4th and final story of the USS Currituck AV7

On August 23, 1952 we left Norfolk for Norway. We arrived in a large bay near Trondheim about 2 weeks later. We were quite far North and getting on the cool side of the world and approaching the artic circle.

We traveled further into the country in a body of water called a Fjord (Pronounce fiyord). There were mountains to the west of us along the coast and we traveled until we reached a good base area with some farmland along our east shoreline. I heard we were about 300 miles inland and at some spots the water went deep with the edge of the mountain to depths of about 300 feet. We were near Skogn

When the sun came out it was comfortable with jackets but the breeze was cold and there were many hazy days. We noticed many of the farm houses had their doors open and someone told us the residents would wear their warm clothes all day and leave their doors open.

Some of our P5M's came in and then a few British Sunderland seaplanes came in to join us for a joint operation. The Sunderlands were similar to our Marlins but had 4 engines.

We were sweeping the airdrome one day and were standing by as a Sunderland started to take off. Someone had opened the hatch in the floor of the tunnel leading back to the tail and the plane had scooped up a huge amount of water. As it took off the tail dragged and water was pouring out. By the time I pulled the camera up they made a rapid and firm squat on the water. The pilot was sharp and was able to hold the plane together but I expected to see some men come tumbling out with the water.

I remember the first time the Brits came in for mess call. They looked surprised and it was not long before they adapted with big trays of food they consumed. We were visiting areas that had been badly hurt by the war. The Germans would hide some of their large ships in the Norwegian Fjords and then attack ships attempting to bring aid to England. We saw evidence of their domination everywhere. One day a group of us took one of the buses to Trondheim and we could see repairs being done on one of their cathedrals as they slowly raised funds to complete the repairs. We walked around the old and picturesque city and in the evening went to one of the best hotel restaurants for dinner. I had a wonderful steak dinner that cost me $1.50. During dinner one of the group went off to visit with a couple of people and he came back and said he was going to join them for the evening and would come back to the ship in the morning. The next day we learned from him that a man had asked him to join him and visit their home. There were very few young men left from the war and he was concerned his daughter would never have the opportunity to date or spend time with a man and they invited him to come home and visit.

On the way to the city we passed through a town named "Hell." I tried to get a postcard sent home from this town but at least I can say the Currituck took us to Hell and back.

We completed our mission and operations without major incident and headed toward Great Britain. We dropped anchor near Edinburgh, Scotland where we could see some of the huge concrete docking bunkers that protected the English submarines. We were able to visit the city with its fort and old castle and I was struck about the age of the history. At home it was exciting to see something 300 year old but here in Scotland we were looking at sites almost 1000 years old and it was impressive.

We walked out to a reproduction of the Parthenon that the locals tried to build and each time they finished a section they would throw a big party to celebrate. Now, one end is complete, beautiful but not finished and no one wanted to contribute any more money to the wasteful program. So it stands on a remote hillside and is referred to as Edinburgh's Folly.

After a rest and restocking we headed across the ocean on Oct. 7th to return to Norfolk but we had to make a side trip. On the way we encountered a 'nor'easter with high winds, rain and very rough seas. We had waves breaking over the hanger which was 70 feet above the water line. We were told that a ship can make 7 different types of moves in the worst storms and we were making 5 of the 7 motions. (These are for example, the bow lifting and breaking forward, to the right or to the left and so on.) Most of us were accustomed to the sea and could handle the motions but many of us were feeling queasy and we would lay on the deck in the lab as long as we were not on duty and try to forget about the motion. One of the crew had a phonograph and we were able to keep that playing as the biggest waves calmed some and we laid on the steel deck slightly forward which was better than our bunks which were aft, near the fan tail under the aircraft repair deck.

Finally the weather cleared and repair crews could start preparing for work. We were treated to steak and eggs for breakfast and sunny days started to return. Plans changed and we headed back to Philadelphia for some repairs. We arrived there on October 17 and returned to Norfolk in December of 52. We then left to go to San Juan again in January for more maneuvers with operation Springboard and we serviced several squadrons.

I had put in for a transfer because I planned to marry. I was told if I would extend my enlistment to 5 years I could have the transfer and that was arranged. I was sent to a processing office in Norfolk to be assigned to a print shop at the Naval Station. I was approached by a photographer from the lab at the Commander in Chief of the Atlantic Fleet headquarters under Admiral Wright who was also Supreme Allied Commander of NATO. (CINCLANT and SACLANT). This was a smaller base and I jumped at the chance to be stationed there. Once again I received a lucky break. While there a new Chief of Naval Operations was appointed and he became your top leader also so I mention him. Admiral Wright was the #1 senior officer in the Navy it was expected the assignment would go to him. However, it was passed to 31 Knott Burke the #19 Admiral on the list. In order to appease Admiral Wright, he was asked to make the announcement and I was the photographer selected to represent the Navy at the press conference. I went in civilian clothes so I could have freer movement and at one point Admiral Burke asked who I was as I scurried around. He was told I was "One of his boys" so he asked why I was not in uniform. He was told that in case I drew attention to myself I would not embarrass him. Admiral Burke did not give a hint as to his approval or rejection of my activity but he did select one of my photos to send out with his press release. So when the top man was selected one of your guys was there. Admiral Burke thus became a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and directly advised the Secretary of the Navy and the President as the Chief Military Officer in the Navy.

I am going to post one other photo and that is of Admiral Woolridge, commander of the second fleet. I took a photo of him and his staff that was very popular and was used in several publications.

One day the Admirals Wife came into our lab and presented me with a framed, signed copy from the Admiral and each of the Officers in the photo. It was a wonderful honor and I even visited with the Admiral in his home and we discussed a photo project he planned. The history does not show your participation in Lantflex during 1955 and this photo of the Admiral and another photo that looks like one of mine was used in the observers handbook for this project. The Currituck was to have a key role in this project as you will see with the images.

I close now with thanks to all my shipmates and those of you who have been gathering information and posting it about the USS Currtuck. My time aboard that ship was some of the best time I had in my life. I traveled, worked at what I loved to do and all of you on board the ship were very friendly and fun to be with. Writing about my memories and posting the photos brings it all back and I realize the great memories I had and the good friends I made. One time I was taking motion pictures and the crank slipped out of the camera and overboard. On the way down it hit the Captain's personal Chef in the head. The Captain was mad and ordered that I be on the main deck in an hour with the camera operating. I had no idea of what to do. I finally ran back to the machine shop and there was a machinist working on a project. In minutes he bent some round stock to the shape of a crank and ground the ends to fit the camera. My butt was saved again by a terrific crew member and I was able to film the Captain and the gunnery crew.

Thanks to all.

And thank you Nathan Good (the web site master and owner) for a great web site and making a fun project look so great.

Stew

story and photos by Stewart "Stew" Rusby © 2007

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