I was in the Wasp (CVS 18), my first command. After a year and lots of request chits I had completed my quals for Photographers Mate 3rd class, took the advancement test (with a hangover on the mess decks in New Orleans during Mardi Grass). I also kept bugging the nice folks in CATCC where I worked to keep signing my request for Photo A school and eventually got orders down there (Pensacola FL) and while there made 3rd class PH. I came back to an old ship that was in bad shape when I left to one that was even worse because it was in the yards. One of the Photo divisions jobs was to paint out all our spaces. One of the other Photomates checked out the spray paint rig and paint which consisted of a large canister that held about 10 gallons of paint, and a large number of pneumatic tubes to be hooked up to run it. As we got going all went pretty well seeing as how no one knew what they were doing. Then came clean up, so back to the paint shop where it seems they had no paint thinner or anything else to clean out all that gear, which had to be clean to turn it back in. As this problem was discussed I had a great idea,,, there was gasoline available at the fan tail. We had gas because we still were flying C1A CODs. I suggested to our 2nd class that the gas would work, envisioning us taking all the gear to the pier to clean it. Next thing I know the photo lab is overwhelmed with gas fumes as the 2nd class and another guy are cleaning all the gear all right in the lab. The gas fumes were overwhelming. Suddenly general quarters was sounded and damage control was sent to investigate the smell, right in the XOs spaces. Our XO had his office and berthing spaces right under the photo lab. He rightly panicked when he smelled the gas fumes coming down the ladder and into his spaces. Well, I got the heck out of the way, the fire team cleaned up the mess and safely ventilated the space, and the 2nd class was written up. A few days passed and all those that were present during the event were standing tall off to one side as the PH2 was at attention before the CO. His charges were read and the CO leaned over and asked him why the hell he was using gasoline to clean parts. The PH2 explained that he had to return the gear clean, and there was no paint thinner so he used the gasoline. The skipper turned to the XO and the other officers and asked why there was no the thinner available. He then did a mild (considering the seriousness of the charges) chewing out of our PH2 about the danger he put the ship in and then dismissed the charges. Guess the old man had an appreciation for sailors that were just trying to do their job despite the obstacles that were in their way.
Posted on: Wed, 03 Sep 2014 19:03:15 +0000
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