CHAPTER 8
ANCHORS AWEIGH
The USS SEADOG slid silently away from Brisbane, through Moreton Bay and out to sea. All her crew were safely aboard, including some new members who had arrived from Pearl Harbour as replacements for those who had been transferred.
Lt Bonny Blue decided that they should hold a ‘Welcome Aboard’ party for the newcomers, and everyone was looking forward to this celebration. After all, they were heading into danger and there were young ones aboard who had never been in action before. Something was needed to ease the tension and take their minds off the battles to come.
Captain Barnaby had just opened his sealed orders and knew how dangerous the mission would be. They were going to JAPAN! Their orders were to join a sub pack outside the Marshall Islands and take part in a combined attack on the Naval Base at Hitachi.
Lt Bonney Blue and Miss Morgan (who is the representative from the magazine “Bitches N Stitches”) got things rolling for the party. They enlisted the assistance of Kaity, Jessica and Dottie from sickbay, as well as Lacey O'Quinn and her happy band of followers, to help them with their plans. It promised to be a great success.
The ‘Cat Brigade’ had their own ideas for the party and were planning some surprises for the dogs.
Milly – secretary to Liam the EXO, was taking notes for the girls and making lists of all the things they would need. She was one of the youngest in the crew, but a secretary of many talents. She could turn her paw to practically anything. Killian was giving her some helpful advice.
Finally, all was ready, and a notice was posted announcing that the party would be held at 1800 hrs the following night.
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This is PO Scooch reporting on the Welcome Aboard Party.
It is hard to believe that a submarine could possibly be a suitable venue for a large party, but it had been done before, and with great success. Decorations were hung from anything that could support them and the Officers’ Mess had provided drinks that catered for all ages, from the most seasoned salts down to the most innocent cadets. What a sight to behold!
Lt Charlie serenaded them with his baritone crooning, and the boys and girls paired off to dance to the music of the SEADOG COMBO.
Sadly, there wasn’t enough room for the jitterbug!
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This is PO Scooch reporting on the Welcome Aboard Party.
It is hard to believe that a submarine could possibly be a suitable venue for a large party, but it had been done before, and with great success. Decorations were hung from anything that could support them and the Officers’ Mess had provided drinks that catered for all ages, from the most seasoned salts down to the most innocent cadets. What a sight to behold!
Lt Charlie serenaded them with his baritone crooning, and the boys and girls paired off to dance to the music of the SEADOG COMBO.
Sadly, there wasn’t enough room for the jitterbug!
The members of the band were relieved half way through, so that they could participate in the fun of dressing up. Not ALL of the crew got into costume, but certainly most did. Ginger and Keeleigh, the two official photographers took these pictures.
We had elves, fine ladies, Egyptians, bunnies, gangsters, witches, crusaders, a Native American and a Santa. We even had The Three Musketeers, Napoleon and the Duke of Wellington!
They must have purchased these costumes in Sydney.
They must have purchased these costumes in Sydney.
The cats were killing themselves laughing when it came time to eat, because their little trick had worked. Many of the dogs found that ‘cat food’ had been substituted for the tasty savoury toppings which should have contained chicken and liver pate. (Many of the dogs were NOT fish eaters and the oily sardines made them ‘puke’!)
Some of the lads got even later on, by spraying the cats with hoses. I don’t think the felines will be trying that joke again anytime soon!
All in all, the party was a raging success and everyone had a wonderful time.
This is PO Scooch signing off for now.
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Some of the lads got even later on, by spraying the cats with hoses. I don’t think the felines will be trying that joke again anytime soon!
All in all, the party was a raging success and everyone had a wonderful time.
This is PO Scooch signing off for now.
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This is PO Scott reporting from the South Pacific.
The next few days after the party passed without incident. The SEADOG spent much of the time on the surface, with the lookouts keeping their eyes peeled for any sign of smoke on the horizon, or for aircraft. However, much to our relief there was no sighting of the enemy.
It was a long haul to the Marshall Islands where we were to meet up with a sub-pack, and a sub tender. We needed to refuel and take on provisions.
Then one morning our two lookouts, Keeva and Bristol, who were on watch, reported that they had sighted a boat in the distance. As they drew closer it became obvious that it was a lifeboat, and it carried at least three people
The next few days after the party passed without incident. The SEADOG spent much of the time on the surface, with the lookouts keeping their eyes peeled for any sign of smoke on the horizon, or for aircraft. However, much to our relief there was no sighting of the enemy.
It was a long haul to the Marshall Islands where we were to meet up with a sub-pack, and a sub tender. We needed to refuel and take on provisions.
Then one morning our two lookouts, Keeva and Bristol, who were on watch, reported that they had sighted a boat in the distance. As they drew closer it became obvious that it was a lifeboat, and it carried at least three people
As we drew closer, we saw an amazing sight. There were four girls WAVING to us!
Captain Barnaby ordered a dinghy out to pick them up. Roddie, Wally, Zeus and Oliver were selected to go and bring the ladies aboard.
Captain Barnaby ordered a dinghy out to pick them up. Roddie, Wally, Zeus and Oliver were selected to go and bring the ladies aboard.
USS
SEADOG
SEADOG
To our surprise, they were Navy nurses who had been torpedoed on their way to Midway. There was no sign of any other survivors, though it is possible that they got separated. There had been a storm the day before. We hoped that others from the fated ship had been picked up.
The big question now was, where to drop them off! The Captain and the EXO discussed it and set a course for - I don't know where! We hoped it would mean shore leave for us. In the meantime, having four gorgeous nurses aboard to spoil us was more than we hoped for.
They soon made friends with our own nursing staff, and thought our MO, Finnegan, was the cutest dog on the SEADOG! (I wonder why?!)
This is P O Scott signing off until more news is released.
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This is PO Boogie reporting from an unknown position in the Pacific.
Well, it appears that our orders have been changed. From what I heard from our Radio Operator, Sienna, we are no longer meeting up with the sub pack outside the Marshall Islands. My guess is that we are taking the ladies to MIDWAY!
That means SHORE LEAVE! WHOOPIE!!!
The lady nurses have settled in well and Morgan, the representative from 'Bitches N Stitches', has been interviewing them for her magazine. It has been a scoop for her. Milly helped type out the story while others looked on. Brooklyn Bird supervised the operation. It won't be a secret now!
The big question now was, where to drop them off! The Captain and the EXO discussed it and set a course for - I don't know where! We hoped it would mean shore leave for us. In the meantime, having four gorgeous nurses aboard to spoil us was more than we hoped for.
They soon made friends with our own nursing staff, and thought our MO, Finnegan, was the cutest dog on the SEADOG! (I wonder why?!)
This is P O Scott signing off until more news is released.
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This is PO Boogie reporting from an unknown position in the Pacific.
Well, it appears that our orders have been changed. From what I heard from our Radio Operator, Sienna, we are no longer meeting up with the sub pack outside the Marshall Islands. My guess is that we are taking the ladies to MIDWAY!
That means SHORE LEAVE! WHOOPIE!!!
The lady nurses have settled in well and Morgan, the representative from 'Bitches N Stitches', has been interviewing them for her magazine. It has been a scoop for her. Milly helped type out the story while others looked on. Brooklyn Bird supervised the operation. It won't be a secret now!
PO Scott reporting.
Well, it's confirmed. We are going to Midway to take the nurses to their original destination. I don't know where we are heading after that. The Officers have their heads together over charts, so it's anyone's guess. Perhaps we'll receive new orders at Midway.
PO Scott signing out.
Well, it's confirmed. We are going to Midway to take the nurses to their original destination. I don't know where we are heading after that. The Officers have their heads together over charts, so it's anyone's guess. Perhaps we'll receive new orders at Midway.
PO Scott signing out.
So, Midway it was! The USS SEADOG berthed, and soon the four Nurses were ashore and were able to take up their duties once more at the Base Hospital there.
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This is PO Scooch reporting from Midway.
We arrived safely at Midway. It was a long haul, and the crew were delighted to know that they had a day ashore before the SEADOG left on its next mission. We were sad to see the lady nurses go because they reminded us of our mums back home. It was nice to have human contact again.
The boys lost no time in finding a 'watering hole' and most of us girls went swimming. Keeleigh wanted to play with a twig she picked up, while Morgan lazed on the grass wearing her new sunglasses.
Lacey O'Quinn, along with Katie, Hazel, Keeva, Killian, Sienna, Tillie, Winnie May and Dottie all piled into a jeep to go sight seeing.
More later!
We arrived safely at Midway. It was a long haul, and the crew were delighted to know that they had a day ashore before the SEADOG left on its next mission. We were sad to see the lady nurses go because they reminded us of our mums back home. It was nice to have human contact again.
The boys lost no time in finding a 'watering hole' and most of us girls went swimming. Keeleigh wanted to play with a twig she picked up, while Morgan lazed on the grass wearing her new sunglasses.
Lacey O'Quinn, along with Katie, Hazel, Keeva, Killian, Sienna, Tillie, Winnie May and Dottie all piled into a jeep to go sight seeing.
More later!
This is Lt Scruffy reporting on the activities of the boys.
After leaving the pub, we decided to check out the island defences. Here is a picture of us inspecting one of the big gun emplacements.
After leaving the pub, we decided to check out the island defences. Here is a picture of us inspecting one of the big gun emplacements.
Charlie, our pilot hero, took Charlie Brown to the airfield, where he hoped he'd be able to borrow a plane to take his buddy for a spin.
Sure enough, it wasn't long before the two of them were climbing into a torpedo bomber and heading into the wide blue yonder!
Sure enough, it wasn't long before the two of them were climbing into a torpedo bomber and heading into the wide blue yonder!
Those of us who were checking out the defences and gun emplacements suddenly got a distress call from Kaity.
Apparently Lacey, who was driving, (can you imagine THAT!) ran over something with nails in it and got a flat tyre. None of the girls with her could change it, so we fellas have been called in to the rescue. Wouldn't you know it!
We got hold of a jeep and set off after the stranded girls. There they were, looking all hot and bothered, and Lacey was just about having one of her 'turns'!
For once, they were glad to see us and we played 'gentlemen' and didn't tease them about it. (Except for Capt Barnaby, who just couldn't stop laughing!)
Anyway, we soon had it fixed and we all headed back to the SEADOG.
We leave port tonight for our next mission. We are all wondering what it will be, but if Capt Barnaby knows, he's not telling.
This is Lt Scruffy signing off for now.
Apparently Lacey, who was driving, (can you imagine THAT!) ran over something with nails in it and got a flat tyre. None of the girls with her could change it, so we fellas have been called in to the rescue. Wouldn't you know it!
We got hold of a jeep and set off after the stranded girls. There they were, looking all hot and bothered, and Lacey was just about having one of her 'turns'!
For once, they were glad to see us and we played 'gentlemen' and didn't tease them about it. (Except for Capt Barnaby, who just couldn't stop laughing!)
Anyway, we soon had it fixed and we all headed back to the SEADOG.
We leave port tonight for our next mission. We are all wondering what it will be, but if Capt Barnaby knows, he's not telling.
This is Lt Scruffy signing off for now.
Their short stay at Midway was a happy break for all, and it was a refreshed and cheerful crew who prepared to go to sea the next morning.
CONTINUED IN CHAPTER 9
Copyright - Audrey Plowes - 2010
Brooklyn Bird