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» Forum Name: PT Boats - General
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» Topic: Earl Richmond
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Hi Earl: I know you were the cook on PT 108. I was just reminicing about the meals served by our PT 242 cook,H.B. (Bill Knapp). Looking back, with that small kitchen and the food supplies you guys had to work with I don't know how you were able to feed 10 men but you did a good job of it. Some of Bill's meals:
"Fried Spam" --served with watery dried potatoes and/or hash.
"Sh -- on a Shingle" --Dried chipped beef in a gravy sauce served on a slice of toasted bread.
"Horse cock and Cheese" -- cold cuts, bologna, etc. and sliced cheese (this was usually served Sunday nights)
"Baked Beans" --(These were served for Saturday Breakfast)
"Weevily Pancakes" --served with orange marmalade (no syrup) ( Syrup was in short supply but there seemed to be a plentiful supply of marmalade and grapefruit juice)
.All the meals were served with yellow atabrine tablets.
Most all of the bread which Bill got from the base was weevily but cooked weevils are not bad. Occasionally we would beg from Capital ships coming through, fresh meat, fruit and fresh eggs but that was rare. At Green Island we ate mostly at the base chow hall but the menu was about the same as what Bill prepared. I left the States in August 1943 @ 5' 11" 160# and returned 15 months later @ 5'11' 140#.

Earl, I am sure you can add much to this list. You cooks did a marvelous job. Our cook H.B.(Bill) Knapp from Earlville NY made his last patrol a couple of years ago.

C. J. Willis

Posted By: CJ Willis | Posted on: Feb 22, 2008 - 12:41pm
Total Posts: 464 | Joined: Nov 5, 2006 - 5:02pm



HI C.J. IT WAS A LITTLE ROUGH BUT WE DID DO WITH WHAT LITTLE WE HAD.STORY WAS THAT ALL THE OTHER OPURFITS GOT THE GOOD STUFF AND WE GOT WHAT WAS LEFT OVER,WHICH WASN,T VERY MUCH. EACK COOK HAD HIS OWN WAY OF FIXING THE MEALS.AS TO THE SPAM.WHICH WAS NOT EXACTLY ENTICING I MADE MY OWN CONCOCTION OF TOMKATYO SAUCE WITH PEAS IN IT.THE GUYS TOOK TO IT AND ACTUALLY LIKED TO SOP UP THE SAUCE WITH THE BREAD.THA MAPLE SYRUP I HAD WAS "HOMEMADE" FROM TABLETS.IT WASN,T TOO BAD OVER FRENCH TOAST OR PANCAKES.I MADE THE PANCAKES FROM SCRATCH.WE ONLY HAD FRESH MEAT ONCE AND THAT WAS WHEN I ASKED THE SKIPPER TO SIGNAL A KORBVETE AND WE SWAPPED CIGARETTS FOR CHICKEN,BEEF AND LAMB.THAT TOOK A LOT OF CONTINOUS COOKING AS WE HAD TO EAT IT BEFORE IT WENT BAD.THE MEN DIDN,T MIND AND THEY WENT TO TOWN ON IT. THEY EVEN THANKED ME BY CLEANING THE WHOLE GALLY FOR ME.ANOTHER COOK FEROM THE 106 BOAT TOOK A SKIFF AND WENT TO SOME BARGES THAT WERE UNLOADED THAT DAY FROM THE SHIPS IN THE LAGOON.WE CONVINCED THE MARINE GUARDS TO LET US COME ABOARD.WE WERE ABLE TO "BOORROW"SOME OF THE FOOD CRATES OFF THE BARGE.WHEN WE GOT BACK TO THE BOATS WE FOUND WE HAD CHOCOLATE MALTS,OVERSEAS CHOCOLATE CANDY AND PACKED COOKIES.WE DIVIDED THE STUFF AND ENJOYED.WE ONLY HAD ONE FRESH EGG THE WHOLE TIME ON THE BOAT AND THEN WE HAD TO GO TO THE BASE GALLY,GET THE EGG FROM THE CHIEF po AND TAKE IT TO ONE OF THE COOKS WHO FIXED IT THE WAY WE WANTED.I HAVE A LOT OF RECIPES THAT I USED IN A BOOK.COULD GO ON AND ON BUT IT WOULD TAKE TOO MUCH SPACE ON HERE./NEEDLESS IT WAS ROUGH SERVING DINNER AND BREAKFAST FOR THE CREW AND PASSENGERS AND ALSO PREPARING SANDWICHES AND COFFE FOR THEM TO EAT WHILE ON PATROL.WE ABLE TO GO BELOW ON PATROL DOWN THRU THE GALLED HATCH AS WE HAD A RED LIGHT IN THE GALLED ON THAT WASN,R VISIBLE TO THE BEACH OR OTHER SHIPS.I ALSO HAD TOP STAND WATCHES AND MAN EITHER A TWENTY MM OR THE TWIN FIFTIES OFF THE COCKPIT.HOPE THIS HELPS A LITTTLE.THANKS FOR ASKING.WE DON,T GET MANY REQUESTS FOR INFO. GOOD SAILING EARL

earl richmond

Posted By: EARL RICHMOND | Posted on: Feb 22, 2008 - 3:35pm
Total Posts: 319 | Joined: Oct 8, 2006 - 1:50pm



PLEaSE EXCUSE THE TYPING ERRORS.OLD AGE,DEGENERATION IN THE EYES AND DAMAGE TO LEFT EYE FROM A MIMI STROKE. EARL

earl richmond

Posted By: EARL RICHMOND | Posted on: Feb 22, 2008 - 3:39pm
Total Posts: 319 | Joined: Oct 8, 2006 - 1:50pm



The typing is better than mine and I'm 57. Thanks for the stories. I could read this stuff all day and never get tired of it.
Ed



Posted By: ducati650 | Posted on: Feb 22, 2008 - 5:40pm
Total Posts: 450 | Joined: Feb 19, 2007 - 10:01am



CJ & EARL:

Please keep these wonderful stories coming our way. As most of us here on this message board are between 30 and 60 years of age, it is important for us to learn as much as we can from you PT BOAT VETERANS. Knowledge learned first hand from you can go a long way in our continued quest to learn as much as we can about the PT Boat Service. When I think about your having to cook for these men with little or no resources, it is certainly a testimony to your resourcefulness and determination to make your crew's happy and well feed.

Today, we get hungry, run to the Store for groceries, bring it home and eat whenever we want. In those dark days of WWII, being on a PT BOAT those luxeries were long gone. We take for granted all those things that come so easily today, forgetting what you men went thru so that we can run to the grocery Store, get what we want, and eat when we want. My hats of to you both, I am so very honored and so very proud to know so many of you that sufferd thru having to do without so that we can have what we want today. So please, keep the stories coming. It is so very important for future generations to learn first hand these accounts of your life while serving on thsee wonderful little wooden wonders.............



Posted By: Frank J Andruss Sr | Posted on: Feb 23, 2008 - 4:38am
Total Posts: 3497 | Joined: Oct 9, 2006 - 6:09am



C.J. & Earl: As always, let me add my thanks to you for sharing these memories. It is through you guys that the rest of us get a whiff of those days Out In The Area.....

Will

Posted By: Will Day | Posted on: Feb 23, 2008 - 6:57am
Total Posts: 1955 | Joined: Oct 8, 2006 - 4:19pm



MORNING c>j> AND THANKS TO ALL FOR THE KIND WORDS.MADE ME FEEL GOOD.THIS IS A LIST OF THE RATIONS WE HAD;UNDER EXEC OFF BUNK;;;L-GALLON CATSUP---1 GAL STRING BEANS--3 GAL PEANUT BUTTER--2 GAL CORNED BEEF HASH---3 GAL APPLE BUTTER---1 GAL PRESERVED BUTYTER---3 GAL CHILI CON CARNE---2 GAL DRIED WHOLE EGGS---1 GAL PEAS---8 SM CANS SPINAQCH---5 SM CANS SILVER BEETS--P-6 SM CANS CORNED BEEF---129 SM CANMS BEEF AND VEG STEW---5 SM CANS PORK SAUSAGE---3 SM CANS ORANGE MARMALADE---7 SMALL CANS STRING BEANS--2 SM CANS DEHYDRATED CRANBERRIES---5 POUND CAN VANILLA
SKIPPERS BUNK----5 GALS ORANGE MARMALADE AND 2 GALS PEANUT BUTTER---10 GAL DEHYDRATED EGGS---10 GAL FLOUR---20 CANS GYEAST POWDER

IN GALLEY BILGE---10 SM CANS PEAS---9 SM CANS STRING BEANS---11 SM CANS SPINACH--3 GAL MUSTARD

THIS WAS ALL AT ONE GIVEN TIME. NEXT POST MAY BE ABOUT OVERHAUL TIME IN GALLEY THERE WERE CONDIMENTS--SALT PEPPER ,VINEGAR,ETC AND ALSO CLEANING SUPPLIES. WITH MY MEMORY I MAY HAVE FORGOTTEN SOME THINGS. EARL

earl richmond

Posted By: EARL RICHMOND | Posted on: Feb 23, 2008 - 7:04am
Total Posts: 319 | Joined: Oct 8, 2006 - 1:50pm



THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE 19 SM CANS BEEF AND VEF STEW SORRY

earl richmond

Posted By: EARL RICHMOND | Posted on: Feb 23, 2008 - 7:06am
Total Posts: 319 | Joined: Oct 8, 2006 - 1:50pm



Hi Earl: Thanks for the response. Good to hear from you again. I believe you had about the same problems as Bill Knapp did with the food supplies. About the same stuff we were served. I notice you too had plenty of orange marmalade. I believe we had something with marmalde every morning. I still don't care for it. Some of your recipes sound pretty good. You have a good memory to remember what you had on hand. Sorry to hear of your stroke. All us old timers are now in our 80's so we can expect about anything. I am in good health except like Frank Andruss and Frank Ryczek have a bad knee but not bad enough for a "total knee" and especially the rehab. We all just play the cards we are dealt I guess. Thanks Ed, Will, and Frank for your comments. You guys give us encourgement. Nice to know you enjoy hearing our PT stories.

C. J. Willis

Posted By: CJ Willis | Posted on: Feb 23, 2008 - 11:14am
Total Posts: 464 | Joined: Nov 5, 2006 - 5:02pm



HEY SEEMS OUR BIGGEST PROBLEM WAS KEEPING THE FOOD SAFE TO EAT BECAUSE OF THE EXTREME HEAT IN THE GALLY.BY,THE WAY, I STILL DON,T LIKE MARMALADE EITHER.FOR SOME REASON THOUGH WE ALL WANTED SOMETHING SWEET TO EAT AT BREAKFAST.MIGHTR HAVE BEEN TO KILL THE TASTE OF THE OTHER STUFF.WE ALSO HAD PLENTY OF VIENNA SAUSAGE.IF I HAD TO DEPEND ON MY MEMORY I WOULDN,T HAVE BEEN ABLE TO WRITE ALL THIS STUFF DOWN.I WROTE IT ALL DOWN IN A BOOK I STILL HAVE AND AM TRANSPOSING IT FROM THERE.WE GHAD A LOT OF HARD CHEESE TOO.BESIDES EATING IT WE ALSO USED IT FOR FISH BAIT.I,VE HAD TWO HEART ATTACKS AND TWO STROKES BUT STILL KICKING.GUESS THE GOOD LORD IS NOT READY FOR ME YET.WILL ADD SOMETHING HERE EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE FROM MY BOOK.HOPE I DON,T GET TOO BORING WITH IT.GOOD SAILING C/J.THANKS FOR KEEPING IT GOING. ALL YOU OTHER MODELERS,FRIENDS,ETC ARE TO BE COMMENDED FOR YOUR INTEREST IN THE "BOATS".IT,SWHAT HELPS KEEP US OLDSTERS GOING TOO.THANK YOU.

earl richmond

Posted By: EARL RICHMOND | Posted on: Feb 23, 2008 - 12:12pm
Total Posts: 319 | Joined: Oct 8, 2006 - 1:50pm



I've interviewed several PT boat vets over the past five or so years. One of them was Walter Kundis, a Gunner's Mate aboard PT 524. Here's a story he told me about food:

"Skipper Wolf acquired a parrot as a pet, for a pack of cigarettes from one of the natives. Everyone was elated and his crew couldn’t have been happier until he told us where the parrot would be housed. Rather then keep the bird in his stateroom, Wolf choose to place the parrot in the gun armory, where all our small arms were stored. This gave the parrot a number of places to perch from and no protection for the guns stored there. I spoke to the Skipper about his decision to keep the parrot, suggesting he move it to another location. He refused and continued to house the parrot across from his stateroom in the armory.

A few days after the Battle of Surigao Straits, the Skipper suggested I take the boat and scrounge some food while he and the Exec went aboard the tender for a briefing. After the lines were cast off, I took the boat to where most of the other ships in the harbor were anchored.

Going past a (LCI) Landing Craft Infantry we were attracted by the smell of fresh bread being baked. We came alongside and asked if we could make a trade for some Japanese souvenirs such as invasion money. They indicated they had all those things.

The cook on the LCI noticed the Skipper’s parrot on the bridge and said he would like to have the bird. I asked him what we would receive in trade. He stated a steak dinner for every man on the boat to include all the canned vegetables. I told him it would be a deal if he would also add to the menu fresh bread, cake, and some ice cream, (made with powdered milk). He agreed. After releasing the parrot to the LCI cook we proceeded back to the tender with our goodies.

After we were secured to the tender, the Skipper and the Exec came aboard. In the meantime our cook Durna began to prepare the food we had just acquired. It was the policy on the boat that one of the crew would assist him in the preparation, cleanup, and then the serving of the meal to the rest of the seated crew. It just happened that those duties were my responsibility this day.

After everyone enjoyed the steak dinner along with the ice cream and cake, the Skipper stated that he was well pleased with our efforts and even suggested that I should be sent out again, because of my super talent in acquiring this great meal.

He then mentioned that I should save some scraps for his parrot. When I stated, "You just ate your parrot," his first response was disbelief. This was followed by anger and swear words, (directed at me), when I told him it was his parrot that was traded for the food. On an 80 by 20 foot PT Boat, living space was always considered close quarters, but for the next couple of days, it was like living in Hell."

Hoped you enjoyed one of Walter's many stories. I will post mor eof his and the other veterans as time permits.

If someone gives me instructions as to how to post pictures on this forum, I have literally hundreds of images I scanned that were sent to me by various PT boat vets from the different theaters of war including the Aleutians, Mediterranean, English Channel and of course the South Pacific.



Posted By: DD | Posted on: Feb 23, 2008 - 12:43pm
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered



Here's another food related story, this one told to me by Parker Miller, who served as a Radioman aboard PT 27, then transferred to AVR Crash Rescue Boat #3 in the Pacific:

Our skipper would have me jig with flags or the signal light and find some skipper out there that would be more than happy to take a speed run or two while, his crew was getting its belly full of good chow and a fresh hot water shower.

Pulling alongside we would take the top brass, especially the engineering officer, for a joy ride - a speed ride letting them handle the wheel etc. [Upon returning] the top brass would give orders to the different crewmen give [us the] royal treatment.

Wow! Fresh water, steaks, eggs, turkey, an orange or apple...real food. It beat the mangos and searats. Our little 24-volt hot plate wouldn’t even boil water let alone heat up a meal. Our Skipper always wanted to make sure that we got whatever we wanted. ‘Feed my men, let them shower, give them anything they want’.”

Hope you enjoyed one of Parker's stories.



Posted By: DD | Posted on: Feb 23, 2008 - 12:51pm
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered



THANK YOU DD FOR THE STORIES.SEEMS WE ALL HAVE ONE OR TWO TO TELL.I LIKED TO "HEAR" THEM ON HERE.A FEW OF US VETS HAVE A STORY OR TWO TO TELL AND INFO TO GIVE.MAYBE WE SHOULD TELL THEM ON HERE BEFORE WE CAN,T.REMEMBER AT SOME TIME OR ANOTHER WE "OLD TIMERS" WILL HAVE OUR NAME ON THE LAST PATROL LIST AND WE SHOULD AT LEAST LEAVE SOME REMEMBERANCE OF WHAT WE DID.C.J. LOOKS LIKE YOU STARTED SOMETHING GOING.THANKS. EARL

earl richmond

Posted By: EARL RICHMOND | Posted on: Feb 23, 2008 - 2:53pm
Total Posts: 319 | Joined: Oct 8, 2006 - 1:50pm



My good friend Wallace Mcneish was Chief Gunners Mate on PT 374, and he told me how their cook would make frozen ice creme in ice trays and leave them down below. Each crew member got so much. Wallace used to love ice creme so he used to trade his Ciggarette allowance for the ice creme. As he did not smoke, he said he always had plenty of ice creme to eat. Seems the cook was very popular with the crew and could turn Spam into many different items. Funny, to this day Wallace hates Spam and refuses to eat it. Powered eggs was the order of the day along with hot cakes and some type of syrup, which Wallace thought was pretty good although sugary. He can remember the skipper rushing out to meet capital ships to beg and get fresh meat or veggies. Some of the guys on the Destroyers wanted rides on the boats as they never saw PT BOATS before, so the Skipper made a deal with the Captain.

He would give some of them rides for some fresh veggies, meat and potatoes. Not only did the 374 crew get all of the above, but a cold case of Beer to boot. That was a special day for all of them. A nice cooked meal by Cookie, washed down by some cold beer.



Posted By: Frank J Andruss Sr | Posted on: Feb 23, 2008 - 3:13pm
Total Posts: 3497 | Joined: Oct 9, 2006 - 6:09am



SOME OF MY RECIPES; FOR 18 MEN
PANCAKES;
10 CUPS SIFTED FLOUR
2 CUPS DEHYDRATED EGGS
2 CUPS SUGAR
SALT
3 CANS REGULAR CREAM OR 2 CANS SWEET CREAM
ABOUT 3/4 LB MELTED BUTTER
1 1/2 CUPS BAKING POWDER (ADD JUAST BEFORE FRYING)

MAPLE SYRUP;
1 1/2 PINTS BOILING WATER
2 TIMES AMOUNT OF SUGAR
BRING WATER TO A BOIL AND REMOVE FROM HEAT AND POUR IN SUGAR .AFTER MIXING ADD TWO TABLESPOONS MAPLE FLAVORING.STIR WELL.

ICE CREAM;
EGGS
CORN STARCH
SUGAR
CREAM
VANILLA FLAVORING
BEAT WELL TILL SMOOTH AND NOT TOO THIN BATTER.PUT IN FREEZER TRAYS AND LET ICE



earl richmond

Posted By: EARL RICHMOND | Posted on: Feb 24, 2008 - 6:24am
Total Posts: 319 | Joined: Oct 8, 2006 - 1:50pm



Earl:

I can't wait to copy these recipes and have my wife try them out. It will give me a real feel for what it was like to eat on a PT BOAT. When I have completed this, i will let you know how everything was. I will have her follow everything to the letter.



Posted By: Frank J Andruss Sr | Posted on: Feb 24, 2008 - 8:37am
Total Posts: 3497 | Joined: Oct 9, 2006 - 6:09am



Earl

By the way what is the quantity of mixture for the Ice Creme. How many eggs, how much of one item?



Posted By: Frank J Andruss Sr | Posted on: Feb 24, 2008 - 8:39am
Total Posts: 3497 | Joined: Oct 9, 2006 - 6:09am



GOOD MORNING FRANK THE ICE CREAN MIX WAS A MATTER OF TASTE AND A SMALL QUANTITY AS WE ONLY HAD,I THINK,3 FREEZER TRAYS.SO YOU MADE THE MIX FOR THE THREE TRAYS.I THINK I ONLY USED ONE EGG AND MAYBE A TEASPOON OF CORNSTARCH AND ABOUT ONE OR TWO DROPS VANILLA.IT WAS A MATTER OF TASTE AND QUANTITY.BON APETITE' LET ME KNOW HOW YOU MAKE OUT.DON,T OVERDO THE MI9X OR IT WILL BE TOO SWEET.YOU CAN SUBSTITUTE LEMON OR CHOCOLATE OR DISOLVED JELLY FOR DIFFERENT TASTES.JUST HAVE TO FIGFURE OUT WHAT WORKS BEST.
EARL

earl richmond

Posted By: EARL RICHMOND | Posted on: Feb 24, 2008 - 9:21am
Total Posts: 319 | Joined: Oct 8, 2006 - 1:50pm



DD: There are several prior references on the Message Board as to how to post photos. Dick, the moderator, is the acknowledged expert...

Will

Posted By: Will Day | Posted on: Feb 24, 2008 - 9:26am
Total Posts: 1955 | Joined: Oct 8, 2006 - 4:19pm



Earl

Yesterday, I gave the recipe for ICE CREME to my wife, who when she was out got some of the incredients needed. Together we followed your advice and whipped up a batch. Put it in the freezer, puled it out and tried it. Not bad, not too good. Tried it again, with my wife using a bit more flavoring, making the mixture not as thick this time around. A few hours later, out came the trays for another test run. WE DID IT!! The Ice Creme tasted prety darn good and I can see why in the SOUTH PACIFIC this was a favorite among Crews. It was a thrill for me to eat something that was eaten by PT BOAT CREWS who were lucky enough to have a Cook that could make this stuff. We will try it again using different flavors. Thanks Earl so much for the recipe. I hope others on this message boad will try it. It is good stuff..........



Posted By: Frank J Andruss Sr | Posted on: Feb 25, 2008 - 1:52am
Total Posts: 3497 | Joined: Oct 9, 2006 - 6:09am



THANK YOU FRANK FOR THE PAT ON THE BACK.SO GLAD IT TURNED OUT OK AND YOU ENJOYED IT.AS I SAID,IT TAKES PRACTICE.GOOD STUFF INTHE HOT SIMMERTIME.I WILL POST OTHER RECIPES AS I GO ALONG.MAY GIVE YOU A TREAT.HERE AND THERE EARL

HERE,S ONE FOR DOUGHNUTS
22 OZ SUGAR
6 0Z LARD
1/2 TEASPOON SALT
6 POWDERED EGGS-BEAT TILL PASTE WITH WATER
2 CANS CREAM
1/2 CUP WATER
3 1/2 LB FLOUR
7 OZ BAKING POWDER
BLEND

BRING GREASE TO A BOIL BEFORE DROPPING DOUGHNUTS IN
USE LARD OR SHORTNING.DO NOT USE BUTTER OR MARGARINE

MIX GRANULATED SUGAR AND CINNAMIN OR POWDERED SUGAR FOR COVERING .ALSO CAN MIX AN ICING OF VANILLA OR CHOCOLATE
MAKES ABOUT 80I DOUGHNUTS



earl richmond

Posted By: EARL RICHMOND | Posted on: Feb 25, 2008 - 10:31am
Total Posts: 319 | Joined: Oct 8, 2006 - 1:50pm



SORRY,MAKES ABOUT 80 DOUGHNUTS.SAID MY EYES WERE BAD

earl richmond

Posted By: EARL RICHMOND | Posted on: Feb 25, 2008 - 10:34am
Total Posts: 319 | Joined: Oct 8, 2006 - 1:50pm



Earl

This is so much fun learning from someone who cooked for a PT BOAT CREW. I can't wait to try the different recipes, or should I say my wife ( I can't boil water ). If the donuts taste as good as the ICE CREME, I am in for a treat. As I said, I hope the other guys try this to see first hand how some crews got to eat. Thanks Earl for taking the time to do this, it means a lot to me and others.



Posted By: Frank J Andruss Sr | Posted on: Feb 25, 2008 - 12:27pm
Total Posts: 3497 | Joined: Oct 9, 2006 - 6:09am



Weevily bread, sounds just what was served on HMS Surprise in the movie "Master and Commander." Thank you, CJ and Earl, keep these stories coming.

Wayne Traxel

Posted By: Wayne Traxel | Posted on: Feb 25, 2008 - 5:38pm
Total Posts: 248 | Joined: Oct 11, 2006 - 5:40am



This is one of the reasons we won the war. The Japanese were eating insect infected rice and Pros like Earl were making Doughnuts for our guys . Thanks Earl for your contributions , service and cooking skills.
Earl tell us about how you negotiated with various supply people for the items you used.

Alan Curtis

Posted By: Alan Curtis | Posted on: Feb 26, 2008 - 7:12pm
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered



thank you allan but don,t give me too much credit.i had a job to do and i did it the best way i could withn what i had.the crew and passengers lliked most of what i made for one reason they were always hungry for more.when we were at base,pier or buoy or anchor there was not much we had to do after we did our regular chores so we made up the spare time playing cards,sleeping or eating.
as to getting the food.i was told if we were to have passengers and then made up a menue.i went to base galley for my provisions.did have to finagle a little though.we cooks tried to beat each other out and get all we could.sometimes the skipper or exec officed would help out some by bringing some things back from officers mess on the beach.most of the time the officers ate on the boat the same time as the rest of the crew.if work got out that anything was available like barges unloading ships and anchoring in the lagoon we tried to negotiate with the marines guarding the supplies.other times we tried to hail ships and swap tales,cigarettes or rides for fresh stuff.
by the way, i did not make doughnuts that often.they got stale pretty quick in that heat and humidity.did not mean to give that impression

earl richmond

Posted By: EARL RICHMOND | Posted on: Feb 26, 2008 - 8:33pm
Total Posts: 319 | Joined: Oct 8, 2006 - 1:50pm



My fater told me that the 359 kept a monkey on board most of the time as the monkey ate most of the roaches and bugs.

Dick



Posted By: Dick Listro | Posted on: Feb 29, 2008 - 5:48am
Total Posts: 28 | Joined: Dec 5, 2006 - 12:43pm



PT 374 also had a MONKEY on board. Wallace McNeish gave me several pictures of the Crew and 2 of them have that darn Monkey in them. Wallace said the Monkey was a little devil and would throw the Crews things around the boat. One time he grabbed a few items and dashed from the boat onto another boat. Guess he was fun to have around and like Dick said, they would eat any bugs found on the boat. Wallace thought some of the crew would shoot the Monkey one day when he took all the drying clothes strung out topside and threw them around the boat and into the water..........



Posted By: Frank J Andruss Sr | Posted on: Feb 29, 2008 - 8:04am
Total Posts: 3497 | Joined: Oct 9, 2006 - 6:09am



WE HAD A ROACH PROBLEM ON THE BOAT AND EVERYONE TO TO GET READY FOR ROACH DETAI.I WENT BELOW AND SET OFF INSECT BOMBS AND THE REST OF THE CREW SROOD TOPSIDE WITH BROOMS AND WHATEVER THEY COULD "SWEEP" WITH.I CLOSED THEHATCH AND WAQITED ABOUT 15 MINUTES THEN OPENED THE HATCH ABOVE THE GALLEY.THE ROACHES CAME SWARNMING OUT AND EVERYONE SWEPT THEM OVER THE SIDE.THEY ATTRACTED A RASH OF FISH AND THEY WENT CRAZY EATING THEM. THIS ALSO SENT /MICE/RATS OUT TOO.IF THEY WERE THERE.
HERE.S A RECIPE FOR FIELD OVEN BAKED BREAD(NO WEAVILS)
HEARTH BREAD
12 ,LBS SIFTED FLOUR MIX WITH 4 OZ SHORTNING
3 OZ SALT
7 OZ SUGAR DISOLVE BEFORE ADDING TO DOUGH
4 OZ YEASTY
45 MINUTES PUNCHING IN BETWEEN EACH dough rise 45 MINUTES TO BAKE
--MIX YEAST AND WATER AND WHEN DONE ADD SALT AND SUGAR+
THIS WAS DONE ON BASE AND WE PICKED UP THE FINISHED BREAD AND TOOK IT BACK TO THE BOATS

earl richmond

Posted By: EARL RICHMOND | Posted on: Feb 29, 2008 - 10:32am
Total Posts: 319 | Joined: Oct 8, 2006 - 1:50pm



Earl

My wife bought a deep fryer last week and bought the ingrediants needed for the doughnuts. She will cut down on the amount of ingrediants as she said we do not need 80 doughnuts in the house. I know this will be a trial and error thing, but we have nothing else to do this weekend as a SNOW STORM is expected to hit us sometime Friday night. Ok, so the ICE CREAM was a success. I will let you guys know how we did on the doughnuts. COME ON GUYS GIVE THESE A TRY........



Posted By: Frank J Andruss Sr | Posted on: Feb 29, 2008 - 12:45pm
Total Posts: 3497 | Joined: Oct 9, 2006 - 6:09am



Frank Sr.
You need to open a snack counter in your exhibit that serves only PT Boat chow. [:-cheers-:]
Ed



Posted By: ducati650 | Posted on: Feb 29, 2008 - 1:35pm
Total Posts: 450 | Joined: Feb 19, 2007 - 10:01am



Ed

I certainly will give it some thought, providing my wife doesn't kill me first. Tonight is the first round in making the first batch of doughnuts. My wife said we could begin in about one hour, so we shall see how they come out. I will let you know if my snack counter becomes a reality or if I will demoted to peeling potatoes....



Posted By: Frank J Andruss Sr | Posted on: Feb 29, 2008 - 3:46pm
Total Posts: 3497 | Joined: Oct 9, 2006 - 6:09am



FRANK MY WIFE WENT THRU THIS MANY YEARS AGO.SOME TURNED AND SOME DIDN,T. WHEN THEY DIDN,T SHE JUST GAVE ME A LOOK AND WENT ON TO OTHER THINGS.SHE PASSED ON LAST AUGUST BUT I ONLY HAD A HAM THROWN AT ME ONCE.SHE MISSED.WE HAD A VERY HAPPY LIFE,ALL CONSIDERING.IF YOUR WIFE TRIES AND THJEY DO OR DONT TURN OUT TAKE HER OUT TO DINNER EITHER WAY AND LET HER KNOW HOW MUCH YOU APPRECIATED HER EFFORTS.KEEPING MY FINGERS CROSSED. THAT YOU CAN ENJOY.

earl richmond

Posted By: EARL RICHMOND | Posted on: Feb 29, 2008 - 4:28pm
Total Posts: 319 | Joined: Oct 8, 2006 - 1:50pm



OK GUYS HERE GOES NOTHING.

MY WIFE ARMED WITH ALL THE INGREDIANTS TO MAKE THE DONUTS, CLEARED THE KITCHEN TABLE SO WE COULD BEGIN THE PROCESS OF MAKING WHAT I CALL PT BOAT CREW DONUTS. NOW, THE HARDEST THING TO DO WAS TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO CUT DOWN ON THE AMOUNT USED TO MAKE ABOUT 20 OF THESE TASTY TREATS. THERE WAS NO WAY MY WIFE WAS GOING TO LET ME HAVE 80 DONUTS, EVEN THOUGH I TRIED TO TELL HER THEY WOULD NOT GO TO WASTE.

MY WIFE MIXED THE FIRST BATCH, SINKING THESE ANCHORS INTO THE DEEP FRYER FOR A SPELL. WHEN SHE THOUGHT THEY WERE READY, UP CAME THE STAINLESS STEEL HOLDER AND SHE PUT THEM INTO PAPER TOWELS TO ABSORB THE GREESE. AFTER ABOUT 30 MINUTES OR SO, WE COULD PICK UP THE DONUTS, WHICH REALLY LOOKED MORE LIKE DOG POOP THEN ANYTHING ELSE. SHE HAD MIXED UP A BOWL OF WHITE FROSTING ( HOMEMADE ) AND WE FROSTED THEM. AFTER WAITING ANOTHER 10 MINUTES OR SO, I BECAME THE DONUT TESTER. THERE I WAS WITH MY FROSTY COLD GLASS OF MILK AND I DOVE INTO THE TASY TREATS.

THE FIRST BITE DREW AN INSTANT REACTION OF SURPRISE. 'THEY TASTED PRETY GOOD' ALTHOUGH A BIT CRISPY (BECUSE DONUTS ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO CRUCNH), I FINISHED OFF THE FIRST ONE, DIVING INTO THE SECOND ONE WITH GUSTO. THE SECOND ONE WENT DOWN EVEN BETTER THEN THE FIRST. MY EYES WIDE OPEN, I JUMPED AT THE CHANCE TO GRAB A THIRD ONE. UMM UMM GOOD. I GOT THAT WIFE LOOK THAT HUSBANDS CAN IDENTIFY WITH WHEN I TRIED TO REACH FOR MY FOURTH ONE. SHE SAID TAKE IT EASY, YOU DON'T HAVE TO FINISH THEM ALL IN ONE NIGHT. I TOLD HER THAT 80 OF THESE WOULD NOT GO TO WASTE IN OUR HOUSEHOLD.

SO, WITH THE MESS CLEANED UP AND MY NEW PT BOAT CREW DONUTS TUCKED AWAY UNDER A GLASS COVER, I CAN REPORT TO YOU HERE ON THE MESSAGE BOARD THAT I HAVE NOW MADE AND EATEN 2 TREATS SERVED ONBOARD OUR WWII PT BOATS. BY THE WAY, I CAN'T WAIT TILL SHE FALLS ASLEEP SO I CAN GRAB A COUPLE MORE..............



Posted By: Frank J Andruss Sr | Posted on: Feb 29, 2008 - 7:48pm
Total Posts: 3497 | Joined: Oct 9, 2006 - 6:09am



You are too much. Loved your story. Wish I had a donut.
Ed



Posted By: ducati650 | Posted on: Feb 29, 2008 - 9:09pm
Total Posts: 450 | Joined: Feb 19, 2007 - 10:01am



While we are on the topic of food, it would be interesting to have C.J. and Earl share any experiences about receiving food from the states during the war. We can send care packages to the troops in Iraq in a couple of days. Did you guys ever get any goodies from home?

Randy Willis

Posted By: Randy Willis | Posted on: Feb 29, 2008 - 10:02pm
Total Posts: 9 | Joined: Jul 16, 2007 - 12:53pm



FRAK THANK YOU SO MUCH.AS I SAID,TAKE YOUR WIFE OUT TO A GOOD DINNER.SHE DESERVES IT FOR BEING SO BRAVE AND TRYING OUT THE RECIOES.SO GLAD YOU LIKED THE DONUTS.WE HAD THEM OFTEN AT HOME IN OUR EARLIER YEARS.YOU CAN MAKE THE 80 WHEN YOU HAVE SPECIAL COMPANY.
YAES, I DID HET A COUPLE OF PKGS FROM HOME FROM MY MOTHER AND,AT THE TIME,GIRLFRIEND.THEY CONTAINED COOKIES,CANNED FRUIT,SOME HARD CANDIES.SOAP,WOULD HAVE BEEN NICE TO HAVE SOME BABY WIPES, WASH CLOTHS,PERSONAL CLEANING EFFECTS,TOOTHPASTE,TOOTH BRUSH,COMBS,FOOT POWDER,BANDAIDES,BRASS RAZOR AND DOUBLE EDGE BLADES,SOME GOT CAKES BUT IT TAKE THE SHIPPING AND WEATHER TOO WELL,WRITING PAPER,PENS,ENVELOPES,WE HAD SPECIAL MAIL SUPPLIES TO SEND SHORT LETTERS AND THEY DIDN,T NEED STAMPS,BIBLES,LETTERS,PHOTOS AND LOTS OF LOVE.IT WAS NICE TO GET A PACKAGE AND OPEN IT.IF YOU CLOSED YOUR EYES IT ALMOST SEEMD TO BEING HOME RIGHT THERE. GUESS C.J. CAN ADD A LOT TO THIS ONE.

earl richmond

Posted By: EARL RICHMOND | Posted on: Mar 1, 2008 - 7:02am
Total Posts: 319 | Joined: Oct 8, 2006 - 1:50pm



Frank,

You and your wife deserve a good recipe for all your effort so I'm going to share with you one of my favorites in honor of Earl and C.J. It might change their opinion of ... orange marmalade.
Salmon with Orange Marmalade

2 single portion salmon filets with skin removed
1/2 cup orange marmalade
2 garlic cloves crushed
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon sesame oil
3 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
1 green onion chopped
toasted sesame seeds

Mix the marmalade, garlic, soy sauce, sesame oil, and vinegar and baste both sides of the salmon reserving a little for basting later. Grill the salmon on foil using the rest of the marinade when turning the salmon. When done sprinkle the salmon with the onion and sesame seeds before serving.

Serve your donuts for dessert!!

Randy Willis

Posted By: Randy Willis | Posted on: Mar 1, 2008 - 10:25am
Total Posts: 9 | Joined: Jul 16, 2007 - 12:53pm



My Mom was a great cook and living on a dairy farm had all the ingredients for baking. She would send me homemade cookies, gingerbread etc. I would share these goodies with other members of our crew and they would do likewise. It usually took a month or more to receive packages from home. Letters sometimes might take only a week and other times a month. Sometimes we might get a dozen letters at one time. My Mom made a raisin cookie which she remembered I liked. In December 1944 she mailed me a good size box of raisin cookies so I would have them about Christmas time. She didn't know that our crew had been relieved after 15 months of over seas duty on P.T. 242 and was on our way home for R and R. After 30 days leave at home I reported to Melville then to Boston Fargo Bldg for 2 months then troop train to Shoemaker, Ca. then troop ship to Samar, Philippines and P.T. Base 17. Sometime in May 1945 the package of cookies finally caught up with me. I had followed me all the way. Two times half way around the world. The box was really beat up and the cookies were just crumbs with raisins mixed in. Just had to throw them in the trash.

C. J. Willis

Posted By: CJ Willis | Posted on: Mar 1, 2008 - 10:44am
Total Posts: 464 | Joined: Nov 5, 2006 - 5:02pm



RANDY THAT RECIPE SOUNDS DELISHIOUS.WROTE IT DOWN AND WILL SURLEY TRY IT OUT ON THE GRILL WHEN IT GETS A LITTTLE WARM,ER OUT.THANKS.
C.J. I WAS ON BASE 17 WHEN YOU WERE THERE.I WAS COOKING AND HAD MY TENT JUST ACROSS THE ROAD FROM THE GALLEY.YOU PROBLY REMEBER THE LAUNDRY SHACK ASIDE THE MAIN ROAD AND THE LITTLE BARIO JUST ACROSS THE RIVER BRIDGE.AND THE BOMBED OUT CHURCH WHERE IT SEEMS THERE WAS A BEAT UP WIND UP RECORD PLAYER GOING ALL THE TIME.I WAS THERE IN ,45 AND LEFT IN DECEMBER FOR HOME.AH THE MEMORIES THERE.

earl richmond

Posted By: EARL RICHMOND | Posted on: Mar 1, 2008 - 12:03pm
Total Posts: 319 | Joined: Oct 8, 2006 - 1:50pm



Randy

Thanks for what seems like a yummy meal. This is a sure thing for the grill in the summer, so I have copied it down. I will show it to my wife in due time. I think if I give her one more recipe she might hit me with one of the cooking pans. Earl and CJ, keep the stories coming. CJ, what a great story on the cookies. Too bad they never made it so as you could eat them with the crew. Food from home along with letters must have made for a very happy combination for PT BOAT CREWS.

I have many original letters from Crewmembers sent home and from home to the Crewmembers. They all seem to contain the same thing, missing Mom's cooking, and missing Mom. Seems that Dad's took a back seat to most of the letters I have. Oh, they were mentioned, but more like a by the way, tell Dad I miss him too. Sister's were always mentioned by big brother who promised to send something to her, and that she must of course be good. How's my Dog doing, was another piece of information in these letters to home. So many menories for you guys. I bet that a letter from home was worth more then $100.00. I can only imagine how one felt when the letters were passed out and one did not get anything that day.............



Posted By: Frank J Andruss Sr | Posted on: Mar 1, 2008 - 3:21pm
Total Posts: 3497 | Joined: Oct 9, 2006 - 6:09am



DD, here's a link to instructions on how to post a photo

[url]http://www.ptboats.org/photo-posting.html[/url]

Posted By: Ed B | Posted on: Mar 6, 2008 - 12:10pm
Total Posts: 91 | Joined: Oct 26, 2006 - 5:31am



Hey Earl, you won't believe it but my publisher finally printed the WWII Culinary History Book I wrote titled Bullets and Bread! - I used some of your stories and pictures. Check your email account - I'm sending you a regular email so that I can get your address to send you a copy.

Thank you so much! Oh, just finished a book on the USS Alabama for the battleship commission. Worked with the crew there for several months. They had one heck of an ice cream stand on the battleship. I told the curator that I had a buddy named Earl that would have loved to have cooked in their galley. The place is huge. The coffee pots were small hot tubs!

Thanks and check your regular email or message me here. - Kent Whitaker

________________________
USCG Aux AUXCHEF
I am a proud Army Strong Dad who has a deep appreciation for all who serve and have served our country.

Posted By: whitakermk | Posted on: Apr 10, 2013 - 7:13pm
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered



thanks kent/ i am sure i woukd have kived to have been a cook on the battleship but i would not havve had comorady thatb i had on the boat.i came home the first time on a carrier and worjked a little in their galley.too big and too much technicality.better on my boat.the battl,.experience would have been nice though to use on the boaat but they had all the good food to cookl with,.we didbn,t. thanks again foe letting me have the honor of being included ib your book
your friend./ earl

earl richmond

Posted By: earl | Posted on: Apr 11, 2013 - 8:18am
Total Posts: 197 | Joined: Oct 18, 2006 - 12:13pm



This has been an amazing read. How great would it be for all those that were there to send their recipes to Frank to assemble a cook book of South Pacific PT Boat Meals & Snacks. And I love the idea of selling samples at the Exhibit.



Posted By: Roy Forbes | Posted on: Apr 11, 2013 - 9:13am
Total Posts: 371 | Joined: Sep 5, 2012 - 4:57pm



Roy, our friend Kent , who visits our message board, has already compiled them and has a book our right now..............



Posted By: Frank Andruss | Posted on: Apr 11, 2013 - 9:19am
Total Posts: 3964 | Joined: Feb 9, 2007 - 11:41am