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1966
- Ship Along Side 3 times
USS
Alamo (LSD-33)
"Remember the Alamo" The 184th ship
alongside
during the 1966 Cruise holds special memories for the men of the big
"K".
With the USS PRINCETON (LPH-5) already alongside to port, the USS ALAMO
(LSD-33) commenced her approach to starboard. At first, nothing
appeared
out of the ordinary. The starboard highline and the after fueling
station
went over to the USS ALOMO. With the exception of the Avgas rig on
Station
2, the USS PRINCETON was sending the rigs back.
|
 Thomaston
Class Dock Landing Ship
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| Slowly the USS ALAMO
and
the big "K' edged together and "Emergency Breakaway" was sounded.
Station
2 was returned from the LPH, the starboard hi-line was cut, and the
span
wire tripped. Although our stern swung toward the LPH, the USS
PRINCETON
increased speed and was soon clear to port. The USS ALAMO brushed our
starboard
side and her increased speed cleared our starboard side. Quick action
and
correct breakaway procedures prevented any injuries and minimized
damage. USS ALAMO was alongside again within 30 minutes for completion of replenishment. |
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| Tim Barron took the pictures of our collision with the U.S.S. Monticello one day out of Pearl Harbor, we were returning from WestPac. Tim had the Mid-watch and was sleeping in "on the starboard side", when there was a sickening lurch and a very loud crushing sound. He flew out of his rack, and for some reason grabbed his camera. "When I got topside I couldn't believe my eyes! We opened up that ship like a can of peas. You could see people peering through the huge gash on their port side." |  |
