Both readers of this blog know that my memory often retreats to Marine Corps experiences. Some brain pulse triggered thoughts about disembarking from ships. Perhaps it was seeing the picture below of our aircraft carrier through the door of a helicopter.
The least favorite method of leaving a ship was over the side and down rope nets. This method was only done while in full battle gear. That meant a pack with half tent, another Marine had the other half, ammo belt with canteens and bayonet, rifle and helmet. Taken together the weight was over 100lbs. Naturally neither the ship being departed nor the landing craft waiting below were stationary. The ship rolled from side to side and the landing craft bounced up and down. Marines in the landing craft would pull the net away from the ship so descending Marines didn't get caught between the vessels. It was critical that the descending Marine drop the net the moment his foot touched the deck. Hesitate a moment and the craft might drop ten feet down and then the Marine would have a fall.
Descending a gang plank, about three feet wide, with railings on either side, was the usual method of leaving the ship. Typically one end of the plank would be on a dock. The exception to this was in Hong Kong Harbor. There was no dock space for the aircraft carrier so it anchored out in the harbor. A gang plank was lowered hugging the ship. Its terminus was a platform few feet above the water, From that platform we stepped into a harbor taxi to carry us to shore.
The USS Princeton, on which I travelled, was a World War II, aircraft carrier built after the original Princeton was sunk by the Japanese. It had been re-fitted as an helicopter carrier. Flying off the deck was an easy, but noisy, way to disembark but it always meant training, not liberty.
Takk for alt,
Al
Anchored in Hong Kong the top part of the gang plank is visible. Note the helicopter on the deck with its rotors folded.
Marines going down the net four abreast. Don't try this at home!
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