My career in the U S Coast Guard began at the C.G.Training Center, located in the Coast Guard Yard, along Curtis Creek, in Curtis Bay. Md. I was one of a group in what is commonly referred to as Boot Camp. We were all Apprentice Seaman and the guy in charge of our training, was a Chief Boatswains Mate, with 28 years of service.
The Yard had a barracks but was not prepared to handle the large group that just arrived, so we had to rough it till we completed our first assignment, setting up some large tents that were just delivered. Took about a week for our uniforms to arrive, then we spent some time getting them to fit, using needle and thread that we purchased at the Commissary. My shipmates were a nice group of guys, from many of our states. Met a couple fellows from N.J. but were from up North. The barracks had a Rec Area, where we could purchase refreshments, listen to the radio ( TV was not out yet) and there was a pool table. I wasn’t much of a Pool Player but one of our group was amazing.. Saw him run every ball from the break . His name was Luther Lassiter from North Carolina and after his discharge, went on to be one of the best billiard players in the country.Made the Billiards Hall of Fame.
Our training continued, didn’t realize there was so much to learn, the Blue Jackets Manual was our constant companion.We had seamanship classes and learned to handle boats. One day the Chief told us a Lifeboat Race was coming up and that we were invited to enter a crew. He spent several days selecting guys that were going to be in that crew. He checked out the husky guys and then watched them as they handled an oar. He finally selected his crew and picked me as coxswain. Don’t know why, maybe because I was small, weighing in at 135 lbs. We practiced every day and the Chief shifted guys around, in different seats, till he found a balance. The crew was so well balanced, saw the Chief steer the boat by shifting his weight while seated in the coxswains seat. After a couple days of practice the oarsmen’s hands were raw but Chief came up with some stuff to toughen them. The Day for the race finally arrived and were 8 boats entered. All were from C.G Stations or from C G Cutters in dry dock. All were old timers, with lots of experience, so us recruits were not considered to have a chance to win. The Chief met with me and imparted some of his secrets. Told me at the start of the race to lay back of the starting line, just make sure the boat is moving forward, don’t worry about being a half length back. The starting gun went off and we had a mile to go to reach the buoy, where we were to turn and return to the finish line. . For about half mile the boats were running close,and I was told to call out ” Give me Ten”, then count 1-2 etc. and our boat leaped forward, so we had a boat length lead going round the buoy. We settled down to a nice cadence, then as we arrived 1/4 mile from the finish, I saw one of the boats was catching us, so I screamed ” Give me Ten” and started the count, the gang responded and the boat leaped ahead, which resulted in a Two Boat Length lead, when we crossed the finish line. The crew said the coxswain has to get dunked, so they threw me in the water. When we arrived on shore for the presentation, I was soaked but didn’t care. It was pay day and we each had our 21 dollars to spend , so we celebrated.
After three months we finished our training and we all got to march in review, in front of all of the Officers in Charge and was told we looked good. We were now Seamen Second Class.and awaiting our first assignment.
.