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P. BARRY : 1943 - 1944 FASCINATING ORIGINAL HANDWRITTEN CAPTAIN'S LOG OF ONE OF THE MOST DECORATED SHIPS OF WORLD WAR II, THE U.S.S CALIENTE, AS SHE PARTICIPATES IN SOME OF THE MOST DANGEROUS REFUELING MISSIONS OF THE PACIFIC THEATER

12mo - over 6¾" - 7¾" tall. On offer is a unique firsthand document of the 2nd World War from the Engineering Department of the USS Caliente, AO-53. The USS Caliente, a Cimarron-class fleet oiler in the U.S. Navy, was one of the most highly decorated ships in the WW2, for carrying fuel into battle areas. In early 1944 the ship took part in refueling missions in support of the Marshall Islands invasion, refueling carriers such as the Yorktown, Saratoga and Enterprise, as well as the battleships Mississippi and South Dakota. In June and July of 1944, the ship supported the invasion of Saipan, taking part in Operation Forager, refueling carriers involved in that campaign. The Captain's Log contains the daily details of the ship's position and actions, from December 10, 1943 to August 11, 1944, a time that the ship would be awarded 5 battle stars for its bravery. The book follows the ship as it sails throughout the Pacific to support and refuel numerous Navy vessels. "When specific orders are included in this book, please read them carefully + make sure you thoroughly understand them before attempting to carry them out." At the end of each message is written, "Do not hesitate to call me at any time. Respectfully, P.Barry." P. Barry is most likely the chief engineer or his second, and is writing all the orders and observations of the night crew. Every day contains the numerous signatures of fellow shipmates who have read the message. Entries consist primarily of documentation of problems, and potential problems with the engines, as well as routine maintenance and other operations expected of the crew. With admonitions for the crew to be ready, to wear life vests, etc. Barry gives his expectations of the crew in a rather no nonsense manner, while keeping a level-head about the potential deathly and seriousness of their mission/operation. Some pages even contain the details as to who exactly was on watch and on standby at exact times. There is a very funny idiosyncrasy in mid-April 1944: In this entry P. Barry signs off 'sincerely' (instead of 'respectfully') and it appears another crew member notes this inconsistency, with a penciled question mark next to the word. P. Barry's notes are always written in the same blue ink, while the night crew's initials and occasional notes are written in pencil. Thankfully throughout the book, both the ink and the pencil writing are fantastically well preserved. No smudging or difficulty reading the writing throughout the whole book. Some specifics to their mission are hinted at, with locations such as Panama (transiting the Canal around Dec. 21st), Pearl Harbor, Seeadler Harbor, Majuro, Eniwetok, and the Marianas Islands mentioned, as well as the names of tankers Cimarron, Platte, and Kinnebago. There is an olive green cloth cover with writing in red on the front cover. References to steaming in convoy are throughout, with instructions to be prepared for varying speeds, etc., alluding to the complexities encountered behind the scenes of large naval operations. 70 page or so of the book have writing in them as log entries. That leaves about half the book blank. This book is an incredible look into the daily operations of a decorated ship in WW2. (Examples of log entries: "15 April 1944: Please note that this is the fifteenth of April & that we have skipped the fourteenth. All logs should indicate this fact & be dated 15 April. At 2000 tonight, start purifying the lube oil, commencing with the port side & running 24 hours on each system. Pay particular attention to maintaining constant oil temperature at the heater discharge. Do not neglect to have the messenger sweep down the operating platform at least once a watch before the watch is relieved. Wipe off the top of the reduction gear casings as necessary. Do not hesitate to call me at any time. Respectfully, P. Barry."; "15 June 1944: Steaming Westward in convoy, in the immediate vacinity of enemy held territory. Stand on alert watch & be sure personnel in machine shop, evaporator flat & generator flat are promptly notified in the event of a G.Q. Also, make sure the bridge talker notifies you of G.Q. since there is some chance that the engine room alarm is out of order. At G.Q., the fire pump is to be started immediately & the pressure in the fire main brought to 90 lbs. Standby generator, feed pump, fuel oil service (steam) & lube oil (steam) pumps are to be made ready for instant starting, but not put on the line. We will have condition II all night with the standby officer, stepping in the machine shop as follows: Watch: 20-24 Ens. Brown; 00-04 Lt. Whittaker; 04-08 Ens. O'Dell; Standby: 20-24 Ens. O'Dell, 00-04 Ens. Suneson, 04-08 Ens. Brown."). Manuscript. Book Condition: Good

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