From: Steve Whynot - Field Day Coordinator, USS Joseph P. KENNEDY (DD-850)

To:     Captain Jack Casey - Chief Operations Officer - Battleship Cove

 

CC:    Tin Can Sailors

           KENNEDY Volunteers

           Friends 

 

Subj:   May 2002 Field Day

 

The weekend of May 17-20 brought the 45th Field Day aboard the KENNEDY. As luck would have it - Friday was a respectable day - but Saturday was probably the worst weather we have had in many - many a year.

 

Despite the torrential rains and high winds - the crew was - as always - flexible, adaptive and turned in another OUTSTANDING performance. They painted, fabricated, welded, plumbed and cooked. They worked on electrical, plexiglass, sheetmetal and did everything asked of them.

 

This report will surely miss some of the tasks that were completed this past weekend - but I hope that I've covered enough to provide a reasonably view of the success of everyone's efforts.

 

We had 36 volunteers from 10 states - traveling as far away as Kentucky and Ohio, Maryland, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Collectively - they traveled nearly 15,000 miles - round trip or close to 230 hours...of personal time to be at the ship. Those are figures that NO-ONE has even thought of....Talk about dedication....

 

To top off the weekend - a cake was presented Saturday night after supper to honor the 100th Anniversary of the Destroyer and Destroyermen. Sunday - at 0930 - a brief - but I hope honorable ceremony was held on the Flight Deck - to honor this occasion and to remember our fellow shipmates. Those that served before us and those that serve today around the world.

 

I am overwhelmed with pride to be in the company of such volunteers. To accomplish our mission is such a satisfying feeling. Without doubt - all of those with us this past weekend - felt much the same.

 

On behalf of all the crew - THANK YOU Captain, for supporting us in many way. Your visit to the ship was well received and greatly appreciated by all.

 

THANK YOU  CREW for the terrific job over the weekend - and if I  have inadvertently - let out something you accomplished and I didn't list - Please let me know.

 

The following is a list of work accomplished during this Field Day.

·         Removed Vent Covers for ships ventilation

·         Installed sump pump in Aft Steering

·         Removed ASROC Cradles from DASH to temporary location - Port side - 01 Level

·         Updated name-tags to Volunteer Board

·          Removed used - questionable Water Heaters from Boiler Room

·         Installed Plexiglass window to Post Office - Replacing metal grating

·         Installed Plexiglass window in Machine Shop to view Lathe.

·         Replaced plastic chairs in Chiefs Quarters with Navy Style chairs acquired from Philly

·         Installed Navy style sinks in Junior Officers Stateroom and Captains Sea Cabin for cosmetic    purposes only.

·         Dismantled Bookcase in Ships Office

·         Relocated all Publications to Machinery Room - Pending final relocation

·         General cleanup and inventory of Forward Engine Room

·         Connected primer line to cooling pump - Aft Emeregency Diesel

·         Re-secured several cable ways in Main Passageway

·         Upgraded water line for Scuttlebutt - Engineering Berthing

·         Replaced bubblerhead and filter for Scuttlebutt - Engineering Berthing

·         Fabricated and welded plate over opening for Vent - 01 Level - Port side - Forward Stack. (Completion delayed due to weather conditions)

·         Continued work on ASROC Control Station

·         Rewired light to Storage Rail Compartment - ASROC Deck - Starboard side. 

·         Moved additional equipment from ECM storage to DASH.

·         Re-installed lower propeller blades to DASH

·         Fabricated doors to workbench in DASH Hanger

·         Replaced Stokes Litter in DASH Hanger display

·         Continued paint touch up through out DASH Hanger

·         Continued replacing/repairing lighting in DASH Hanger

·         Completed replacing border strips throughout Burke Museum

·         Closed and Secured deck hatch - Burke Museum - Port Side (Potential Safety Hazard)

·         Replaced hasp on panel controlling TV in Burke Musuem (apparently tampered with)

·         Swept down entire Main Passageway

·         Began installing covers to Sound Powered Phone Jacks along Main Passageway

·         Polished 99.9% of Silver service in Wardroom   

·         Removed sea suction for Aft Emergency Diesel in preparations for Diesel work

·         Continued to troubleshoot Aft Emergency Diesel. (NOTE: Diesel was finally started and ran for 1 1/2 hours on Friday.

·         Prepared -03 Level Aft Mast for painting. (Weather precluded completing this)

·         Cleaned Center Storeroom

·         Rewired batteries in Whaleboat

·         Installed Bulletin Board in DASH Hanger

·         Inspected and re-charged batteries for Aft Emergency Diesel

·         Repaired Distribution Panel - Main Passageway - near Korean & Vietnam Memorial.

·         Fabricated 10 - NEW 0 extension cords. ( All are securely stored away)

·         Addressed dangerous wires in Forward Engineroom

·         Rewired and replaced duplex outlet - removed from Center Storeroom - by someone unknown.

·         Began sorting fuses acquired from Philly Trip

·         Removed rotted skirt from base of Director - O3 level.

·         Repaired Handrail - 03 level

·         Upgraded lighting in B1 and B2

·         Accomplished clean up in ASROC Hanger - Not 100% - but sufficient to allow Volunteers to work safely.

·         Re-welded access door to Lathe in Machine Shop

·         Cleaned pigeon mess - 01 - Port side. Pigeons problem continues

·         Performed walkdown and test of Emergency Lighting (Report to follow under separate cover)

·         Continued work in Radio Central

·         Cooked five meals

·         Performed major cleaning of Galley (post weekend)

 Respectfully submitted

 Stephen W. Whynot

 SK1 - USNR-Ret