Floyd Covill's log book

Videocapture of the USS Henrico
(APA45) taken from 8mm movies
made by Floyd Covill during the Hank's '51 - '52 deployment.

   Among my father's possessions was a battered green 5" X 8" clothbound book of a type recognizeable by any Navy veteran. In the 1970's Navy we called them wheelbooks because carrying one marked you as a wheel-- the bigger the book, the bigger the wheel.
   Inside, in my father's familiar hand, were several pages of a division officer's day-to-day notes followed by a log of the USS Henrico's '51-'52 deployment to the western Pacific.
   Transcribed with spelling and punctuation intact, I have also tried to preserve the print's relative size and locations on a page. Horizontal lines denote page breaks and items in red are my own addenda.

F. Douglas Covill, ex-USN

Cover:
N DIVISION

"N" DIVISION ROSTER

Lt. F.D. Covill
Lt(j.g.) Sandman - Transff. 1 Sept. 1951
Ens. Derby - Lt(j.g) Peterson - Ens. F. Nelson
   O'Quin -- QMC. - transf.
   Carter -- QM1. Discharged
   Hunter -- QM2. - transf [lined out]
   Carpenter -- QM3. - AOL since 16 May [lined out]
   Oglesby -- QM3/QM2
   Daniel -- QM3
   Brykczynski -- AG1 Trans
   Thee -- SN
   Compton -- QM3 -- Transf.
   Duncan -- QM3 Discharged
   Hay -- AG1
   Weigman -- SN/QM3
   Deverill -- SN/QM3
   O'Reilly -- QMC
   Ramage -- SN
Lt(j.g.) Petersen (Nov. 1 to March 1)
Ens. Derby (July 1 to Nov. 1)
Ens. Nelson (March 1 to 1 June)
Lt(j.g.) Brune (1 June to

Discrepencies of OOD's Sandman -- shoes
Young -- Foul weather jacket, dirty uniform
Howard -- tie not tied

Smoking on the quarterdeck --TOO PREVALENT
Eating on Quarterdeck
Inspection of Pers. going on liberty
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- p; -- -- -- --
Colors - Must be sure they are up.
Follow Plan of the Day --
Utilize JOOD -- Have them check constantly.
Do not pass word for officers to report to any spot - have them call the OD.
Serves as a check to be sure they got the word.
Boats alongside - check
Securing personel-
Insp. Lib. Parties - Do good job.
Signing logs - no one to leave ship.
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- p; -- -- -- --
Check After Steering
Log - write up immediately
Non-Reg. Clothing - Inspect for uniforms
16 - 20 - Non Reg. uniform
04 - 08- Uniform for liberty --Inspection of +etc.

UNDERWAY Check Course Frequently
Check on lookouts
Have JOOD check security

IN PORT Have tendency to be too lax on the watch personnel -- A go to hell attitude

Division officers are to train their watch personnel

Chapter 10 - Navy Regs General Duties
1. Resp. for proper performance of all duties prescribed for his watch.
2. Remain in charge at station until relieved.

3. Report any deviation from established routine to C.O. or Exex. off - as appropriate

Reports by OOD
1. Any matter which may affect Safety of Ship - Personnel or Ships in Co.
2. all land, shoals, rocks, lighthouses, beacons, bouys, discolored water, vessels, aricraft or wrecks. Any marked changes in the barometer, force or direction of the wind. State of the Seas, or indications of storm warnings or bad weather = All Courses & Speeds ordered by tactical command, all serious accidents, winding of chronometers + the hrs of 0800 - 1200 - 2000. And any general occurances worthy of notice.

Materials needed for Classes Loran - Position Plotting Sheets No. 3000-12Z

Charts & Pubs.

Diary of Cruise on A.P.A.#45

Oct. 16 - left San Diego - 1400 for Yokohama Japan. 5600 miles.

Oct. 21 - trying to outrun typhoon Thelma - rough seas but successful.
Oct. 27 - trying to outrun typhoon Vera - very rough seas - two days off course but successful.

Oct. 30 - hit tropical storm - sailed thru the "eye" - 60 knot wind, high seas - later became tyyphoon Violet.

Received a change of orders to Kobe instead of Yokosuka on Oct. 24.

Nov. 2 - 1400 - arrived Kobe.
Nov. 3 - loaded & ready to take Marine attachment to Sochto Ri, Korea.
Nov. 6 - Embarked Marines - 12 deg. above 38th Par. Noticed Cruiser Los Angeles shelling beach - 7 miles above.
Nov. 8 - Arrived Mason [Pusan?] Korea. Embarked 1400 Marines for Kobe.
Nov. 10 Arrived Kobe - thru Shimonasinki Straites, Unloaded & are loading army for

Inchon, Korea.

Nov. 16 - arrived Inchon Korea - unloaded troops - embarked 1500 troops foorrr Sasebo Japan. - distance 750 miles.
Nov. 19 - Arrived Sasebo, Japan. Unloaded troops.

Nov. 19 to Nov. 23 - In Harbor at Sasebo- liberty 2 days. Thanksgiving at Sasebo.
Nov. 23. Underway for Muroran, Hokkaido, Japan - distance - 900 miles.
Nov. 27. Arrived Muroran in a blizzard & gale - had to use boats & all lines to hold to dock.
Nov. 30 - Loaded 45th army division for Inchon, Korea - underway for same - 1287 miles.
Dec. 6 - arrived Inchon - Unloaded the 45th & embarked the 1st Cavalry division for Muroron.
Dec. 7 left Inchon for Muroran 1st Cav. division
Dec. 11 Arrived Muroran - Went ashore for 5 hrs.
Dec. 13 - early, left for Inchon with elements of the 45th div.
Dec. 17. Arrived Inchon - trip very rough.

Dec. 18 - 1300 - left Inchon, Korea for Muroran, Japan - in Convoy. - Carrying 1st Cav. Div..<
Dec. 22 - Arrived Muroran, Japan at 1000. Went ashore for about 4 hours.

Dec. 24. 1100 - sailed from Mororan for Inchon, Korea with elements of the 45th division. [Merry Christmas, Henrico!]

Dec. 25 - at sea off the coast of Honshu, Japan. In the Japan sea.

Dec. 28 - 0800 - arrived at Inchon - carrying 45 Inf. Div.
Dec. 30 - 0200 - Left Inchon with 2100 troops & 78 officers of 27th Inf. for Koje Do, Korea. - 486 miles
Dec. 31 - 1500 - arrived Koje Do, Korea.
Jan. 1 1952 - 0930 - left Koje Do for Sasebo
Jan. 2 1952 -1000 - Arrived Sasebo.
Jan. 3 0700 left Sasebo for Chigasaki beach
Jan. 4 - 2100 arrived Chigasaki beach, Japan.
Jan. 5 - dawn landing left for Yokuska at 0900
Jan. 5 - arrived Yokuska 1400 - 24 hr. stores no liberty>
[Jan. 5th, 1952 was Floyd's 34th birthday and 12th wedding anniversary]
Jan. 6 - left Yokuska for Yokahama - arrived at 1100
Jan. 7. 1430 left Yokahama for Inchon - Carrying 40th & 24 Division.

11 Jan. 0200 - arrived Inchon and started unloading operation.
12 Jan. Left Inchon at 1800 - ship empty - Capt. nearly hit an L.S.T. on way out.
14 Jan. Recieved orders to divert to Yokosuka on the 15th looks as though we might get ashore.
15 Jan. 0200 - Arrived Yokosuka.
[Whew... talk about "haze gray and underway"!]
29 Jan. - underway for 3 days training off Chigasaki beach, Japan.
31 Jan. Anchored in Yokosuka -1600 to take on fuel preparatory to leavinnggg for Hong Kong.
Feb. 1 0100 - Underway for Hong Kong China on a very cold rainy, foggy nite.
5 Feb. 1000 - Arrived Hong Kong China. Passed S. tip of Formosa on 4 Feb. 1000 - Weather good. - Tied to bouy 2 between Hong Kong & Kowloon, China.
21 Feb. 1300 Underway from Hong Kong China to Yokosuka Japan via S. tip of Formosa, Okinawa - weather warm & sunny.
26 Feb. 0900 Arrived Yokosuka from Hong Kong on a rainy morning - no stars the entire trip.

28 Feb. - 0130 underway for 6 day training operations off Japan.
28 Feb. - 0430 - anchored at Chigasaki for dawn landing.
28 Feb. 0900 underway for Fatayama Wau [?] anchorage.
28 Feb. - 1200 - anchored Fatayama Wau.
28 Feb. 1530 underway for Chigasaki.
28 Feb. 1730 anchored Chigasaki Japan.
1 March 0800 underway for Fatayama Wau
1 March 1100 - anchored Fatayama WWaaau.
3 March - 0900 underway for firing exercises.
3 March 1900 anchored in
4 March 0700 underway for Yokosuka.
4 March 1200 anchored Yokosuka bay.
15 March - 1000 underway for Goto Wan Japan
15 March - 1600        "            " Okinawa.
18 March 0700 anchored Buckner Bay, Okinawa
25 April - 1100 - sortied as flagship for Operation "Coralhead" as flagship.
27 - April - 0430 anchored off Kinmu Wan [?] to land troops.
28 Sortied 1330 from Kinmu Wan bound for Buckner Bay
28 1530 anchored Buckner Bay Okinawa.
29 April 1100 underway from Buckner Bay Okinawa for Sasebo Japan via area "George".

1 May 0700 - Arrived Sasebo Japan from Okinawa - traveled thru combat zone to get income tax exemption. Anchored in Inibu Wan [?]
3 May 1600 - left Sasebo Japan for Numayu Japan. Raining & very foggy.
5 May. Arrived at Numayu Japan at 1100. Anchored at the foot of Mt. Fuji.
15 May - 1500 underway for Yokosuka
16 May - 0200 arrived at Yokosuka
22 May - 0400 underway for Numayu.
22 May - 1200 anchored at Numayu.
25 May - 1230 underway for Chigasaki beach as flagship for practice for "Chigasaki Lex".
27 May 0400 anchored off Chigasaki beach for landing operations.
27 May - 1730 underway from Chigasaki to Yokosuka.
29 May - 2100 anchored in Yokosuka bay.
30 May - 1300 underway for Sasebo Japan, raining & foggy - via Van Dresiren [?] straits
1 June - 1200 - Arrived Sasebo Japan. Very foggy & rainy.
3 June - 1800   Underway for Inchon Korea.
5 June - 0800   Anchored in Inchon harbor.

9 June - 1200 underway for Tockchok To operating area.
9 June 1830 anchored off Tockchok To.
11 June 1300 underway for Inchon Korea
11 June 1700 anchored in Inchon harbor.
12 June 0900 underway for Sasebo Japan
14 June 1200 arrived Sasebo Japan
20 June 1700 underway for Inchon Korea
22 June 0700 arrived Inchon
24 June underway for Tockchok To. Arrived at 1600
25 June underway for Inchon
25 June 2100 arrived Inchon
26 June 1800 underway 1088 miles for Yokosuka Japan.
29 June 1200 arrived Yokosuka -Very foggy.
9 July 0800 departed Yokosuka underway for Pearl Harbor - rainy & fog - great circle 3425 miles
18 July 0600 arrived Pearl Harbor.
20 July 0600 departed Pearl Harbor for San Diego 2318 miles
27 July 1600 arrived San Diego

Total miles this cruise 33,845

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