Battle stations!!
A bugle call goes out through the ship. The general alarm rings
out warning. Sailors run to their battlestations and prepare to
engage the enemy ship that has been spotted coming over the horizon.
The battle ensign is hoisted, the ship accelerates, and weapons
are loaded for the impending engagement as cries ring throughout
the ship -
"General Quarters, General
Quarters!! All hands man your battlestations!!
Above: The USS Oregon "stripped" for
action
The crews of warships must always be prepared
to go to into combat. To help train the crew, drills are held
to prepare the crewmembers in the event of an emergency or combat.
During the Oregon's voyage, Capt. Clark ran his crew through
numerous drills so that when the Oregon arrived on station
in Cuba, the crew would be ready for action. The efforts of his
crew would reward him well.
It must be noted that many of the steps and procedures listed
below are not used by the Navy today, as they may affect how the
ship can operate i.e. removal of boats and accommodation ladders.
The information outlined below is derived from manual "The
Ship and Gun Drills", United States Navy, 1914.
A. Clear Ship - Ships will be
cleared for battle in two stages.
1. Strip ship - To be done when war is impending. This
equipment and or gear would be disposed of to present a minimal
fire and splinter/shrapnel risk to the ship.
2. Clear ship for action - Prepare for immediate action.
Strip ship
- Boats (unless designated by the commander-in-chief
- Bunks and mattresses, wooden furniture, doors, chests, and
lockers
- Generally everything inflammable or liable to cause splinter
damage
- Jackstaff, flagstaff, boat booms
- Stanchions and davits not needed
- Unnecessary canopy frames
- Accommodation ladders
- Unnecessary clothing (officer and enlisted)
- Mess tables and benches
Clear Ship for Action
- Prepare for full power
- Serve out lunches, haul galley fires
- Stow in torpedo rooms detonators and dry primers
- Prepare to load torpedoes
- Release prisoners
- Throw overboard, unnecessary flammable oils, paints, and
liquids
- Rig light life lines
- Fill recoil cylinders, test all firing circuits
- Prepare dynamos, air compressors, and fire and bilge pumps
for service
- Test all ship communications and instruments
- Connect and lead out fire hoses
- Rig all necessary blast screens
- Prepare auxiliary lighting
- Rig battle signal stations, repair stations, and dressing
stations
- Supply first aid kits
- Fill gun tubs
- Supply drinking water
- Prepare auxiliary steering and control stations
- Secure all anchors and deck handling gear
- Close watertight doors, hatches, and battle ports
- Unship and secure all ventilators and ladders that interfere
with the battery
- Stow and secure all loose gear
- Before battle, men shall shower and change into clean uniform
- Supply ammunition
- Have small arms ready
- Masthead the battle ensigns and make all final preparations
for battle
B. General Quarters
Ship's company to stations primarily for manning the main battery,
and secondarily for repelling a torpedo boat attack. Action to
be taken as follows:
- Man battery and take battle stations
- Load torpedoes
- Connect fire hoses
- Stand by manifolds and valves
- Stand by cut-out switches and switchboards
- Test out all gear
C. Torpedo Defense Quarters
Calls the ship's company to stations primarily for repelling
a torpedo boat attack and secondarily for manning the main battery. Action is as follows:
- Man battery and take torpedo defense stations; man searchlights
- Load torpedoes
- Connect fire hoses
- Stand by manifolds and valves
- Stand by cut-out switches and switchboards
- Test out all gear and searchlights
- Screen lights
- Complete preparations necessary for the control and service
of the battery
Back to Main deck