May 31, 1942
Night Order Book:
Sunday, May 31, 1942
Task Force 17
Disposition L
Station #4
Course 320T Axis 320 – Keep station as IN course 290°T
Speed 22
Zig Zag plan #6
Japanese forces reported approaching Midway. Submarines may be encountered at anytime.
Keep all hands on watch alert -
Control officer keep gun crew alert.
Call me just prior to start of morning twilight.
Respy,
DJ Ramsey
<BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR>
Here, the captain was ordering the Fire Control Officer to keep the approximately 27 sailors needed to operate the 5" gun at the ready in order to fire upon the enemy in the event of contact. Additional crew would have been needed for sustained periods of fire. Crewmembers would be in the gun mount itself as well as beneath in the ammunition handling space. Seen here are graphics from a 1950s Fire Control Technician's training manual.
