A - Test all fire control circuits and instruments
B - Exercise plotting, tracking, and rangefinder parties
C - Exercise rangefinder crews either on target or with stero-trainer and in making internal adjustments (Comcruscofor letter A5-1/GEN (2702) of August 7, 1940).
D - Exercise officers and enlisted spotters in spotting, and spotting procedure and indoctrination.
E - Exercise plane spotters in spotting procedures in conjunction with ship's spotting drill.
F - Exercise loading crews including ammunition supply crew
G - Exercise gun pointers using local control
H - Exercise sight setting groups
I - Exercise surface fire control parties; pull switches in all battle telephone circuits and use secondary telephones for part of drills.
J - Exercise AA Control, including tracking; pull switches in all battle telephone circuits and use secondary telephones for part of drills.
K - Instruct lookouts in surface and aerial observation
L - Hold casualty drill and instruction
M - Hold instruction in safety precautions
N - Battle Problem. Exercise ship at general quarters and in Condition ZED
O - School for enlisted personnel
P - Instruction of personnel in security measures to protect ships from external damage and internal sabotage.
Q - Drill and instruct Machine Gun Crews
R - Instruct sentries and security personnel in their duties and in small arms safety precautions, and hold familiarization exercise with the weapons with which they are armed.
S - Exercise battery officers, gun and turret captains, at estimating ranges and target angles by eye (Silhouettes)
T - Night General Quarters, with searchlight drill and starshell instruction and control.
U - Inspection
V - Man anti-aircraft battery with watch on board

CA25/A5-1/Gen.    USS SALT LAKE CITY ---90-1p - No Date

1. Pass word over All loud speaker circuits:     "AIR RAID --- AIR RAID ---AIR RAID"

Then sound general quarters on the bugle, and then sound the general alarm.

2. A.A. Gun and AA Control Personnel already on watch remain at AA stations until relieved by Condition I AA Crews during first lull in the firing - if firing has commenced.

3. Condition I AA Crews proceed to battle stations. If firing has commenced, wait for lull before relieving, taking advantage of nearby cover. Do not interrupt fire of gun when relieving.

4. Other personnel use routes below decks as far as possible in proceeding to battle stations.

5. Repair and Turret Personnel give priority to setting Condition Zed. Do not dangerously expose personnel to close weather deck hatches, ports, etc., but close and secure same during lull in attack.

6. Commence sending up replacement AA ammunition immediately (without orders from Sky Control).

7. Turrets do not bring up powder from magazines unless ordered to do so.

8. Personnel having exposed battle stations always have adequate clothing close at hand which they can put on immediately to protect themselves against flash burns.

9. ALL exposed personnel wear trench helmets, and use cotton in ears if near any gun

SUBMITTED:
/s/ David M. Tyree, Lt. Commander, USN
Gunnery Officer

Approved:
E. M. ZACHARIAS, Captain, USN
Commanding Officer

1. It is essential that key officers and men of the AA Battery including the Condition Watch Officers keep each other advised of all the information available concerning planes, surface craft, dispositions, friends, enemy, etc.

2. Remember both ends in the chain of command. Those below you and those above. Keep the information flowing freely in both directions. Don't let important information stop and expire at your station.

/s/ James T. Brewer, Lieutenant, USNR
Air Defense Officer

1. Gunnery Department Notes will be issued frequently. Anyone having a suggestion or making an observation that should be brought to the attention of all hands, should inform Gunnery Officer immediately. Division officers and Battery Officers publish these notes to all men.

2. Use 10 degrees elevation in surface ready position instead of 5 degrees. During a heavy roll cartridge sometimes slides into bore of gun if elevated only 5 degrees.

3. Personnel not stationed as gun captain or rammer man on 5" guns do not tamper with spades and rammer when guns are in stand-by condition.

4. Use care in handling ammunition. Observe safety precautions.

5. Keep 5" ammunition protected from direct rays of sun. Keep it dry. Keep firing circuits dry.

6. Material must be kept in good operating condition.

/s/ David M. Tyree, Lt. Commander, USN
Gunnery Officer

DISTRIBUTION:
All Officers
Gun. Dept.
Bull. Board

1. Searchlights will NOT be used against Torpedo Planes at night, chiefly, for the following reasons:

(a) Difficulty and delay in getting on the target before shutters are opened.
(b) Reveals our position to other enemy planes or ships
(c) Searchlights directed against torpedo planes coming in would blind own machine gunners
(d) May reveal other of our own ships in the beam.

/s/ David M. Tyree, Lt. Commander, USN
Gunnery Officer

1. The smoking lamp is out on the communication deck and after superstructure deck at all times.

2. Have small canvas covers made to throw over breech of 5" Guns during rain squalls and sea spray. Be particularly careful not to inadvertently catch rammer lever and thus load cartridge.

3. Do not be confused by the red band on service projectiles. it merely indicates that the projectile contains a red tracer.

4. Helmets, except marine helmets, are issued to stations and not to individual men. when relieved at gun or control stations, turn helmet over to your relief.

5. Until further orders, do not use friendly planes for tracking drill.

6. Only one warning 5" shot should be fired in direction of submarine periscope. The object is to warn other ships in vicinity that a submarine is present and to point out its approximate location in order that the destroyers may attack it and the larger ships maneuver to avoid it. If the periscope is close aboard machine gun fire may be effective and an actual hit on it obtained. To maintain 5" fire will only delay action by destroyers and planes who would be forced to keep clear of our own gun fire. In firing this warning shot, do it promptly, but coolly and deliberately. Do not become excited. Observe safely precautions. DO NOT FIRE IN DIRECTION OF OWN SHIPS OR PLANES. A few seconds used in firing this one shot with precision will prevent the probability of casualty. Remember, only one shot - not to be fired if friendly ships or planes are in way - fired with absolute deliberation. Relax!

7. On the other hand, if we should catch a submarine on the surface or coming to the surface, the group control officer should open fire with entire battery (except guns that would endanger our planes on board). Use director fire if possible, but if close aboard, use pointer fire.

8. For surface fire, gun captains insure that fuses are set on safety.

9. When gun fire is heard, and no call is sounded, do not rush topside. If you have nothing to do, proceed quietly to your battle station or its vicinity and await further orders. If a call is sounded, proceed on double to your station and stay there. Do not attempt to do someone else's job until you are ordered to so. Strict discipline must be enforced. Officers and petty officers see that is The men will cooperate willingly.

10. This is our war and we are just beginning to fight. Keep calm and relax! But keep ALERT.

/s/ David M. Tyree, Lt. Commander, USN
Gunnery Officer
Copy to:
All officers: Gun Dept

1. Do not become careless while handling ammunition. Observe safety precautions.

2. Remember also that shells dent easily and become unfit for use.

3. Careless handling of ammunition has already caused more than one cartridge on the ship to be set aside as useless.

4. Handle 5" ammunition gently and with great respect when taking it out of or putting it into tanks and give it the same attention when required to handle it around the gun.

/s/ James T. Brewer, Lieutenant, USNR
Assistant Gunnery Officer

1. Whenever practicable during daylight, hold instruction for Condition III crews on watch in procedure for various types of fire such as:

(a) Defense against dive bombing
(b) Defense against torpedo planes
(c) Star shell spreads, etc.

Our Condition III crews soon should become thoroughly indoctrinated in the procedure for any situation that might arise. DO NOT NEGLECT YOUR OPPORTUNITIES FOR LEARNING. Ask questions.

2. Be sure that gun crews know the distribution of ammunition in the ready boxes.

3. Remove searchlight covers during evening general quarters and replace them during dawn general quarters.

4. Turing on searchlights or opening fire at night will be done ONLY when ordered by Captain or Supervisor of Watch (Head of Department Bridge Watch).

5. Condition III is designed to give security against surprise and at the same time to give men and officers sufficient rest so that they will be mentally and physically ready for any emergency. Except for a few men such as ship's cooks, etc., who furnish certain essential services, and engineers, where watches depend on boiler power requirements, every man on the ship has a watch in four in Condition III. Also opportunity is afforded during day time for some rest. Therefore it is considered that ALL men on watch should remain awake and alert whenever on watch in order to be ready for instant action and to guard against surprise. Lookouts at guns should be rotated frequently in order to keep fresh pairs of eyes always on watch. There is no objection to men sitting down and protecting themselves from the weather when it is not their turn to keep the look-out, but they should not permit themselves to fall asleep.

6. It has been noticed that men sleeping in the crew's recreation compartment are blocking traffic through this compartment. A passageway must be left on each side of the compartment, and a passageway from each side to the center ladder.

7. In order to relieve congestion, when going to battle stations, men in turret crews who are below decks when general quarters is sounded, should enter turrets through shell decks as far as practicable.

8. It has been suggested that sufficient battle lights to light passageways below decks be kept turned on during day time to provide against confusion that would be caused by sudden failure of lighting circuit.

9. LOOKOUTS - Do not permit yourselves to be distracted by what goes on outside of your own sector. Stick to your job. Do not neglect sectors abaft the beam. Danger can approach the ship from the quarter as well as the bow.

10. It is desired to accomplish the following at drill Monday, 15 December. (a) Loading and ammunition supply drill for turrets I and II and IV. Complete loading drill by 1400.

(b) Casualty instruction for turrets I and III
(c) Inter-director drill for rangekeeper operators and director pointers
(d) Spotting Drill
(e) Rangefinder drill if targets are available
(f) Instruction of 5" gun crews in various types of antiaircraft defense
(g) Loading drill for 5" crews from 1400 to 1500.

NOTE:

(1) During this period, turrets I and III will not hold any drill which would interfere with these turrets being promptly ready for action.

(2) Only two 5" loading crews will be at loading machine, and thus absent from gun stations, at any one time.

Respectfully,
/s/ David M. Tyree, Lt. Commander, USN
Gunnery Officer

1. Today I saw the destruction wrought upon the Navy in Pearl Harbor by the Japanese on December 7, 1941. The sight was not a pleasant one. It was a sight that must arouse the just wrath of every American. Turrets of stricken battleships, trained for and aft, gave mute testimony of the stealthy swiftness with which the yellow serpents struck. They struck while their government's representatives were being received in good faith by our President. They struck in accordance with a diabolical plan conceived in crafty minds, treacherous and cunning beyond our conception. In the planning and execution of the dastardly attack they were aided, undoubtedly, by their no-less diabolical Nazi allies and, certainly, by the incomparably low form of animal life, the fifth columnist.

2. This heinous crime against the Navy and the Marine Corps, our country, and the decency and integrity of the civilized world, must be avenged. I assign this task to these heavy cruisers. Let every officer and man be on the alert to detect the enemy's stealthy approach in the air, on the water and beneath the seas. Let every officer and man work to the utmost of his ability to the end that whenever the enemy is brought to battle he will be sunk swiftly and surely.

3. Let "Remember Pearl Harbor" be our battle cry!

DISTRICT MEMORANDUM:
Subject: Evacuation of Navy Personnel

1. Dependents of Navy Personnel desiring evacuation to mainland should register as soon as practicable with District Overseas Transportation Office, Pearl harbor or with the Office of Captain M. M. Frucht, USN (retired), in the Castle and Cooke Building, Honolulu, T.H.

The following named men report to Sick Bay at 0800 this date:

1. It has been noticed that telephone talkers, particularly those on the guns, are too apt to consider themselves unnecessary. No man on a gun station is more important. There is no use in having loaded guns manned at all times if the men in these guns cannot "get the dope" quickly, what to aim at and when to shoot. As Admiral Nelson said of Naval Warfare "Time is everything". By the time a gun talker and a control officer get thru giving each other "repeat", the ship may be sinking. To the end that this not happen to us the following notes are forwarded herewith.

2. In the first place, MANNER OF SELECTING TALKERS, Battery and Control officers will insure that certain men are NEVER detailed as telephone talkers. These men fall into two classes - the "incurable drawlers" and the rough-voiced "whiskey basses". No amount of instruction could ever make talkers of them, they haven't voices which can be understood easily on a phone. Having selected the talker, that talker must know what stations are on his line, what reports are required of him, and the manner on making the reports.

3. In the second place, MANNER OF SAFEGUARDING MATERIAL. Foremost, STAY OFF THE BUTTONS. They are not playthings. Fire Controlmen spend about 3 hours daily repairing phones, much of WHICH would be necessary if the Marconi Artists would do their radio practicing off the circuits. Besides being a nuisance to everyone on the line and menace to efficient communications it indicates a moronic streak in the man concerned. It is entirely within the power of control officers to use the fire control switchboard to locate offenders. Next, KEEP YOUR LEADS CLEAR OF MOVING PARTS OF THE GUNS. A few nites ago a 5" inch gun cut its lead in the training gear while trained on an unidentified destroyer less than 1,000 yards distant. This mistake could have been fatal. If you hear crackling noises continually on your circuit, CHECK YOUR LEAD. Insure that it is tightly screwed into the jackbox. Jiggle the leads to your headphones. If it appears to be your phone, get a new one. If there is no spare on the station, get control officer's permission to send a man to fire control workshop for a new pair. In any case send defective set to the fire control workshop IMMEDIATELY.

4. In the third place, manner of talking. PRESS THE BUTTON DOWN ALL THE WAY AND HOLD IT SO. PHONE MUST BE VERTICAL, YOU CAN'T BE HEARD OVER A PHONE LYING DOWN. KEEP THE MOUTH ABOUT 2 INCHES FROM THE MOUTHPIECE. TALK LOUDLY, ENUNCIATE CLEARLY - DON'T BE BASHFUL. KNOW WHAT YOU WILL SAY BEFORE YOU PRESS YOUR BUTTON, THEN SAY IT AND LIFT YOUR BUTTON AGAIN. DON'T STAMMER AND THINK ON THE LINE AND REMEMBER THAT YOU CAN'T HEAR THE OTHER MAN WITH YOUR BUTTON DOWN.

5. In the forth place, MANNER OF REPORTING. Phone language is necessarily brief. At a busy time many people must say much in a short time on each circuit. There is not time for "reports" or for unnecessary words.

FIRST - the station you are calling - as "Sky Forward".

SECOND, who are you - the station addressed wants to know - "Gun 5".

THIRD, what do you want to report? - "Two planes", "Red light", "Surface ship".

FORTH, where? For surface objects give bearing and distance - "Bearing 135, range 8000 yards". For aircraft bearing and position angle - "Bearing 135, position angle 15 degrees". THEN if you have additional information give it. Control officer can look and listen at same time. For example " Appears to be a 4 stack destroyer", "Looks like a Drummond Fighter" Leave out the unnecessaries. If you want the recognition signals request them like so: "Sky Forward, Gun 5. What are the recognition signals?" Contrast with "Sky Forward, this is Gun 5. COULD YOU PLEASE GIVE ME THE NEW recognition signals?" If you want a repeat - "Sky Forward, Gun 5 repeat". Contrast with "Repeat that last word". No one knows in this case who is addressed or what gun is having trouble, and "that last word" is unnecessary. Above all STAY ON YOUR TOES. Don't be the one to ask for repeats when someone is shooting at you and you should be shooting at someone. Listen to yourself on your own earphones when you talk. You can hear yourself as well as anyone on the line. Are you clear? Are you brief? Are your reports complete? Are you saying to much?

6. UNNECESSARY CONVERSATION OF A PERSONAL NATURE WILL NEVER BE TOLERATED OVER FIRE CONTROL CIRCUITS.

7. Battery and control officers will insure that all men on their stations are acquainted with the contents of this, and have read, practiced and thoroughly understand it.

Respectfully,
/s/ James T. Brewer, Lieutenant, USNR
Air Defense Officer

1. The Gunner will make a daily inspection of the 5" Battery with view to maintaining it in a condition to function perfectly when called upon to shoot.

2. The Gunner is authorized to deal directly with the Gunner's Mates giving them orders and instructions in matters of immediate urgency in accordance with Gunnery Department Order NO. 1-42.

3. The forenoon watch, 0800-1200, will be used to clean up gun stations. The Condition III crews at the guns during this watch will, each day, join in the general cleaning up. They will be expected to turn to on all jobs incident to cleaning up the station and the guns except scrubbing the gun shields. This latter function will be performed by the division concerned, as always. Battery Officers will initiate and supervise the operations on the forenoon watch.

4. The last half hour of each and every watch will be used by Condition II and III crews to police and tidy up their stations, before the oncoming watch arrives. This action will be initiated and supervised by the Battery officer.

5. Maintenance of the Guns is to be performed by the Gunner's Mates assigned, preferably during the daytime watches in which their own section is on watch. If necessary, they may make use of Condition Crews to help them providing, in doing so, that the alertness of the Battery is not decreased. Battery Officers in all condition watches are to keep familiar with work being done on the guns and its progress. They are to possess copies of the Gunner's Mates' check off lists to use as basis of work requ ired and general familiarization.

6. A Battery Officer's check off list of items to be checked off each watch to insure the immediate readiness of the battery is being prepared and will be put into use as soon as circulated.

7. Canvas gun covers are not to be stored on top of the ready boxes.

8. Frequent drills are to be held in which the gun crews open ready boxes, secure the flaps back and start to take out either AA Common or Star Shells as ordered. USE CARE IN HANDING AMMUNITION.

9. Battery Officers will maintain gun crew cards for both condition II and III and keep the crews stabilized.

/s/ James T. Brewer, Lieutenant, USNR
Assistant Gunnery Officer

Copy to:
Gunnery Officer
Gunner

1. The Ship's Gunner is designated as Material Officer, operating under the Gunnery Officer through the Air Defense Officer for the Antiaircraft Battery and Main Battery Assistant for the Main Battery. He will not stand Condition Watches.

2. The Gunner shall give orders and instructions directly to the turret captains and gunner's mates when he considers immediate action is necessary. He should keep Division Officers and Battery officers informed of such orders and instructions. Division and Battery officers should bring to the attention of the Air Defense Officer or Main Battery Assistant any instance in which they disagree with the Gunner concerning matters of material upkeep. When practicable the Gunner should advise the division or battery officers as to work required rather than issue orders directly to the petty officers, in order that the necessary orders and instructions may be issued in the normal manner.

3. This order does not relieve the Division Officers of responsibility for upkeep of material under their cognizance.

4. The intent of this order is to provide one officer experienced in technical matters who can devote his entire attention to matters pertaining to material. Responsible officers should use his services and advice in such matters to the fullest extent.

/s/ David M. Tyree, Lt. Commander, USN
Gunnery Officer

1. READING ON WATCH AT GUN STATIONS:

The following men may NEVER read:

(a) Shield lookouts
(b) Sight setter - telephone talker
(c) Any man right on a gun
This means that no one is to drape himself on a gun seat or platform to relax and read.
(d) Crews called to ALERT

The following men may read:

(a) Members of gun crews other than those above providing they stay clear of the lookouts and clear of the gun itself. They must stay near the gun but, at the same time clear of it.

2. BINOCULARS FOR REDUCED VISIBILITY LOOKOUTS

Previous binocular distributions are cancelled. The following are in effect:

SHIELD LOOKOUTS - GUNS 1 to 8 inclusive - Supplied with 8 - 6x30 binoculars

BRIDGE WING LOOKOUTS and FANTAIL LOOKOUTS - Supplied with 4 - 7x50 binoculars

MACHINE GUN PLATFORM LOOKOUTS - Search with the naked eye

3. NOTE FOR 1v1 GUNS

NEVER fire a 1v1 gun through the muzzle bag while it is loaded, as at present, entirely with fused projectiles.

Respectfully,
/s/ James T. Brewer, Lieutenant, USNR
Air Defense Officer

Copy to:
Gunnery Officer
Gunner

1. In order that special calls for men to be excused from Condition Watches be eliminated and to stabilize the Condition Watch Crews the following definite assignments to definite necessary services in ship keeping have been assigned. These jobs are all to be excused from Condition II and III.

2. It is to be noted, with the following assignments in effect, that MESS COOKS ARE REQUIRED TO STAND CONDITION WATCHES with their sections and ARE REQUIRED TO ATTEND GUNNERY DRILLS.

3.ASSIGNMENTS (Placed in effect 1/21/42).

1. When the word is passed, "Set Special Condition Two in the Anti-aircraft Battery", turrets shall provide reserve AA crews to man those guns in the AA Battery which at present are not manned during Condition Two due to insufficient personnel. These crews shall be provided in accordance with the following table:

1. The officer having the 0800-1200 sky control watch on weekdays will make every effort to participate in the tracking and calibration runs described below by:

(a) Organizing lookouts in the search.

(b) Employing the director crew on watch in these exercises.

(c) Working with 5th or 6th Division Officer to have him man the other director with his #one crew if at all possible for him to do so.

(d) Arranging with the Communication Watch Officer in plenty of time to man the circuit. (Use talk back with Radio I while drill is in progress).

(e) Employing battery in the drill as conditions permit.

(f) Arranging with O.O.D to pick up calibration data on days when calibration runs are made.

(g) Notifying (verbally or with rough memo) the Air Defense Officer daily whether or not you participated in drill - and to what extent.

1. Tracking and calibration runs for antiaircraft battery training will be conducted over Pearl Harbor from 1000 to 1100 as follows:

Monday - Tracking

Tuesday - Rangefinder Aerograph Calibration

Thursday- Tracking

Friday - Rangefinder Aerograph Calibration

Saturday - Tracking

2. Conduct and Procedure for Tracking Runs

(a) The tracking plane will be provided by the Utility Wing.

(b) The plane will be controlled by the Utility Wing Command on Ford Island and will follow usages prescribed by Commander Patrol Wing Two.

c) The Control frequency will be assigned by Commander Utility Wing. Key will be used. All transmissions except the announcements relative to starting and completing the runs will be in the Towing Code (CSP 1237.)

(d) The pilot of the tracking plane will follow the procedure prescribed below:

(1) The altitude of the run should normally be 7,000 to 14,000 feet dependent upon the ceiling of the day.
(2) The direction of runs should be varied in order to allow all ships present to drill.
(3) The pilot will make the following announcements: "Starting run No....." and give general geographical location;

(b) On reaching bomb release point, "Run Completed", (make a sharp turn away to indicate release point);
(c) Follow
(b) with "Altitude..., Speed..., Course...,Run No...."

3. Conduct and procedure for Rangefinder Aerograph Calibration

(a) The calibration plane and aerograph will be provided from the Utility Wing

(b) The plane will be controlled by the Utility Wing Commander and will follow usages prescribed by Commander Patrol Wing Two.

(c) The control frequency will be assigned by Commander Utility. Key will be used. Announcements will be used. Announcements will be in plain language.

(d) The pilot of the calibration plane will follow the procedure described below;

(1) The altitude of the run should be between 6,000 and 10,000 feet depending on the ceiling of the day. If the ceiling is below 6,000 the runs will be cancelled.

(2) The pilot of the calibration plane will make the following announcements:

(a) "Run No...." giving general geographical position.

(b) Make time signal before each run starting the run after time signal is completed.

(c) Announce "Run No...completed".

(d) Data will be furnished for each minute of the run.

(e) Upon the completion of the exercise, calibration data shall be made available for ships present in the Flag Office of the U.S.S. ARGONNE and the office of Commander Utility Wing on Ford Island by 1300 on the day of the exercise.

4. Tracking and calibration runs may be cancelled without notice, but, if practicable, advance notice of cancellation should be given."

Respectfully,
James T. Brewer, Lieutenant, USNR
Assistant Gunnery Officer

Copy to:
Executive Officer
Gunnery Officer
Comm. Officer

"Submit one report for each occurrence injuring or endangering personnel or material, or impairing rate or effectiveness of fire ..... Report on pertinent occurrences during training as well as during record firing."

2. Immediately after a drill, target practice, or action in which there is an occurrence such as described above, each officer concerned submit a report on Sheet 21 to the Gunnery Officer via the Air Defense Officer or Main Battery Assistant as applicable.

3. In making such reports, refer to material by drawing and piece number. Give sufficient detail to adequately describe the casualty.

/s/ David M. Tyree, Lt. Commander, USN
Gunnery Officer

April 24, 1942

MEMORANDUM FOR: ALL DIVISION OFFICERS, SKY CONTROL OFFICERS, GROUP CONTROL OFFICERS, BATTERY OFFICERS.

Subject: Necessary Services - Excused from Condition II and III Watches.

1. In order that special calls for men to be excused from Condition Watches be eliminated and to stabilize the Condition Watch Crews the following definite assignments to definite necessary services in ship keeping have been assigned, These jobs are all to be excused from Condition II and III.

2. It is to be noted, with the following assignments in effect, that MESS COOKS ARE REQUIRED TO STAND CONDITION WATCHES WITH THEIR SECTIONS AND ARE REQUIRED TO ATTEND GUNNERY DRILLS.

ASSIGNMENTS (Placed in effect 4/24/42.)

Enclosure: (A) Gas Defense Officer’s Memorandum of May 13, 1942 - Gas Masks, stowage and use of. Gas Defense Officer’s Memorandum of May 13, 1942 - Decontamination Procedure for All Hands. Decontamination Instructions for Decontamination Parties.

1. The probability of a gas attack while underway is very remote and even if successfully delivered the casualties, if any, would be slight. However, in order to take all possible precautions and to be fully prepared for any eventuality preparations have been made as outlined in enclosures (A), (B), and (C).

All officers are requested to bring enclosures (A) and (B) to the attention of their divisions.

Enclosure (C) is intended for the guidance of decontamination parties, but it is suggested that all officers familiarize themselves with the procedure outlined in order that they can take charge of decontaminations operations if necessary.

2. GAS ALARM PROCEDURE.

The gas alarm will be sounded whenever gas is present in any part of the ship. The sounding of the gas alarm should not be taken as the signal for all hands to put on their gas masks - - gas masks should be put on by men in a given area only when gas is detected in that area.

The order to put on gas masks shall be given by the officer or petty officer in charge in a given area.

3. Officers should caution all men as follows:

(a) Not to put on gas masks until they are ordered to do so.
(b) Not to leave their Battle Stations to go to the Decontamination Stations until so ordered.

4. Gas mask drill will be held at 1300, May 14, 1942.

(a) Division Officers will make certain that "each gas mask is properly adjusted to fit the individual to whom it is issued" and that he knows how to put it on.

(b) Division officers will be supplied with copies of Enclosures
(A) and (B) for the information of and distribution to their men.

(c) Attention is invited to the fact that the purpose of gas mask is twofold.

(1) To familiarize men with the technique of putting on a gas mask
(2) To give them practice so they can put one on quickly.

R. L. Blum, Jr., Ensign, USNR

Approved:

Edward E. Dolecek, Commander, USN, Executive Officer
Damage Control Officer

1. Stowage:
(a) Remove metal face plate from mask and place plate nose down in bottom of sack.

(b) REMOVE ADHESIVE TAPE OVER INTAKE VENTS.

(c) Clip canister to rear of headpiece.

(d) Place mask inside of sack, resting it face down in the metal face plate.

(e) Strap gas mask to under side of bunk, near foot.

2. HOW TO USE A GAS MASK

(a) When gas is actually present, use the following procedure for putting on your mask.

1. HOLD YOUR BREATH
2. Put mask on
3. TIGHTEN UP ON FACE STRAPS
4. HOLD FLUTTER VALVE and EXHALE thus forcing impure air out of mask.
5. Double up rubber hoses thus cutting off air supply. If your mask fits correctly no air will come in through the sides of the mask. If air does come in, adjust straps until mask is airtight.

3. CAUTION:

(a)A gas mask is protection for your lungs against gas. It merely removes impurities from the air, therefore it should not be used to combat smoke. A fire removes the oxygen from the air--gas masks do not supply oxygen, merely filter the air.

Subject: Gas Masks, stowage and use of.

(b) Rescue Breathing Apparatuses are located at Repair Stations to be used by properly instructed personnel for entering smoke filled compartments.

/s/R. L. Blum, Jr., Ensign, USNR
Gas Defense Officer
Copy to: All Officers
All Bulletin Boards
All Hands

2. WHAT TO DO WHEN EXPOSED TO GAS.

(a) Put on gas mask When Ordered
(b) Report to Decontamination Station (Crew's Washroom) when ordered.

3. CAUTION.- Although exposed to gas do not leave your Battle Station because:

(a) Tear Gas effects only your eyes; therefore, a gas mask alone will prevent injurious effects.
(b) Mustard Gas will effect the skin, but does not become effective until FOUR (4) hours after contact.
c) Lewisite Gas will effect the skin, but does not become effective until ONE (1) hour after contact.

4. If you have been exposed to gas and when so ordered, report to the Decontamination Station (Crew's Washroom) where the following procedure will be followed.

(a) Remove all clothing and leave it outside the washroom, do not touch it once you have removed it (it will be burned). Enter the washroom from aft only, leave from the forward door only.
(b Wash down with kerosene.
c) Wash down thoroughly with soap and fresh water. This scrubbing down is the principle requirement for proper decontamination.
(d) Leave Decontamination Station by the forward door; proceed to your locker put on fresh clothes.

5. Should an enclosed space become contaminated with gas, all hands will stay clear of this space until it has been chemically decontaminated by properly equipped decontamination parties.

6. Due to the fact that any gas must settle down on an area before becoming effective the danger of injury from chemical agents while underway is very slight.

APPROVED

Edward E. Dolecek, Commander, USN, Executive Officer
/s/ R. L. Blum, Jr., Ensign, USNR
Gas Defense Officer
Commander, USN
First Lieutenant.

I. Decontamination is the term applied to the process of removing or destroying chemical agents from either, personnel or material. It may be used in connection with either a persistent vesicant (causing tissue burns) agent, such as - mustard or lewisite or with a semi-vesicant harassing agent such as- tear gas(CN). Generally however, "decontamination" refers only to mustard or lewisite.

II. PERSONNEL DECONTAMINATION will be accomplished as outlined in the Gas Defense Officer's Memorandum to All Hands of May 13, 1942 - Procedure for Decontamination. Men engaged in this work will wear full decontamination outfits in handling contaminated clothing.

III. MATERIAL DECONTAMINATION will be accomplished by special Decontamination Parties (taken from the Repair Parties) in line with the following procedure:

1. The following necessary equipment will be stowed at each of the four (4) Repair Stations.

12 suits of impregnated clothing.
24 pairs of impregnated socks.
12 pairs of impregnated gloves.
12 pairs of rubber overshoes.
1 spray pump.
10 gallons of ready-mixed decontaminating solution in 5 gallon cans. Gas masks.

2. DECONTAMINATION PARTIES will wear the following equipment when engaged in this work:

(a) Impregnated suit of protective clothing.
(b) Impregnated pair of protective gloves.
c) Impregnated pair of protective socks.
(d) Gas masks.
(e) Rubber overshoes.

3. In all decontamination, work from the top of a vertical area down and from windward to leeward.

4. CN or Tear Gas can be eliminated from an area by simply airing it out as follows:
(a) Turn on full force the exhaust blowers in the area.
(b) Open doors to connecting spaces and turn on supply blowers in them thus creating a forced draft through contaminated area.
c) One (1) hours airing will usually clear an area.
(d) After airing wash down area thoroughly with soap and water.

DECONTAMINATION PROCEDURES FOR DECONTAMINATION PARTIES.

5. MUSTARD GAS OR LEWISITE must be treated with a chemical decontamination solution which is mixed according to the following formula:

(a) 1 lb. Of RH-195 (supply in locker over crew's head), 10 lbs. Of solvent (supply in chemical locker in Port Passageway on main deck at frame 831.
(b) Mix in an open vessel, preferably topside, stir with a wooden paddle until powder dissolved.
c) Do not confuse RH-195 with CC No.2 - both are powders- the former (RH- 195) is used for decontamination, the latter (CC No.2) for impregnation.

6. One (1) gallon of the above solution will decontaminate 15 sq. yds. (30 sq. yds. of a moderately contaminated area). NOTE: Each spray pump contains 3 gallons- fill pumps to level on internal clip ("full" level). Do not fill until just before using.

7. Scrub area thoroughly with a broom or ki-yis, for at least 5 minutes (in case of wooden decks leave solution in contact for at least 30 minutes - linoleum also re- quires longer treatment due to its porous nature).

8. Do not wet down before applying solution.

9. After scrubbing down as above wash down thoroughly with soap and water.

10. Do not allow anyone to enter contaminated area until it has been inspected by a C&R officer.

11. Decontamination does not take well to canvas therefore burn contaminated canvas. Hemp or manila line is weakened by mustard gas therefore destroy affected line (usually only outer coils on a reel).

12. Burn contaminated bedding.

13. No de-mustardization is necessary in hot machinery spaces as the temperature and the humidity will break down the mustard vapor and render it harmless

APPROVED:
R. L. Blum, Jr., Ensign, USNR
Edward E. Dolecek, Commander, USN, Executive Officer
Gas Defense Officer
Commander, USN
First Lieutenant.