[ Excerpt from Spindrift ]

The main fleet anchorage at the atoll of Ulithi was the site, more than once, of the greatest assemblage of Naval power that the world has ever seen! On this particular occasion the 3rd and 5th Fleets were assembled for the purpose of preparing for a major assault on the Japanese homeland 4,000 combatant vessels of all shapes and sizes from the battleships to attack carriers thence all the way down the tonnage scale to the lowly minesweepers. The aerial photos taken of the event show ships anchored in orderly rows and tiers from horizon to horizon. The year was 1945, and it was a glorious spring morning. World War II was in its final act.

Fleet Admiral Chester Nimitz, the senior officer present afloat (SOPA) called numerous meetings, and the goings and comings of gigs and barges carrying various fleet dignitaries to and from the flagships resembled a beehive. My brother, John, an ensign aboard the cruiser, Birmingham was a witness to it all. It was a sight never to be forgotten.

Halsey's boat crew sprang into action, started their engine, cast off from the boat boom and made their way to the accommodation ladder under the watchful eye of more than a dozen captains and lesser admirals. Unfortunately, the prevailing wind was setting them onto the ship, and the bo'sun piloting the barge was forced to miss the approach and veer away rather than hit the accommodation ladder platform with a healthy impact. Halsey was leaning on the railing of the quarterdeck, watching the performance with a typical glowering expression on his face. The audience, not aware that it was a typical expression, immediately began to feel compassion for the fate of the boat crew who were appearing to be more than a little inept.

The barge boatswain rang the little bell by his hand on the stern of the barge whenever he wanted the engineman to change power. One bell meant all engines stop (idle), two bells meant all ahead one-third, three meant two-thirds, four meant full power and five meant all engines back. With much ringing of the bells, the now nervous boat crew began a second approach and duplicated the earlier mistakes, causing them to veer off a second time. The audience on the quarterdeck held their breaths, knowing that this was now very serious for the two errant seamen very serious.

[ About Spindrift ]

"I suppose the old bastard thinks he could do better himself!" It was a foolish thing to say, but the boatswain felt certain no one would overhear the indiscreet remark over the sound of the engine. Unfortunately, the boatswain had just rung one bell. As the unwise remark escaped his lips the engineman pulled the engine throttle all the way to idle and a heavy silence ensued. The bo'sun's earthy comment could be heard across the intervening 50 feet of water as clear as a bell. The audience was aghast! No one uttered a sound as they waited for the explosion from Halsey.

In that pregnant moment at that remote spot in the Western Pacific Ocean, amidst the enormous assemblage of men-of-war, time seemed to stand still. The crusty four-star admiral stood there, hands on the rail, glowering at the boat crew for a few interminable seconds then took in a deep breath and retorted to the boatswain the remark that was to make its way around all 4,000 ships in the anchorage like a firestorm. His voice came out like a roar!

      "WHAT DO YOU MEAN, OLD?".