CHAPTER III

SECTION A - GENERAL

III-A-1. The following bills are designed to take care of casualties which directly affect the safety of the ship or members of the crew. They will be handled in the same manner regardless of whether or not the ship may be in action at the time the casualty occurs.

III-A-2. Whenever a fire or collision occurs the general alarm will be sounded and the crew will man their general quarters stations. The casualties will then be handled by repair parties assisted by men from battle stations in the immediate vicinity of the casualty.

III-A-3. The general alarm shall only be used for an actual emergency or for purposes of test. It may be tested daily when circumstances permit. Prior to testing general alarm the following word shall be passed throughout the ship:

"Testing general alarm."
Upon completion of test the following word shall be passed:
"Test of general alarm completed."

The general alarm shall not be used for drills. Four or five strokes on the chemical (gas) alarm may be used for drill purposes if desired and word passed for all hands to man their battle stations. Word shall then be passed giving the location and type of casualty that is being simulated.

III-A-4. The crew will man their battle stations and set condition AFIILM without further instructions and regardless of whether or not the general alarm is sounded whenever any of the following occur:

(a) There is a fire within the ship.
(b) The ship is involved in a collision.
(c) A gun is fired.
(d) Depth charges are dropped.
(e) The ship is hit by shellfire, bombs, torpedoes or mines, or a heavy shock is felt or an explosion heard.
(f) The collision signal is sounded on the siren.

 
III-A-1

SECTION B - FIRE BILL
III-B-1 This bill provides an organization for handling fires on board under all conditions.

III-B-2 Anyone discovering a fire on board shall notify the Officer-of-the-Deck and take immediate steps to extinguish the fire or prevent it from spreading.

III-B-3 Under all conditions, in case of fire the crew will man their battle stations and set condition AFIRM. The fire will be handled by the repair parties assisted by men on battle stations in the vicinity of the scene of the fire as directed by the Executive Officer, the Damage Control Officer, or the Officer-of-the-Deck.

III-B-4 Calls:

(a) Sound general alarm.

(b) Rapid ringing of ship's bell, followed by:

(1) One stroke if the fire is forward.
(2) Two strokes if the fire is amidships.
(3) Three strokes if the fire is aft.

(c) Boatswain's mates pass word, giving location, naming compartment as well as giving compartment number.

III-B-5 Secure:

"Secure" over all battle telephone circuits. Divisions fall in at quarters and division Officers report to Executive Officer on quarterdeck (if directed).

III-B-6 General:

(a) The repair lockers will be kept unlocked at all times except when moored to a dock. Keys will be kept in the Captain's key locker and in custody of the Officer-of-the-Deck.

(b) Water will not be turned on unless specifically ordered by the officer in charge at the scene of the fire.

III-B-7 Officers Stations and Duties:

(a) Commanding Officer - In Command - Bridge - Relieve deck.
(b) Executive Officer or Officer-of-the-Deck - At scene of fire, in charge.
(c) All other officers - Man regular battle stations.

III-B-8 General duties of crew:

(a) All hands man battle stations and establish telephone communications.

(b) If fire-is forward it will be handled by repair one assisted by repair two and men from crew of a forward five inch gun.

(c) If fire is amidships it will be handled by repair two assisted by repair one, the torpedo tube crew and other men in the vicinity.

(d) If fire is aft it will be handled by repair three assisted by repair two and men from crew of an after five inch gun.

(e) Each repair party will be provided with the following equipment:

1. Three C02 fire extinguishers.
2. Three buckets of sand.
3. One rescue breathing apparatus with spare oxygen bottles.
4. One spare nozzle, spanner wrench and gaskets.
5. One electrical repair kit, fuses, flashlight, etc.
6. One hammock-smotherer.
7. One first-aid kit.
8. One male-female adapter for fire plugs.
9. One fog nozzle.

 
III-B-1

III-B-9 The locations of fireplugs is as follows:

1. 11.
2. 12.
3. 13.
4. 14.
5. 15.
6. 16.
7. 17.
8. 18.
9. 19.
10. 20.

Individual ships fill in locations.

Fifteen pound C02 extinguishers are stowed in the following locations:

1. 11.
2. 12.
3. 13.
4. 14.
5. 15.
6. 16.
7. 17.
8. 18.
9. 19.
10. 20.

Individual ships fill in locations.

 
III-B-2

SECTION C - COLLISION BILL

III-C-1 This bill provides an organization for handling damage caused by collision, stranding or underwater explosion. It is applicable at all times regardless of whether or not the ship may be in action.

III-C-2 The crew will man their battle stations and set condition afirm. The collision damage will be handled by repair parties assisted by men on battle stations in the vicinity of the collision as directed by the Executive Officer, the Damage Control Officer or the Officer-of-the-Deck.

III-C-3 Calls:

(a) Sound general alarm.
(b) One long blast on the siren.
(c) Word passed by boatswain's mates giving location of the damage.

III-C-4 Secure:

(a) Three blasts of the siren.
(b) "Secure" over all battle telephone circuits.
Divisions fall in at quarters and division officers report to Executive Officer on the quarterdeck. (If directed).

III-C-5 General Requirements:

(a) Set condition afirm.
(b) Localize flooding, shoring decks and bulkheads if necessary.
(c) Pump out flooded compartments.
(d) Maintain ship on even keel by shifting fuel, water, stores, ammunition, etc.
(e) Rig emergency power, light and communication leads.

III-C-6 Officers' Stations and Duties:

(a) Captain - Bridge, relieves deck.
(b) Executive Officer or Officer-of-the-Deck - At scene of collision - in charge.
(c) Communication Officer - Stand by codes, ciphers and important records and papers.
(d) All other officers - Man battle stations.

III-C-7 General Duties of the Crew:

(a) All hands man battle stations and establish telephone communications.
(b) If collision is forward the damage will be handled by repair one assisted by repair two and men from a forward 5" gun crew.
(c) If collision is amidships the damage will be handled by repair two assisted by repair one, the torpedo tube crews and other men in vicinity.
(d) If collision is aft the damage will be handled by repair three assisted by repair two and men from crew of an after five inch gun crew.
(e) Each repair party will be provided with the following equipment:

(1) Shores and shore blocks.
(2) Conical plugs.
(3) Portable electric submersible pump complete with electric leads, suction and discharge hose, spanners, gaskets, etc.
(4) Electrical repair kit including tools, flashlights, fuzes, test light, portable lights, etc.
(5) Two fifteen pound CO2 fire extinguishers.
(6) Assorted tools including sledge, mauls, axe, drills, stillson wrenches, dog wrenches, etc.
 
III-C-1

(7) Shackling outfit.
(8) Two heaving lines, seizing line, five fathoms 21 thread manila.
(9) First-aid kit.
(10) Rescue breathing apparatus.

III-C-8 Location of Equipment:

(a) Equipment for repair one will be located in Forward Repair Locker.
(b) Equipment for repair two will be located in Midship Repair Locker.
(c) Equipment for repair three will be located in After Repair Locker.

 
III-C-2

SECTION D - ABANDON SHIP BILL

III-D-1. The abandon ship bill is divided into two parts. Part one, preparation for abandoning ship, to be accomplished when ship is in danger of sinking or loss from fire, collision, grounding or enemy action. Part two, actual abandoning of the ship to be accomplished when all hopes of saving the ship have been abandoned and the saving of the lives of the crew becomes paramount.

III-D-2. Water, food, first aid kits, a sharp knife, hand lanterns and other helpful equipment except fire arms will be kept secured on each life float and stored in the immediate vicinity of each boat. Life jackets will be issued to each officer and man and they will be worn or kept within reach at all times except when ship is at anchor or moored to a dock. If time permits, rifles, pistols and ammunition will be issued to each boat and float prior to abandoning ship and navigational equipment furnished to each boat.

III-D-3. Part one-Preparation for abandoning ship.

(a) Calls:

(1) Pass word "All hands prepare to abandon ship" on all communication systems and by boatswains mates.

(b) Action required:

(1) Securing detail takes stations.

(2) Crew assembles at assigned stations in vicinity of boats and floats.

(3) Boats rigged out and prepared for lowering and floats prepared for launching.

(c) Secure:

(1) Secure by boatswain's mates. If directed crew fall in at quarters and division officers report to the Executive Officer on the Quarterdeck.

III-D-4. Part two-Abandoning ship.

(a) Calls:

(1) Pass word "All hands abandon ship" on all communication circuits and by boatswains mates.

(b) Action required:

(1) Launch all boats and floats except one assigned to securing detail.

(2) All hands except securing detail abandon ship in assigned boats and floats and propel same clear of ship.

(3) Securing detail remain on station and continue securing ship unless and until directed to abandon by Commanding Officer.

III-D-5. Officers' Stations.

Commanding Officer - Command Bridge.

Executive Officer - In general charge of preparations of and launching of boats and floats.

Gunnery Officer - In charge of embarkation starboard side.

First Lieutenant - In charge of embarkation port side.

Engineer Officer - In charge of securing detail.

Communication - Saves important records and destroys confidential codes and publications.

Disbursing Officer - Saves records and accounts and cash if possible.

 
III-D-1

III-D-6. Securing and Ship handling detail.

In case the ship still remains float and the Captain may have hopes of saving it without the risk of too many lives being lost, and also for ship handling during drills a special detail shall be assigned comprised of the following:

Engineer Officer - In charge.
CBM - Assistant to Executive Officer for lowering boats.
CTM - Sets all depth charges on safe.
CGM - Issues rifles, pistols and ammunition. CMM - In charge of Enginerooms.
CRM - Radio watch.
CQM - Bridge - Quartermaster, signals.
TM - Helmsman.
1 Sea - Messenger for Captain.
4 Sea - Assistant CBM.
4 MM
2 WT Secure Firerooms and Enginerooms.
2 EM
2 F

III-D-7. Station Assignments.

No. 1 Float-No. 1-5" gun and handling room crews.
No. 2 Float-No. 2-5" gun and handling room crews.
No. 3 Float-Fire room crews and Group two 20mm. crews.
No. 4 Float-Engine Room crews and Group three 20 mm. crews.
No. 5 Float-No. 3-5" gun and handling crews.
No. 6 Float-No. 4-5" gun and handling room crews.
Gig - Bridge and radio personnel.
Whaleboat-5" Director crew, lookouts, Torpedo tube crew, group one 20mm. crew.
No. 1 Floater Net-Repair one and two.
No. 2 Floater Net-Repair three and No. 1 40mm. crew.
No. 3 Floater Net-No. 2 40mm. crew and miscellaneous.
No. 4 Floater Net-Securing detail.
No. 5 Floater Net-No. 3 40mm.
No. 6 Floater Net-No. 5 - 5" Gun handling room crews.
No. 7 Floater Net-Securing detail.

III-D-8. Special Station and Duties:

(a) The Chief Quartermaster send following gear to gig and whaleboat: Sextant, Charts, Nautical Almanac, parallel rulers, chronometer, Bowditch, Ageton or HO-214, and Navigator case. Deliver to each boat officer the magnetic course and distance to nearest land or assistance.

(b) The Chief Yeoman obtain copy of last quarterly report of personnel with all subsequent changes. Save ships logs and war diary.

(c) Signalmen provide pyrotechnic signaling equipment for gig and whaleboat and hand signal flags and binoculars for each boat and float.

(d) Regular boat crews man boats.

 
III-D-2

SECTION E - MAN OVERBOARD

III-E-1. Object: To recover man from the water as expeditiously as possible in accordance with the general instructions of FTP 143, paragraphs 841 - 844, and FTP 188, Section 32.

III-E-2. Anyone seeing a man fall overboard will at once pass the word "Man overboard port (starboard.)" This word will be picked up by all Boatswain's Mates and passed over the ship.

III-E-3. (a) At anchor, all and any boats in the water will act as life boats when required.

(b) Underway, at sea, ship will be maneuvered to pick up man, if circumstances permit. Boats will not be lowered.

III-E-4. Detailed Duties.

At Anchor or Underway in Protected Waters:

(a) Officer of the Deck.

1. Cause lifebuoy to be thrown to man.
2. Call away all boats. -
3. Station lookouts.
4. Man searchlight (at night).
5. If relieved of deck take charge of first boat ready.

(b) Commanding Officer.

1. Relieve the Deck.

(c) All Hands.

1. All hands not assigned boat duties fall in quarters.

(d) Signal Watch or Quartermaster.

1. Man 24" searchlight at night.
2. Keep watch on man.
3. Be prepared to signal to life boat.
(e) Pharmacist's Mate.

1. Man boat first ready equipped with first aid kit.

Underway in Dangerous Waters:

(a) Officer of the Deck.

1. General. Upon coming on watch determine the action to be taken in case of man overboard under the conditions of steaming and weather existing in accordance with general instructions given in paragraph III-E-1.

2. Upon Man Overboard. (a) Cause lifebuoys to be released.
(b) Have boatswain's mate pass word "Man Overboard".
(c) Handle ship and make signals in accordance with tactical instructions.
(d) If steaming independently stop propellers and attempt to swing stern away
from man. Then maneuver to pick up man.
(e) Send lookout aloft.

(b) Captain or Executive Officer.

1. Relieve the deck.

(c) Deck divisions:

1. Station men with heaving lines along both sides of ship. Put rescue nets over side.

2. Have strong swimmer equipped with lifejacket and safety line ready to go to assistance of man in water and place line about man for hoisting him aboard.

(d) Signal Watch.

1. Keep watch on man.

(e) Pharmacist's Mate.

1. Stand by to render first aid.
 
III-E-1

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