03

Keel laid at Federal Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Co. Kearny N.J.

Work progressing on schedule.

Work progressing on schedule.

Work progressing on schedule.

20

The USS GATLING DD-671 was christened by Eleanor Gatling, the wife John W Gatling, the inventor's grandson.

Work progressing on schedule.

01

Moored at Pier J, Navy Yard, New York, undergoing fitting out period.

NOTE: The log, from Aug 19, 1943 to Nov 30, 1943 format, is based on the 00-04, 04-08, 08-12, 12-16, 16-20 and 20-24 watches.

19

1209 The USS GATLING was placed in commission by LCDR Alvin F Richardson USN, who accepted command of this ship and read the orders from Chief of Bureau of Personnel.

1212 Hoisted flag of RADM Munroe Kelly, Commandant, Navy Yard, New York.

1220 RADM Kelly left the ship.

20

1330 Ship moved assisted by yard tugs. Moored to C.K. BRONSON DD-668 at Pier 2.

25

0704 Ship moved assisted by yard tugs. 0720 Entered Drydock #4. 0845 NELSON DD-623 and HARRINGTON entered Drydock #4, bow to bow with this vessel.

28

1821 Ship moved assisted by yard tugs to moor alongside LUCE DD-522, Pier 2.

03

1746 Ship moved assisted by yard tugs. 1801 Moored to HEALY DD-672, Pier 2.

06

1456 Underway. 1552 Moored to Deperming Station, Bayonne NJ. Depermed ship 1630-2330.

07

0711 Underway. 0800 Anchored in explosive anchorage, New York Harbor. Loaded ammo from barges from Naval Ammunition Depot, Iona Island between 0850-1840.

08

0714 Underway. Picked up Navy Yard observers 0758. 0802 Underway to Long Island Sound. Conducted several engineering tests between 1346-1500. 1449 Steaming at 30 knots, commenced rudder tests. Gave ship full right rudder. 1450 Gave ship full left rudder. 1454 Went from 30.2 knots to full speed astern. 1455 Ship dead in the water in approximately 60 seconds. 1456 Went from full speed astern to flank speed ahead. General Quarters from 1521-1547. 1700 Anchored in Oyster Bay, NY.

09

0752 Underway. Calibrated Radio Direction Finder, compensating magnetic compass and degaussing calibration 0930-1340. 1640 Moored to Pier 95, 35th St, Brooklyn, NY. 2050-2245 Fueled from YO-153.

10

0910 Underway. Conducted 20MM, 40MM and 5"/38 gunnery structural tests during 1530-1832 G.Q.

11

0915 Departed for Bermuda. Conducted test firing of 40MM 1532-1600.

12

0513-0613 GQ.

13

Conducted fire drill 1030-1045. In the afternoon moored to ALTAIR AD-11 in nest with HALLIGAN DD-584 at the Port Royal Anchorage, Bermuda.

15

0715 Underway. Conducted ASW exercises with HALLIGAN and Sub SS-R7 during 0821-1055 GQ and 1100-1530. 1803 Moored to HALLIGAN in Port Royal Anchorage, Bermuda.

16

0715 Underway. Condition I set 0804-0911. Conducted ASW exercises 0945-1529. 1645 moored to Buoy E-7, Great Harbor, Bermuda Islands. 1740 HALLIGAN moored alongside. 1750 COLAHAN DD-658 moored to HALLIGAN.

17

0714 HALLIGAN underway. 0718 COLAHAN underway. 0728 Underway. Condition I set 0811-0912. Conducted ASW exercises 0928-1530. GQ 1534-1550. 1730 Moored to COLAHAN at Buoy E-7.

18

1020 Underway. Calibrated RDF 1148-1508. 1713 Preparing to moor to HALLIGAN, bow struck HALLIGAN starboard bow, snapping one stanchion and denting side. 1742 Moored to HALLIGAN at Buoy E-7.

19

0657 Underway. Called fire and rescue party for possible assistance to HALLIGAN 0706-0717. 0724 Underway. Condition I set 0830-0900. Conducted BTP "A" and BTP "D" exercises with COLAHAN. Condition I set 2015-2059.

20

Condition I set 0603-0723. Conducted BTP "A" and BTP "D" exercises with COLAHAN, fired and retrieved two torpedoes during 0829-1610.

21

0855-0910 GQ. 1034 Moored to Buoy D-2. 1053 COLAHAN moored alongside.

22

0714 COLAHAN underway. 0721 Underway. Condition I set 0845-0900. Conducted radar calibration practice and 5"/38 gunnery exercises during 1248-1740 GQ. Steaming with HALLIGAN and COLAHAN.

24

1309 Moored to Buoy D-2. 1835 COLAHAN moored alongside.

26

0712 Underway. Condition 1 set during battle problem 0827-0858. Conducted 5"/38 gunnery exercises during 1312-1750 GQ. Steaming with HALLIGAN and COLAHAN.

27

0000-2000 Missing. Conducted night spotting practice and 5"/38 gunnery exercises during 2030-2105.

28

Conducted 5"/38, 40Mm and 20MM during 1225-1536. Moored to COLAHAN in Buoy D-2.

30

0700 Underway. Conducted battle problem #3 during 0800-0859 GQ. Conducted torpedo tracking, radar control torpedo, torpedo firing run and torpedo recovery exercises 1016-1810. Conducted 5"/38 night illumination and firing exercises during 2024-2100 GQ. Steaming with HALLIGAN and COLAHAN.

01

Main battery and DC exercises during 0610-0653 GQ. Acted as target ship for COLAHAN 0723-0825. With HALLIGAN as target ship, conducted radar torpedo control and torpedo firing during 1017-1026 GQ. 1048 Recovered torpedo. 1705 Steaming with AMESBURY DE-66, FRAMENT DE-677 and COLAHAN.

02

1340 Moored to Buoy D-2. 1355 COLAHAN moored alongside. 1505 HALLIGAN moored alongside.

04

0647 HALLIGAN underway. 0652 COLAHAN underway. 0700 Underway. Conducted towing exercises with COLAHAN and HALLIGAN 0955-1230. Conducted ASW exercises, fired eleven charge pattern of depth charges 1230-1255. Conducted laying smoke screen 1255-1308. Rejoined COLAHAN and HALLIGAN, took HALLIGAN in tow, parted 7/8" wire towing cable, completed towing exercise during 1417-1503. Conducted visit and search drill, boarding COLAHAN 1505-1650. 1941 Moored to COLAHAN at Buoy D-2.

06

0733 Underway. Condition I set during battle problem 0835-0922. Conducted independent gunnery and radar exercises 1040-1745. Steaming with HALLIGAN, COLAHAN and HEALY.

07

Conducted main battery and repair parties exercises during 0600-0705 GQ. Conducted tactical exercises 0830-0958. Conducted machine gun practice during 1013-1215 GQ.

08

Set Condition I 0610-0727. Conducted 5"/38 AABP gunnery exercises 0824-1450. 1715 Moored Buoy D-2. 1804 COLAHAN moored alongside.

10

0721 COLAHAN underway. 0725 Underway. 0850 All engines stopped, fires out in #2 fire room due to water in oil, hoisted breakdown flag temporarily, back on line, underway, during 0827-0907 GQ. Tactical maneuvers with HEALY and COLAHAN 0930-1100. Conducted 40MM firing at streaming balloons 1453-1527.

11

Battle problem 0615-0720 GQ. 5"/38 Gunnery firing during 1227-1515 GQ. 1824 Moored Buoy D-2.

12

1000 INGERSOLL DD-652 conducted departure inspection "Baker" consisting of material and damage control problem. 1010 HALLIGAN moored alongside. 1017 COLAHAN moored alongside.

14

0807 HALLIGAN underway. 0812 Underway. Conducted ASW exercises with HALLIGAN, HARADEN and SS-R1 during 1012-1530. 1714 Moored to Buoy D-2. 1735 HALLIGAN moored alongside. 1925 HARADEN moored alongside causing minor damage to stanchions, deck and life raft stowage.

15

0806 HARADEN underway. HALLIGAN underway. 1300 CTG 23.1 conducted Departure Inspection of personnel and ship. 1500 Underway. Steaming on various courses and speeds enroute to New York.

16

0620-0653 GQ. Conducted full power run: 0805 33 knots, 0815 34k, 0843 35k, 0930 36k, 1036 35k, 1045 34k, 1154 33k, 1229 32k, 1237 30k, 1238 29k, to 1256 20k. 1302 Conducted backing down tests with all engines full speed astern. 1306 Stopped all engines, changed course and speed to 15 knots.

17

0624-0657 GQ. 1152 Passed Statue of Liberty. 1313 Moored to Pier J, Brooklyn Navy Yard, NY.

18

1715 ELDRIDGE DE-173 moored alongside.

22

1158 Underway with tug assistance. 1230 Entered Drydock #4. 1405 INGRAM DD-250 in Drydock #4.

23

1630 Drydock flooded. 1925 Underway with assistance of tugs. 1950 Moored to Pier J.

25

0733 Underway. 0840 Anchored in Gravesend Bay. Ammo barge alongside, conducted ammo on-load 0850-1315. 1515 Underway. 1627 Anchored in Gravesend Bay.

26

Missing. (Underway to Norfolk VA)

27

1320 Moored to Pier 5 NOB, Norfolk, VA. 1700 LANING DE-159 and FESSENDEN DE-142 alongside.

28

0801 Underway to train balance crew of EVANS DD-552. 0905-0945 GQ. Steaming at various courses and speeds in lower Chesapeake Bay. 1614 Moored to WICKES DD-587 at Pier 7.

29

0710 WICKES underway. Moored to Pier 7. 0820 Underway. 1131 Stopped all engines to embark degaussing party. 1223 Underway conducting degaussing runs. 1420 Stopped all engines to disembark degaussing party. 1503 Underway. 1508-1555 GQ. Conducted emergency drills. 1750 Moored to Pier 5.

30

0812 Underway. 1050-1155 GQ. Conducted ASW exercises. 1621 Moored to Pier 5.

31

1045 HALLIGAN moored alongside.

01

0809 Underway. Conducted ASW exercises with YP-527 1100-1248. 1355-1447 GQ. 1558 Moored to HALLIGAN Pier 5.

02

0751 Underway. Conducted 5"/38 shore bombardment 1303-1431 at Bloodsworth Island during 1220-1435 GQ. 2005 Moored to HALLIGAN Pier 5. 2120 BUNCH DE-694 moored alongside.

03

0825 Underway to train balance crew of another DD. 0915-0951 GQ. Steaming at various courses and speeds in lower Chesapeake Bay. 1450 Moored to HALLIGAN at Pier 5.

04

0000-1600 data missing. 1635 Moored to Deperming Dock, Lambert Point, Norfolk, VA.

05

0130 Completed deperming ship. 0748 Underway. 1300 Stopped to take on board degaussing party. Completed degaussing runs 1321-1343. 1346 Stopped to land degaussing party and lower diver to inspect screws. 1428 Diving operations complete, underway. 1735 Moored to Pier 5.

08

1510 Underway. 1622 Moored to Berth 13, Navy Yard, Portsmouth, VA. 1935 Underway. 1952 Bow crossed sill and entered Drydock #6 to undergo emergency repairs.

09

0920 Underway from drydock. Enroute to Trinidad.

10

0626-0655 GQ. Conducted 5"/38 and 20MM gunnery exercises during 1338-1504 GQ.

11

0600-0630 GQ. Conducted 20MM gunnery exercises during 1330-1456 GQ. 1830 Fire in #1 motor whale boat. Fire extinguished with CO2. 1844 Secured from fire quarters.

12

0610-0658 GQ. Conducted 20MM gunnery exercises and drills during 1335-1525 GQ.

13

0555-0627 GQ. 1025 Moored to BLAKELEY DD-150 at Pier 1, N.O.B., Trinidad, BWI.

15

0635 BLAKELEY underway. 0857 Underway. 1036 Joined with DORTCH DD-670 to escort LANGLEY CV-1 to the Delaware Bay. Flight operations 1307-1323, 1451-1523 and 1722-1725.

16

0615--0650 GQ during LANGLEY's full power run to 33 knots 0230-0845. Flight ops 1206-1221. 1330-1440 GQ during flight ops 1421-1511. Flight ops 1700-1732.

17

Flight ops during 0615-0647 GQ. Flight ops 0808-0819, 0915-0943 and 1131-1154. Flight ops during 1332-1417 GQ.

18

0615-0650 GQ. Flight ops 1250-1317. Battle problem and simulated attacks by LANGLEY aircraft during 1350-1554 GQ. Flight ops 1554-1635.

19

0700-0732 GQ. Flight ops 0814-0910. 1255 DORTCH and GATLING released by LANGLEY at Delaware Bay. Enroute to Norfolk, VA.

20

Missing.

21

Moored to DORTCH in nest with ALCOR AD-34 at Pier 7, NOB Norfolk, VA for tender availability.

22-23

Missing.

25

Moored to DORTCH at Pier 5. 0803 Underway. 1045 Joined INTREPID CV-11 and DORTCH enroute to Rockland, ME. INTREPID conducted full power run at 35 knots 1333-1730.

26

0618-0727 GQ. 0705 KEARNY DD-432 joined formation. 0930-1016 GQ. 1529 Anchored in Rockland Harbor, ME.

27

1045 Underway. 1143 Relieved KEARNY on Penobscot Bay Entrance ASW patrol.

28

1215 Relieved of ASW patrol by DORTCH. 1233 Anchored.

29

0000-2000 Data missing. Sometime on the 2000-2400 watch enroute to Norfolk, VA.

30

0000-1600 Data missing. 1600 Moored at NOB, Norfolk, VA.

NOTE: The following Log for Dec 01, 1943 to Jan 01, 1945 were written in a War Diary narrative format by the Ship's Secretary. The War Diary contains in most instances the briefest of daily significant happenings including weather status, sea conditions and ship's positions at 0800, 1200 and 2000.

03

Underway at 1345 in company with HARADEN and DORTCH escorting INTREPID enroute Panama Canal. Flight ops during the day. DORTCH rescued crew of forced down SB2C. Navigational positions were as follows:

0800 - 34d 50'05" N., 69d 57'05" W.

1200 - 34d 16'00" N., 70d 17'30" W.

2000 - 31d 32'00" N., 69d 52'00" W.

Weather mild; sea moderate.

05

Steaming as before. During flight ops, two planes were lost. DORTCH rescued crew of SB2C. One F6F pilot never found. During the night several inconclusive sound contacts were made by ships of the screen. Navigational positions were as follows:

0800 - 27d 52'00" N., 69d 19'05" W.

1200 - 27d 19'00" N., 69d 02'00" W.

2000 - 25d 35'05" N., 68d 35'05" W.

Weather cloudy with occasional showers; sea calm.

NOTE: After this date will delete navigation positions, weather and sea conditions unless significant.

06

Fueled from INTREPID.

07

No flight ops. Conducted machine gun batteries at 5"/38 surprise burst.

08

Passed through breakwater and submarine nets at 1400. 1410 Moored to Pier 8, Berth C, N.O.B. Cristobal, Panama Canal Zone.

09

Transited the Panama Canal. Late afternoon moored to Pier 4 in Balboa Harbor, alongside CONCORD.

11

DORTCH moored along side.

14

Underway in company with HARADEN and DORTCH escorting INTREPID to San Francisco, CA. During morning and afternoon engaged in AA firing at surprise bursts.

18

During flight ops an SB2C crashed after take-off. Rescued ENS WC Ballance and AMM2c RL Mitchner.

19

SB2C crashed during dive-bombing attack. Rescued LT ND Carmody and his radioman.

20

SB2C crashed due to engine fire. Rescued LTJG HS Sharp and ARM3 LM Langiotti.

21

HARADEN left formation at dawn enroute to San Diego, CA.

22

Moored to CALDWELL DD-605 at Pier 54, San Francisco, CA.

23

Underway in afternoon enroute to Pearl Harbor with THE SULLIVANS DD-537 and DORTCH.

25

Carried out holiday routine.

28

Entered Pearl Harbor, T.H., nested with THE SULLIVANS and DORTCH in Berth X-7.

29

During afternoon moored alongside PRAIRIE AD-15 for tender availability.

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