Third Division
Boatswain's Mate |
|
Gunner's Mate |
From sunrise to sunset . . . . and often later . . . . the Third Division turns to. Their main responsibility is HELENA's fantail, one of the busiest spots on board. The traffic problem in the ship's parking lot is a big one, what with boats, a jeep, cars, and a helicopter. The men of the deck are charged with loading and unloading these items, and they'll tell you right away that it's a mighty big job.
There are more spaces, too: the 3rd Division head, the CPO Bunk Room, and the starboard passageway aft from the tailor shop. Men of the Third may be found here, doing their part in maintaining cleanliness and smartness of HELENA. Turret III, a part of the main battery, also comes under Third's reigning hand. The gunners break down and clean the many parts of the "big guns," then run and check the hydraulic units. When "turn to" is sounded, these men always have a good-sized task in front of them. And they always do a 4.0 job!
Away the Gig, away! |
The turret gang |
From the Helena 1953 Cruise Book
THIRD DIVISION . . . . .
keepers of the fantail
and all its activies,
from loading boats
to firing the big eight-inchers
Hard workers!
From the Helena 1958 - 1959 Cruise Book