TALL TALES

THE ROAD TRIP---written by Jack Chastain Joe D. and I were driving from San Diego to Carson City, NV. (to see our ex-ET friend and Former Shop Leader, William E. Garrett) We were in my van an Joe was sleeping in the back. It was about 0230 and I thought I was dreaming. I could SWEAR that I saw the stearn of the CHICAGO in front of me! I SERIOUSLY considered pulling over and getting some rest - but really didn't feel that tired - so I just accellerated. I had to see what it was...

As I got closer, the headlights revealed something that really did look like the stearn end of the CHICAGO...Damn!!!... I could swear it was really the ship -- only smaller!

Wierd! It even had writing on the back - about where the ships name should be...

As I got closer, I could make out the name on the back of the thing - It was a model (albiet about a fifty-foot-long model!) of the sister ship (prior to conversion) - CA-135!! It was being trailored up north somewhere - I think I heard later it went to some event in Bremerton.

Anyway I pulled up alongside and called for Joe to wake up. He muttered something and I told him to look out Starboard side....

I believe his response was "OH MY GOD......"

TWILIGHT ZONE VISITS THE SHOP---written by Jack Chastain The navigator (can't remember his name-hmmmm! guess I need to get out the ol' "Crews" book) found out I had a small jigsaw (for model making) and one day, while I was using it, came into the forward ET shop wherein a "heated argument" began between the (Lt. ?) Cmdr. and I on whether I could have the devise on board.

We were both yelling at each other, cursing each other and the other two guys in the shop (I believe Joe D. and Pat McGowan) were trying their best to disappear into a corner of the shop that didn't exist.

Their shipmate, Jack, had CLEARLY lost his mind - yelling at the Navigator!

Suddenly, the Cmdr. put his arm on my sholder and said, quietly, "Hey, could I send up one of my guys to use that thing someday?" I said, quite calmly, "Hey, anytime! Glad to help!" He said thanks and walked out and I calmly went back to cutting out parts.

Pat and Joe looked to each other a bit stunned - Pat said "I think we have just been fished!"

IT JUST WOULDN'T SINK---written by Mark Wilson On CHICAGO CG-11's final WestPac we held some wargame op's just out of Hawaii. I was on the bridge manning the helm while the gunners were firing off the 5-inch 38's at some remote operated targets. One of these targets was a small Septar boat where after a large volly of gunfire well placed had capsized the craft rendering it immobile. Captain ordered to bring the ship around to assess the damage which was usual for our ship. If we fired at it - it got broke.

The septar looked I guess beyond salvageing so the order to ram the small craft was given. First attempt went unsuccessful as did the second. Frustrated Capt. Lewis ordered for the ships marines to assemble on the forecastle with weapons and riddle it full of holes while we made another slow pass.

Pass number 3 around 15 marines opened fire on the Septar clearly hitting the slow moving target over and over - small bits of the craft littered the water around it but it just kept floating. "Another run at it Captain" came a request from the Officer of the Deck. Captain Lewis just stood there for a long moment shaking his head. "I guess somethings just weren't ment to sink" and ordered the ship to move on.
So if any of you sailors out there by some chance on a WestPac happen to see a capsized craft with hundreds of holes in it float by just tell your captain let it be....

THE ROAD TRIP II---written by George Curtis I was going up to Los Angeles with a couple of other guys for the week end after a wespac cruise and Andy Cisneros had fell asleep in the back seat. When we got to the Immigration Check on the North-bound interstate 5, the officer who stopped us asked if we were all U.S. Citizens. Andy who looks very latin was real groggy and thought someone asked him if he was due to go on watch, so he said "no". So we got pulled over and questioned to some extent. When they found out that he was in the U.S. Navy all was ok. Needless Andy didn't get any sleep after that stop.

ANCHOR NEEDS A HOME---written by Christopher "Barry" Gibson I served on the CHICAGO from 75-80. I am the oldest serving enlisted sailor to serve on CHICAGO when it was decomissioned. I worked in the engineering department "R Division". Here in the quad cities, where I live, the Rock Island Arsenal last year dedicated an anchor from the CHICAGO. This anchor was located in savanna army depot in illinois. The depot was to be closed and rather than see the anchor get scrapped, I talked to my congressman about getting the anchor placed down here at the naval reserve center on our Arsenal Island in Rock Island Illinois. It was approved and we got it down here. There was a memorial built and the anchor is the centerpiece. I was the keynote speaker at the unvealing. My rank when I retired was HT1[esos]. Here is also a picture of the outcome of that. The last remaining piece of The USS CHICAGO CG-11 Left for all to see and Admire.
Note from BM2 Wilson: Just goes to show the dedication and loyalty some of us actually had with that ship and the lengths we will go to, to preserve the memory. What gets me is I use to have to paint that thing!!! So a piece of me is there as well.
ANCHOR NEEDS A HOME - PART II---written by Captain Bob Mack. I was on the CHICAGO from Dec. 1966 through Oct. 1969. I started as CR Division officer and after 18 months I took over 1st Division until I left in Oct. 1969. I actually "signed" for our two anchors as 1st Div. Officer, and turnd them over to my relief, in tact, but with alot more paint on them! The custody card read "two(2) U.S. Navy standard stockless anchors, one port, one starboard, each of 16,000 (yea that's 8 tons each!)pounds." Your info about the Rock Island anchor is correct, but incomplete. The "other" anchor is proudly displayed at the head of the Navy Pier in Chicago, along with an appropriate plaque that tells of our great ship. If you are ever in Chicago, be sure and go down to the pier and go to the very end and you will find it displayed there. So both of "my" anchors are still around to remind people of
that proud old ship. I came aboard the Chicago a freshly minted ensign, not knowing much, but after the fine helping hand of such men as RMCM Tupper, RMC Black, BMC Lockhart, Bos's L.E. Fickett and Captains Cox and DeLargy, I left as a confident LT(j.g.), Fleet OOD, and able to take my share of the strain.

Note #2 from BM2 Wilson:Next thing I know, someone will be telling me that the capstans and chains are on some base somewhere. Thank you Captain Mack for the great info.

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