Crews Quarters page 2 |
I apologize that I cannot remember who sent me a bunch of great photos which this
was one. It was in fifties before 59. Notice 48 star flag and depth charge racks.
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They're called Snipes. The engineers that work in the hole. They make the boilers
fire and the engines go. Ever wonder why they are called Snipes? Originally called
Stokers from shoveling coal into the boilers. By 1920 most of the coal burners
had disappeared and were replaced by oil fired boilers. Someone gave them
the name of Snipe. A snipe is a little ellusive creature that lives in a hole and
now and then sticks it's head up to see what is going on. When city cousins
would come to the country we would take them on a snipe hunt. Give them a bag and
have them crawl around looking for snipes in the woods at night. Something like
catching a Seabat. Now and then they do stick their heads out of the holes.
This one is Tom Edwards |
Really rare and early photo of a ships family party. at Hotel St Geaorge. Date is
June 5th, 194?. The last number of the year is same color as the table cloth.
You can make out the very top of the last number which is slanting like a 6. Notice
the chief at bottom left has a right arm rating. 5 deck rates were right arm
ratings. All others were left arm. The hash marks were on the left arm on all
uniforms. In 1947 all ratings were switched to left arm. So with that in mind
Mr Watson it is a simple deduction this picture was taken in 1946. Who sent me this please???? Thank you. Rick Palmer |