“I’ve ordered Denver to depart Bremerton with a full weapons load and provisions for an extended patrol. Your sister ships are doing likewise throughout the Pacific. Be mindful that Denver exists only because of her need in time of war. This is the sole justification for all Navy warships. We must be worthy of the trust that accompanies a huge national investment to this extent. I am confident the officers and men of Denver will discharge this trust with skill and honor.
“Thank you and congratulations on a job well done.”
Applause, led by Captain Bostwick, interrupted the shocked silence of Denver’s crew.
Lieutenant Commander Olsen ordered, “At-ten-SHUN,” and the commodore and Captain Bostwick departed.
After being dismissed from formation, troops reassembled in small groups, wanting to get the straight scoop.
Gary Hansen asked, “What the hell’s going on, Mr. Maddock?”
Several others gathered to hear Brent’s response, a testimony to their confidence in the young officer.
Brent knew this, thus chose his words carefully. “You heard what the man said. This isn’t Monday Night Football. Second guesses are not worth much. We’ve got a job to do, but what else is new? We don’t break with our tradition of doing it right.
“Hansen, our work is cut out for us if we’re to be ready by Monday. A full load-out will be a first. Look at it this way. Same as all the other ones, except more bullets. So let’s get out of these sailor suits and into working gear. And Hansen,” he called to his leading petty officer who started to walk away, “congratulations on the new stripe. This means I can expect more and better things, okay?”
Grinning at his division officer in response, Hansen continued to walk off.
Quartermaster Henri, ever the self-starter, said, “Not sure where I’ll find them, Mr. Maddock, but we don’t leave here without every Pacific chart printed in the last ten years.”
Brent grinned, “Don’t forget the Atlantic, Henri. We can get there under the Pole, ya know.”
Henri provided a rare glimpse into his sense of humor with a wide grin spread over his face. “You’re tough, Mr. Maddock. Real tough.”
A short time later aboard Denver, Lieutenant Commander Jack Olsen reported to the captain’s stateroom in response to a summons by Captain Bostwick.
“Jack,” the captain warned, “this is a protected conversation. Understand?”
“Of course, Captain.”
Bostwick lowered his voice and glared at his executive officer. “I believe Danis is overreacting. I hear noises from an officer who’s blown his flag chances and takes reckless long shots to recover them. We’ve got to protect Denver from doing something stupid. It’s eight-thirty in Pearl. SUBPAC is still at morning staff. I’ll place a call in half an hour and get this thing straightened out. In the meantime, keep me informed of everything we do to tilt with Danis’ windmills.
“Aye, sir, will do that, Captain.”
“While I’m on the phone, I’ll locate an open billet in the rustiest tub in the force for a certain half-assed lieutenant.”
“Brent?”
Bostwick snarled, “Bingo!”
Jack took a breath to say something in the young officer’s behalf, but sensed Bostwick detected his intention so he remained quiet.
“Anything else?”
As usual, Jack’s courage deserted him. “Nothing, sir.” Then he rose and walked out of the captain’s stateroom.
Ensign Parnell and Brent arrived at the shipyard commander’s office to give testimony before a Civil Service Board convened to investigate Denver’s sea trial accident. The near loss of a submarine is a sensitive matter, so the Board availed itself of privacy in the shipyard commander’s office complex.
Brent had expected to be asked to describe the accident while Woody witnessed the post-event inspection and would be asked to describe the findings.
As he waited to give his statement, Ensign Parnell made good use of the time by engaging an attractive young secretary in conversation. His extra-curricular activity ended when summoned into the hearing room.
Past shipyard commanders looked down at the proceedings from gold framed oil paintings hung on dark mahogany paneled walls. The portraits dated back to September 1891 when Lieutenant Ambrose Barkley Wyckoff purchased the site and occupied the office as its first commander.
Five senior civil servants ranging in age from mid to late fifties comprised the board. They sat about a large oak conference table, their moods somber. Darby Cameron sat alone at the table’s end.
The chairman swore in Woody and asked the young officer to state his name, rank and affiliation with USS Denver.
“Elwood F. Parnell, Ensign, United States Navy, sir, assigned to USS Denver as first lieutenant in the Weapons Department.”
After the oath the chairman nodded to Darby then asked, “Do you know Mr. Cameron?”
Woody looked at Cameron who did not raise his eyes. “Yes, sir, I know him.”
“Please understand that your testimony may have an impact on Mr. Cameron’s tenure as a civil servant, therefore I ask you to consider each question and answer it to the best of your knowledge. Please do not speculate. If you have no specific knowledge relating to a question, state that you do not know.”
“I’ll do that, sir,” Woody replied.
The committee produced a stack of inspection reports related to the alleged falsified inspection.
The next series of questions asked by the chairman pertained to the reports. “Have you read the inspection criteria?”
Woody answered, “I have sir.”
“Did you observe any inconsistencies between the criteria and what you observed at the inspection?”
“I’m not experienced enough to comment on that, sir.”
This characterized Woody’s responses to the balance of questions on the alleged gun decking of the report. His damning testimony came during questions posed on the post event inspection when he stated, “The inspection plate was rusted shut and tough to open.”
“In your view, is it possible the plates had been removed within the past two months as shown in these records?”
“Again, sir, I’m too inexperienced to comment, so I must say, I do not know.”
The chairman admired the young officer’s candor. He had almost lost his life because of Cameron’s flagrant oversight but remained unwilling to make speculative testimony against him.
“You are certain of the difficulty experienced to open the port side inspection plates?”
Woody replied, “I am, sir.”
Turning to Darby the Chairman asked, “Mr. Cameron, do you have any questions for Ensign Parnell?”
Cameron indicated he had none by shaking his head.
“Ensign Parnell, do you have any questions for Mr. Cameron, or statements you’d like to make?”
Woody paused a second then said, “Mr. Chairman, I was scared out of my wits when we almost sank. But Mr. Cameron would have gone down with us too so I think that should count for something, sir.”
The chairman’s stern expression softened. “Ensign Parnell, you’ve shown a great sense of justice and compassion for one so young. In the twilight of my career, I find it refreshing to see this quality among those at the beginning of theirs. You are dismissed, Ensign Parnell, and we thank you very much.”
The chairman called for Brent and repeated the oath administered to Woody. The questions to Brent centered mainly on the accident and explored possible mitigating circumstances.
“Lieutenant Maddock,” the chairman opened, “earlier testimony by Lieutenant Patrick alleges that following the first operation of the port eject pump, and you wished to delay the second. Is this correct?”