U.S.S. Little Rock Association Message Board

Fire Control

Paul5388 — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 06:23:20 GMT

I was reading another site the other day, from an old FT, and ran across some 1953 USN films on Fire Control Computers. They're in a two part series that explains the basic means for performing the analog computations necessary for fire control.

Once the gun(s) and the director are on the "same sheet of paper", through shooting a star, the parallax (remember, the directors are on the 05 and 06 levels and the guns are on the main deck and 02 level, so there's an angle between them when the same point is visually seen) can be computed and the point of aim will coincide at a particular range with the visually acquired target. The computer will also compensate for trajectory at that range along with the movement of the target, the necessary lead and the movement of the ship itself.

This 1953 information pertains to the gun fire control system the Little Rock had as CL-92 and also as CLG-4.

Here's a presentation that will give you something to think about (they will auto start from the links).

FIRE CONTROL COMPUTERS PART 1 video 19 minutes

FIRE CONTROL COMPUTERS PART 2, video 23 minutes

Mystery Photo #22 6th Fleet Coin / Medal

Artillery — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 23:31:21 GMT

A viewer of our website sent us the following picture and letter.

"Hello. Im wondering if you could help me identify the significance or historical connection of a medal, the remains of which I found at a Pearl Harbor construction site back in 1971. I found it in freshly dug dirt as I was crossing the naval base from my ship, the USS Midway (CVA-41).

Thanks for any help you can provide."

Charles Paige (Sent 20 Sept 2009)

If the coin / medallion in this picture is familiar, please click on "Reply" and tell us what you know.

Thanks.

The North Pole

davidcooper — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 03:40:09 GMT

I am still looking to find anyone who knew my Dad; BSM 3 Tom Cooper. He served in the first Division and I know that he was on the 1964-65 cruise. I also have a certificate from being at the North Pole aboard the USS Little Rock on September 29, 1965. If anyone has any information, knew my Dad, or could put an interesting story with this certificate I would be truly honored to hear it. Thank you all so much! God bless you all!

The Star, Moon, Land, and Water of Nimbus

John — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 01:21:42 GMT

On April 10, 1974, a special Sixth Fleet Task Force, CTF 65, was established under COMSIXTHFLT OPLAN 4371 to assist the Egyptians in clearing the Suez Canal of mines and other operational hazards. At the time, USS Little Rock (CLG 4) was Flagship of the Commander United States Sixth Fleet and the COMSIXTHFLT staff worked from the ship to assist CTF 65 with operational issues. Little Rocks crew and equipment provided day-to-day support of COMSIXTHFLT that contributed to the successful reopening of the Suez Canal.

The task force used operational code names Nimbus Star, Nimbus Moon Land, Nimbus Moon Water, and Nimrod Spar. Nimbus Star included controlled minesweeping of the canal and approach channels. It was carried out by RH 53D Sea Stallion helicopters using the Mark 105 magnetic minesweeping sled. The plan for Nimbus Moon Land was to train and advise Egyptian Army personnel to find and remove unexploded ordnance from the banks of the canal. Nimbus Moon Water combined minesweeping craft and divers from the United States, Egypt, Britain and France to find and dispose of ordnance not found otherwise. Nimrod Spar included the salvage and removal of ten sunken wrecks and other waterway hazards.

Ships from the Sixth Fleet that were part of CTF 65 included USS Iwo Jima (LPH 2), USS Inchon (LPH 12), USS Barnstable County (LST 1197), and USS Boulder (LST 1190).

Over the course of CTF 65 operations, more than 8500 contacts allowed for the disposal of 60-plus tons of ordnance. Additionally, 200-plus tons of ordnance was pulled from boats, barges, trucks, tanks, and other vehicles removed the canal.

On June 5, 1975, Little Rock joined the ceremonial convoy for the reopening of the Suez Canal. All participating crewmembers received a Suez Canal Reopening certificate.

Vice Admiral Frederick C. Turner wrote a short note to commemorate the reopening of the Suez Canal as follows:

Today marks a milestone in world history in which the U.S. Navy has a proud and significant part. The reopening of the Suez Canal to world commerce is, in large measure, a product of the efforts of the men of CTF Sixty-Five who have labored for more than a year to make this day possible.

This effort demonstrates again the great versatility and capability of the U.S. Navy. In this instance this expertise was applied for the benefit of all nations of the world who rely on ocean commerce. The Suez Canal clearance effort brought together, under a U.S. Naval command, members of all United States armed services, and military forces of Egypt, Great Britain, and France, working as a team toward a common goal for the advantage of mankind.

With the opening of this great waterway to the use and for the benefit of the worlds people, it is our earnest hope that the diligent work of our shipmates, American, Egyptian, British and French, will bring the world closer to the peace and stability which we all seek.

FREDERICK C. TURNER

Vice Admiral, U.S. Navy

This is a scanned copy of the reopening certificate.

2009 Reunion Portrait Photographs

berglas — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 21:32:37 GMT

The banquet portrait pictures are soon to be displayed on the Photographics 2 website. A few of them are there; more will come.

To access these, please follow these steps:

1. Go to http://www.photographics2.com (you may have to copy and paste the link in your internet browser);
2. Click on "Online Ordering" at the top of the page;
3. Click on the left-hand panel "Events";
4. Click on "Little Rock Portraits"
5. Enter the password USSLRBUF09
6. Click on "Click Here to Enter"

As usual, if you click on the image you will see an enlarged view. The photos, as usual, are available for purchase in different sizes.

What a handsome bunch, if I do say so!!!

cruise books

JohnFSterk — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 15:02:36 GMT

Anyone have any idea where I might be able to buy Little rock cruise books from the years 69-72. I have tried other sites on the web with no luck. Any help will be much appreciated. Thanks, John F. Sterk

2012 Reunion

jimmy — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 02:54:29 GMT

Please put a vote in for Orlando Fl. for me for the 2012 Reunion. I would love to see if NTC Orlando is still there. Its probably all condos by now. I know the Boot Camp is gone but do we still have a base there? If we don't then Mickey Mouse will be a very nice substitute. Orlando and Disney World sounds like a great place to hold a reunion. Thanks for the opportunity.

Jimmy Reeves #516

MORE MUSIC SHOW BEGINNINGS AND OTHER MUSINGS

John — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 17:25:46 GMT

In his oral history, Rear Admiral Roger O. Simon mentioned that his wife was a member of the Sixth Fleet Music Show while he was assigned to USS Little Rock (CLG 4). After more than 30 years Im afraid that I cannot put her face and name together in my head. A picture might jog my memory.

Heres a little more historical information about the music show and other issues of the time in the hopes that it will jog someones memory and promote a response or two.

In 1971, there were naysayers and complainers when VADM Gerald Miller took over as COMSIXTHFLT and began assembling the Sixth Fleet Singers. USS Springfield (CLG 7) was flagship at the time and homeported in Gaeta, Italy. Those opposed to allowing USS Springfields officers and enlisted men to join the choir saw little value in using scarce resources staging music shows. They argued that the ship would suffer if some of the men were allowed to forego their regular duties to sing in a choir and that other crew members would have to take up the slack.

VADM Miller saw value in using music to promote good will. He remained resolute and got his way because he was the big guy in charge. He made sure everyone understood his position. Although I cannot attribute this as a direct quote, I was told that the admiral let it be known that the band and choir would be funded and staffed even if Springfield had to lock up her big guns and close down two boilers.

Even with the admirals full support, there was a below the radar resistance that made it very difficult for some men to participate in the choir. I recall that the biggest percentage of men in the choir came from Springfields Operations Department. Im not sure why the Ops department was so accommodating.

It is interesting to note that VADM Miller was opposed to fully implementing Admiral Zumwalts Z-grams. The Z-grams issued by the CNO were a long laundry list of policy directives that, among other things, allowed enlisted men to maintain longer hair styles, grow facial hair and wear civilian clothes while on liberty. Admiral Miller was not a fan of the relaxed rules and requested that Springfields crew and all Sixth Fleet units adhere to a grooming standard that he was more comfortable with, which upset the younger men more than the oldsters. The admiral got his way with liberty grooming standards, but many of the men got around the tougher dress code by wearing whatever it took to get off the ship and later switched to less restrictive attire.

I tended to follow the local rules, but I never reported anyone for improper civvies. It did seem strange to me that liberty attire could cause such consternation, while all but the worst of drunken behavior was ignored and multiple cases of sexually transmitted disease were treated as mundane.

Reunion photos with SECNAV

berglas — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 17:52:33 GMT

Our reunion photographer, Don Zinteck of Photographics 2, has posted on his website a number of the pictures he took of us during the SECNAV visit and the banquet. These photos are available for viewing and also for sale to anyone who'd like a visual souvenir of their meeting with Ray Mabus.

The method of accessing these pictures is as follows:

1. Go to http://www.photographics2.com (you may have to copy and paste the link in your internet browser);
2. Click on "Online Ordering" at the top of the page;
3. Click on the left-hand panel "Events";
4. Click on "USS Little Rock";
5. Enter the password - USSLRBUF09;
6. Click on "Click here to enter"

Next to the word "Galleries" you will see two choices for pictures - "Banquet" and "SECNAV".

Click on an individual photo to enlarge it and to purchase on line.

I am trying to find anyone who knew my father.

davidcooper — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 04:49:11 GMT

I am looking to find anyone who may have known or served with my father. His name is; Grover Thomas Cooper, he more than likely was called "Tom" or "Coop". He served on the ship from approximately 1963-1967, and was a Boatswains Mate. I may be a little bit off on the years, it may have been 1964-1967. Thanks to Mr. Tilley, I now know that my Dad was aboard the 1964-65 cruise and was in the 1st Division.

If anyone knew him, or may have a photo of him, or a story or two, I would love to hear from you.

My Dad passed away earlier this year and is deeply missed. I am putting together as much info as I can on him while he was in the Navy, which is kinda difficult as he had lost his photos some years back. He was always proud to talk about his time in the Navy and would sometimes tell us a story or two. He was always proud to talk about the USS Little Rock!

Well if anyone can help please email me at: steinerino@comcast.net

Thank you!
David Cooper

Burial at Sea

ronrouhier — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 02:22:20 GMT

While going thru some old papers, I came across a 1973 newsletter
sent to my parents. It mentioned that on our first day at sea on the
way to Gaeta, a burial at sea was held for a retired petty officer
Paul Hollenbeck.
Are these often done in the modern era since 1973.

Not Your Father's Steamvalve

John — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 03:29:56 GMT

This question will not make sense to most of Little Rocks crew.

Was STEAMVALVE patched through the AN/SSC-6 system?

CRS

Paul5388 — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 06:23:45 GMT

Can't remember stuff (CRS) seems to be age related to a large degree and specific to the amount of time that has passed since something happened. As I look back, it has been almost 44 years since I last saw the Rock. That means there is some serious thinking that has to be done to remember what happened and when it happened.

As many trips as I made to the "coke" machine, I can't remember if it was on the main deck or the second deck. One thing I do remember is the "cokes" were always tepid, regardless of the time of day or night the machine was visited.

The bugle calls still ring clearly in my head, maybe because they usually had a little ditty that identified them. "Whose going ashore, whose going ashore, whose going ashore with a ..." "Come and get your chow boys, come and get your chow!" "I got a letter, I got a letter!" and so on.

The piping of All Hands also still echos in my ears, "Reveille, reveille, heave to and trice up. Duty Master-at-Arms report all idlers to the Master-at Arms shack". "Sweepers man your brooms, clean sweep down fore and aft, empty all trash cans on the pier/fantail".

I saw a picture of the mess deck from the last work day on the ship. I don't remember it being that small. I do remember having to soak a napkin in milk to "glue" our trays in place. It was hard to eat if the tray had to be held with one hand.

I guess the frequency and importance attached to things has a lot to do with what's remembered. I still remember my service number(s), even though I'm never called on to use my original number. The VA normally only uses the last four of my social security number, but occasionally they want the whole thing.

Maybe my memory isn't quite as bad as what I thought it is?

Retired in Minnesota

John — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 03:36:00 GMT

RADM Roger O. Simon has indicated in his oral history that he spends his summers up at the lake in Minnesota. I spent many a summer in the area where he and his wife have a cabin by the lake. Im sure as a young man I disturbed many of his current neighbors when I rode my cousins straight-piped Harley through the neighborhood.

It really is a great place to spend the summer.

The following writing in no way reflects any true reality it just is the way it is. You probably have to be from Minnesota, know someone from Minnesota, or studied the history of Minnesota to completely understand all the lines.

Minnesota Summer

John Meyers

Mosquitoes, horseflies, gnats that bite,

All through the summer day and night.

Ten-thousand lakes are crystal blue,

Lake water cold in August too.

Hot summer sun a green lawn curse,

Humid conditions make heat worse.

Use bug repellents made with deet,

Spray everywhere including feet.

Picnics at parks with barbecue,

Outdoor band concerts played off cue.

Eat lutefisk and lefse too,

Leftovers make hot dish fondue.

On Fridays head up to the lake,

All roads are jammed throughout the state.

Cabin repairs are never done,

To work is Minnesotans fun.

The toilet froze and now its cracked,

The outhouse can be found out back.

Bright ultra rays a swimmers curse,

Mosquito bites make sunburn worse.

The dock comes out on Labor Day,

Just hope the blizzard stays away.

Remember if you scratch bug bites

The itch gets worse all through the night.

ASBESTOS/JOHN MEYER

GAD — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 23:43:33 GMT

06/13/09 INLET NY

   It seems that I have an apology due to John Meyer. When I was a very young child, I was thought to express my regrets w/the Latin phrase "mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa". It means "through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault". Of course, it had to do w/sin.

While I did not sin in the case of my response to John, I did react somewhat harshly due to my misunderstanding of his intent. For years we have been plaqued by lawyers & their investigators who invaded our web site message board w/asbestos scares trying to solicit "business" from our membership. As a lawyer, this "blanket" advertising gets me where I live as a professional. I have silenced any number of those idiots who are looking for a client to "enlist" in their pursuit of profit. In my 40 years in the law business, we NEVER tolerated this approach.

   Had John revealed who he was, I would have treated the matter entirely differently. I truly believed that he was another "investigator" looking for a client for a law firm. In point of fact, I am not completely current in our message board contributors, and John is a frequent one for sure.

In any event, I extend my apologies to John for misunderstanding his intent. I hope he keeps up the good work, and stays "up on things" of which he can inform us regularly.   JD