Dick Watson EN2 was aboard Lipan from 1952 to 1955.

Lipan in the early 1950's.  Note that the larger hull numbers had not been instituted yet.  I'm guessing Dog Easy Docks?
Lipan is a little out of "trim" in this early 50's photo.  The bow is much lower than typical and the stern is sticking up out of the water.   When I was a BM and we wanted to paint underneath the counter,  we'd ask our good buddy snipe types to do this for us so that we could get a good paintjob.
Lipan looking real good in Apra Harbor Guam as the crew assembles for Captain's Inspection.
Lipan in a 39 degree roll to starboard with YON 146 in tow to Guam circa November 1952.
Clipping of the local Honolulu newspaper article describing "radioactive Lipan" entering drydock in Pearl harbor after her participation in the Atomic tests in Eniwetok.
Nice series of photos showing Lipan in the shipyards after it had been contaminated by radiation during the Atomic Tests at  Eniwetok in the South Pacific.  Dick reports that Lipan got a larger dose than the other ships present because they steamed close to ground zero after the blast with scientists aboard to take soundings.
Another shot of Lipan in drydock after being radiated.  Note that the 3 gun is not in place on the gunmount.    The local ":yardbird" workers were concerned about the radiation levels aboard Lipan and readings were taken.  Dick says, "Published articles in the Honolulu newspaper said radioactivity was 1.5 m/r. When we were taking readings at Eniwetok, we were getting readings of 12 to 15 m/r."    
Shot of the starboard side in drydock.  Dick says, "The highest readings on the ship were from the evaporator, of course.  While still at Eniwetok, we washed, scrubbed and repainted most of the ship.  We cleaned out all fresh water and salt water systems as best we could with acid."
Looking down on the ship in drydock at the bridge and the 01 (boatdeck) level.  Note the ship's boat is not in place.  Dick says, "The hot spots were the hull (which we'd sandblast and paint), all sea water piping and the evaporator.  All were removed to the repair base and acid‑cleaned to get out all salt and residuals. They declared us “safe” before we were allowed to leave Eniwetok."
One more shot of Lipan in dry dock.  Dick's diary entry states: "11/16/52 — The A‑bomb test was next, and we were eight miles away from it.  This bomb was as different as night and day.  It was dropped from an airplane and detonated about 1,500 feet above an island."
Newspaper clipping about Radioactive USS Lipan.
Newspaper clipping about Radioactive USS Lipan.
Lipan high and dry, hungup on the rocks in Tokyo Japan.  In Dick's words, "We were starting to make a degaussing run in Yokosuka Harbor when the captain misread the obstruction buoys and ran aground on Saki Ne Shoal.
Lipan in Marine Railway #2 at Pearl harbor Naval Shipyard Hawaii.  Circa Sept/Oct 1954.
Another view of Lipan in the Marine Railway.

During this yard period Lipan had some overhaul work on the boiler and had a donkey boiler on the dock for ships steam for the cooks and hot water.   Dick was the fuel king and fell heir to this job – overseeing the boiler operation.

 
Another view of the donkey boiler.
Lipan's butt in dry dock.
A target sled being towed by Lipan for a gunnery exercise with the Battleship USS New Jersey.  October  10, 1953.
Nice shooting as the NJ lands a round near the target.  October 10, 1953
Bullseye!  A rare near direct hit by New jersey on the target sled.   October 10, 1953
Nice little USS Lipan Engineer jacket patch that Dick had made up in Yokosuka Japan.
"Seasons Greetings and Aloha from Hawaii", says this early 50's Lipan Christmas Card.
Nice 5-photo essay depicting tow troubles.  Dick's notes state:   "11/30/52 — Underway Guam to Pearl towing an old, leaky wooden barge (YC).  We had set up a P‑500 salvage pump lashed to the barge’s deck so that we could pump it out during the trip.  We would stop each day and pump the water out."
Dick continues, "12/02/52 — At daylight, we looked over the fantail.  The tow wire went down into the water, and there was no sign of the barge.  We stopped, and after a while the barge bobbed to the surface.  The deck was swept clean and our pump was gone."
"We then brought the barge alongside and put all kinds of pumps onto it and into it (submersibles, etc.) and pumped for about six to eight hours."
"We sent a diver into the barge, and he came back and said part of the barge’s bottom was gone.  We could have pumped forever and never raised it."

"Late P.M. orders came through to return to Guam with tow.  We could not abandon the barge, as it was made of wood and would be a floating hazard to navigation.  We had to tow very slowly, about three knots, like there was only one engine on the line.  If we tried to go faster, the barge submerged.  We were two days out and five days returning to Guam.  12/08/52 — Arrived Guam towing the sunken barge."
   
A two-photo-story.  07/04/53 Left Sasebo Japan for Cheju Do, Korea, site of a North Korean POW camp.  A USNS LST, which had a hold loaded with beer, was aground.  Apparently GIs unloading the beer got lazy and had the North Korean POWs unload it.  The POWs got drunk and decided to do something for their “cause,” and took over the LST. They couldn’t do anything with it after they got it. Couldn’t start it or sail it, so they took an ax and cut the cable to the grounding anchor off the stern. 
We tried several methods to get a line to the LST.  High surf caused us to set both bow anchors in deep water and back down towards beach until we slapped the sandy bottom with every wave.  We tried to float a rubber raft, with three deck hands, pulling a small painter line.  Once they hit the surf they swamped, dumping them.  The raft was gone but the 3 men in life jackets were tethered to the painter line.  We pulled them back to the ship, just about drowning them in the process.  The photo shows the men in the water as we attempt to retrieve them.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Back

Home