USAMP RANDOLPH

(& USAMP BAIRD)

Dick Greenwood; c1944
USAMP Randolph
© CGressitte

On February 25, 1941, I volunteered for the draft as my working career was taking me nowhere. I was inducted in Springfield, Ma. I was shipped to Ft Devens, Ma for assignment. I was fortunate to be interviewed by a Captain, whom I was to be eternally grateful. He quizzed me on my working career and decided thay didn't need any more (cannon) fodder (at that time). He was interested in my hobbies,and when I told him I was interested in HAM Radios and knew the code, he gave me an MOS (Milirtary Occupation Speciality) for High Speed Radio Operation and Radiorepairman. That was to become a blessing. Wherever he is, he has my prayers. At the end of 1941, I was assigned to the BAIRD. Roy Breen was Chief Operator and I was assigned as his assistant until I went to the RANDOLPH. The BAIRD was a training ship for the new Mine Planter's crews. Built in 1919 she trained many crew members for the 16 new Mine Planters built in 1942/43. We were home ported in Boston, but layed mines from New London, Ct to Portland, Me.

MIDDLESEX NEWS; JAN 12, 1992

Memories from our back pages 50 Years ago today The 98-foot minelayer General Richard Arnold sank off the Portsmouth, New Hampshire coast. The Arnold was towing the disabled minelayer L-88 to port in rough seas when it apparently burst its seams. Seventy people were reported killed, with the only survivor being Captain W. H. Chasteen of Waterford, Connecticut

NOTE: The ARNOLD had a civilian crew ( 10 men). No word if the military mining detail was aboard. I don't know if the seventy casulties were for the Storm or for the ARNOLD. That is a lot of people for a 98 ft vessel. ....... Marty

(Dear) Wally: You had sent me this clipping some time ago and I had intended to fill you in but misplaced the clipping. Shame on me. The BAIRD was stationed at Portsmouth, NH for planting duties and to train new crews. I was on with Beano ( Roy Breen) at this time. We wad received a SOS from the Arnold that she was in trouble. At the time she was off the Isle of Shoals. The L-88 was working with her. She was classified as a Junior Mine Planter but don't remember what her assignmet was at the time. The Coast Guard had tried to reach her but the heavy seas were so heavy and ice was forming all over her ( the Coast Guard Boat) along with the heavy fog (made them turn back). As soon as the Skipper (CWO Irving S. HANSEN) heard that they turned back, he said "We were going to take a shot at it". When we reached the Armold she was heavy in the water and her engines had flooded out. The L-88 was loaded with ice but valiant effort by her two man crew kept her afloat until we could get her back. A line was thrown to the Arnold and fastened and we proceeded to tow her at just a few knots. She was so heavy with water and ice that she could barely move. The Skipper of the Arnold still had not given any signal for the crew to abandon ship. The tow line parted and another line was cast aboard. But as we were nearing her to start towing, she suddenly split apart and went down. The only survivor, of course, was Chasteen and he was on a mattress. He was a mess by the time we got him aboard but he survived. Can't say the same for the balance of the crew. We stayed for some time but the cold water kept them under. Doubt if any were found. There was so much activity that the wheelhouse was unable to keep a log going. For the investigation our radio log was used. Beano did the operating and I kept the log. Wish I had it now! The ensuing investigation resulted in Chasteen losing his Master's Papers. We saw him in 1942 in Panama and he was decking on a ship. Page 123 of Grover's book mentiones the Arnold. As memtioned the Arnold was 98 feet long and was built in 1909 at the Fore River Shipbuilding Yard in Quincy, Ma. She had 350 hp reciprocating engines. It was quite an experience for all of us and sure reinforced the importance of good logging. The real heros of thir trip were the two men on the L-88. I can still see the big Swede wielding a fire axe to the ice on the deck to keep the weight down. They had a heater in the wheelhouse of the L-88 but had to make a choise of using it or the radio. Not much of a choise with that cold wx (weather). They should both have received medals for their effort. Well, Wally, that is another chore that I can cross off my list! Dick