Melville remained until February 7, 1944. As noted above, they men went ashore to attend various training sessions. Adrian would have definitely attended the “Day and Night Firing.”

Between Feburary 7 and March 8, 1944, the ship spent time in Casco Bay Maine and New York getting ready to join and support the 12th Atlantic Fleet stationed around the British Isles. Because it was a tender, the Melville carried personnel and goods not found on most ships. They even had a dentist office!

Understanding some Navy terminology

As you read the War Diary entries for the Melville, you will come across quite a few terms that may be confusing to you. Hopefully, the explanations below will help you understand the events recorded in the daily logs!

Material Condition referred to what was happening with the physical environment of the ship. During wartimes, Baker and Affirm were the most common.

Material Condition Baker – The ship is alert to possible problems. Procedures are in place to make the ship as water-tight as possible but still continue with a reasonably comfortable living environment.

Material Condition Affirm - It took about 30 minutes to move from Baker to Affirm where “living conditions became secondary to the requirements of water-tight and air-tight integrity.” Everything on the ship would we stowed for safety and all systems were put in a “safety first” battle ready condition. By the time Material Condition Affirm was instituted, fire controlmen and other battle positions were in place.

 http://digital.library.northwestern.edu/wwii-posters/img/ww0207-67.jpg

“Conditions” (without the word material mentioned) referred to what the men were doing.

Condition III was called for when a ship was cruising during wartime. Generally one third of the crew would be on watch and; strategic stations, such as guns, were manned at 50%.

Condition II was a modified “General Quarters,” used on large ships and was a modified call to battle stations.

Condition I was synonymous with General Quarters, both meaning all hands were at their battle stations.

You will also see the terms “dawn alert” and “dusk alert.”

Special precautions were taken, normally all hands to battle stations (General Quarters), at times when attacks were most likely – prior to first light and at sunset. This meant that every morning began in a battle ready position and every day ended the same way.

Understanding some Navy terminology continued

http://history1900s.about.com/library/photos/blywwiip68.htm

The two ships (Borum and Maloy) traveling with the Melville were destroyer escorts. This type of destroyer was smaller than a standard destroyer and used mainly to protect ships against submarine attacks. They were both new ships being moved to the British Isles to support the war efforts closer to Europe. They would stop in the Azores to refuel.

USS Maloy

http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USN/ships/DE/DE-791_Maloy.html

Typical German U boat

Location of contact with U boathttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U-boat

An interesting side note: The Portuguese (fascist at the time) were forced to negotiate with the British for the use of the Azores because of an old treaty (the Treaty of Windsor) signed between the two countries in 1373. Yes, you read that right. The British leasing of land in the Azores in 1943 was negotiated because of a 570 year old agreement!

The Melville, with the two destroyer escorts, arrived at the Azores on March 15, but due to high winds and seas were unable to enter the bay. After dropping anchor on March 16, they loaded 123,446 gallons of fuel oil on board and prepared to continue to the British Isles.

Everyone on both sides of the war wanted a base in the Azores (owned by Portugal) due to the advantageous location. It would make a great refueling station and air base for fighting the U boats that were playing havoc with the Allied ships.

In 1943, the Portuguese ruler leased air and naval bases in the Azores to the British Empire. The British took over operations there in October of 1943. With the help of the American Air Force and Navy, it was now possible to provide some protection to men and goods being moved across the North Atlantic.

On March 18, the Melville got underway from Ponta Degada in the Azores for Londonderry, England. Not long after leaving, a submarine’s periscope was noticed by their escort. The ship began zigzagging to evade the enemy. The sub evidently moved away.

http://www.maritime.org/tech/scopes.htm

While on the way to Londonderry, Ireland, their destination was changed to Rosneath, Scotland.

Their destination, Rosneath, is marked on the map on the below.

With all the alerts and sounding of general quarters, Adrian must have spent a lot of time waiting for an order to fire! The ship spent most of March 19 – 21 zig-zagging toward Rosneath and at general quarters. On March 22, they anchored in Rosneath Harbor and immediately began support services for both U.S. and British ships.

Throughout April, 1944, the USS Melville remained in Rosneath, Scotland supporting the Eleventh Amphibious Force. The ships they were working on are listed as LST’s. This is short for “Landing Ship Tank.” These were amphibious ships that carried tanks.

Typical LST

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Landing_Ship,_Tank

In April and May of 1944, LST’s were being prepared for the Normandy Invasion (shown above) that was to occur on June 6, 1944. Most of the ships seen is the picture are landing craft containing either tanks or troops. Because of the extensive rearmament of the LST’s, Adrian would have been involved with the mechanics of the gun systems as he was qualified to disassemble and repair fire control systems.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Invasion_of_Normandy

On May 1, 1944, the Melville left Rosneath, Scotland for Portland, England to finalize repairs for ships preparing to cross the English Channel for the Normandy Invasion. The Allies had staging areas along the entire southern coast of England. In his log, Adrian called it “Waymoth.”

Invasion of Normandy

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/293930313151174482/

The Melville dropped anchor on May 4 and immediately began working on LSTs and LCIs. An LCI was a “Landing Craft Infantry” used to move soldiers quickly onto shore. Below is a photo of LCI 326 practicing for the invasion.

German reconnaissance began picking up a lot of activity along the coast of England. Consequently, more bombing raids were sent over. During May, enemy airplanes were constantly being sighted. The term red alert would indicate that planes were sighted overhead and white alert indicated that all was clear.

The Melville was at anchor in Weymouth which was about 20 miles east of Lyme and 20 miles west of Needles. Air raids occurring along the coast in those areas would affect the Weymouth area too.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Landing_Craft_Infantry

In the early morning hours of May 15, 1944, the Melville became involved in an antiaircraft engagement. It appears that there were quite a few German air attacks during May on Lyme just to the west.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Britain

Explanation:2-43 indicates that Adrian became a fire controlman first class in February of 1943. The last column lists some of the specific tasks he would be required to or did perform.

The paragraph is saying: Adjusts and checks on Mark 1 computer, Mark 7 Range Keeper. Complete repair of Ford power drive 1.1. Complete disassembly and reassembly of Mark 2 and Mark 6 range keeper, battle, sound power telephones, bore sight and Tram guns. Two antiaircraft engagements.

The previous information about May 15, 1944 would be one of the two AA engagements. The other is unknown at this time.

Adrian would have surely been involved with this attack. He never talked about being part of any battles. His children knew a little about Pearl Harbor but nothing about the rest of his time in the Navy. It was only after requesting his Navy records and receiving about 200 pages concerning his time in the service that a more complete picture could be formed. Within these pages was something called a service record which is a summary of his changes in rank and what he did while holding each rank. Below is the section concerning the time when he was ranked as Fire Controlman 1st class.

Why did Adrian save this buckle?

Because of the “British” feel to this belt buckle, it may an item that Adrian brought back from England with him. No one in the family seems to know its story! It was well worn and originally had a woven belt. Sure do wish it would give up its story!

If anyone has any ideas, please let the family know!

When talking about the war with his son, Raymond, Adrian always mentioned that he signed up for any schooling available for his occupational rating of Fire Controlman. It was one advantage Adrian had for his four years in the Navy before the US entered the war in 1941. At some point after being promoted to Fire Controlman 1st class, he must have applied for additional schooling. When his orders came in sending him to Washington, D.C., Adrian was probably ecstatic about leaving southern England. Because of changes in technology and his “mechanical” qualifications, he was assigned on May 18, 1944 to report to the Navy Yard in Washington, D.C. for a ten week course in “New Construction.”

Adrian left the Melville on May 18 and made a somewhat circuitous route back to the USA. As noted below, he was transferred from the location of “Navy No. 902” which was the Navy’s location code for Portland, England. According to his log, he arrived at Rosneath, Scotland on May 19, left there on the 24th, from there to Liverpool, England on the 25th, and finally to Boston, Massachusetts on June 1.

Because of the length of this page, only the pertinent parts were included.

As noted on the previous record, Adrian arrived at the Washington, D.C. Navy yard at 3:00, June 3, 1944.

Adrian is now back onto American soil and will remain in this county until the end of the war. Wanda was probably thankful to have him closer to home!

It is obvious from the 1937 image and the one from 1943 that Adrian was no longer the naive farm boy from Mississippi but someone aware of the realities of a world war.

His story will continue. There are still some interesting things to learn!