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Topic: Elco Naval Academy |
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Frank J Andruss Sr
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: Oct 19, 2021 - 10:04am
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I have been doing research on a subject that is not well known, which is the Elco Naval Academy. This building was located at 11 Schuyler Place in Bayonne New Jersey. This is what I have found so far.
Elco Naval Academy
Lt. Commander Frank W. Rowe Jr. was the Assistant Supervisor of Shipbuilding for the Elco Naval Division in Bayonne, New Jersey. In addition to his regular duties, Rowe initiated, organized, established, and in October 1940 began operating a school at the Electric Boat Company in Bayonne for familiarization and primary operational training of the officers and crews for the first PT squadrons. When the Motor Torpedo Boat Squadrons Training Center was authorized in March 1942, the Elco Naval Academy was then transformed into a school of specialized instruction in the construction, maintenance, and repair of the PT Boats, and continued until the establishment of the MTB repair and training unit at Melville, Rhode Island in December 1944.
More than 2500 officers and men were given instruction during the four years the school operated including Squadron commanders, boat captains, base force, repair crews and mobile field units for special installations changes of the operating squadrons. All phases and, aspects of the PT Boats were covered by various short courses. Reserve officers and men and regular Navy personnel with little or no small boat experience were instructed in the fundamentals of boat handling, seamanship and machinery operation in the first year and a half. Particular emphasis was given base, repair and maintenance duties, during the last two and a half years the Academy operated. Special instruction was carried out for key Navy personnel of the United Kingdom and the USSR squadrons constructed under lend lease. The subject schools were initiated, organized and operated by the Assistant Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Lt. Comdr. Frank Walter Rowe Jr., and under his direction until relived. Various officers and inspectors under his command served as instructors for this school. Special credit should be shown to Comdr. Rowe for the initiative, interest and leadership shown by him in the establishment and maintenance of the Elco Naval Academy.
The Elco Naval Academy building was located at the time on 11 Schuyler Place. It was a very large corner home on the street which was purchased by Elco for their use. The academy was within walking distance of the Elco plant and in fact had a stairway behind the plant that lead to Schuyler Place. Unfortunately this home no longer exist’s in the area so I could not get an updated photo of it to show. There are several photos that show the Academy during it’s time of operation that I have posted here, as well as the student body course for the Academy which is very rare to have
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Grady
MASTER
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Posted on: Oct 19, 2021 - 10:43am
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Really great stuff Frank, of course #11 Conduct looks really tough, after all sailors are still sailors
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Frank J Andruss Sr
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: Oct 19, 2021 - 12:21pm
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Grady your right, that is one tough rule, but I suggest that it was highly enforced.
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Stearman
Advanced Member
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Posted on: Oct 20, 2021 - 9:09pm
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As always, there is a catch to the rule! It's says, you can not talk or loiter about a female employee, but it does not say you can not stay a respectful distance behind said employee, if she happens to be heading in the same direction as the young Naval Officer!
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Frank J Andruss Sr
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: Oct 21, 2021 - 2:00pm
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I bet they had that all covered and watched pretty carefully.
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Jeff D
Moderator
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Posted on: Oct 22, 2021 - 7:55am
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Nice Frank thank you. It gives an interesting glimpse of the time period.
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Frank J Andruss Sr
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: Oct 22, 2021 - 9:58am
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Your welcome Jeff.
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