USS Atherton DE 169

DESTROYER ESCORT - CANNON CLASS

As I remember, I was on the bridge with Chuck New SM 2/c who actually had the duty. Chuck had recently reported aboard and was not well known.

We were in port and Lt. Alfred Swan was the Officer of The Day standing watch on the quarter deck by the gang plank. For some reason he called the bridge and New answered the phone. In the course of conversation Swan wanted to know who he was talking to. New responded "I'm New." Swan once again asks "who I am speaking with?" New once again said "New." The third time, Swan, irritated as hell, said "I want your name or you are going on report." New in a very firm voice- "I have told you twice now, my name is New." On the other end of the line there was a silence and finally Swan said "OH!!"

As I recall the war had just ended and we were anchored off the beach of Marcus Island where we had escorted several small ships, the Japs were still on the island. It was in the afternoon and very hot and someone thought it was a good time to have a swimming party. I was a member of the swim team and as a life guard I was on the signal bridge where I could see the swimmers. A good number of the crew were lined up on the main deck waiting for the needed OK from Captain Iselin. Some how The Captain's 6th sense or some thing told him not to give the OK. About this time a huge shark appeared along the port side and swam the length of the ship, from the signal bridge I could see all the heads of the crew turn and follow the path of the shark.

END OF SWIM PARTY

I have often wondered what would have happened had our crew been swimming. Where there was one shark there had to be others, Surely god was watching over us.