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 Author  Topic: What Role Did A
Dan C

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of Dan C  Posted on: Apr 24, 2014 - 10:09am
Another Bill Clements (my Dad) question. Dad was a BM2C on PT-548, Ron 28. Some times I've heard of this position as being referred to as the quartermaster or some times as the navigator (or maybe both). What exactly would a bosuns mate do on a PT? Dad often referred to being responsible for keeping the deck clear (and having arguements with the MoMacs about leaving greasy tools and stuff around). Was he responsible for securing stores, ammo, etc. from the PT tenders or base and then makking sure they were stowed away securely? Was there really an navigation component to the job? Would a bosuns mate sometimes stear the boat under the command of the CO or XO? Any elaborration on what he might have done from day-to-day would be great. Thanks.

Dan C.

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TED WALTHER

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of TED WALTHER   Send Email To TED WALTHER Posted on: Apr 24, 2014 - 12:11pm
Dan;
It must be remembered, a PT BOAT crew was a unique mixture of ratings, however, PT BOAT crewmembers were all cross trained to perform several jobs on the boat in case a crewmen was killed or wounded.
As a Boatswain's mate on a PT Boat, he was automatically responsible for the deck and everything that went on there. He was responsible for all anchoring, mooring/casting off, towing, and painting evolutions and expected to maintain ALL equipment involved, in good working order.(ie: all mooring lines, anchor and anchor lines, towing gear, fenders, chaffing gear, boat hooks, cleats, fairleads, king post, life preservers(kapoks), life rings, Dingy/life raft, heaving lines, etc. ALL painting evolutions.).
He was often the boats helmsman while transiting to and from the AO(area of operations), he might be the Navigator, if a Quartermaster was not in the crew, he was also trained to operate every weapon on board. On a PT Boat, the Boatswain's Mate was/is expected to be the boats "Jack of all trades".
I hope this helps to give you some insight to his duties.
Take care,
TED



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Dan C

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of Dan C  Posted on: Apr 25, 2014 - 10:35am
Thanks Ted. This does sound like the jist of what Dad described to me. In his civilian life he was always very particular about how to wrap/rewind ropes, hoses, extension cords, etc. for storage after use...something that I'm sure he was responsible for on the boat. His running fued with the MoMacs lead him to periodically kick their tools/rags/etc. overboard (on the sly) if they gave him a hard time about cleaning up after themselves. He made the point to me that any greasy spots on the deck or stray tools could lead to someone falling overboard if they went topside at night for a smoke (or a pee off the side of the boat). I think he took his responsiobilities very seriously.

As to using the boat's weaponry, the only time he related a story to me about firing a weapon was after he and a close buddy had been enjoying their beer rations at some PT base. An air-raid siren went off and they all scrambled to the nearest weapon. I think he was on one of the forward guns that didn't need a loader or any other operator to assist. A plane flew directly across his sights and he let loose with a round (without anyone giving orders to open fire)...then everyone else opened up. It turned out to be an American plane. He was called before the base commander the next day (with him thinking a court marshal might be the end result), but either his squadron commander of boat skipper spoke up for him and he was let off the hook. Apparently, that US plane was somewhere it shouldn't have been without properly informing the people on the ground of his flight plan. Hence the air-raid siren.

Thanks again for the info. ---Dan

Dan C.

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TED WALTHER

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of TED WALTHER   Send Email To TED WALTHER Posted on: Apr 25, 2014 - 4:41pm
Dan;
I can imagine, once a Boatswain's Mate always a Boatswain's Mate! When I was a kid, my Dad, even though originally not a BM, did things the BM way, you coil electrical cord, garden hose, line, one way....THE RIGHT WAY!!
Later on in my career I too threatened to kick tools overboard, and almost threw a Gunners Mate over board in Panama, because he had sunflower seed shells all over the back deck of my PBL!! We were out for 3 days in the jungle and he had to use a dust pan to scoop up all that crap!
Take care,
TED


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