| When I reported aboard ship, I was just another warm body for the mess gang as far as most were concerned. However, I had just graduated from Electricians school and the petty officer in charge of the Electric gang saw me as a “gofer” for the electricians on the ship. There were several electricians at the time, but they were all rated third class petty officers and the PO in charge was a second class IC Electrician by the name of Jolly. This meant that all of them being rated had no one to do the down and dirty work or go for tools and such. Anyway the PO in charge went to the engineering officer and complained about a qualified electrician serving in the mess hall scullery when he could be really helping the Electric shop needs. The engineering officer went to the Captain and begged me off of the mess duty, so I only served one day as I recall there. In fact, Jolly came by to get me from the scullery and told me of the change in duty. He took me up to the starboard boat davit to replace a frayed armored cable. He already had the wire and tools there and after describing what we were going to do, allowed me to begin. After measuring the length of cable needed, I started hack sawing the cable. I had worked with a hacksaw before many times with my Dad, so I was no stranger to it. However, in my zeal to cut that cable, I got a bit too aggressive and the saw jumped off of the cable and on to my left hand. It cut pretty deep into the knuckle and the blood started flowing. To say I was quite embarrassed would be a bit mild. I would have rather bled and finished the job, but he took me to the sick bay for cleanup and bandages. He never said much about the accident, but I know he was thinking “What in the hell have they sent me, a butcher or an electrician?” We went back and completed the job, but I was a lot more careful sawing the metal braided cable. I had learned my lesson the hard way. I know I repaired or replaced a lot of wires and cables during the next 40 months but don’t recall it happening again. |
| Sometimes you would rather be looking for help, than have the help you have at hand !! |
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