ARTIFACT FROM A TIN CAN SAILOR

ARTIFACT FROM A TIN CAN SAILOR
An article in the most recent edition of The Tin Can Sailor newspaper prompted me to contact the
association regarding a FRANK E. EVANS artifact I have in my possession, an inclinometer.
During the summer of
1969, I was an STG3
stationed aboard USS
HERBERT
J.
THOMAS (DD 833).
We were in Subic Bay
at the time the wreckage
of FRANK E. EVANS
was moored there. My
first class PO ordered
two of us to see if any
cases of BT's
( b a t h yt h e r m o g ra p h
probes) were available
on FRANK E. EVANS.
Bathythermograph - a
small torpedo-shaped device for holding a temperature sensor and transducer to detect changes in
hydrostatic pressure.
Upon arriving at the ship, we saluted the OOD and stated our request. The scuttlebutt at the time
was the OOD standing watch was the same one the night of the collision. (LTJG Ramsey) With the
OOD's permission, we proceeded to the hangar deck and found several cases of BT's.
I noticed an inclinometer on the port bulkhead of the hangar. I took it. Made of brass, it has three
curved tubes filled with red liquid, but the middle tube is missing, possibly broken in the collision.
Upon returning to the States I gave the instrument to my Father. Upon his death, my Mother returned
it to me. It currently hangs in my office along with a picture of USS FRANK E. EVANS.
This wall shot has pictures of my three ships: USS HERBERT J. THOMAS (DD 833), USS
RICHMOND K. TURNER (DLG 20) later (CG 20), and USS GRAY (DE 1054) later (FF 1054).
I made one Westpac cruise in 1969 aboard THOMAS and two Westpac cruises in 1971 and 1972
aboard GRAY. Aboard TURNER, we transited the Panama Canal. “Herbie J.”(THOMAS) was
unique. She was pressurized for protection from NBC hazards. A revolving door airlock was located
at each end of the weather deck, and air locks were located along the sides of the ship. The lookouts
stood watch in plastic bubbles! On the gun-line, I stood watch in the upper powder room of mount
51 and as the trainer in the gun director. These were unusual battle stations for a ping jock.
I joined the Navy in February of 1967. After boot camp I was sent to Key West, Florida to attend "A"
school on the Mk 53 Attack Console which supplies the ASROC missile with its firing solution.
Following "A" school I received orders to USS HERBERT J. THOMAS (DD 833) home ported in
San Diego. While deployed to Westpac in 1969, I "acquired" the inclinometer from FRANK E.
EVANS. I was honorably discharged in January of 1973.
Several unique experiences happened to me during my cruises to Westpac:
THOMAS was involved in retrieving a top secret guided rocket, which took pictures over North
Vietnam. The crew was not allowed to take any pictures or talk about it to anyone. We carried it into
Da Nang harbor where it was returned to its rightful owners? While in Da Nang harbor gunners
mates tossed concussion grenades over the ship's sides to discourage enemy swimmers. A funny, but
almost tragic, incident ensued. A gunners mate was preparing to lob a grenade over the side when
he dropped it behind his back. I can still picture in my mind the expression on his face, and on those
sailors around him when they realized what had happened. After a moment of disbelief on the part
of everyone, great haste was made to depart the area. The grenade went off putting a two-foot deep
dent in the fantail.
On the night of 19 July1972, GRAY was riding shotgun for
USS BIDDLE off North Vietnam when she was attacked by
Migs. I can still recall being inside our ship and hearing
BIDDLE as she fired her missiles. Our 5" 54 gun was not
working (so what's new) or we might have been able to bag a
Mig with a gun. BIDDLE was credited with at least one Mig
kill and possibly another. Google "The Night of the Migs"
In October 1972, while on the gunline off Quang Tri City,
GRAY was next to USS NEWPORT NEWS when an 8" round
exploded in a gun barrel killing many sailors.
I have always been interested in airplanes and took my first
flying lesson at 15. I used my $2,000 reenlistment bonus (two
additional years) to buy an 1947 Aeronca Champ in 1969
which I based at Brown Field in San Diego. The G.I. Bill
allowed me to earn additional pilot certificates. I have been
employed as a pilot ever since my discharge from the Navy. For
the last 24 years I have been a corporate pilot for Bob Jones University in Greenville, SC. We are
presently flying a Beechjet 400A. My wife Sherry and I toured the US for many years via
motorcycle, but sadly sold our Honda 1300A in February. We enjoy horseback trail riding and own
four horses. We have four children and eleven grandchildren.
Thanks again for keeping the
memory of a great ship and crew
alive.
Your friend,
Pete Brower
[email protected]
2446 Fews Bridge Rd.
Greer, SC 29651
864-895-7526