[octex]

About ‘61-’62, my carrier was at Mayport FL. Aircraft and squadron personnel had gone to NAS Jacksonville.

I was in Catapults Div. and just part of a skeleton crew when we got word that we were going underway. Hurricane Diana was headed our way and the waves and storm surge would have damaged the ship if we were docked.

Headed straight for the storm. Nothing but black coffee and crackers in chow hall. Had to use ropes to tie ourselves onto our racks (berthing was aft just below flight deck).

After we made it through the ‘cane, catwalk railings along the flight deck (about 60’ above the water) were bent over and had to be repaired/replaced. Forward pilots’ quarters, also just below flight deck, were two feet deep in water.

That was the only time I was seasick and scared (18-19 y/o).

There should be zero ships of any size out there, if this forecast is near correct.

[xrmusn]

I rode a few typhoons out on an LST.,p. Those 1156 class T's were corks in the ocean on a windy day, in rough seas bow would rise out of the water, then slap down while the stern did the same, screws screaming. Couple of hours of that built men out of young lads.

Was leaving San Diego in 1960 on an APA and we 'passed' the T's and the APA did a slight roll crossing the breakwater and the Ts (my 'NEW' ship) looked like a model ship in a wind tunnel.(comparatively speaking)

Like 'they' used to say while looking over the vast ocean..

WOW, that is sure a lot of water

And 'we' would answer

YEAH, and that is just the top....

Haze Gray and Underway

USN!!!!! and all seafarers

Godspeed.

[T-Bone Texan]

That you rode out a hurricane in the open sea on an aircraft carrier is pretty darn noteworthy!